Department of Psychology
About Us
Our Students
The number of students admitted to the ABA Program at Fresno State varies each year based on available research advisors and practicum placements. Over the past 5 years, an average of seven students were admitted each year (range, 5 - 10). The majority of our students have come from California, with approximately one a year coming from out of state (including international students). Based on demographic information from the last five years, over 80% of our students identified as female, more than half were Hispanic, about 30% were white, and less than 10% Asian. In addition, more than 75% of our students are first-generation students.
Student Employement
All of our graduates are employed upon graduation, with the majority of them working for various Applied Behavior Analysis organizations doing work with clinical populations (autistic individuals, individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, children exhibiting difficult behavioral excesses), and school districts. A few have started their own behavior analytic practices, and a small number have worked within the area of organizational behavior management. Over the years, between a quarter and a third of our graduates have gone on to doctoral studies in Behavior Analysis or a related area.
Student Research
Our students gain research experience through their thesis advisor, research group, and practicum site. Upon admission to the program, each graduate student has a thesis mentor and will meet weekly with their mentor and research group (other graduate and undergraduate students interested in similar research topics). Throughout this time, students often assist in ongoing projects as they develop their own thesis and move through that process in collaboration with their thesis mentor. In addition, other research opportunities may be available at their practicum site and in collaboration with other groups. These research experiences often culminate in a thesis, conference presentations, or publications. A list of recent theses, as well as faculty and student collaborations on conference presentations and publications, can be found at the links below:
View Recent Graduate Theses (pdf) View Student and Faculty Presentations (pdf) View Student and Faculty Publications (pdf)
Faculty
Dr. Marianne Jackson
Dr. Jackson received her Master’s and Doctoral Degrees in Psychology (with an emphasis in Behavior Analysis) from the University of Nevada Reno. She is currently a Professor of Psychology at California State University, Fresno, where she serves as the coordinator of the Master’s program in Applied Behavior Analysis and as the clinical director of ABA Services at Fresno State. Her research interests include complex social skills, including humor, perspective-taking, and safety skills, the motivational functions of verbal behavior, and interventions to increase health and fitness behaviors. Dr. Jackson has served on the ABAI executive council, the CalABA Board of Directors, and as an advisor to the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies. In 2011, she was selected as the PsiChi Faculty of the year; in 2014 was named as one of the Provost’s Outstanding New Faculty; and in 2017 received a Distinguished Faculty Service award from the College of Science and Mathematics. While at Fresno State, she has secured grants and contracts totaling over $6 million. She regularly presents at state and national conferences and has provided teaching, training, and clinical services in the countries of Scotland, Ireland, Jordan, Bosnia, and Georgia.
Dr. Alyssa Wilson
Alyssa N. Wilson received her Bachelors degree in Psychology and minor in Music from University of Nevada Reno. After graduating, she spent a year as a non-declared graduate student at University of Mississippi, before completing her masters in Behavior Analysis and Therapy and doctorate in Rehabilitation with an emphasis in Behavior Analysis and Therapy from Southern Illinois University, Carbaondale. Dr. Wilson's research uses translational and clinically focused programs targeting substance use and problem gambling, neurodivergence, parent and caregiver training, and clinical behavior analysis.
Dr. Jovonnie Esquierdo-Leal
Dr. Jovonnie Esquierdo-Leal received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, Fresno. She went on to complete her Master’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) at California State University, Fresno before earning her doctorate in Psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR).
Dr. Esquierdo-Leal is a doctoral-level board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA-D). Her clinical and applied experience includes working with individuals with developmental disabilities as well as implementing practices to improve organizational culture and climate. Dr. Esquierdo-Leal serves as the Coordinator for the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Board (DEI) and the co-coordinator of the ABAI DEI Program Area. She is also an active member and Planner of the Behaviorists for Social Responsibility Special Interest Group of ABAI. Her teaching, service, and research often overlap, with special focus on cultural and behavioral systems science; leadership; social justice; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and verbal behavior.
Questions/Comments/Concerns Contact:
Dr. Marianne L. Jackson
ABA Master's Program Coordinator
majackson@csufresno.edu
559.278.2757