Creighton University - ABA Degree Programs

Applied Behavior Analysis Program at Creighton University

Creighton University appears in our ranking of the Top 30 Online Master’s in School Counseling

Applied behavior analysis is a scientific method that helps gain an understanding of certain behaviors. It applies to a set of principles that focus on how behaviors change and the impact other factors, such as environment, may have on those behaviors. Applied behavior analysis has shown promise in helping people who have been placed on the autism spectrum, helping them increase language and communication skills, improve attention focus and social skills while decreasing unwanted behaviors. Creighton University offers applied behavior analysis instruction as part of their Master of Science in School Counseling and Preventive Mental Health program.

The Master of Science in School Counseling and Preventive Mental Health offered at Creighton University is an online degree that prepares graduates to work in the school system as a counselor. The program covers topics such as bullying, student self-esteem, relationship problems, and substance abuse. It also discusses methods used in applied behavior analysis to assist students who may be dealing with behaviors related to minimized social skills, lack of focus or who suffer from disorders that may lead to language and communication issues. The program provides an understanding of child and adolescent development along with strategies designed to help children cope with the many challenges they face. Courses required include:

Career Perspectives for Children & Adolescents
Data-Driven Perspectives in School Counseling
Diagnosis & Mental Health Issues in Children & Adolescents
Ethical Guidelines for School Counselors
Group Counseling Approaches for Children & Adolescents – Classroom Guidance
Group Counseling Approaches for Children & Adolescents – Group Dynamics
Group Counseling Approaches for Children & Adolescents – Small Group Counseling
Individual & Program Assessment in School Counseling
Individual Planning & Counseling Techniques for School Counselors
Introduction to the ASCA Model of School Counseling
Issues in Child & Adolescent Development for School Counselors
Professional Orientation to School Counseling
Social Justice & Diversity in School Counseling
Theoretical Perspectives in School Counseling

About Creighton University

The funding to open Creighton College in 1878 came from Mary Lucretia Creighton who left a bequest in her will of $200,000 to fund the school in honor of her husband, Edward, a pioneer banker in Omaha. Edward’s brother, John, who married Mary’s sister, Sara, who established a grocery business in Omaha in 1868, was the executor of Mary’s will. After her passing in 1876, her will left strict instructions on the foundation of a college in her husband’s name. John and his cousin, James, along with Herman Kountze, a banker and family friend, also executors of Mary’s will, used funds from the estate to purchase the present site of the school and erect the first building. In 1888, Sarah, John’s wife and Mary’s sister, passed away, leaving a business block near downtown Omaha for use by the college which was still in the planning stage.

From 1878, the year the school opened with an enrollment of 120, until he died in 1907, John Creighton donated as much as $2 million to Creighton College. He financed the Creighton Observatory, a medical school, and the Edward Creighton Institute. He also established St. Joseph’s Hospital, provided funding for St. John’s Parish and funded the first monastery of the Poor Clares in Omaha. John was named a Knight of St. Gregory in 1895 and titled a Count in 1898. Today, the Creighton name is in honor of the entire family.

Women began attending Creighton University as early as 1892. In 1939. Beal’s Grill opened near the campus and, although not a part of the school, it was a fixture of campus life until it closed in 1986. Walt Beal, the owner, used such “salty” language, women students were discouraged from eating there.

In 1958, the college split into a preparatory school and the current college which was renamed Creighton University. It is a Jesuit University, guided by a commitment to Jesuit, Catholic traditions. All programs are taught with a strong Jesuit foundation.

Today, there are more than 8,900 students attending Creighton. US News & World Report has ranked Creighton as one of the best colleges in the country and has also recognized the school as the top school in the Midwest.

Creighton University Accreditation Details

Creighton University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Accreditation assures parents, students and employers that the school continuously approves their programs, offering students the highest level of education possible. In addition to regional accreditation, programs at Creighton are also accredited by the following organizations:

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education
Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant
Advanced Collegiate Schools of Business
American Bar Association
American Chemical Society
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education
Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Program
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Commission on Dental Accreditation
Council on Social Work Education
Liaison Committee on Medical Education
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

Creighton University Application Requirements

Applicants for the School Counseling and Preventative Health graduate degree at Creighton University must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher and must have an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. They must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. A resume, personal statement and three letters of recommendation are also required. Creighton University may also require a personal interview as well as GRE or GMAT scores.

Creighton University Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition for the Master of Science in School Counseling and Preventative Health is $560 per credit hour.

Financial aid is available and all students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Although most aid is need-based, there are some types of assistance that are merit-based. Students may seek grants and scholarships from outside sources as most graduate students are offered loans to cover the cost of attendance. Students who attend on-campus may be offered fellowships or assistantships as well.

Creighton University offers top-ranked education in the Jesuit tradition, preparing graduates who want to contribute something meaningful in the world.