Make a Difference as an Applied Behavior Analyst.
Applied Behavior Analysis emphasizes the analysis and design of the environment to improve the performance of individuals as varied as children or adults with autism, parents of behaviorally challenging children, and the corporate executive attempting to maximize the productivity of their employees. Behavior analysts work in an array of settings such as classrooms, homes, mental health centers, residential clinics and schools, or organizations.
In Shenandoah’s four semester (16 month) online Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (MS ABA) program, students will learn from ABA faculty who are passionate about teaching, The program is especially accommodating of professionals who are employed full or part time, and is designed to develop the knowledge, skills, and ethical standards necessary to practice competently in these settings and to prepare students for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) examination.
Career and Salary Possibilities
A career in Applied Behavior Analysis provides opportunities in a variety of fields, including working with:
- Students in educational settings
- Employees in large corporations or governmental organizations
- People with autism spectrum disorders (ASD)
- Patients in healthcare institutions
- People with developmental or intellectual disabilities
Anywhere there are people, there is the opportunity to use behavior analysis to improve their environment and help them reach their full potential.
Starting salaries for Board Certified Behavior Analysts range from $50,000 to $100,000.
Classes
Shenandoah’s MS ABA online program consists of 33 credit hours, including 21 credit hours in coursework which includes the ABAI-verified course sequence, six (6) credit hours of electives and six (6) credit hours for a capstone project.
The SU ABA online program does not include supervision as part of the program.
Students arrange their own supervision with advice from SU faculty. During the program, faculty intermittently meet with students to review their supervision progress.
Students will access the courses via Canvas and Zoom which are provided by the University. Each of the courses include both synchronous and asynchronous classes. This ensures students that they will get to know their instructors and their peers even in an online format. Courses include:
- PSY 572: Legal, Ethical, and Professional Conduct in Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
- PSY 561: Foundations in Concepts and Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
- PSY 562: Research Methods in Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
- PSY 571: Special Populations and Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
- PSY 563: Classroom Management and Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
- PSY 580: The Organization Context for Applied Behavior Analysis (OBM) (3)
- PSY 550: Capstone Research Proposal (2)
- PSY 565: Advanced Concepts and Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
- PSY 564: Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis: Capstone Project (4)
- Electives (6)
Meet the Faculty
You will learn from nationally and regionally renowned faculty mentors who are as passionate about teaching as they are about helping others. They are dedicated to delivering academically challenging, interactive, high-quality learning opportunities in the field of applied behavior analysis.
Meet Cameron Mittleman, Director of Applied Behavior Analysis Graduate Program
Application Information
Shenandoah’s graduate ABA program is a cohort program, and admissions is limited to the fall semester. To be accepted into the program, you must meet Shenandoah University’s admissions requirements, have a minimum 3.0 GPA in your undergraduate work and a bachelor’s degree with an undergraduate major preferably in psychology, education, special education, social work, speech pathology or a similar discipline.
To apply, submit the following:
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Graduate Application for Admission, along with $30 non-refundable application fee submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions
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Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended
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An essay/statement of the applicant’s reason for applying to the Applied Behavior Analysis program, including what factors influenced the decision and how this program will help the individual to reach professional goals
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Three (3) letters of recommendation from professors, supervisors or others engaged in the practice of Applied Behavior Analysis or other human services professions.
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Students seeking transfer credits from other universities must make the request in writing to the ABA Program Coordinator. A maximum of nine credit hours may be considered for transfer.
Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) Verified Course Sequence (VCS)
The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) has approved the verified course sequence (VCS) which meets the academic requirements to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam.
Applicants will need to meet additional supervision requirements before they are eligible to take the exam.
International Behavior Analyst Organization (IBAO) Certified
Shenandoah’s Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program is certified by the International Behavior Analyst Organization.
As of January 2022, the National Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) is no longer allowing international students to study ABA in the U.S. and sit for the BCBA exam. Through our IBAO certification international students can still earn their ABA degree at Shenandoah and sit for the IBAO exam!
Learn more about international admissions at Shenandoah.