Organizational Behavior Management, M.S.

Program Chair
David A. Wilder, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Organizational behavior management (OBM) is applied like traditional industrial/organizational (I/O) psychology but is behavioral rather than cognitive or eclectic. It is analytic in that it relies on the systematic manipulation of environmental events and on directly measuring and graphing behavior (rather than reliance on written tests and interviews for assessment and evaluation). It is technological in that it precisely describes procedures in such a way that others can replicate them. Graduates may apply and enroll in the Ph.D. program in I/O psychology, combining both degrees. Graduates also may choose to combine the OBM degree with an MBA or seek a Ph.D. in behavior analysis.

The degree program provides coursework and experience for those who plan to work as performance management or OBM consultants in business, industry, government and human service organizations. Graduates will be prepared to work in a variety of organizations helping management with training and staff development, improving staff performance, staff productivity and behavioral safety; reducing absenteeism and staff turnover; personnel selection and placement; and direct-line supervision of employees.

This degree program is only offered on the main campus in Melbourne.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 44 semester credit hours is required. Requirements include completing 24 credit hours of behavior analysis core courses, practical training (12 credit hours), and either the thesis or capstone option. All students must take the final program examination typically administered toward the end of the student’s final semester of residency. All courses for a letter grade must be passed with a grade of B or better. The final program examination for all students consists of a multiple-choice examination simulating the Behavior Analyst Certification Board certification examination at the behavior analyst (BCBA) level and covers material from all required behavior analysis courses. The final program examination is administered toward the end of the student’s second spring semester.

If a student would like to be eligible to sit for the BCBA examination, ethics electives and intensive practical training (IPT) should be taken, resulting in a change of program plan.