On Wednesday, April 28th, 2020 Aurora University sent out an email to all currently enrolled and prospective students announcing the termination of a well-respected, revenue generating, and deeply impactful program. 

The Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program housed three full-time faculty who represent some of the top leaders in our field, 45 graduate students, and had accepted 32 additional students to begin as of Fall 2020. 

The graduate students through this program worked with approximately 15 local organizations who deliver one-to-one ABA therapy for children and adults diagnosed with Autism and other developmental disabilities. The clinical research conducted for these communities yielded, and continues to yield, life changing results for the direct service recipients as well as their families and broader communities.
Clinical research conducted by AU graduate students at ABA clinics included decreasing physical aggression, self injury, OCD symptoms, and many other behaviors that cause great distress to individuals and families.
The AU MS ABA program provided top-tier education to local Illinoisans who continue to give back to our local communities through service and science in a state desperate for well-trained behavior analysts.

Those who have signed this document are comprised of:
-people who have a vested interest in the program continuing 
-people who have been greatly impacted by this decision
-people who have either had their educational endeavors impacted by the university's decision or their clinical services impacted due to the discontinuation of a much needed and highly-influential training ground for behavior analytic services for the autism community 
-people who support the prioritization of evidence based treatment for those with disabilities, who may not be able to advocate directly for themselves

Additional support letters are included for individuals and agencies who wish to express their admiration for the program and disappointment for this decision beyond a signature.