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Applied Behavior Analysis, MS: Curriculum

Overview

30 CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED

The average degree can be completed in two years, but it can be extended to three for part-time students. The online master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis requires the completion of 7 didactic courses required by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board®, one course in Basic Behavior Analysis, and a Thesis or Systematic Literature Review option. 

Students who apply to the program are likely to have completed courses at the undergraduate level in the following areas:

  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Social Work
  • Education
  • Counseling 

Additionally, interested students are expected to demonstrate some competency in computer literacy. The admissions process to the program is highly competitive, and faculty will select applicants best qualified for the program.

Each student is required to complete classroom-based didactic courses and 6 credit hours of thesis or systematic literature review. Note that in addition to the educational requirement, the BACB® requires a supervised fieldwork experience. The supervised fieldwork experience will be arranged by the students, and the responsibility for meeting this BACB™ requirement lays with the student and the student’s on-site supervisor. In general, the supervised fieldwork experience should facilitate real-world experience in the application of Behavior Analytic principles, clinical services, and research.

Specific course work and clinical instruction requirements are subject to modification in accordance with any changing requirements from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board®. 

The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the following courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® examination. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.

Verified Course Sequence logo used by the Association for Behavior Analysis International

Courses

The curriculum is based on the certification standards (for individuals) established by the BACB®

  • ABA 600: Principles of Behavior
  • ABA 605: Conceptual Analysis
  • ABA 640: Research Methods
  • ABA 610: Ethics
  • ABA 615: Applied Behavior Analysis I
  • ABA 625: Applied Behavior Analysis II
  • ABA 635: Personnel Supervision and Management Interventions
  • ABA 545: Basic Behavior Analysis
  • ABA 593: Systematic Literature Review
  • ABA 599: Thesis

Program Deployment
 - Two 7-week classes per term
 - Only one class and the research experience are taken at a time
 - Each week = 1 "module"
 - 100% online with 38 asynchronous hours and 7 synchronous hours per class  

Virtual Meetings
Each module contains a virtual meeting, which are synchronous interactions between professors and students conducted with a web-based application. Meetings are held once per week for one hour to maintain learning flexibility while ensuring consistent faculty contact.

PowerPoint Lectures
Each module contains at least one content presentation, which students can download and access at their convenience. The presentations have active student responding items embedded throughout.

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