Applied Behavior Analysis, M.A.

The M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a 39-credit program that meets the behavior-analytic coursework requirements for those pursuing the BCBA pathway 2 eligibility route (see the latest BCBA Handbook at www.bacb.com). 

The program is based upon the scientist-practitioner model.  Students choose from four tracks of study: Generalist, School Specialist, Autism Specialist, or Certificate in Autism Studies (Note: only the Certificate in Autism Studies requires an additional two electives, for a total of 45 credits; all other tracks are 39 credits).  Students learn about theoretical and conceptual issues in the science of behavior, as well as the practitioner skills necessary to design and deliver effective behavioral interventions across populations and settings. All tracks of study provide training in the basic and applied principles, assessment and intervention strategies, ethical practice in ABA, philosophy of behaviorism, and ABA/OBM in organizational settings.

Successful completion of the 39-credit program satisfies the education requirement to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA©) examination. Students can work toward satisfying the experience requirement to sit for the BCBA© examination upon entry into the program. For more information about becoming a BCBA©, see the BACB website. 

Upon successful completion of the 39 credits, the student will receive an M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis. The student will have acquired knowledge and skills that comprise all domains (A through I) of the BCBA© Test Content Outline (6th ed.) and the following ABAI accreditation standards that incorporate the 2027 Coursework Requirements for Pathway 2 BCBA certification exam applicants: 

• Standard 9-107. Content Area: Principles of Behavior. Students will develop competence in the use of technical terminology pertaining to the concepts and principles of behavior analysis.
• Standard 9-107. Content Area: Research Methods. Students will develop competence in measurement of behavior, data collection analysis and graphic representation, and experimental design with particular emphasis on single-subject design.
• Standard 9-107. Content Area: Conceptual Analysis. Students will develop competency in the history and philosophy of behaviorism, theoretical approaches to understanding behavior, and interpretation of behavior in terms of the concepts and principles of behavior analysis.
• Standard 9-107. Content Area: Applied Behavior Analysis. Students will develop competence in the application of the principles of behavior and multiple areas of investigation and practice, including Organizational Behavior Management.
• Standard 9-107. Content Area: Basic Behavior Analysis. Students will develop competence in understanding how principles of behavior are discovered and described in the context of basic research.
• Standard 9-107. Content Area: Ethics. Students will understand legal constraints and ethical guidelines (especially the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts) as pertinent to behavior research and practice.
• Standard 9-108 & 9-109. Supervised Experiential Learning and Thesis Equivalent.  Students will develop competence in defining a behavior problem that pertains to their supervised professional practice with a client, employing a single-subject research design to assess the problem, designing a method to address the problem, and conducting and reporting an investigation that carries out the method to conclusion.

Requirements for Admission

Admission is contingent on the outcome of an interview with the program faculty. Candidates will be notified in writing as to their status.

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• An undergraduate major in psychology, special education, education, social work, business, or similar discipline.
• Applicants with deficiencies may be required to register for appropriate undergraduate course(s) without graduate credit.
• Completed self-managed application packet (see below):

The completed self-managed application packet must include:

• A check or money order for $40 (nonrefundable) made payable to Georgian Court University.
• A completed graduate application form.
• A reasonably complete statement of the applicant’s reasons for undertaking this program of study. An explanation of what factors influenced applicant’s decision and how this program will facilitate attainment of the applicant’s professional goals for the future should be addressed.
• Sealed and signed envelopes containing official transcripts of each undergraduate and graduate institution the applicant has attended. If the official seal has been broken, the transcript is considered to be unofficial and cannot be accepted for use toward the application. Official transcripts electronically transmitted directly from the Office of the Registrar of each institution will be accepted in lieu of a paper copy.
• At least two letters of recommendation on letterhead and signed (written by college professors, deans, supervisors, or other persons engaged in or familiar with the profession for which applicant wishes to prepare). This can be uploaded or emailed to gps@georgian.edu

Accepted students will receive a health form that must be completed and submitted to the GCU Office of Health Services.

M.A. in ABA Tracks:  Generalist, School Specialist, Autism Specialist, or Certificate in Autism Studies

Students select one of the following four tracks:  Generalist, School Specialist, Autism Specialist, or Certificate in Autism Studies.  The first three tracks each require 39 credits in total, consisting of 30 credits (10 courses) in required courses and 9 credits (3 courses) in elective courses.  The Certificate in Autism Studies track consists of the same requirements as the other tracks, plus two additional elective courses in autism studies.  Students who earn a grade below a B- in any ABA course will be required to repeat that course. Students who earn two or more grades below a B- will be formally reviewed by program faculty and may be subject to academic dismissal. Note: SPS5910, SPS6911, & SPS6912 are offered only to students enrolled in the School Psychology program. 

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All five of these EDC courses (5301, 5302, 5303, 5304, and 5305) must be completed to earn the postgraduate Certificate in Autism Studies from the GCU Department of Education. The Autism Specialist track, without the certificate, requires only three of these EDC courses (or a combination of these EDC courses and an ABA elective).