Need more information about the ABA program? Please refer to the questions and answers below. We're happy to help you answer any additional questions you have so please reach out if you can't find something here.
The decision to obtain your master’s degree is a significant investment in your future. A master’s degree in applied behavior analysis can lead to fulfilling employment as a Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA) in many areas, including but not limited to schools, clinics, hospitals, and early intervention settings. The M.Ed. SPED ABA program has been designed for students who are working in behavioral settings; for example, as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA), or a special education teacher, and who wish to further their education and specialization in applied behavior analysis. Graduates of the M.Ed. SPED ABA program will have met the three requirements to apply for the BCBA exam: graduate degree, completion of a Verified Course Sequence (VCS; approved by the Association of Behavior Analysts International), and completion of fieldwork experience (through online, supervised practica in the student’s work setting).
Because the program is offered online and the clinical practica (supervised fieldwork) are completed in the students’ work settings, the degree requirements can be attained while the master’s candidates maintain their busy lifestyles. Additionally, the program’s cohort model lends support to students and opportunities for collaboration with mentors and fellow students from different locales. Master’s candidates proceed through the program in cohorts of up to 15 students, lending support and offering varied perspectives and knowledge to the experience.
All candidates in the Master of Education in Special Education – Applied Behavior Analysis program must have earned a bachelor's degree; however, because the degree leads to specialism in applied behavior analysis and eligibility to apply for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA) examination, the undergraduate degree may also be in an area other than education.
The program is taken over a 16-month period. Courses are taken in a sequential manner, meaning the courses should be taken in the order offered. The three 5-month practica for supervised fieldwork experience run concurrently with coursework.
Thirty course credits are required for graduation—21 credits of Verified Course Sequence coursework and 9 credits for practica (supervised fieldwork experiences.) Coursework and supervision of fieldwork experiences are offered completely online.
Degree completion in the M.Ed. SPED ABA program encompasses the three required components of BCBA’s Pathway 2 (see BCBA-2022 Eligibility Requirements Handbook, p. 8), including a Verified Course Sequence of behavior-analytic coursework and concentrated supervised fieldwork; as such, transfer credits will not be accepted. See the Tuition and Transfer Credits page for more information.
The cost is determined by cohort. Students entering the program in a particular term will have the same rate of tuition throughout the program. Please visit the Tuition and Transfer Credits page for the cost of the program for your assigned cohort.
Yes, financial aid is available to qualified students for the core courses in the M.Ed. SPED ABA program. Please contact Augustana’s Office of Financial Aid at 605.274.5216 or financial.aid@augie.edu with further questions.
To be considered for admission to the program, please submit the following items to the Augustana Office of Graduate Education, 2001 S. Summit Ave., Sioux Falls, S.D. 57197:
- Official transcripts showing proof of your completed baccalaureate degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better, sent directly from your undergraduate institution to Augustana University, Office of Graduate Education.
- Name of one reference with contact information so that a recommendation form can be sent.
- Good sources for a letter of recommendation would be current employers or mentors who can speak about your work ethic and motivation as well as former professors who can address your potential for success in a graduate program
- Name and contact information of one administrator, supervisor, or human resource officer at your place of employment who is qualified to (a) verify your employment in a behavior-related setting and (b) acknowledge that you would accrue field experience hours in the work setting (with online supervision provided through the Augustana program).
- A 400–500-word essay is required; specific instructions are included in the application.
- A non-refundable application fee of $60.
Request official transcripts from your undergraduate institution and any graduate work taken be sent directly to the Augustana Office of Graduate Education, 2001 S. Summit Ave., Sioux Falls, S.D. 57197
- Submit your application along with the following items:
- One reference testifying to the applicant’s character and ability to complete graduate work must be received. The recommendation form will be sent to the reference.
- Name and contact information from your employer (e.g., administrator, supervisor, human resource officer) to (a) verify your employment in a behavior-related setting and (b) acknowledge that you would accrue field experience hours in the work setting. The employment verification form will be sent to your employer.
- A 400-500 word typed essay is required; specific instructions are included in the application.
- A non-refundable application fee of $60.
- Electronic transcripts can be sent to graduate@augie.edu
Cohorts are offered on a rotational basis beginning with spring and fall terms. Completed applications are reviewed upon submission, with rolling admissions (i.e., students will be assigned to the next available cohort unless they stated a preference for a later start).
- Spring Cohorts (cohort limit: 15 students)
- Deadline for SP22 applications: January 21, 2022
- Fall Cohorts (cohort limit: 15 students)
- Deadline for FA22 applications: August 19, 2022
- Deadline for FA22 applications: August 19, 2022
The Spring Cohort typically begins in February; the Fall Cohort typically begins at the end of August.
Augustana has a strong collection in place to support graduate students’ studies. As part of registration, all graduate candidates receive an Augustana ID (virtual) with a library barcode to ensure remote access to library resources. Research support will be provided by librarians via phone, chat, email, and texting. Interlibrary loan services are available to supplement research needs. Library staff will assist with technology support inquiries and facilitate referrals to the ITS Help Desk and/or Instructional Technologist.
View the Verified Course Sequence of coursework within the program.
Degree requirements for the M.Ed. SPED ABA program include 21 credit hours of Verified Course Sequence (VCS) coursework and 9 credit hours of concentrated supervised fieldwork experiences, totaling 30 credit hours.
Contact Dr. Kathleen Cook, BCBA-D, ABA Program Director and VCS Coordinator at kathleen.cook@augie.edu or 605-274-4623. For additional information see the Graduate Catalog and the M.Ed. SPED ABA Program Handbook.
Graduates of the program will meet the three requirements to apply for the certification examination from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. However, certification does not necessarily lead to immediate licensure in many states. See below for more information.
APPLYING FOR CERTIFICATION AS A BOARD CERTIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYST
The Master of Education in Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis program provides an eligibility pathway to the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA) examination (BCBA-2022 Eligibility Requirements Handbook, p. 8):
Pathway 2
AN IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT STATE LICENSURE
Many states in the U.S. currently have licensure rules for Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), and more states are in the process of implementing rules (see the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s list of states with licensure rules). Although graduates of Augustana's Master of Education in Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis program will meet eligibility requirements for the BCBA examination, board certification will not necessarily lead to immediate licensure in many states. Augustana and HOPE Group Clinical are committed to helping each Augie ABA student accrue fieldwork hours that meet their state licensure rules in addition to the BCBA field experience requirements; however, students in the Augie ABA program are ultimately responsible for being informed on and meeting their state licensure rules, as applicable, prior to practicing as a BCBA.