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. Supervised fieldwork is included as part of the program curriculum. 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®.
#9 in Special Education in U.S. News Ranking for 2025
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.
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+.
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. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found on the "Estimate Your Cost of Attendance" page.
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MSU has been offering online degree programs since 1998. Our maturity is evident in the high quality of the learning experience enjoyed by our online students.
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.