Project MABAS

Project Requirements

Coursework and Training Requirements

  • Completion of required coursework in ABA Master’s Program and MSW
  • Completion of 3 additional courses to obtain the Graduate Certificate in Children’s Mental Health
  • Coordinated and supervised fieldwork/internship in a partnering school district
  • Monthly seminars
  • Summer Institute
  • Florida Center for Inclusive Communities Trainee Program (FCIC)
  • Case studies or thesis in high-need schools
  • Portfolio development
  • Conference participation 

Fieldwork/Internship Requirements 

  • Scholars must complete 600 hours (for ABA program and advanced Social Work program), or 900 hours (non-advanced Social Work program) of fieldwork or internship in a partnering high-need school district

  • Scholars must complete, in collaboration with other scholars, four school-based projects (e.g., case study, teacher training, counseling project) during the fieldwork or internship 

Scholars are expected to maintain 3.5 GPA and demonstrate proficiency in the program competency areas before exiting the program.

SERVICE OBLIGATION

Upon completion of the program, graduates are required to work as a school-based behavior analyst or school social worker for 4 years (full time equivalent), based on 2 years of scholarship support received during the program – each year of funding requires 2 years of post-graduate service.

Service Obligation Terms

  • Employment must be secured in a high-need local educational agency (LEA), a school district, providing direct services to school-aged children with behavioral problems and/or mental health challenges
  • Scholars are required to report their employment status and provide verification of their service work every six months.
  • Failure to meet service obligations will result in repayment of scholarship funds
young girl writing with teacher

Program Curricular

ABA Program

Total 41 (MA Program) or 45 (MS Program) credit hours of coursework and 1,500 hours of concentrated fieldwork in ABA

  • ABA Basic Principles (3 credits)
  • Single Case Research Design (3 credits)
  • Observational Methods and Functional Assessment (3 credits)
  • Ethics in ABA (3 credits)
  • Supervision and Training in ABA (OBM) (3 credits)
  • Behavior Theory (3 credits)
  • ABA in Complex Community Environments (3 credits)
  • Experimental Analysis of Behavior (3 credits)
  • Practicum Seminar (8 credits - MS program;10 credits - MA program)
  • Thesis/Intro-to-Research or Directed Research (Thesis 10 credits - MS program; Directed Research 3 credits - MA program)
  • Concentrated fieldwork (1,500 hours, with 600 hours completed in the school setting) 

Total 9 credit hours in Graduate Certificate in Children’s Mental Health 

  • Creating Cultural Competence in Behavioral Health (3 credits)
  • Family-Centered Interdisciplinary Practice (3 credits)
  • Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health (3 credits) 

Social Work Program

Total 60 credit hours of coursework and 600 hours of internship (for non-advanced standing program) or 35 credit hours of coursework and 600 hours of internship (for non-advanced standing program). Visit the USF graduate catalog for more information on coursework & requirements.

Total 9 credit hours in Graduate Certificate in Children’s Mental Health 

  • Creating Cultural Competence in Behavioral Health (3 credits) 
  • Family-Centered Interdisciplinary Practice (3 credits) 
  • Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health (3 credits)

Visit Social Work Project MABAS webpage for more details

For Scholar Graduates

We require graduates to regularly update us on their current employment, service obligation status, and the populations they serve. Guidance and a survey link will be provided upon graduation and periodically thereafter.

For Employers

Employers of our graduates are asked to verify the graduates’ employment status and complete a brief satisfaction survey assessing their performance. This survey helps us ensure that our graduates are meeting professional standards and fulfilling workplace expectations. A link to the employer survey will be provided directly to the employer, along with guidance on how to complete it.