The Master of Science degree in Applied Behavior Analysis:

Trains graduate students in the principles, concepts, and application of behavior analysis from within a counseling framework.  Special consideration is given to incorporating counseling skills in the application of behavior analysis concepts.  The program is committed to preparing students to meet national certification standards. 

Admission to the Program

• In addition to University requirements for admission to graduate study, students must have a minimum 2.75 grade point average in all units attempted, and be interviewed by the Division screening committee. Successful candidates are admitted to cohort groups and must take a prescribed sequence of cohorted classes.
• Applications are considered once a year for admission to the Fall Semester. Prospective candidates must check with the Division of Special Education and Counseling office for annual application deadlines and procedures. Prior to admission to the program, graduate students are encouraged to obtain preliminary advisement from the program coordinator. Upon acceptance, each student is assigned a faculty advisor and a cohort group.

Requirements for the Degree (56 units)

• All students in the program must complete the 34 units of the core coursework and 18 units of fieldwork. Students can choose between the Comprehensive Examination (0 units), or Thesis (4 units), or Project (4 units) as their culmultanting experience.  Students who choose to do the comprehensive exam, are required to complete COUN 5021.
• Fieldwork is required and is integral to the degree. Any student receiving no credit in a fieldwork experience will be placed on academic notice and must complete an academic improvement plan with their advisor before they may enroll in subsequent fieldwork courses. Receiving two separate no credits in any fieldwork experiences is cause for dismissal.  Before students may take courses to meet the fieldwork requirement, they must be advanced to candidacy and must be recommended by their advisor. Applications for fieldwork must be submitted to the Division of Special Education and Counseling Office during the tenth week of the semester prior to the semester in which the student desires a fieldwork placement.
• Students who select the comprehensive examination (COUN 5960 ) must be advanced to candidacy, must comply with College and Division requirements before enrolling to take the examination, and must either have completed or be in the process of completing the directed elective. These requirements include a formal application no later than the tenth week of the semester preceding the semester in which the examination will occur (e.g., Fall for Spring Examination).
• Students with research interests are encouraged to speak to a core faculty graduate advisor from the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis program, who will serve as the chair of the thesis committee. Students are encouraged to begin thesis planning as soon as possible.

Notice to Students Regarding Professional Licensure and Certification  

Learning Outcomes   Roadmap - ABA MS (2025)