The Guide to Online Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis Programs (ABA)
While working with students who have autism or similar disorders can be challenging, the potential reward is immeasurable. A degree in Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA, gives you the tools and skills to help these children and their families. ABA applies the principles and theories derived from studying behavior to solve social, behavioral and learning problems.
By using ABA methods with students, you can help them learn to increase and maintain desired behaviors, acquire new skills, transfer behavior from one situation to another, reduce interfering behaviors and narrow down situations in which these interfering behaviors occur.
Jumpstart Your Career in Behavior Analysis, Explore No GRE Required Online ABAI Programs:
Earn Your Master of Applied Behavior Analysis Online from University of Dayton
Complete the University of Dayton’s online Master of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program in as few as 21 months and prepare to pursue a career as a behavior analyst. GRE scores are not needed to apply. Bachelor’s required.
- Curriculum includes a Verified Course Sequence
- Complete in as few as 21 months
- No GRE required to apply
ABAI-Verified, 15-Month Online ABA from Pepperdine
Earn your master’s in applied behavior analysis in less than 2 years online at Pepperdine. Experience clinical training and prepare to sit for the board certified behavior analyst exam. GRE not required.
- GRE not required
- Complete online in as few as 15 months
- Prepare to sit for the board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) exam
Earn your Master’s Degree in Behavior Analysis from Simmons University
Earn your master’s degree in behavior analysis online in 23 months through Simmons’ highly respected program, BehaviorAnalysis@Simmons.
- Complete Your Master in 23 Months
- BACB- Required Mentoring Incorporated into Program
- No GRE Required
Autism is a common studied specialization in ABA, and students and children with this disorder seem to respond very well to these methods, with observed improvements in their communication, social relationships, play, self-care, school, and employment. If you are interested in helping students in a school setting overcome behavioral and learning disorders to achieve academic success, earning an online master’s degree in ABA may be the right choice for you.
There are two key components to becoming a practicing behavior analyst: earning a master’s degree in ABA from an accredited institution and getting board certified. The second component, board certification, involves becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) by obtaining a graduate degree and sitting for, and passing, the associated exam created by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). For details on the BCBA exam, check out exam information directly from the BACB.
A master’s degree from an accredited institution is essential to becoming a practicing behavior analyst, and, when combined with state certification, will allow you to become a behavior analyst at any grade level. Often, for the busy professional, online BCBA programs offer the easiest path to certification while refusing to compromise the quality of traditional format programs.
ABA Masters Online Admissions Requirements
Before you begin the application process, be sure to contact your accredited institution for information about any prerequisites you may need to fulfill. Depending on the requirements of the program you are applying to, you may be asked to submit some or all of the following items:
- Application: Fill out an initial application, which you can find on the website of your accredited institution of choice. Paper and online forms are both generally accepted.
- Bachelor’s degree: You should have a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent from an accredited institution prior to applying to an ABA program.
- Transcripts: Request transcripts in advance of the application deadline, and upload one official copy of each transcript from any postsecondary schools you have attended.
- Personal
statement: Write a personal statement, which is typically in the form of an essay. You may be required to submit multiple essays to fully express the intent and purpose of your application. Below are some common topics that should be mentioned in a statement.
- Your main academic and personal interests
- Experiences in school or work that have helped to prepare you for this course of study
- Why you wish to study for the degree you’ve chosen
- Why you wish to study at the university
- Your plans for the future after you earn your degree
- Resume/CV: Upload a copy of your most recent resume or curriculum vitae as part of your application.
- Letters of recommendation: Submit your letters of recommendation. The number of letters required varies with each school. Be sure to request them well in advance of the deadline.
- Test scores: Mail in copies of your test scores. Many schools require GRE General Test scores or TOEFL/IELTS scores for international students; however, some programs do not require test scores at all.
When searching for an online ABA program that works for you, be sure to check to ensure that the program is certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). The certification process involves the BACB reviewing ABA program curriculum to ensure that it follows standards and features up-to-date curriculum that best prepares students for careers in behavior analysis. Programs that meet BACB standards are able to provide for their students a top notch education designed to help them take the next steps towards becoming a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst), a qualification that enhances their personal credibility in the field. The value in seeking out BCBA online programs is that students who graduate from certified programs will experience a much higher rate of success on the exam than those who do not.
Typically, BCBA online programs will place a heavy emphasis on practical application of modern research, methodology, and exploration of a variety of ABA techniques and schools of thought.
ABA Masters Online Curriculum
The curriculum and number of credits required to complete a master’s program vary widely depending on your school and specialization. However, a typical master’s program in ABA includes courses in:
- Intensive practical training
- Biological foundations of behavior
- ABA electives
- Research/thesis
Careers in Applied Behavior Analysis
After completing an online aba masters program, the next step is to get licensed, which will enable you to officially work in the field of your choice. Every state has its own licensure requirements to become a school behavior analyst but, as outlined previously, by earning a degree from a bcba online program, gaining your initial licensure will be made simple. The median annual salary for a board-certified behavior analyst was $51,030 in 2019. The most common behavior analyst roles are in schools ranging from the elementary level through high school. Learn more about careers in applied behavior analysis.
Graduates of online ABA master’s programs can pursue other specializations and different roles including:
- Autism spectrum disorders (ASD): Currently there is a shortage of behavior analysts specializing in autism and other developmental disabilities. In this specialization, you’d be focusing on helping children and students improve language, motor, social and reasoning skills.
- Special education teacher: This role entails educating special needs students and addressing their individual differences and needs to promote learning, motivation, and self-sufficiency.
- Staff performance: Rather than working with students, you may also work with your peers in a school setting, analyzing data and conducting assessments to see if students’ needs and skills are being addressed.
Finding the Best ABA Online Masters Program For You
All Online Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis Programs
In searching for the best online aba programs that might fit your needs, carefully consider the structure of the coursework and the admissions requirements before making your decision. We’ve made note of programs’ Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) accreditation status and strongly encourage you to check the university websites to find out if the program is a bcba online program as well.
Teach.com has compiled a comprehensive list of online aba masters programs in the United States with their GRE requirements and degree type. Find a school that interests you and find out what it takes to graduate with from one of these online aba programs! Below are the online applied behavior analysis programs of 2021.
Arcadia University
School of Education
Master of Education in Applied Behavioral Analysis
Glenside, Pennsylvania
Name of Degree: Master of Education in Applied Behavioral Analysis
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: N/A
Credits: 36
Concentrations:
Child and Youth Services
Admission Requirements:
- A graduate application
- Including personal statement
- 3.0 GPA
- Assessment Tests in Reading, Writing, and Math can be submitted when the GPA is below 3.0
- Baccalaureate students must submit passing scores from: PAPA, CORE, SAT or ACT
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended
- Proof of any Pennsylvania teaching certificates
- 2 letters of recommendation
- Current clearances for Child Abuse, Criminal Background Check and FBI Fingerprinting
- TOEFL or IELTS Scores for international applicants
Learn more about the Master of Education in Applied Behavioral Analysis from Arcadia University
Ball State University
Department of Psychology
Master of Arts, Applied Behavior Analysis
Muncie, Indiana
Name of Degree: Master of Arts, Applied Behavior Analysis
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 2+ years
Credits: 30
Concentrations:
Child and Youth Services, Disabilities, Mental Health
Cairn University
School of Education
Master of Arts, Applied Behavior Analysis
Langhorne, Pennsylvania
Name of Degree: Master of Arts, Applied Behavior Analysis
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 1.5+ years
Credits: 30
Concentrations:
Disabilities, Children and Youth, Mental Health
California University of Pennsylvania
Master of Education, Applied Behavior Analysis
California, Pennsylvania
Name of Degree: Master of Education, Applied Behavior Analysis
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: N/A
Credits: 33
Concentrations:
Disabilities, Children and Youth, Adults & Healthy Aging
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
School of Education
Master of Arts in Psychology (Applied Behavior Analysis)
Chicago, Illinois
Name of Degree: Master of Arts in Psychology (Applied Behavior Analysis)
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 1+ years
Credits: 36
Concentrations:
Disabilities, Mental Health
Drexel University
School of Education
Master's of Science in Applied Behavioral Analysis
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Name of Degree: Master’s of Science in Applied Behavioral Analysis
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2+ years
Credits: 46-47
Concentrations: N/A
McNeese State University
Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 24
Concentrations:
Behavior Analysis, Ethical Conduct
Northeastern University
Bouve College of Health Sciences
Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis
Boston, Massachusetts
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis
Enrollment Type: Part-Time
Length of Program: 1.5+ years
Credits: 30
Concentrations:
Mental Health, Human Services
Nova Southeastern University
College of Psychology
Master of Science in Counseling
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Counseling
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 2+ years
Credits: 38-63
Concentrations:
Substance Abuse Couonseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, Applied Behavior Analysis, Substance Abuse Counseling & Education
Russel Sage College
Department of Psychology
Master's of Education in Applied Behavioral Analysis
Troy/Albany, New York
Name of Degree: Master’s of Education in Applied Behavioral Analysis
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 1.5+ years
Credits: 36
Concentrations: N/A
St. Cloud University
Department of Psychology
Master of Science, Applied Behavior Analysis
St. Cloud, Minnesota
Name of Degree: Master of Science, Applied Behavior Analysis
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 1.5+ years
Credits: 45-46
Concentrations: N/A
Texas A&M University
School of Educational Psychology
Applied Behavior Analysis Certification
College Station, Texas
Name of Degree: Applied Behavior Analysis Certification
Enrollment Type: N/A
Length of Program: N/A
Credits: 21
Concentrations: N/A
University of Cincinnati
Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis
Cincinnati, Ohio
Name of Degree: Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 1 year
Credits: 21
Concentrations:
Disabilities, Child and Youth Services
University of Nevada, Reno
Department of Psychology
Master of Arts, Applied Behavior Analysis
Reno, Nevada
Name of Degree: Master of Arts, Applied Behavior Analysis
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2+ years
Credits: 30
Concentrations:
Disabilities, Children and Youth, Human Services
University of South Florida
Master of Science, Applied Behavior Analysis
Tampa, Florida
Name of Degree: Master of Science, Applied Behavior Analysis
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 44
Concentrations:
Disabilities, Children and Youth, Mental Health
University of Southern Maine
Department of Psychology
Master's in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis
Portland, Maine
Name of Degree: Master’s in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2+ years
Credits: +30
Concentrations:
Disabilities, Children and Youth
University of West Florida
College of Education
Master of Education, Applied Behavior Analysis
Pensacola, Florida
Name of Degree: Master of Education, Applied Behavior Analysis
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 47
Concentrations:
Disabilities, Children and Youth, Mental Health
Western Connecticut State University
Master of Science, Applied Behavior Analysis
Danbury, Connecticut
Name of Degree: Master of Science, Applied Behavior Analysis
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 1.5+ years
Credits: 30
Concentrations:
Disabilities, Children and Youth, Mental Health
Admission Requirements:
- Graduate application
- Application Fee
- Baccalaureate standing from accredited institution
- Essay Response: In a single, double-spaced page please tell us why you believe you are a good “fit” for Western Connecticut State University’s Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program. To evaluate your application, it will be helpful to have the following information such as why do you wish to pursue a career in ABA, what are your goals upon earning a degree, and what are some experiences that you feel prepare you for success in our program (e.g., relevant coursework, GPA, job, etc.)?
- 2.8 GPA
- Official transcripts
- 2 letters of recommendation
Learn more about the Master of Science, Applied Behavior Analysis from Western Connecticut State University