Applied Behavior Analysis Ed.S.
The Ed.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis, as a post-Master’s degree, is designed for training individuals who already hold a Master’s or higher degree in Education, Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Language Pathology, Rehabilitation Sciences, or other related fields. As such, it allows individuals with a master’s degree to broaden their knowledge base to become eligible to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Examination® and earn an advanced post-master’s credential. (The Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.® has verified the following course sequence as meeting the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst Examination®. Applicants will have to meet additional requirements to qualify). The Ed.S. program provides training in the basic concepts and principles of ABA and the design and implementation of ABA interventions in practice.
The program is offered in a blended format.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):
PLO1. Students will be able to demonstrate competence in current professional ethical standards as they relate to both research and practice.
PLO2. Students will be able to demonstrate fluency in the concepts and principles of behavior analysis as outlined by the current BACB Foundational Knowledge List.
PLO3. Students will be able to design, apply, and analyze behavior analytic measurement and research methodologies as dictated by current best practices in behavior analytic literature.
PLO4. Students will be able to design, apply, and evaluate behavior analytic interventions as dictated by current best practices in behavior analytic literature.
PLO5. Students will be able to demonstrate competence in the philosophy of behaviorism and history of both the experimental and applied analysis of behavior.
PLO6. Students will be able to translate and synthesize behavior analytic practice for implementation in educational settings.
PLO7. Students will be able to evaluate and analyze non-behavior analytic educational theory or methodology from a behavior analytic perspective.
In addition to the College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Graduate Admissions Requirements, applicants must:
- Have a master's degree in Education, Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Language Pathology, Rehabilitation Sciences, or other related fields.
- Submit a written statement of academic and professional goals as follows:
- Please describe the reasons for applying to the Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) program in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). What are your career goals, and how would this program of study help you realize these goals? How is this field of study related to your previous graduate training in Education or Psychology? Please limit your response to no more than 500 words (two double-spaced pages or less).
- Submit a minimum of two professional letters of recommendation, addressing topics/questions as established and periodically revised by faculty. Letters of recommendation must be written by individuals who know the candidate from an academic or professional perspective and are able to comment on the candidate's capacity for undertaking graduate studies.
- Undergo faculty review
Program Details:
- Requires 27 SH for completion
- Requires a grade of “B” or better in all ABA coursework
Required Courses
Gateway Courses
| ABA 500 | Concepts and Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| ABA 501 | Measurement and Research Methods in Applied Behavior Analysis | 4 |
Program Core Courses
| ABA 515 | Ethics in Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| ABA 516 | Radical Behaviorism | 3 |
| ABA 610 | Skills Assessment and Intervention | 4 |
| ABA 611 | Functional Assessment and Intervention | 4 |
| ABA 620 | Supervision and Training in Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
Doctoral Electives
Choose 3 semester hours from the list of courses listed below:
| ABA 517 | Experimental Analysis of Behavior | 3 |
| ABA 695 | Special Topics in Applied Behavior Analysis | 1 TO 3 |
| DEE 604 | Social and Political Implications of Assessment | 3 |
| DEE 605 | History of Disability and Education | 3 |
| DEE 690 | Seminar: Special Topics in Disability and Equity in Education | 1 TO 12 |
| ECE 510 | Child, Family and Community | 3 |
| EDL 630 | Understanding and Using Educational Research | 3 |
| LAP 520 | Biological Bases of Behavior | 3 |
| LAP 526 | Psychology of Organizational Leadership | 3 |
| LAP 693 | Seminar in Program Evaluation | 3 |
| OBD 551 | Diversity and Inclusion in the Organizational Culture | 3 |
| SPE 547 | Assistive Technology for the Universal Design Classroom | 3 |
| SPY 506 | Interventions in Schools with Multicultural Students | 3 |
| SPY 510 | Family, School, Community Partnerships | 3 |
Note: Students may select other CPSA/NCE courses with the approval of Program Chair or designate.