This program helps you apply the science of behavior to assist individuals across diverse settings. You’ll learn how to encourage socially significant growth, foster autonomy and enhance daily experiences. As an ABA practitioner, your approach will be tailored to each person or situation, with the overall goal of promoting learning and reinforcing helpful behaviors and skills. Strategies can be applied across populations, including children, adults, families and communities. Coursework emphasizes ethical practices, data-informed strategies and implementing individualized plans to meet each learner’s goals. You’ll also study how people learn and the theories that shape behavior-based approaches.
A program that prepares you for the BCBA exam
This program meets the 315-hour coursework requirement for the BCBA exam and aligns with the BACB® Test Content Outline (6th Edition). It also meets the upcoming 2027 academic content standards under Pathway 2. The course "Fundamentals of Organizational Behavior Management" can also support alumni who previously completed coursework under the 5th Edition standards
All instructors in this program are Board Certified Behavior Analysts with real-world experience across clinical, educational and community settings. You’ll benefit from direct mentorship, practical insights and expert feedback as you progress through your coursework.
ABA therapist and more: The career paths you’ll be ready for
Becoming an ABA therapist is one of the potential career paths for graduates from this program. This program is designed to prepare you for any and all ABA careers, equipping you for roles in education, health care, business and community services.
Throughout your courses, you’ll have the opportunity to tailor assignments to align with your career goals. This includes the culminating experience, in which you’ll produce a capstone project, applied project or electronic portfolio.
With Arizona State University’s online Master of Arts in special education with a concentration in applied behavior analysis, you’ll study the principles and practices of ABA and how they provide meaningful, evidence-based support. This program explores how ABA can be used to promote learning, increase independence and enhance quality of life. Courses are verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International® and can prepare you to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA) exam.
This ABA degree offers verified coursework that meets the requirements for the BCBA exam. This means our curriculum meets the highest standards and teaches empathetic and scientifically proven methods for behavior change. Program courses give you the opportunity to gain practical experience with ABA and get feedback from certified instructors with professional experience in the field.
The Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation faculty draws from a range of academic disciplines, including cognitive science, psychology and economics. They seek to answer questions about the process of learning, teaching practices and effects of education policy. Our faculty is also committed to connecting research to schools and other learning environments. They ensure teacher and leadership preparation programs combine scholarly rigor with practical application.
Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation brings people and ideas together to increase the capabilities of educators and the performance of education systems. Our university has been recognized with peer-reviewed honors from U.S. News & World Report.
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Applicants to the Master of Arts in special education who want to pursue the applied behavior analysis concentration must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation.
Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA in the last 60 hours of their bachelor's program. Alternatively, applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA in an applicable master's program.
All applicants must submit:
- Graduate admission application and application fee.
- Letters of recommendation.
- Official transcripts.
- Personal statement.
- Up-to-date curriculum vitae or resume.
An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) must provide proof of English proficiency.
The letters of recommendation should be from individuals who can speak to the applicant's potential for success in a graduate program.
The personal statement should describe the applicant's interests and reason for seeking this degree.
GRE scores are not required for admission.
This Master of Arts in special education with a concentration in applied behavior analysis is only one component of earning the U.S./Canada-specific BCBA designation. Earning this degree does not automatically lead to eligibility for BCBA certification.
Effective January 2023, the BACB no longer accepts certification applications from individuals residing outside the U.S. and Canada. There is no change to the ability of international applicants to earn the MA in special education (ABA) degree. Applicants from outside the U.S. and Canada are encouraged to connect with the credentialing or licensing body in the country in which they intend to practice to determine educational and licensing requirements for their country.
ASU’s ABA program curriculum meets the Association for Behavior Analysis International verified course sequence requirements to qualify to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA) exam. You must satisfy any additional requirements to be eligible to take the exam. We offer an optional practicum for those seeking to complete BCBA-supervised field experience.
The authority to practice applied behavior analysis or use the title of behavior analyst is granted on a per-state basis. Many states require BCBA certification for licensure. However, not all states have enacted legislation to create a regulatory body for ABA licensure and not all that have licensure require BCBA certification.
Program recognition
ASU’s ABA program curriculum meets the Association for Behavior Analysis International verified course sequence requirements to qualify to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA) exam. You must satisfy any additional requirements to be eligible to take the exam.
Note: More information is available in the admissions section below.
Professional licensure and certification
ASU's academic programs that prepare you for professional licensure or certification are designed to meet Arizona's requirements. Completing an ASU program may not fulfill educational requirements for licensure or certification in other states. For additional information, visit the professional licensure webpage.
Contact [email protected] if you have questions about licensure or certification.
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”