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Applied Behavior Analysis Master’s Degree
Help people with autism spectrum disorder and other intellectual disabilities achieve their greatest potential, in school and in life. Designed especially for students who wish to work in educational settings, the Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis at Georgian Court University prepares you for careers as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®).
Program Highlights
Degree
2 years
Delivery
Cost
Total credits
Time of entry
Master’s Degree in
Applied Behavior Analysis
Our course sequence has been verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). This means that when you graduate, you’ll meet the coursework requirement to be eligible to take the BCBA examination and become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Our faculty include nationally recognized experts in applied behavior analysis who are also dedicated and accessible teachers, here to answer your questions and help you succeed. We will also help connect you with field experiences at regional mental and behavioral health care facilities to satisfy the experience requirement to be eligible to take the BCBA examination and become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is used to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (such as autism spectrum disorder) to increase language and communication skills and decrease challenging behaviors. Grounded in the science of learning and behavior, ABA therapy has been proven to help children improve academic performance, form important social relationships, and generally support long-term healthy development through a variety of effective behavioral interventions. ABA can also be applied to assist athletes and employees in optimizing performance.
Program Information
The Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis is a 39-credit program that provides training in the philosophy of behaviorism, basic and applied principles, assessment, and intervention strategies, as well as ethical practice in the field of applied behavior analysis.
MA in ABA Tracks: Generalist, Autism Specialist, or School Specialist
Students select one of the following three tracks: Generalist, Autism Specialist, or School Specialist. Each track requires 39 credits. Students who earn a grade below a B- in any ABA course will be required to repeat that course. Students who earn two or more grades below a B- will be formally reviewed by program faculty and may be subject to academic dismissal.
MA in ABA: Generalist Track Requirements
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| Required | ||
| ABA503 | Experimental Analysis of Behavior | 3 |
| ABA510 | Behavior Assessment | 3 |
| Elective | ||
| SPS6106 | Prac I: Consultation & Collaboration (or School of Education course (see Autism Specialist Track or School Specialist Track)) | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Required | ||
| ABA501 | Ethical & Professional Conduct | 3 |
| ABA504 | Philosophy of Behaviorism | 3 |
| ABA511 | Behavior Change Procedures I | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| Required | ||
| ABA502 | Measurement & Experimental Design | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Required | ||
| ABA512 | Behavior Change Procedures II | 3 |
| ABA550 or ABA560 |
Practicum in Applied Behav. Analysis or Research in Applied Behavior Analysis |
3 |
| Elective | ||
| ABA514 | Behavioral Interventions for Autism (or, School of Education course (see Autism Specialist Track or School Specialist Track)) | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Required | ||
| ABA505 | Generalization & Training | 3 |
| ABA550 or ABA560 |
Practicum in Applied Behav. Analysis or Research in Applied Behavior Analysis |
3 |
| Elective | ||
| ABA515 | Stimulus Control (or, course offered by the School of Education (see Autism Specialist Track or School Specialist Track)) | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
MA in ABA: Autism Specialist Track Requirements
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| Required | ||
| ABA503 | Experimental Analysis of Behavior | 3 |
| ABA510 | Behavior Assessment | 3 |
| EDC5301 | Nature & Needs Indivs w/Aut&PervasDevDis | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Required | ||
| ABA501 | Ethical & Professional Conduct | 3 |
| ABA504 | Philosophy of Behaviorism | 3 |
| ABA511 | Behavior Change Procedures I | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| Required | ||
| ABA502 | Measurement & Experimental Design | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Required | ||
| ABA512 | Behavior Change Procedures II | 3 |
| EDC5302 | Strategies Teach Students w/Aut & DevDis | 3 |
| EDC5303 | Soc Communic Intervent Students w/ASD | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Required | ||
| ABA505 | Generalization & Training | 3 |
| EDC5304 | Assess & Curr Inter for Autism Spec Dis | 3 |
| EDC5305 | Intervent & Supports Level 1 Char ASD | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
MA in ABA: School Specialist Track Requirements
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| Required | ||
| ABA503 | Experimental Analysis of Behavior | 3 |
| ABA510 | Behavior Assessment | 3 |
| EDC5001 | Philo & Psych Found of Incl Ed | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Required | ||
| ABA501 | Ethical & Professional Conduct | 3 |
| ABA504 | Philosophy of Behaviorism | 3 |
| ABA511 | Behavior Change Procedures I | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| Required | ||
| ABA502 | Measurement & Experimental Design | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Required | ||
| ABA512 | Behavior Change Procedures II | 3 |
| EDC5038 | Psychology of the Exceptional Child | 3 |
| Elective: Select one of the following three: | 3 | |
ABA514 |
Behavioral Interventions for Autism | |
SPS6106 |
Prac I: Consultation & Collaboration | |
School of Education course (see Autism Specialist Track) |
||
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Required | ||
| ABA505 | Generalization & Training | 3 |
| EDC5032 | Comm Serv for Stdts at-Risk & w/ Except | 3 |
| EDC5302 | Strategies Teach Students w/Aut & DevDis | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
View the full curriculum and admission requirements.
Theresa J. Brown, Ph.D.
Professor
School of Arts & Sciences
Farley Center (108)
goebja@trbetvna.rqh
732-987-2642
If you’re interested in our Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis, here are other programs at GCU you might want to explore:
Why Earn Your Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis at GCU?
Here are more reasons to earn your Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis at GCU.
Focus Your Degree in ABA Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorders or Working in School Settings
In 2020, the CDC reported that approximately 1 in 54 children in the United States is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Time at school can be especially challenging for children with autism and ABA therapy has proven to be among the few approaches that are consistently effective at dealing with behavioral disorders in classroom environments.
Work Closely With Caring, Experienced Faculty
Our ABA master’s program faculty include Ph.D.-level Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA-D) with extensive experience in the areas of clinical services, education, and research across a variety of client populations including autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities. Because our class sizes are small, you’ll also benefit from individualized attention and mentorship to support your academic and career goals.
Take Courses Needed to Sit for the BCBA Exam
Study with confidence in a rigorous, comprehensive degree program that meets the educational requirements to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) examination. The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified GCU’s Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis core courses as meeting the coursework requirement for eligibility to take the BCBA exam.
What Can You Do With a Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis?
Our ABA degree is focused on positioning students to succeed in their work and their professions. Whether you’re a registered behavior technician ready to take the next step in your career, a special education teacher, or a recent undergraduate, our program is a great opportunity to take the next step to ABA therapist and open new opportunities for high-demand careers.
Applied Behavior Analysis Jobs
Although ABA therapists are generally known for their work with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, ABA therapists also work with a wide range of populations and behavioral disorders. Opportunities for master’s level ABA therapists who become Board Certified Behavior Analysts include:
- ABA therapist for school districts,
- ABA therapist for home programs,
- clinical director of programs that support people with autism,
- parent or staff trainer, and
- group home supervisor.
Applied Behavior Analysis Salary
According to PayScale, applied behavior analysts earned an average salary of $63,000 as of July 2021. Keep in mind that an applied behavior analyst salary will vary depending on experience and education, and BCBAs will typically earn in the higher salary ranges for the field.
Multiply Disabled ABA Classroom
Millstone Township Public School District
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