Join a community of scholars whose mission is to deliver high-quality behavioral services under challenging, real-world conditions and develop and extend behavioral technology to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities. The program is housed within the U.S. News & World Report No. 1 ranked Department of Special Education, home to groundbreaking research, innovative practices, and widely used methods.
Program Overview
Our Association for Behavior Analysis International-verified course sequence and fieldwork opportunities are grounded in educational research and technology and challenge students to integrate applied behavior analysis into educational practice.
In addition to coursework, you'll have opportunities to apply the principles, concepts, and skills you acquire through fieldwork placements in school, clinic, and home settings. You'll can also collaborate on and assist with research projects led by our esteemed faculty in special education and ABA. And you'll join a supportive professional community that facilitates continuing education and development.
Careers
There's a growing need for Board Certified Behavior Analysts. According to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, annual demand has grown each year since 2010, with job postings increasing by 190 percent from 2018 to 2021 alone.
Program Facts
Program Director: Johanna Staubitz
Admissions Coordinator: Kelly Limina
Admission Term: Fall
Credit Hours: 30-31
Application Dates
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Application Deadline 1
Jan 3, 2024
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Application Deadline 2
Feb 3, 2024
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Rolling Admissions
After Feb 3, 2024*
*Applications received after the Feb 3rd second deadline are reviewed on a rolling basis and accepted as space and funds allow.
Program Curriculum
The ABA degree program stresses field-based learning and experience, with the opportunity to participate in supervised research. You'll plan your program of study in consultation with your faculty advisor. Electives are aligned with your selected area of emphasis (i.e., early childhood, high incidence disabilities, and severe disabilities), and each set of electives emphasizes a different aspect of ABA in special education. A mandatory practicum course connected with concentrated supervised fieldwork is designed to help you satisfy field experience requirements established by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.
Coursework
Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Throughout our courses, we highlight the importance of advocating and promoting equity among students with special needs. We focus on including all students, no matter their background, needs, or skills level. We do this by teaching our scholars to be strong team members and collaborators, by having high expectations while developing their professional dispositions, and by providing field experiences in high-need schools with diverse learners.
Selected Faculty Research
Faculty
ABA program faculty have years of experience designing and evaluating function-based interventions for the challenging behavior of individuals with disabilities. All are themselves Board Certified Behavior Analysts.