Applied Behavior Analysis
Master of Arts
Hybrid
Course Delivery
38
Total Credits
$933
Credit Hour
2 Years
Minimum Duration
Program Overview
Individuals who graduate from the Applied Behavior Analysis program will be skilled and experienced as a behavior analyst in a variety of settings. In the masters program, students will learn how to put data into practice through establishing strategies and activities for children with autism, intellectual, and neurodevelopmental disabilities. At the completion of MSU's Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis (MA-ABA), students will be eligible to take the examination to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst®.
Program Highlights
#13 in Special Education in U.S. News Ranking for 2020
Program Outcomes
In the M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis program, students can expect small class sizes and hands-on training from faculty members who are leaders in their field. This will lead students to be well-prepared for the national Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam, in fact, Spartans typically surpass the national first-time pass rate (65%) with an MSU average first-time pass rate of 85%. Based on the most recent data available, all students were able to begin a doctoral program or start a job immediately following graduation.
Career Outlook
Due to nationwide standards requiring insurance companies to provide ABA therapy to those in need, there is a high need for individuals with skills such as those gained from the Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis. Career opportunities vary across many fields, supervising ABA therapy for individuals with ASD, counseling, social work, special education and more. These opportunities can be found in clinics, homes, schools or residential treatment facilities with an average starting salary of $60,000+.
A Top-Ranked Education
- 1st Best in Online Master's in Curriculum and Instruction — U.S. News & World Report, 2022
- 4th Best Online Master's in Education Administration — U.S. News & World Report, 2022
- 5th Best Online Master's in Education/Instructional Media — U.S. News & World Report, 2022
- 7th Best in Online Master's in Special Education Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2022
- 10th Best Online Master's in Education Programs for Veterans — U.S. News & World Report, 2022
- 24th Best Online Master's in Education Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2022
Dr. Tiffany Joy
Assistant Professor and Coordinator
Tiffany Joy is an assistant professor of special education and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Her research interests include ways to support individuals with disabilities in work place settings as well as the use application of video modeling to teach complex skills to adolescents with autism. Most recently, she investigated the use of video modeling to teach vocational skills and work related social skills to adolescents with autism. She is also interested in methods to promote generalization of skills, such as matrix training, multiple exemplar training, and programming common stimuli.
Course Information
Core
CEP 845 - Autism Spectrum Disorders: Assessment and Intervention (3 Credits)
CEP 848 - Supervision in Applied Behavior Analysis (1 Credit)
CEP 851 - Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis (3 Credits)
CEP 852 - Experimental Analysis of Behavior (3 Credits)
CEP 853 - Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Change (3 Credits)
CEP 854 - Ethics in Behavior Analysis (3 Credits)
CEP 855 - Verbal Behavior in Education (3 Credits)
CEP 894F - Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis (10 Credits)
CEP 899 - Master’s Thesis Research (6 Credits)
CEP 942 - Single-case Experimental Design for Educational Research (3 Credits)
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree
- Previous work experience
CV/Résumé - A written personal statement
The personal statement should present an interpretive summary of your background, academic interests, and future goals as justification for your admission to a program of graduate study. - 3 letters of recommendation
Provide contact information for your recommenders and the MSU application system will provide instructions to them. - Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Complete a university graduate application
Key Dates
Fall
Application Deadline
January 15th
Tuition & Fees per credit
Tuition costs are approximately $897.50 per credit hour, plus applicable taxes and fees.
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$933
$933
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible.
Program Overview
Individuals who graduate from the Applied Behavior Analysis program will be skilled and experienced as a behavior analyst in a variety of settings. In the masters program, students will learn how to put data into practice through establishing strategies and activities for children with autism, intellectual, and neurodevelopmental disabilities. At the completion of MSU's Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis (MA-ABA), students will be eligible to take the examination to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst®.
Program Highlights
#13 in Special Education in U.S. News Ranking for 2020
Program Outcomes
In the M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis program, students can expect small class sizes and hands-on training from faculty members who are leaders in their field. This will lead students to be well-prepared for the national Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam, in fact, Spartans typically surpass the national first-time pass rate (65%) with an MSU average first-time pass rate of 85%. Based on the most recent data available, all students were able to begin a doctoral program or start a job immediately following graduation.
Career Outlook
Due to nationwide standards requiring insurance companies to provide ABA therapy to those in need, there is a high need for individuals with skills such as those gained from the Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis. Career opportunities vary across many fields, supervising ABA therapy for individuals with ASD, counseling, social work, special education and more. These opportunities can be found in clinics, homes, schools or residential treatment facilities with an average starting salary of $60,000+.
A Top-Ranked Education
- 1st Best in Online Master's in Curriculum and Instruction — U.S. News & World Report, 2022
- 4th Best Online Master's in Education Administration — U.S. News & World Report, 2022
- 5th Best Online Master's in Education/Instructional Media — U.S. News & World Report, 2022
- 7th Best in Online Master's in Special Education Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2022
- 10th Best Online Master's in Education Programs for Veterans — U.S. News & World Report, 2022
- 24th Best Online Master's in Education Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2022
Dr. Tiffany Joy
Assistant Professor and Coordinator
Tiffany Joy is an assistant professor of special education and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Her research interests include ways to support individuals with disabilities in work place settings as well as the use application of video modeling to teach complex skills to adolescents with autism. Most recently, she investigated the use of video modeling to teach vocational skills and work related social skills to adolescents with autism. She is also interested in methods to promote generalization of skills, such as matrix training, multiple exemplar training, and programming common stimuli.
Course Information
Core
CEP 845 - Autism Spectrum Disorders: Assessment and Intervention (3 Credits)
CEP 848 - Supervision in Applied Behavior Analysis (1 Credit)
CEP 851 - Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis (3 Credits)
CEP 852 - Experimental Analysis of Behavior (3 Credits)
CEP 853 - Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Change (3 Credits)
CEP 854 - Ethics in Behavior Analysis (3 Credits)
CEP 855 - Verbal Behavior in Education (3 Credits)
CEP 894F - Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis (10 Credits)
CEP 899 - Master’s Thesis Research (6 Credits)
CEP 942 - Single-case Experimental Design for Educational Research (3 Credits)
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree
- Previous work experience
CV/Résumé - A written personal statement
The personal statement should present an interpretive summary of your background, academic interests, and future goals as justification for your admission to a program of graduate study. - 3 letters of recommendation
Provide contact information for your recommenders and the MSU application system will provide instructions to them. - Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Complete a university graduate application
Key Dates
Fall
Application Deadline
January 15th
Tuition & Fees per credit
Tuition costs are approximately $897.50 per credit hour, plus applicable taxes and fees.
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$933
$933
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible.
The MSU Value Promise
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MSU provides programs and initiatives that support and enhance diversity. We will expand our campus and external partnerships to put in place inclusive recruitment and retention practices. We nurture and promote individuals’ varied experiences and perspectives, ensuring structures and processes make possible full participation by all members of our community.
MSU actively collaborates with campus and external partners to innovate across all dimensions of graduate education. We create and support networks that increase collaboration and improve educational opportunities for our online students.
MSU’s nationally recognized online programs foster student growth and well-being throughout their academic career. We will expand inclusive mentoring practices and accelerate improvement across units to implement evidence-based practices to ensure our students complete successfully.
Continuing education can be one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experiences you undertake in your life. We hope you consider becoming a Spartan, to learn online and reach your career goals. With highly ranked online programs and exceptional professors, we educate students who advance the common good with uncommon will.