Residential Master of Science in Educational Studies (MSEd): Applied Behavior Analysis (Through IPE-SHINES)
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
Discover how people learn and explore theories of behavior change.
The Purdue University College of Education’s master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a fast-paced way for individuals to broaden their professional skillset and gain confidence to be successful.
This program will focus on the foundations of applied behavior analysis and how they can be used to teach new skills and improve human behavior. The master’s program emphasizes ethical principles and evidence-based practices, including assessing behavior, developing personalized intervention plans, and using data to track progress.
Students will earn a master’s in education degree and be prepared to sit for the Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)® exam.
What is applied behavior analysis?
Applied behavioral science is a broad field of study using behavioral research and knowledge to solve real-world problems. The study of applied behavioral science is based on principles of exploring and understanding complex human behavior. ABA can be used to teach new skills, enhance performance, or reduce challenging behaviors in people of all ages, with or without disabilities. The specific focus of ABA interventions is unique to each person or situation, but in general, the goal is to increase behaviors that are helpful and promote learning. ABA can be used with any population including children, adults, families, and communities.
About the Program
The information contained on this webpage is for the Residential Master of Science in Educational Studies in Applied Behavior Analysis through the IPE-SHINES Grant. For the full list of ABA program options, please visit the ABA program webpage.
Only students admitted under the IPE-SHINES grant are eligible for the residential ABA MSEd program. See below for more information about the grant, eligibility, and how to apply.
The program is a residential program that is housed at the West Lafayette campus. Courses may include residential (in-person) or distance (online) components. This program includes 57 credits. 15 of those credits fulfill some of the Supervised Fieldwork Requirements for BCBA eligibility. 30 credits are required as part of the verified course sequence. 12 credits include courses within the Purdue Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences department.
The program also serves as an avenue for recruitment into the Special Education doctoral program for which up to 30 credits accrued from the master’s degree can count towards the doctoral program of study.
About the IPE Shines Grant
The US Department of Education Office for Special Education Programs has been awarded to the Colleges of Education and Health & Human Sciences to train graduate students to work collaboratively in treating K-6 students with high intensity needs. IPE-SHINES (Inter-professional Education for Supporting High Intensity Needs of Exceptional Students; Grant # H325K210078) is an interdisciplinary preparation training grant designed to address a national need for highly-skilled SLPs and BCBAs to provide high-quality, evidenced based services for children with high intensity needs across a wide variety of settings. For more information, click here.
For International Applicants:
Only U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents of the United States are eligible for IPE-SHINES funding, per the terms of this grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Only those applicants admitted through IPE-SHINES can be considered for residential program admission.
For U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents:
To inquire about the terms and conditions of funding, please email aba@purdue.edu.
How to Apply
For important information about how to apply, please see the Admissions tab below.
Content of the program is an ABAI approved Verified Course Sequence for the 5th Edition Task List.
For more information, view the
Admissions Application Checklist
Request Information – MS ABA Residential
This program does not lead to licensure in the state of Indiana or elsewhere. Contact the College of Education Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (OTEL) at licensure@purdue.edu before continuing with program application if you have questions regarding licensure or contact your state Department of Education about how this program may translate to licensure in your state of residence.
Courses
Students spend an average of 15 hours a week on homework.
Program Overview
- Cohort model to foster professional learning communities
- Opportunity to attend in face-to-face setting on campus
- Community developed with collaborative opportunities in the synchronous coursework. Asynchronous opportunities may be offered at the discretion of the instructor.
- Opportunity to participate in independent applied behavior analysis fieldwork and research
Core Courses (27 credit hours)
- EDPS 54700 – Foundations and Principles of Behavior Analysis
- EDPS 54800 – Ethics of Applied Behavior Analysis
- EDPS 54900 – Verbal Behavior and Social Communication
- EDPS 50800 – Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
- EDPS 61200 – Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis
- EDPS 68800 – Single Subject Research Design
- EDPS 55200 – Basic Concepts of ABA
- EDPS 62800 – The Behavior Analyst as Supervisor
Choose one of the following:
- EDPS 55300 – Application of Applied Behavior Analysis to Manage and Support Personnel
or
- EDPS 55000 – Behavioral Consultation and Systems Change
Educational Studies Required Course (3 credit hours)
- EDPS 53300 – Introduction to Educational Research
CBA Modules
All students in the program are required to purchase a one-year subscription to the CBA Learning Modules, offered by Behavior Development Solutions. Students will receive a discount on the price of the subscription due to this being a program requirement which brings the total to $345 for 12 months. Students will receive instructions for subscribing to the CBA modules via email from Behavior Development Solutions. It will be used in all courses and is required for taking the certification exam.
The CBA modules were specifically developed for learners to become fluent with the ABA terminology and prepare for the certification exam. Each learning module set consists of a 60 minute acquisition module and a timed fluency module. Specific CBA modules will be assigned in each of the 6 core courses. Within each module, students will complete the acquisition section followed by the fluency test. Though not required, students are encouraged to maintain their subscription until they sit for the BCBA exam. More information about the CBA modules >
Questions?
Admissions:
edgrad@purdue.edu
Course Content Information:
ABA@purdue.edu
Course Registration, payment, drops/withdraws, and removing holds:
Purdue Online purdueonline@purdue.edu
Career accounts:
ITaP (765) 494-4000