M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis

Female teacher and group student teenagers in the classroom

Our master's program prepares students to be board certified behavior analysts through instruction, training, and research in the analysis of behavior. Students complete courses in the experimental analysis of behavior (EAB) and applied behavior analysis (ABA). EAB courses teach students about basic functional relations between environmental events and behavior, whereas ABA courses train students in the application of those basic behavioral principles to human populations. Hands-on experience is available in our animal and human research facilities and through local practicum sites. Additionally, businesses offering ABA services in the area often hire our students and provide BCBA supervision.

Potential Careers

Our degree is designed for student who want to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts and Licensed Behavior Analysts. Most of our students work in the area of autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities. However, there are several other subspecialties within behavior analysis that students will learn about. Examples of different subspecialties can be found here https://www.bacb.com/about-behavior-analysis/.

Median Annual Salary

Board Certified Behavior Analyst
(national average)

$56,730

Board Certified Behavior Analyst
(one-third)

$75,000

Degree Information

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Additional Facts

JSU is the only M.S. in ABA program in Alabama that includes ABAI accreditation and a verified-course sequence. The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the following courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® examination: PSY 508, 511, 521, 528, 529, 530, 538. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be eligible to take the examination. Our program is accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International Accreditation Board ("ABAI Accreditation Board") to award master's degrees. We currently hold a 100% pass rate on the BCBA exam following graduation. Pass rates can be found here https://www.bacb.com/university-pass-rates/.

We have 100% job placement for graduates.

Departmental Information