Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis

The Augustana University Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (M.S. ABA) Program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).

• Application requires official transcripts, minimum 3.0 GPA, a letter of recommendation, personal statement and evidence of employment. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis for the next start term.
• Evidence of Employment in a behavior-related setting

Residency Requirements

• Students in this program must maintain employment in a behavior-related setting for a minimum of 25 hours per week to participate in supervised fieldwork experiences. Notify Program Director of the M.S. ABA Dr. Kathleen Cook if any employment situation changes.
• Admission is limited to residents of the U.S. and locations in Canada outside of Ontario. The M.S. ABA program’s residency requirements are aligned with the BACB’s residency requirements for certification (see the BCBA-2025 Handbook, p. 1).

Applications From New York

• Applications from residents or employees in the state of New York will not be accepted. New York has strict licensure requirements that include specific coursework approved by the New York State Education Department; the M.S. ABA program at Augustana University does not provide a pathway to licensure in New York.

The Augustana University Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (M.S. ABA) Program prepares graduates to successfully apply for certification as Board Certified Behavior Analysts as they become exemplary practitioners in ethical, evidence-based practices in behavior analysis. The program provides a strong foundation in the empirical, conceptual and applied bases of the science of behavior, ensuring that graduates are well prepared to integrate research, theory and practice in the delivery of high-quality behavioral services.

The graduate degree programs in the School of Education provide in-depth knowledge and application of research to practice. The master’s degree program in applied behavior analysis enables students to prepare for application for the Board Certification Behavior Analyst examination and to become competent practitioners in applied behavior analysis.

Objectives/Outcomes Aligned to the Sharon Lust School of Education Master’s Degree Programs

The graduate will be able to:

• apply legal and ethical standards related to the education of individuals with disabilities (and to others with need for behavioral support);
• use evidence-based, research-grounded interventions to support learning and behavior of individuals with disabilities (and others with need for behavioral support);
• develop and apply instructional practices based on knowledge of individuals with disabilities, their families, communities, and instructional standards;
• assess the development and learning of individuals with disabilities (and others with need for behavioral support), and use that information to direct and monitor the effectiveness of interventions;
• develop skills for supporting collaboration with families, including skills needed to effectively collaborate with others to accomplish this;
• analyze, synthesize and apply research to inform professional practice;
• demonstrate ability in scholarly writing;
• demonstrate understanding of both the core values of Augustana University, and the conceptual model of the Sharon Lust School of Education; and
• demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the empirical, conceptual, and applied foundations of behavior analysis and effectively integrate research, theory, and practice in the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based behavioral services.

Objectives/Outcomes Specific to the Augustana M.S. ABA Program

The graduate will be able to meet the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s requirements to apply for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA) examination, which include:

• graduate degree;
• behavior-analytic coursework;
• practical fieldwork in applied behavior analysis; and
• demonstrate the knowledge to pass the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) examination.

Program Summary

M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis (Mode: Online)

• Cohort 7 (first M.S. ABA Cohort) started in Fall 2025

M.Ed. in Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis (Mode: Online)

• Cohorts 1-6 conferred M.Ed. SPED: Applied Behavior Analysis
• Cohort 1 started in Fall 2022
• Cohort 6 graduates in Spring 2026 (last M.Ed. SPED ABA Cohort)

*The BACB does not post the pass rate of programs that have fewer than six first-time test takers that year. 
** Data collection on the number of master-level state license holders is in progress (IP).

This outcomes data is updated annually.

Why earn a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis degree from Augustana?

An Augustana M.S. ABA Program can lead to fulfilling employment as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in many areas, including but not limited to schools, clinics, hospitals and early intervention settings. Graduates of the Augustana M.S. ABA Program are prepared to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam.

Do I need a bachelor’s degree in education to apply to the Augustana M.S. ABA Program?

No. All applicants in the Augustana Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis degree program must have earned a bachelor's degree. However, since the degree leads to specialization in ABA and eligibility to apply for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA) examination, the undergraduate degree may be in an area other than education.

How long does it take to complete the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis degree program?

This online program is taken over the course of a 19-month period. Courses should be taken in the order offered.

Can I transfer other courses into the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program?

The Augustana M.S. ABA Program will accept, on a case-by-case basis, a maximum of nine semester hours of graduate credit earned at other accredited institutions for transfer to Augustana and applied to the M.S. ABA program. The following provisions are in place: 

• An official transcript is provided.
• The credits are approved by the Program Director for replacement of a course in the M.S. ABA plan of study (i.e., the courses that are determined to have their requirements met through transferred courses will be waived).
• The credits have not been utilized in earning an undergraduate degree.
• A grade of B- or better was earned for the credits.
• The credits are not outdated (more than 7 years old).

How much does the program cost?

The cost is determined by cohort. Students entering the program in a particular term will have the same rate of tuition throughout the program. 

For more information, visit the graduate tuition page.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. Financial aid is available to qualified students for core courses in this program.

What are the admission requirements for the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis degree program?

The application requires official transcripts, minimum 3.0 GPA, a letter of recommendation, personal statement and evidence of employment in a behavior-related setting. M.S. ABA applications are reviewed on a rolling basis for the next start term.

What is the application deadline for the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis degree program?

Completed M.S. ABA applications are reviewed upon submission, with rolling admission, until the application deadline or the cohorts have been filled. When two 15-student cohorts have been filled, additional students will be admitted to the next available cohort the following fall. Priority admission is June 30; the final deadline is July 15, provided seats are still available.

When do the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis classes begin?

The fall cohort begins at the end of August.

What are the degree requirements for the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis?

A minimum of 34 course credits are required for graduation, including:

• 24 credits of behavior-analytic academic coursework
• 10 credits of fieldwork experience run concurrently with coursework

Coursework and supervision of fieldwork experiences are online.

Does a master's degree in ABA from Augustana lead to certification and licensure?

Graduates of the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis degree program will meet the three requirements (master’s degree, specific behavior-analytic coursework and supervised fieldwork hours) to apply for the certification examination from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. However, certification does not necessarily lead to immediate licensure in many states.

Do I need to be working in a behavioral setting to enroll in this program?

Yes. A behavioral work setting is necessary for students to complete their fieldwork requirements within the 10 credits of fieldwork experience courses that run concurrently with coursework. The fieldwork courses follow a curriculum aligned with academic coursework and the BCBA Test Content Outline (6th ed.) standards.

The Augustana M.S. ABA Program provides an eligibility pathway to the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA):

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.

• Behavior Analyst Certification Board list of states with licensure rules

Although graduates of the Augustana M.S. ABA Program will meet eligibility requirements for the BCBA examination, board certification will not lead to immediate licensure in many states. Augustana is committed to helping each student accrue fieldwork hours that meet their state licensure rules in addition to the BCBA field experience requirements. However, students in the AU M.S. ABA Program are ultimately responsible for being informed on and meeting their state licensure rules, as applicable, prior to practicing as a BCBA.