Special Education (Applied Behavior Analysis), MA
Join one of the nation's largest, most established applied behavior analysis concentrations and prepare to serve diverse populations across service settings. Choose your culminating experience, a capstone, applied project or optional thesis track for research and doctoral paths.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation and professional licensure
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
Special Education (Applied Behavior Analysis) master's description
The Master of Arts program in special education with a concentration in applied behavior analysis is an online program that combines an assortment of resources and technologies to provide you with the opportunity to interact directly with program faculty and classmates. Applied projects and assignments allow you to focus on the population that you plan to work while gaining the knowledge and skills you need in order to use applied behavior analysis across various populations and settings.
This program meets the behavior-analytic coursework requirements for those pursuing the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® Board Certified Behavior Analyst® examination Pathway 2.
The course sequence includes the Behavior Analyst Certification Board-required 315 classroom hours of graduate-level instruction aligned with the BCBA Test Content Outline (TCO 6th edition). It also meets the upcoming 2027 academic content standards under Pathway 2.
BCBA-supervised independent fieldwork supervision hours, required for certification, are arranged and completed by you separately from your ASU coursework. An optional remote BCBA supervised independent fieldwork practicum (SPE 580 Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum) is available. Once certified, you are equipped to meet diverse behavior needs and make a lasting difference in the community.
Why specialize in applied behavior analysis at ASU?
At the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation, you can dig into the specializations that matter most to you, your learners and your community, shaping a path built around the impact you want to make.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
30 credit hours and a thesis, or
30 credit hours including the required applied project course (SPE 593), or
30 credit hours including the required capstone course (SPE 597)
Required Core (3 credit hours) Concentration (18 credit hours) Electives (3 or 6 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 or 6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information Students who choose the thesis option must complete three credit hours of electives.
SPE 525 Measurement, Data Display, Interpretation and Experimental Design (3)
SPE 526 Concepts and Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
SPE 528 Assessment and Intervention Programming for Skill Acquisition (3)
SPE 529 Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Change Procedures (3)
SPE 530 Fundamentals of Organizational Behavior Management (3)
SPE 563 Philosophical Foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis in Educational Settings (3)
SPE 567 Ethics of Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
SPE 593 Applied Project (3) or
SPE 597 Capstone (3) or
SPE 599 Thesis (6)
Students may choose to complete a remote supervised independent fieldwork practicum (SPE 580).
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Implement effective behavior assessment procedures based on identified target behaviors.
- Implement effective data collection and analysis methods to evaluate treatment effect.
- Implement appropriate behavior change procedures based on relevant assessment data.
Implement effective behavior assessment procedures based on identified target behaviors.
Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information The personal statement should demonstrate the applicant's goals with respect to the program outcomes and success in a graduate and online program. The statement should also demonstrate high-quality writing and awareness that the student understands the demands of graduate school. One letter of recommendation from an individual who can speak to the applicant's potential for success in a graduate program is required for admission.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this applied behavior analysis concentration prepares you for
Graduates are well prepared to provide applied behavior analysis and evidence-based consultative services and support to clients, organizations, and community and family members. Professionals with expertise in evidence-based practices in applied behavior analysis are in high demand across sectors and industries, including education, business and health care.
Career examples include:
- applied behavior analysis therapist
- behavior consultant
- behavior specialist
- board certified behavior analyst
- early interventionist
- educator
- organizational behavior management specialist
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Division for Advancing Education Policy, Practice
|
AOB 300
graduateeducation@asu.edu
480-965-5555
Admission deadlines
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
