At MSP we offer a Master of Arts in clinical psychology degree (MA) and a Master of Arts clinical psychology with a concentration in ABA degree (MA with ABA).
Graduates of the MA program are eligible to apply for the Temporary Limited License in Psychology (TLLP) in the State of Michigan. After successfully completing 2,000 postgraduate hours of supervised clinical experience, and passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), graduates may apply for the Permanent Limited License (LLP) at the Master’s level.
Graduates of the MA with ABA program are eligible to apply for the TLLP and upon completion of fieldwork hours are also eligible to sit for the international exam to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®).
The table below provides a comparison of the TLLP and BCBA® licensures.
| TLLP/LLP | BCBA® | |
|---|---|---|
|
Requirements |
TLLP: Master’s degree, completed practicum
LLP: Supervised postgrad clinical experience, completion of the EPPP |
Meet eligibility requirements (MSPs program), complete fieldwork hours and pass the BCBA exam. Must recertify every 2 years. |
|
Ability to practice outside of Michigan |
Eligibility for licensure and ability to practice with a Master’s varies by state |
BCBA® licensure is recognized nationwide and internationally. |
|
Ability to practice |
Practice under the supervision of a doctoral level clinician |
Practice ABA therapy independently |
|
Average Salary* |
$78,736 |
$96,477 |
|
Clients |
Ability to work with diverse populations in a variety of settings |
Ability to work with clients who need behavior-analytic interventions, typically children with Autism |
|
Accrediting Body |
Michigan Board of Psychology and Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) |
Behavior Analyst Certification Board® |
*According to data from ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor, and Indeed
Program Curriculum
The MA and MA with ABA curriculums encompass coursework and clinical training. The two programs have some overlapping courses but for students with an ABA concentration, ABA courses replace five of the traditional MA courses. The MA program can be completed in a minimum of one year and is 48 credit hours while the MA with ABA program is a minimum of two years and 54 credit hours.
MA
Core Classes
- Core Concepts in Humanistic and Clinical Psychology
- Human Development and Behavior
- Evidence Based Theory & Intervention
- Crisis and Trauma Counseling
- Foundations of Psychopathology
- Assessment I & Assessment I Lab
- Assessment II & Assessment II Lab
- Practicum I, II, III
MA Specific
- Multicultural Psychology
- Existential and Phenomenological Psychology
- Professional and Scientific Ethics
- Research Foundations
- Group Process: Theory and Practice
MA with ABA
Core Classes
- Core Concepts in Humanistic and Clinical Psychology
- Human Development and Behavior
- Evidence Based Theory & Intervention
- Crisis and Trauma Counseling
- Foundations of Psychopathology
- Assessment I & Assessment I Lab
- Assessment II & Assessment II Lab
- Practicum I, II, III
ABA Specific
- Behavioral Measurement & Research Methods
- Foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis
- Behavioral Assessment
- Behavioral Intervention
- Ethics in Psychology & Behavior Analysis
- Advanced Concepts and Practices in Applied Behavior Analysis
MA with ABA students who have an interest in MA-specific courses may choose to add the course as an elective.
Read the MA course descriptions.
Read the MA with ABA course descriptions.
