On-Campus Clinical Experience | Human and Behavioral Sciences Programs | SIU

On-Campus Clinical Experience

Out of the Classroom and Into the World.

Students in the Master of Science in Behavior Analysis and Therapy program take what they learn in the classroom and apply it directly to hands-on professional settings.

Clinical training is structured across the program's four semesters, allowing students to systematically build and master core clinical competencies:

• Practicum (Semester 2): Students begin their initial clinical practice during their second semester.
• Internship (Semesters 3-5): Clinical training continues through advanced internship placements across their final two semesters.

During both practicum and internship sequences, students accumulate approximately 10 to 12 hours per week of hands-on experience under the close supervision of certified behavior analysts.

Placement Sites & Skill Mastery

Initial clinical training takes place on campus at SIU’s Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (CASD). Here, students work directly with clients under intensive supervisory guidance to develop foundational skills.

To advance to an external clinical placement site—such as Centerstone or other pre-approved community organizations—students must successfully complete their initial experiences and demonstrate mastery of essential clinical competencies.

Regardless of placement location, students work alongside practicing behavior analysts to deliver evidence-based assessments and interventions, serving individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, brain injuries, and mental health needs.