GSOE recently launched two new programs: Master of Arts in Neuroscience and Education, and a Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis.

 

Master of Arts
Neuroscience and Education

• One of the few Neuroscience and Education M.A. programs in the U.S.
• Interdisciplinary: Students will take classes in Graduate School of Education, Psychology, and Neuroscience 
• Small class sizes allow students to work closely with some of the nation’s top researchers

As one of the only Neuroscience and Education M.A. programs in the U.S., this unique specialization represents a new way for students to be exposed to the latest research related to cognition, learning, education, and neuroscience. 

Dr. Katherine Stavropoulos, assistant professor and assistant director of the UCR SEARCH autism center, was inspired to create the program at GSOE. “I was looking online and discovered how rare these programs are in the U.S.,” Dr. Stavropoulos said. “I realized that UCR has the precise mix of faculty necessary to create this program and to help prepare students for future study, if they want to go on to a Ph.D. program, or to help them find the right career path.”

Students will learn fundamentals of neuroscience, gain insight into how people learn, and understand how to help students with either emotional or learning difficulties. In addition, they will discover how neuroscience techniques can inform educational practices at a classroom, school wide, and larger policy level.

Master of Education

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

• Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Verified Course Sequence (VCS)
• Courses taught by faculty with backgrounds in ABA, education, and psychology
• Four-quarter curriculum and supervised fieldwork designed to prepare students for the Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Examination

“There is a great need for professionals with training in Applied Behavior Analysis, and the number of open positions is rapidly outpacing the number of credentialed individuals that are able to fill them,” said Dr. Rondy Yu, assistant professor of teaching and coordinator of the Applied Behavior Analysis M.Ed. program.

Behavior analysts are independent practitioners who design, implement, and evaluate instructional and environment modifications to improve socially significant behaviors. With unique perspectives and emphases on the many facets of behavior analysis, the program exposes students to a broad coverage of the applications of behavior analysis. The curriculum provides in-depth coverage of the foundational knowledge, client-centered responsibilities, and behavior analytic skills necessary for successful entry into the professional field. Opportunities for professionals with ABA training abound in schools, healthcare centers, mental health clinics, behavior therapy agencies, and residential facilities.

Successful completion of the program will allow students to effectively design, deliver, and evaluate behavioral interventions in a variety of professional settings and collaborate with others for the benefit of their clients.