The Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program is designed to prepare graduates to assume supervisory behavior analyst roles in schools and service agencies and to serve as independent consultants. The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the following course meets the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® examination. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination. While retaining a practitioner focus, this program examines topics such as conditioned reinforcement, motivational influences on behavior, and errorless teaching procedures. Courses explore the principles and procedures of applied behavior analysis in-depth and address its philosophical underpinnings. With this background, successful graduates are prepared to address the most complex behavior problems and learning challenges. Students complete 7 core courses, plus an additional 3 courses that extend the student’s familiarity with clinical procedures and with the research supporting their use. Students may elect to complete their supervised fieldwork hours by taking Intensive Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis 1–4 (Intensive Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis 1 (CAEP 8417); Intensive Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis 2 (CAEP 8418); Intensive Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis 3 (CAEP 8419); Intensive Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis 4 (CAEP 8421), in addition to the 10 required courses.
Courses are delivered in an online format. Students attend lectures virtually and view supplementary material on their own schedules, taking advantage of technological advances that promote student learning and increase student-to-instructor and student-to-student communication.
Students take one or two courses each academic term, and courses are offered during the fall, spring, and summer full semesters. Behavioral Concepts and Principles (CAEP 6326) and Service Administration (CAEP 6329) serve as prerequisite courses to the remaining courses in the program.
Professional Portfolio
The capstone for the program is the professional portfolio. This portfolio, which is compiled electronically, documents the student’s acquisition of critical behavioral procedures. This portfolio documents the student’s behavioral competency in critical clinical skills. These skills, each of which is associated with a specific project, include:
- Preference and reinforce assessment
- Functional assessment of problem behavior
- Task analysis
- Discrete trial
- Stimulus equivalence
- Conditioned reinforcement
- Literature review
Each semester, students complete assignments associated with the above clinical skills, and each assignment culminates in professional documents to be included in the student’s professional portfolio. A faculty member reviews and signs each assignment in the professional portfolio. The faculty member’s signature indicates that the student has achieved the faculty-established standards for the project. Graduates are encouraged to use their professional portfolio when applying for employment.
Please visit Bouvé College Learning Outcomes for the specific student learning outcomes for this program.
Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated.
Professional Portfolio
- Preference and reinforce assessment
- Functional assessment of problem behavior
- Task analysis
- Discrete trial
- Stimulus equivalence
- Conditioned reinforcement
- Literature review
Core Requirements
A grade of B or higher is required in each course.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | ||
| CAEP 6326 | Behavioral Concepts and Principles | 3 |
| CAEP 6327 | Behavior Assessment | 3 |
| CAEP 6328 | Research and Design Methods | 3 |
| CAEP 6329 | Service Administration | 3 |
| CAEP 6331 | Advanced Learning Seminar 1 | 3 |
| CAEP 6334 | Applied Programming Seminar 1 | 3 |
| CAEP 6336 | Systematic Inquiry 1 | 3 |
| Advanced | ||
| CAEP 6324 | Programmed Learning | 3 |
| CAEP 6332 | Advanced Learning Seminar 2 | 3 |
| CAEP 6335 | Applied Programming Seminar 2 | 3 |
Practicum
Note: The intensive practicum is optional. Consult your faculty advisor.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CAEP 8417 | Intensive Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis 1 | 2 |
| CAEP 8418 | Intensive Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis 2 | 2 |
| CAEP 8419 | Intensive Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis 3 | 2 |
| CAEP 8421 | Intensive Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis 4 | 2 |
Program Credit/GPA Requirements
30 total semester hours required
Minimum 3.000 GPA required