Alumni from Shippensburg University’s psychology department are making an impact as certified behavioral specialists. Tyler Schwarzman, Hayley Taggart, Taryn Fink, Stephanie Smith, Ashley Emph and Abby Detwiler, who completed the behavioral specialist certification program at Ship, are now practicing in schools and organizations across Pennsylvania.
Schwarzman, Taggart, Smith and Fink shared where they are now and now the program led them to successful careers.
Tyler Schwarzman – Assistant Behavior Consultant, ABYay!
Schwarzman earned his Master of Science in Applied Psychology with a Behavioral Specialist Certificate through Shippensburg’s fully online program. Now, as an Assistant Behavior Consultant at ABYay!, he focuses on play-based and communication-driven therapy for children with autism.
“I helped conduct assessments, develop treatment plans and even provide direct 1:1 therapy,” Schwarzman shared. He plans to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and emphasized the importance of gaining experience early on, whether through volunteering, internships, or other work experience.
Hayley Taggart – Behavior Consultant and Mobile Therapist, Pennsylvania Counseling Services
In 2024, Taggart earned her bachelor’s in Psychology at Shippensburg and was awarded the William H. Mackaness Psychology Award. Then, in 2025, she went on to also complete her graduate studies in Ship’s Applied Psychology program. Now at Pennsylvania Counseling Services in Carlisle, she works in homes, school and across communities, developing treatment plans and supporting clients and families.
“I fell in love with the behavior field while taking courses like Applied Behavior Analysis and Community Psychology,” she shared. Taggart advises students to gain as much hands-on experience as possible. “The more experience one has, the better they will be able to recognize their strengths and weaknesses,” she acknowledged.
Stephanie Smith – Licensed Behavioral Specialist, Milestones at the School District of Lancaster
Smith completed the Behavior Specialist Certificate Program at Ship and earned the Behavioral Specialist certificate. She now works in a K-12 emotional support program, where she provides behavioral interventions, leads training sessions and supports students and staff. She was inspired to enter the field after her son was diagnosed with autism during COVID-19.
“Working with a BCBA showed me how behavior interventions could help, and I then began applying strategies in my own classroom as a math teacher and saw meaningful changes. That sparked my interest, and then I found the certificate program at Ship.”
Smith praised Ship’s certification program for its flexibility, sharing that it “provided the pathway” for her to become licensed.
Taryn Fink – Behavior Consultant and Outpatient Therapist, Pennsylvania Comprehensive Behavioral Health
Fink completed both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Ship. Most recently, she earned her Master of Science in Applied Psychology with a Behavioral Specialist Certificate. Now, she supports families, schools and provides therapy as a Behavior Consultant and Outpatient Therapist.
“Completing the certification coursework through my master’s program made the process both practical and meaningful, since everything I studied directly connected to my day-to-day work,” Fink said. She is now on track to earn her BCBA.
These alumni represent the impactful role that behavioral specialists serve. Several alumni from the Behavioral Specialist Certificate program acknowledged Professor Thomas Hatvany and Professor Kathryn Potoczak for their wisdom and support.
