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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®).

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Program Highlights

Degree

Master of Arts (MA)

2 years

Average time to complete

Delivery

Face to face

Cost

$985/credit

Total credits

39

Time of entry

Fall
Theresa Brown

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

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredits
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
 Credits9
Spring Semester
Required
ABA501 Ethical & Professional Conduct 3
ABA504 Philosophy of Behaviorism 3
ABA511 Behavior Change Procedures I 3
 Credits9
Summer Semester
Required
ABA502 Measurement & Experimental Design 3
 Credits3
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
 Credits9
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
 Credits9
 Total Credits39

MA in ABA: Autism Specialist Track Requirements

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredits
Required
ABA503 Experimental Analysis of Behavior 3
ABA510 Behavior Assessment 3
EDC5301 Nature & Needs Indivs w/Aut&PervasDevDis 3
 Credits9
Spring Semester
Required
ABA501 Ethical & Professional Conduct 3
ABA504 Philosophy of Behaviorism 3
ABA511 Behavior Change Procedures I 3
 Credits9
Summer Semester
Required
ABA502 Measurement & Experimental Design 3
 Credits3
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
 Credits9
Spring Semester
Required
ABA505 Generalization & Training 3
EDC5304 Assess & Curr Inter for Autism Spec Dis 3
EDC5305 Intervent & Supports Level 1 Char ASD 3
 Credits9
 Total Credits39

 MA in ABA: School Specialist Track Requirements

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredits
Required
ABA503 Experimental Analysis of Behavior 3
ABA510 Behavior Assessment 3
EDC5001 Philo & Psych Found of Incl Ed 3
 Credits9
Spring Semester
Required
ABA501 Ethical & Professional Conduct 3
ABA504 Philosophy of Behaviorism 3
ABA511 Behavior Change Procedures I 3
 Credits9
Summer Semester
Required
ABA502 Measurement & Experimental Design 3
 Credits3
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)
 Credits9
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
 Credits9
 Total Credits39



View the full curriculum and admission requirements.

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?

At Georgian Court, our Mercy core values permeate everything we do and teach, providing a bedrock of integrity upon which our program is built. We prepare you to do good work, so that you can go out in the world and serve others and succeed on your own terms as ethical leaders. And, starting in Fall 2022, you’ll be able to choose from among three tracks to further focus your studies. 

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.

Activities for kids with disabilities. Preschool Activities for Children with Special Needs. Boy
Applied Behavior Analysis

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.

A thank you letter
I truly cannot say it enough - GCU is the best! The small class sizes were conducive to engaging lessons and meaningful relationships with faculty. Academically, the emphasis that is placed on planning behavior interventions provides GCU graduates with the knowledge necessary for life as a BCBA. Upon graduation, I felt proficient at identifying the functions of behavior, deescalating problem behavior, and planning for skill acquisition. GCU's institutional values, as well as the incredibly knowledgeable faculty and the precisely planned coursework, have produced ethical, competent, and innovative behavior analysts.
Applied Behavior Analysis student
Jillian Behan ’17, ’19
Special Education Teacher
Multiply Disabled ABA Classroom
Millstone Township Public School District

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