Southern Illinois University - ABA Degree Programs

Four SIU Programs for Behavior Analysis Certification

Southern Illinois University appears in our ranking of the 10 Best ABA Master’s Degree Programs in the West.

In Rehn Hall, the College of Education & Human Services grants the B.S. in Behavior Analysis and Therapy at a 14:1 student-faculty ratio for Southern Illinois University freshmen called to assist people diagnosed with developmental disorders. Since Fall 2015, the 120-credit BCaBA path coordinated by Dr. Mark Dixon has blended courses, such as Performance Management, with BAT Club activities and six practicum credits.

Formed by Drs. Renzaglia and Azrin over 50 years ago, the M.S. in Behavior Analysis and Therapy is America’s oldest such degree for treating atypical neurological functioning. The 45-credit, ABAI-accredited hybrid sequence meets in New Lenox three weekends per term and includes two 300-hour internships like the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Reporting a 78 percent BCBA Exam pass rate, the Online Behavior Analysis and Therapy Certificate logs into Blackboard for post-master’s study. Advised by Dr. Ryan Redner, the 18-credit track spans one year of 500-level classes from Observation Methods to Staff Training.

Lastly, the Rehabilitation Institute has graduated over 130 BCBA-D candidates in the Ph.D. Behavior Analysis and Therapy Track with Direct or Accelerated Entry. This 96-credit, research-based option managed by Dr. Ruth Anne Rehfeldt utilizes the Behavior Management Lab for original dissertations.

About Southern Illinois University

Southern Illinois University originated on March 9, 1869, when Governor John M. Palmer signed legislation creating the Southern Illinois Normal College. The next May, Dr. Delyte Morris welcomed the first 53 students to Old Main for teacher training. On the Illinois Central Railroad, its Carbondale campus near Shawnee National Forest grew to 1,136 acres during the 1890s. By 1904, it became Southern Illinois Normal University with the initial Master of Education. Four decades later, the General Assembly picked the current name in preparation for Ph.D. options started in 1955. Accredited in 1979, Southern Illinois debuted the Behavior Analysis and Therapy major in 1982 with the Choate Mental Health Center. In 2006, SIU was chosen for the ABAI Enduring Programmatic Contributions in Behavior Analysis Award. Generating $514 million, Southern Illinois University now confers 397,752 credit hours to 17,292 Salukis from 65 countries yearly with 67 percent retention.

The U.S. News & World Report ranked Southern Illinois the 226th best national university, 108th best education college, and fourth top rehabilitation counseling program. On Niche, SIU boasts America’s 293rd best faculty, 337th top public education, 547th most diversity, and 724th best academics. Times Higher Education placed Southern Illinois University 389th overall. Forbes picked SIU as the 178th best mid-sized employer and 244th top research institution. The Center for World University Rankings crowned SIU 212th for education quality. Given the 2016 LASPAU Award, Southern Illinois University landed among Washington Monthly’s 25 most adult-friendly choices. College Factual noticed SIU for the 66th best rehabilitation professions program and 265th best education value. PayScale also recorded the 569th biggest 20-year ROI of $285,000 for Southern Illinois Salukis.

Southern Illinois University Accreditation Details

On February 17, 2020, Southern Illinois University faces another in-depth institutional evaluation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) to extend Level VI accreditation for another 10 years under its ninth chancellor, Dr. J. Kevin Dorsey, who received the 2000 John Templeton Spirituality in Medicine Award. Headquartered 331 miles north via Interstate 57 in Chicago, this mega 19-state Midwest accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Secretary of Education to critique the academic standards of SIU’s three associate, 98 baccalaureate, 80 master’s, 30 doctoral, and 18 certificate offerings. The College of Education & Human Services was reaffirmed by the Council on Accreditation for Educator Preparation (CAEP) in April 2013. The Rehabilitation Institute has been accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) since 2010. The M.S. in Behavior Analysis and Therapy was also reviewed by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) in 2018.

Southern Illinois University Application Requirements

Attending Southern Illinois University is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s because only 6,049 of the 7,941 Fall 2017 applicants conquered the 76 percent acceptance rate. First-year Salukis hounding the B.S. in Behavior Analysis and Therapy must complete a high school diploma, GED certificate, or Concurrent Enrollment program. If 15 college-prep units aren’t fulfilled, ACT English and Math sub-scores in the 60th percentile are required. On average, freshmen present a 3.37 GPA, 1230 SAT, and 25 ACT mark. Transferring into the College of Education & Human Services necessitates at least 26 semester or 39 quarter credits with minimum 2.0 GPAs. International scholars must have two English Composition courses graded “B” or 520 TOEFL and 6.0 IELTS scores. The Rehabilitation Institute seeks post-grads with four-year bachelor’s completion at 2.7 GPAs and better. Online Behavior Analysis and Therapy Certificate candidates must have non-BACB master’s majors like Psychology or Education. The Ph.D. also mandates a minimum 146 Verbal, 147 Quantitative, and 3.5 Analytical Writing GRE grade.

Southern Illinois University has a preferred freshman deadline of December 1st with rolling space-available admission after May 1st. Hopeful B.S. in Behavior Analysis and Therapy transfers have until July 1st for Fall, December 1st for Spring, or May 1st for Summer. The Rehabilitation Institute considers Online BCBA Certificate entrants until February 1st. Master of Science cohorts apply by February 28th for Fall-only entrance. The BAT Doctor of Philosophy track enforces firm January 15th and October 15th deadlines. Accordingly, access the Hobson Radius portal to submit the $40 ($65 if graduate) SIU Application online. Printable copies and official transcripts are processed to Mail Code 4725 at 1263 Lincoln Drive in Carbondale, IL 62901. Requested add-ons include the entrance exams, class rank, 2-3 recommendations, service hours documentation, writing sample, passport identification, résumé/vita, and research interest statement. Please inquire further at (618) 453-4203 or batga@siu.edu.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2018-19, Southern Illinois University eliminated out-of-state tuition to charge all B.S. in Behavior Analysis and Therapy majors $9,638 per year. The Legacy Rate reduces costs to $7,710 annually. Mandatory undergraduate fees total $4,961. Living at the Carbondale campus’ dorms like Evergreen Terrace adds $10,622 for room and board. SIU budgets $1,100 for textbooks and $2,941 for personal expenses. Annual bachelor’s attendance equals around $29,262 on-site, $27,334 for Legacy students, and $20,640 with parents. The Rehabilitation Institute is billing Illinoisans $14,085 and non-residents $35,213 for BCBA training tuition. Master’s and doctoral fees combine for $5,060 every nine months. With residential expenses included, Behavior Analysis and Therapy post-grads spend $37,458 to $58,586 yearly.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office in the Student Services Building disburses $95.76 million total for 78 percent of SIU Salukis to fetch a median $10,081 package. College of Education & Human Services funds include the Banes Scholarship, Leo J. Brown Scholarship, Dr. Marybelle Keim Scholarship, Patricia Borgsmiller Elmore Doctoral Award, Donald E. Starzyk Family Scholarship, Elizabeth Portz Scholarship, Victor Cook Memorial Scholarship, Dorothy Dykema Scholarship, Irene Hawley Memorial Scholarship, Guy A. Renzaglia Scholarship, and Lorenz-Baker Award. The Chancellor’s Scholars Program suits B.S. in Behavior Analysis and Therapy majors meeting 3.0 GPAs plus 20+ service hours. University Excellence Scholarships gift $9,500 yearly or $38,000 overall. The Rehabilitation Institute offers Master’s or Doctoral Fellowships with full tuition and 11-month stipends. FAFSA applications coded 001758 unlock federal aid, such as Pell Grants, SEOG Grants, Work-Study Awards, and Ford Direct Loans. Illinois residents also pursue the Monetary Award Program, Veteran Grant, AIM HIGH Grant, and Grant for Dependents of Correctional Officers.

Learn more about Southern Illinois University at the Behavior Analysis and Therapy Department website.