Earning a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is one of the most direct routes to becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). A qualifying master’s degree, completed through an ABAI-accredited or ABAI-recognized program, fulfills the academic requirements for BCBA certification and positions you to work with clients across a wide range of settings and populations. Here’s what you need to know before choosing your path.
Some people just want to know how things work. They want to understand all the intricate whats, the complicated hows, and the confusing whys. For students who want to apply that curiosity to human behavior, pursuing a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) isn’t just an eye-opening endeavor. It can also be a great way to start a career in helping people understand themselves and navigate the world around them.
Professionals with ABA Master’s degrees can be found running special education programs, improving mental health services, and even saving lives in substance abuse recovery programs. If you’re considering a career in any of those fields and more, here’s what you need to know about earning a Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis.
Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis: Who is it Right For?
The biggest question to answer before enrolling in any graduate degree program is, “Will this degree help me and my career?” A Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis can be a flexible degree with applications in a number of psychology-focused careers.
ABA Practitioners
Applied behavior analysis practitioners, including BCBAs and behavior technicians, help people replace undesirable behaviors with healthier, more productive ones. Though practitioners often help children with autism develop coping and social skills, they can work in any number of contexts.
ABA practitioners frequently work in:
- Brain injury rehab clinics
- Mental health practices
- Special education programs
- Social assistance communities, like foster and group homes
- Nursing homes and memory care communities that serve aging adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia
- Sports training and nutrition facilities
- Programs that help people with learning or attention differences, such as ADHD
Though the specific duties of an ABA practitioner change with the field, they’re typically responsible for crafting client treatment plans, working with clients individually, or overseeing interdisciplinary teams of caregivers and healthcare professionals.
Educators, School Counselors, and Administrators
To help students with physical, developmental, and learning disabilities, special education teachers often need quite a large toolkit. Pursuing a master’s degree in special education with a specialization in ABA is a great way to learn evidence-based techniques that can empower students in the classroom and beyond.
Likewise, school counselors with an ABA background can combine ABA theory and techniques with verbal therapy and play therapy to make their offices a welcoming place for students struggling with any number of issues.
For those considering a career as an administrator, a Master’s in ABA teaches how to craft school policies and programs that help students, teachers, and parents. The field is under real strain right now, and an understanding of human behavior can go a long way in shaping environments where everyone can do their best work.
Industrial and Organizational Management Professionals
Industrial and organizational professionals apply psychological science to workplace behavior, including areas such as employee performance, training, leadership, and organizational systems. They can also spearhead recruitment initiatives, solve workplace conflicts, and craft policies that keep workers engaged and motivated.
This role typically requires a degree in psychology, but with a Master’s in psychology with a focus on ABA, industrial-organizational psychologists can handle human resource issues in a scientific, hands-on way.
Behavioral Specialists
Budding applied behavior analysts can choose to narrow their focus to a specific population or field of study. These people are, in a broad sense, referred to as behavioral specialists.
For example, a behavioral gerontologist helps elderly people navigate the many issues often associated with aging. A behavioral neuroscientist focuses on the intersection of biology, environment, and behavior. And some behavior analysts apply ABA principles in forensic or criminal justice settings.
Along with teaching core principles of the field, some ABA Master’s programs offer classes focused on these specialized areas, along with enriching internships and fieldwork opportunities.
Research and Experimental Behavior Analysts
Not every ABA professional works with the general public or a specific client base. Some put their expertise to use in clinical or research settings.
A lot of ABA research is done in colleges and universities, pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, and economic research firms. And as research continues, these organizations will keep needing professionals who understand the nuances of human behavior and can direct ethical, forward-thinking projects.
Master’s Degrees (MA, MS, MAT, MEd) in Applied Behavior Analysis
Master’s degree programs in ABA are usually housed in schools or colleges of behavior analysis, psychology, or education. That said, not every ABA Master’s program is structured exactly the same or called the same thing. Understanding the differences between degree types can help you narrow your search.
MA vs MS in Applied Behavior Analysis
Most graduate-level ABA programs come in the form of a Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MS). In general, MA programs take a more interdisciplinary, liberal arts approach to education, while MS programs focus more on developing specific technical skills.
The curriculum for MA and MS ABA degrees is often very similar. In many cases, the MA vs. MS distinction depends on which school or college the program is housed in. MA programs are often found in schools of education, while MS programs are more commonly offered through schools of psychology.
MEd vs MAT in Applied Behavior Analysis
Students planning to enter education can pursue two additional types of ABA graduate degrees: a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) or a Master of Education (MEd).
An MAT with an emphasis on applied behavior analysis might be useful for current or future teachers who want to add more robust behavior intervention techniques to their skillset. More specialized forms include an MAT in Special Education or an MAT with a focus on autism spectrum disorders.
MEd degrees are more tailored to educators who want to become administrators or school leaders. While earning an MEd in ABA or Special Education, students typically learn how to:
- Build a curriculum tailored to their students’ needs and challenges
- Use scientific research and ABA principles to guide school policy
- Support teachers on an administrative level
- Create inclusive learning environments where students with different needs can flourish
Admission Requirements
Master’s programs of all types require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Some ABA Master’s programs may require a bachelor’s degree in ABA or another relevant field like psychology or education, but this isn’t always the case.
Other common admission requirements for ABA Master’s programs include:
- An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Letters of recommendation
- Admissions essays
- Interviews with program faculty
- Some programs may require GRE scores or an academic writing sample, though many have dropped the GRE in recent years
If cost is a factor in your decision, it’s worth exploring ABA scholarships before you apply. A number of funding options exist specifically for students entering the behavior analysis field.
Master’s Degrees Leading to BCBA Certification
Earning a Master’s degree in applied behavior analysis is one of the most direct ways to become a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst), a professional designation offered by the BACB (Behavior Analyst Certification Board). According to many states’ ABA licensing laws, behavior professionals must be BACB certified. Here’s how a Master’s degree in ABA puts you on the path to certification.
Curriculum and Fieldwork Requirements
ABA Master’s programs that are accredited by ABAI (the Association for Behavior Analysis International) follow the BACB’s required curriculum and fieldwork standards. Completing an ABAI-accredited program generally qualifies you for Pathway 1 to BCBA certification, which is the most streamlined route to the credential.
Under Pathway 1, candidates need to complete 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork. Many ABAI-accredited programs build fieldwork placement support directly into their curriculum, which makes it easier to hit that requirement before or alongside the certification exam.
ABA Master’s Program Accreditation
The BACB doesn’t accredit ABA Master’s programs directly. Instead, they work closely with ABAI, which accredits behavior analysis programs and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) for enforcing detailed criteria for ABA education.
Degrees from ABAI-accredited programs are widely considered the standard by employers and state licensing agencies. If you want your Master’s degree to count toward BCBA eligibility, the BACB requires that the degree and coursework meet its eligibility standards, which are typically satisfied through ABAI-accredited or ABAI-recognized programs.
Here’s what to verify when evaluating programs:
- ABAI accreditation status (check the ABAI website directly)
- Supervised fieldwork placement support
- BCBA exam pass rates for program graduates
- Faculty with active BCBA or BCBA-D credentials
Find out more about BCBA certification requirements, the BCBA exam itself, and how your ABA Master’s degree can help you qualify. If you’re ready to take the next step, start searching for top ABA master’s programs that carry ABAI accreditation and include supervised fieldwork support.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to earn a Master’s in ABA?
Most ABA Master’s programs take between 18 months and 3 years to complete, depending on whether you’re enrolled full-time or part-time. Some accelerated online programs can be completed in as few as 12 to 15 months if you’re able to commit to a full course load.
Do I need a background in psychology or education to apply?
Not always. While some programs prefer applicants with a related undergraduate degree, many ABA Master’s programs accept students from a variety of academic backgrounds. What matters most is demonstrated interest in human behavior and the ability to complete graduate-level coursework.
Is an ABAI-accredited program required to become a BCBA?
For Pathway 1 (the most direct certification route), the BACB requires that your degree and coursework meet its eligibility standards, which are typically satisfied through ABAI-accredited or ABAI-recognized programs. Some alternative pathways exist, but they’re being phased out over time. Choosing an ABAI-accredited program is the safest bet if BCBA certification is your goal.
Can I complete a Master’s in ABA online?
Yes. Many reputable ABA Master’s programs are offered fully online or in hybrid formats. ABAI accreditation applies to online programs just as it does to on-campus ones. The key is confirming that whichever program you choose supports fieldwork placement in your area, since that 2,000-hour supervised experience requirement still applies regardless of how you complete your coursework.
What can you do with a Master’s in ABA besides work with children with autism?
Quite a bit, actually. Master’s-level ABA professionals work in organizational behavior management, forensic and criminal justice settings, gerontology, sports performance, research, and school administration, among other fields. ABA principles apply wherever human behavior needs to be understood and improved. The credential can open more doors than most people expect.
Key Takeaways
- A Master’s in ABA is one of the most flexible graduate degrees in the behavioral sciences, with career paths spanning education, healthcare, research, and organizational management.
- For BCBA certification, the BACB requires that your degree and coursework meet its eligibility standards, which are typically satisfied through ABAI-accredited or ABAI-recognized programs. This fulfills the academic requirements for Pathway 1 certification.
- Pathway 1 also requires 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork. Many ABAI-accredited programs offer built-in fieldwork placement support to help you complete this requirement.
- Degree types (MA, MS, MEd, MAT) vary by school and focus area. The curriculum across these formats is often similar, so choosing the right program is more about fit, accreditation, and support than the letters after the degree name.
- GRE requirements vary by program and have been dropped by many schools in recent years. Check each program’s admissions page for current requirements.
Ready to find an ABA master’s program that fits your goals? Start with programs that carry ABAI accreditation and build in supervised fieldwork support.
