Caldwell University's Department of Applied Behavior Analysis.
Build the clinic first, then the faculty—reverse order from 1990s advice—and you can scale a new ABA program fast.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Caldwell University built a new ABA graduate program from scratch.
The department wrote a playbook that any school can copy.
They tracked every step: hiring, marketing, and opening a campus clinic.
What they found
Three moves drove growth: a public-relations blitz, more faculty lines, and an on-site therapy center.
The clinic gave students real clients and gave the school visible wins.
How this fits with other research
Alsop et al. (1995) used a bottom-up plan: professors from different departments teamed up first.
Caldwell flips that order. They started with top-down marketing and a clinic, then hired faculty.
Friedman et al. (2024) show that once a program is running, you can add four months of coaching to boost staff soft skills.
Caldwell’s guide sets the stage; Friedman’s package shows what to teach after students enroll.
Why it matters
If you advise a college that wants ABA coursework, hand them this roadmap.
Push for the clinic early. It creates clients, data, and local buzz all at once.
Use Friedman’s later training to keep your graduates compassionate and collaborative.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Since 2004, faculty members at Caldwell University have developed three successful graduate programs in Applied Behavior Analysis (i.e., PhD, MA, non-degree programs), increased program faculty from two to six members, developed and operated an on-campus autism center, and begun a stand-alone Applied Behavior Analysis Department. This paper outlines a number of strategies used to advance these initiatives, including those associated with an extensive public relations campaign. We also outline challenges that have limited our programs' growth. These strategies, along with a consideration of potential challenges, might prove useful in guiding academicians who are interested in starting their own programs in behavior analysis.
The Behavior analyst, 2016 · doi:10.1177/088840649501800307