Pursuing a master’s degree in ABA can be an exciting and rewarding journey. However, the GRE requirement and attending in-person classes can be major obstacles for many individuals.
The pressure of preparing for the GRE, coupled with the time commitment and the cost, might be holding you back from pursuing your passion.
The good news is that there are online master’s programs in ABA that don’t require the GRE. These programs offer flexibility and accessibility, allowing you to pursue your dream career from the comfort of your home.
Online ABA Master’s Programs NO GRE
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online ABA master’s programs without the requirement of GRE:
- University of South Florida
- Purdue Global
- Ball State University
- Arizona State University Online
- Regis College
- University of North Texas
- The Chicago School
- University of Dayton
- Simmons University
University of South Florida
Online Master of Arts in ABA
The online MA in ABA at the University of South Florida is a flexible program that is designed to equip you with all the necessary academic and practical experience to become a board certified behavior analyst after you graduate.
The elements of this master’s program include:
- A confirmed course series that you can finish in just 5 semesters, all online.
- Courses prepared by skilled behavior analysts who bring years of teaching experience in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
- Seven core courses that will prepare you to take the BCBA exam, all included within the master’s program.
- Supportive Practicum Seminars to help you navigate your Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork. In these activities, you will gain the 1,500 hours of supervised experience that the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) demands.
- Specialized research classes to guide you in conducting a literature review and developing a research proposal.
- No need to worry about the GRE – it’s not required.
- If you are from out of state, you will still pay the same tuition rates as in-state students.
During the program, you will take various core courses, including:
- ABA Basic Principles
- Ethics in ABA
- Behavior Theory
- ABA in Developmental Disabilities
- Supervision in ABA
- ABA in Complex Communities
This program is carefully structured to make sure you fulfill the BACB’s conditions to take the exam. However, keep in mind that individual states might have extra requirements, like more experience hours or supervision by a licensed behavior analyst. These are necessary to get your license to practice as a behavior analyst. It’s your responsibility to check if this program satisfies your state’s licensing laws for behavior analysts.
The online Master’s program in ABA at the University of South Florida requires that you complete experience hours under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). USF strictly adheres to the Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork Requirements set by the BACB.
You will need to complete 1,500 total hours of supervised fieldwork experience. If you are planning to graduate in five semesters, you should plan ahead to gain approximately 20 hours of supervised experience per week. This will involve a mix of both restricted and unrestricted activities.
Before you apply to the online Master’s program in ABA, you will need to find a practicum site and supervisor. Once you are accepted into the program, all supervisors must receive approval from the ABA faculty at USF before they can supervise your work.
Ball State University
Online Master of Arts in ABA
At Ball State University, you can earn your Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) entirely online, perfect for busy people like you. You can take the asynchronous courses at your convenience, fitting your studies into your daily life without worrying about rushing to class. The program requires a total of 30 credits, which comes from 10 courses.
Most students choose to take one or two courses simultaneously. However, if you are seeking a fast-paced way to finish your degree, you have the option to finish all courses on an 8-week accelerated schedule.
The MA in ABA will equip you with skills that are in demand in various job sectors, like schools, hospitals, mental health centers, behavioral centers, and residential facilities. There, you will support clients in developing their language, motor, social, and reasoning abilities. The knowledge you gain from Ball State can be directly used in your career.
Key features of the online Master’s in ABA at Ball State University include:
- This 30-credit program is entirely online, enabling you to finish your degree in under two years if you wish.
- You have the freedom to choose between 8-week or 16-week course lengths.
- The ABA degree is part of Ball State’s Teachers College, known for its numerous national rankings.
- The ABA course sequence is recognized by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) for meeting the coursework requirements for the BCBA exam.
- Ball State holds accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Higher Learning Commission.
The online MA in ABA degree at Ball State has a special focus on autism, which may give you a competitive edge in the job market. You will take up to three extra courses on autism, surpassing the Verified Course Sequence (VCS) set by ABAI. Small class sizes, with 20 students or less, ensure you get personalized attention from faculty.
To be accepted into the online Master’s in ABA, you need a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher from an accredited institution. If you meet these criteria for regular admission, there’s no need for extra documents like a personal statement, letters of recommendation, or GRE scores.
Arizona State University Online
Online Master of Arts in Special Education – Applied Behavior Analysis
With the Master of Arts in special education focusing on applied behavior analysis (ABA) from Arizona State University (ASU), you can gain deep knowledge of the principles of ABA. You will understand how it’s used to teach new abilities and enhance human behavior. The program’s courses are verified by ABAI, preparing you to take the BCBA exam.
The ABA focus in ASU Online’s degree will guide you through the ABA process, stressing ethical values and evidence-supported best practices. You will learn to evaluate behavior, design customized therapy plans, and use data to monitor improvement. The program also offers insights into how people learn and the different theories of behavior change.
The master’s degree in applied behavior analysis includes coursework that fulfills the ABAI’s verified course sequence requirements, qualifying you for the BCBA exam. You will have to satisfy some extra requirements to be eligible for the exam. ASU also offers an optional practicum for those who wish to gather BCBA supervised fieldwork experience.
During the program, you will take various core courses, including:
- Concepts & Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
- Ethics of Applied Behavior Analysis
- Behavior Analytic Assessment
- Advanced Applications of Applied Behavior Analysis
- Behavior Change Procedures
One possible career path after graduating from this program is becoming an ABA therapist. Although this is a special education master’s with an ABA focus, it’s structured to prepare you for a wide range of ABA careers, not only those in the educational field.
To graduate, you will need to complete either an Applied Project or a Capstone project. If you are planning a professional career in applied behavior analysis, the Applied Project option lets you prepare a supervised project in the field. On the other hand, the Capstone option involves reflecting on all the coursework you have completed throughout the 30-hour program.
ASU doesn’t distinguish between online or in-person degrees. All degrees and transcripts simply state “Arizona State University” because ASU Online students learn from the same faculty and receive the same course content as on-campus students.
To apply, you need at least a 3.0 CGPA in the last 60 hours of your bachelor’s program or a 3.0 CGPA in a relevant master’s program.
All applicants need to submit:
- A graduate admission application and the application fee.
- Letters of recommendation.
- Official transcripts.
- A personal statement.
- A current curriculum vitae or resume.
- GRE is not required.
Regis College
Online Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis
Regis College’s online Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is designed to equip you with the essential skills required to positively influence and modify individuals’ behavior. If you choose to study at a standard part-time rate, you can finish the program in only two years.
The Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis consists of 39 credit hours and can be finished in nearly 20 months. To be eligible for the BCBA exam, you will have to fulfill some extra prerequisites.
The online ABA program closely mirror the success of Regis’ on-campus ABA program. This flexible online program allows you to work on your coursework as per your own schedule.
The online program is adaptable and dynamic, designed to bolster your career progression. It’s suitable whether your goal is to work in a hands-on, investigative, or managerial capacity, such as applying research interventions as a BCBA or a registered behavior technician (RBT).
Instructors at Regis, who have real-world field experience, will equip you with the practical knowledge you need to enhance behavioral outcomes for individuals in your community. This presents an opportunity to make a substantial difference in your career.
The curriculum includes topics like ABA concepts and principles, evaluation of treatments, and behavioral assessments. Research is integrated with practical experiences to provide a comprehensive education for those new to the field and those seeking to progress further.
During the program, you will take various core courses, including:
- Concepts and Principles I: Intro to ABA
- Behavior Assessment
- ABA Training and Supervision
- Behavior Intervention
- Radical Behaviorism
- Ethical Practice in ABA
To apply, the following requirements must be met:
- A bachelor’s degree from a recognized regional institution
- A minimum GPA of 2.75 (though 3.0 is preferred)
- At least two recommendation letters
- An up-to-date resume outlining your education, work, and volunteer experiences
- A personal statement
University of North Texas
Online MA in Applied Behavior Analysis
The University of North Texas offers a Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis that’s designed to give you the knowledge and skills you need to practice behavior analysis effectively and empathetically.
This program is flexible, allowing you to take between one to four classes each semester to best fit your schedule. All courses are completely online and are available every semester. This program fulfills the coursework requirements for the BACB.
You will focus on these areas in the curriculum:
- Basic and conceptual knowledge about behavior analysis science, behavior principles, and behavior change procedures.
- A thorough understanding of assessment of environmental context, skills, and problems.
- Reasons for socially-accepted interventions based on experimental evidence of effectiveness.
- Decision making and ethical behavior that are responsive to culture in a rapidly diversifying practice context.
- Behavioral practices for Autism Spectrum Disorders.
- Evidence-based staff training within behavioral practice.
The online MA in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of North Texas may opens doors in many fields, where you can work with:
- Children with autism.
- Employees in large companies or government organizations.
- Patients in healthcare institutions.
- Individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities.
- Students in educational environments.
The program’s courses have been verified by the ABAI for the coursework requirements to be eligible to take the BCBA examination. Before you can be considered eligible to take the BCBA examination, you will need to meet additional requirements. Specifically, you will need to separately acquire supervision hours.
How Long Does it Take to Become an ABA Therapist?
As noted earlier, the time it takes to become an ABA therapist depends on how you approach completing the education requirements. At a minimum, you will need about seven years to complete your undergraduate degree, ABA master’s degree (or graduate level ABA coursework) and supervised experience.
Does a Master’s in ABA Require a Thesis?
Whether a Master’s in ABA requires a thesis depends on the specific program and university. Some programs may require a thesis, while others may offer alternatives such as a capstone project, an applied project, or comprehensive exams.
How Long Does It Take to Become a BCBA If You Have a Master’s?
The exact time it takes to become a BCBA after obtaining a master’s degree can vary depending on several factors. These factors include the specific requirements of the Board and the time it takes to complete the necessary supervised fieldwork.
Firstly, you will need to complete coursework in behavior analysis. Many master’s degree programs in behavior analysis incorporate this coursework, but if your master’s degree is in a related field, you may need to take additional classes. Secondly, the BACB requires a certain number of supervised fieldwork hours. The amount of time this takes can vary depending on your schedule and availability.
Once you have completed the required coursework and fieldwork, you will be eligible to sit for the BCBA examination. After passing the exam, you will become a BCBA.
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