Applied Behavior Analysis

#12 Best Online Master's in ABA Online Master's Degrees 2022.

Discover how people learn and explore theories of behavior change.

If you are considering a career centered on application of behavior analytic principles to teach new behaviors and decrease undesired behaviors, particularly in the areas of education or human service, then this program is for you. Be prepared to: work with individuals with moderate to severe disabilities, including autism, across settings; work with individuals with and without disabilities who engage in challenging behavior and/or who are in need of increasing skills; consult with teachers and school systems to create positive behavior support systems; train parents; and collaborate with medical professionals. The courses included in all of our applied behavior analysis degree options are verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International® (5th Edition Task list). The Behavior Analyst Certification Board® has multiple requirements to qualify for the Board-Certified Behavior Analyst Examination®. Graduates of the Purdue ABA program will have met the coursework and degree requirements and are required to fulfill the supervised fieldwork hours independent of the program.

EduMed.org released its 2022 rankings, and our Master’s in ABA was named one of today’s best for online learning in applied behavior analysis. Specifically, our program was ranked #6 for Best Online ABA Master’s Programs for BCBA Certification

NEW FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS IN APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS AND SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY!

(For residential students only in the masters program)

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.

Applied Behavior Analysis Program Options

The Applied Behavior Analysis program has three program options to meet your needs:

Online Master of Science in Educational Studies in Applied Behavior Analysis

The 30-credit program offers students a fully online opportunity. Classes are taught in a synchronous, distance modality allowing students to network and build professional relationships while still building in the flexibility to complete coursework from the comfort of your own home. Coursework and interactions occur in an online learning environment with students meeting online on specific dates and at set times (according to EST Eastern Standard Time Zone).

April 1st is the priority deadline for consideration for Fall admission.

View Program Requirements

Option 2: Residential Master of Science in Educational Studies in Applied Behavior Analysis (only for applicants accepted to the IPE-SHINES grant)

For students admitted to IPE-SHINES program, this is a residential program. Course instructors may choose to provide additional support through distance learning.

Instructions: Applicants interested in this program must first complete a graduate application for the Online Master of Science in Education program. See the program webpage link above for additional details on the IPE-SHINES grant and how to apply.

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.

April 1st is the priority deadline for consideration for Fall admission.

View Program Requirements

Residential Accelerated 4 plus 1 Master of Science in Educational Studies in Applied Behavior Analysis (for current Purdue undergraduate students)

This program provides an accelerated pathway for current Purdue undergraduate students to fulfill the degree and course requirements for becoming Board Certified Behavior Analysts. Fourth-year undergraduate students admitted to the program will begin their ABA graduate course work while completing undergraduate course work. After completing their undergraduate degree, students matriculate into the graduate program in ABA and can complete the master’s degree with one additional year.

Undergraduates in the following programs are eligible to apply when they are classified as a junior:

Curriculum and Instruction
Educational Studies
Human Development and Family Studies
Psychological Sciences
Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

April 1st is the priority deadline for consideration for Fall admission.

View Program Requirements

Online Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies in Applied Behavior Analysis

This online 7-course sequence, 21-credit program, is for those who already have a master’s degree in a related area. For more information about accepted majors, please email aba@purdue.edu.

July 1st is the deadline for Fall admission consideration.
November 15^th is the deadline for Spring admission consideration.

View Program Requirements

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 therapy is unique to each person or situation, but in general, the goal is to increase behaviors that are helpful and promote learning. Applied behavior analysis can be used with any population including children, adults, families, and communities.

Our applied behavior analysis degree will focus on ethical principles and evidence-based best practices. This includes practicing how to assess behavior, develop personalized therapy plans and use data to track progress. Our program supports ABA across contexts such as schools, home, community, and clinics. The opportunities and rewards within the profession are plentiful.

Testimonials

Earning my Masters at Purdue has been amazing, the professors are very knowledgeable and readily available to assists students. The curriculum completely follows the BACB task list and prepare you to sit for the exam by requiring the CBA modules to be apart of the graduate program.
KAPRI A. BAILEY
BCBA
Circle City ABA

Purdue Universities online Master’s of Education with an emphasis in ABA allowed me to continue working full-time while also pursuing a higher education. I would highly recommend this program as all of the professors are knowledgeable in ABA and have extensive experience working in the ABA field.
TORI GILLS
AEFCT

I attended Purdue for undergrad and grad school. My time at Purdue has completely changed my life. I am so grateful for the friends Purdue has brought me and the education Purdue has provided. Purdue has done an excellent job preparing me for my career as a BCBA. I now have a career that I love and where I can make a difference!
MEGAN ISLE
BCBA
Circle City ABA

Purdue gave me the opportunity to increase my scope of competence in both the applied aspect of ABA and as well as the research component. The professors are all highly skilled in the field of ABA and have many years of experience dealing with a diverse clientele in both center and school- based settings. I am proud to say that Purdue prepared me to take on a bigger role as a leader in my current position in the field of ABA.
DUSTIN KULT
Cornerstone Autism Center

I was a bit anxious about going back to school and working full time teaching. I was so glad I did because I could use ABA with my students and even my dogs. I also was in a class with other educators and RBT’s that had experiences to share that made every class interesting. I found the professors very excited about ABA and one had worked alongside Skinner! I found myself more excited about ABA when he shared all of his experiences. I know work part-time consulting doing behavior management! This has been very rewarding to me to work one- on -one with children with autism.
MARY RAUB
K-Teacher
Tippecanoe School Corporation

Being a Boilermaker is something very special. It’s a community that you will feel apart of for the rest of your life.
KATELYN SMITH
BCBA
Circle City ABA

The ABA program at Purdue was a great experience for me. I was a special education teacher with a passion for helping students with challenging behavior in the classroom and this program helped me learn evidence-based strategies to support the students in my class. Becoming a BCBA has made me look at teaching differently and the skills that I learned in the program helped my students to be more successful in my classroom both academically and behaviorally.

Throughout my time at Purdue in the ABA program I was able to meet other students virtually who helped expand my thinking because of their different experiences and knowledge. One benefit of the online program is that you are able to interact with people from all over the country, so you get to learn more about how things are done where they live and work.

On a personal level, getting my master’s from Purdue in ABA opened up doors for me to choose to continue my education. I made connections with multiple professors who encouraged me to apply to the doctoral program in special education at Purdue. Because of these connections I am now pursing this degree and gaining even more knowledge about special education and how to support teachers and students in the classroom.

After completing the program, I felt prepared to take the BCBA exam. I had to continue accruing practicum hours after finishing the coursework and I used this time to study and review the content that we learned in class. Because of the high level of instruction and preparation I received I was able to pass the BCBA exam on my first attempt. The professors in the ABA program go above and beyond to make sure you are understanding the topics and are accessible to ask questions to if you are ever confused or need additional help. Overall, attending the ABA program at Purdue was one of the best decisions that I have made.
CHARISSA VOORHIS
Class of Summer 2020

Applied Behavior Analysis

Discover how people learn and explore theories of behavior change.

NEW FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS IN APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS AND SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY!

Applied Behavior Analysis Program Options

What is applied behavior analysis?

Career Outlook

Job opportunities include (but are not limited to):

This degree will prepare you for:

Program Faculty

Testimonials