ABA Masters Degree Programs

Applied Behavior Analysis is the practical application of psychological theories and practices. It is hands-on work that is often utilized in the context of therapy, intervention, counseling or even teaching. An ABA specialist uses her complex understanding of human behavioral patterns to diagnose learning disabilities, work with disabled or troubled individuals or much more. The skills needed to become such a specialist can be learned from a variety of higher education programs nationwide.

California State University

Located in Los Angeles, California State University offers a two-year Master's of Science degree with a concentration in ABA. It is an interdisciplinary program that fuses the departments of Psychology and Special Education and Counseling. Students complete course work in both departments.
As of February 2010, California State's program is accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International. It received this accreditation in 1994. Its curriculum qualifies MS students to take the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB) exam. The program was founded by Barry Lowenkron and G. Roy Mayer.

California State University
401 Golden Shore
Long Beach, CA 90802-4210
[phone]
calstatela.edu/academic/psych/html/Graduate/ABA/aba.htm

Florida State University

Located in Panama City, Florida, about two hours west of the university's main campus, the graduate psychology program at Florida State University offers a Master's degree with a specialty in ABA. Students have an option to live near the main campus in Tallahassee and complete their coursework using interactive TV.
The curriculum is designed to prepare students to pass the BACB exam. It uses 30 hours of BACB-approved coursework, supplemented by nine practicum hours. As of February 2010, FSU stated that this program usually admits between 18 and 20 students per year out of an average of 45 applications. Most of its students worked in applied behavior analysis in some capacity before going to FSU.

Florida State University
Department of Psychology
1107 West Call St.
Tallahassee FL 32306-4301
[phone]
psy.fsu.edu/behavioral/index.htm

Penn State University at Harrisburg

A branch campus of Penn State University, Penn State Harrisburg offers a Master's degree in ABA. The program trains graduate students to become board-certified. It is available to both full-time and part-time students and admits students in both the fall and spring semester. It is a 33-credit program.
Graduate faculty includes Richard Foxx, PhD and Kimberly A. Schreck, PhD. Graduates of this program work in hospitals, educational settings and research facilities, among others.

Penn State University at Harrisburg
W-311 Olmsted Building
777 West Harrisburg Pike
Middletown, PA 17057
[phone]
php.scripts.psu.edu/dept/iit/hbg/Programs/Graduate/AppBehaviorAnalysis.php

University of North Carolina Wilmington

The graduate Psychology program offers a concentration in ABA. This program trains specialists in developmental disabilities. It is a 2.5-year, 53-credit program.
This program requires a thesis, research practicum, applied practicum and an internship. It also trains students for certification by the BACB and prepares them for obtaining a license in North Carolina.
As of February 2010, this program hosts graduate students whose research interests range from early childhood development to decision making in autism.

Department of Psychology
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, NC 28403-3297
[phone]
uncw.edu/PSY/grad-aba.html

References

• Center for Autism and Related Disorders: What is Applied Behavior Analysis?
• California State University: The Master's of Science in A.B.A.
• Florida State University: Master's Degree in Psychology with a Speciality in Applied Behavior Analysis

Resources

• Penn State Harrisburg: Master's Degrees: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
• University of North Carolina Wilmington: Department of Psychology
• Applied Behavior Analysis Graduate Programs in USA