http://www.TheChicagoSchool.edu Apply to start your Psychology Degree by enrolling with The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. The Chicago School is a not-for-profit, accredited institution with more than 3,500 students at campuses across the country (Chicago, Los Angeles and Orange Counties, Calif., and Washington, D.C.) and online. As the nation's oldest and largest graduate school devoted exclusively to psychology and related behavioral science, TCSPP offers more than 20 degree programs and a wealth of opportunities for international experiences.

1. January 2012
Dear ABA Student,
Welcome to the Applied Behavior Analysis Department at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology! The
faculty and I have chosen to teach and do research here, and we are very happy that you have chosen to join us and
study here. Speaking to one of his classes over 50 years ago, B.F. Skinner said “The most important thing in life is to
pick your reinforcers.” Studying ABA here defines such a choice of reinforcers—The Chicago School means strong
skills in ABA as well as an appreciation of its underlying philosophy of science and its application to a wide range of the
issues faced by all people. If the ABA science is correct, ABA technologies can be developed for any behavioral
issues. Thus one of our aims is to give you the tools to define and successfully address problems that the field of ABA
has not yet even met. ABA is not only applicable to autism, education, organizations, or clinical behavior therapy. I
want you to carry it to even more applications, as well as improve it for the ones it does address now; your clients
deserve no less, and you are the future of the field and humanity.
Of course the choice to come here will reward you in direct proportion to the energy and time that you put into study
and learning. We want you to plan for success and take exactly the load that you can master. Therefore, if you plan to
work, also plan to cut your hours or your academic load so that you are able to achieve mastery. What you learn here
can make the practice of ABA very rewarding to you and even more rewarding to your clients, but learning is work, too.
We would like for you to finish your program as fast as possible, but it’s far more important that you really master the
program, no matter if it takes longer. Plan for excellence, and if you find the going difficult, reach out for help. ABA
principles can be applied to build behavior in graduate school no less than teaching colors in our elementary school or
to a child with autism.
This is a very traditional graduate program in that we expect you to approach your studies as an apprentice—to be
devoted to your classes, to study what we have to teach, to practice it in your field placements, to attend professional
conferences, and to always collect and use data to improve your impact on the clients/students in your care. Having
said that, we attempt to use the same principles of data-based efforts in working with you and adjusting things here to
support and facilitate your efforts. To this end, we rely upon communication from you and always want to know how
you see your studies progressing. In particular, as Department Chair my door is always open to you to listen or
problem-solve with you, and I take email at all times.
Speaking for the faculty too, I can say with confidence that we hope that your studies here are exhilarating and
transformational. You might choose to work with people with autism or developmental disabilities, in Special Education
or in our neighborhood school for just regular children, with neurotypical adults or people with mental illness or
acquired brain injuries. Wherever you go, you will carry The Chicago School with you, and that will be good.
Welcome to your first semester in the Doctorate ABA program at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology!
Sincerely,
Diana J. Walker, PhD., BCBA-D
Chair & Associate Professor
Department of Applied Behavior Analysis
dwalker@thechicagoschool.edu

2. For the Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD.) degree program in Applied Behavior
Analysis, the program code prefix for your course numbers is “PA.”
You must always register for “PA” courses ONLY.
For financial aid purposes you must be registered for at least 9 credits to qualify for full time financial aid.
However, the ABA program has a lock-step curriculum, which means that taking anything less than the
full time schedule sequence shown below can make timely program completion difficult. Should you ever
consider taking less than the required full-time credit load you must seek academic advisement through
your academic program.
Course Title Course Number Credit Hours
Professional Development Group PA600 1
Foundations of Behavioral Acquisition PA621 3
Advanced Behavioral Research PA651 3
Experimental Analysis of Behavior PA711 2
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS = 9
PART TIME STUDENTS must register for at least 5 credit hours in order to maintain eligibility for part
time financial aid. Although a minimum of 5 credit hours are required to qualify for part time financial aid,
the part time curriculum for the ABA program is a lock-step curriculum, which means that taking anything
less than the required part time schedule sequence can make timely program completion difficult.
Should you ever consider taking less than the required part time credit load you must seek academic
advisement through your academic program.
TRANSFER OR WAIVER OF CLASS Graduate classes that duplicate ABA classes are eligible for
consideration for transfer or waiver. For Fall semester, potential transfer/waiver classes must be
submitted by June 15; Spring classes must be submitted by September 30, and Summer classes
by February 15. Please consult the ABA Program Guidebook for details of how to submit a packet
for transfer/waiver consideration.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PROGRAM CURRICULUM MAY UNDERGO CHANGES AND REVISIONS
DURING YOUR COURSE OF STUDY. Changes will be announced by your academic program and you
will be informed of any new or different requirements for degree completion.