Applied Behavior Analysis, M.S.

Learning Sciences

Talk to the department
Sanquinette Vaughn
404-413-8040
[email protected]

Applied behavior analysis is an applied science that focuses on identifying how environments affect behavior and how we can use that information to develop effective behavior change strategies across a wide range of settings and populations. It teaches mastery of basic behavior-analytic skills, such as measurement, experimental design, and various principles and procedures of behavioral change to help students become better therapists, teachers and clinical practitioners.

Georgia State's Master of Science in Applied Behavioral Analysis includes collaborations with faculty members, opportunities for practicum internship placements and a cohort model that fosters lasting professional relationships. You will also learn client-centered responsibilities, such as problem identification, methods of intervention and implementation, management and supervision. This program also gives you important foundational knowledge, including the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts.

Exam pass-rate data are not published for sequences with fewer than six first-time candidates in a single year or for sequences within their first four years of operation. To access current pass rates, current and potential students may visit BACB's University Pass Rates page.

For more information on the faculty, our research, news and other items of interest regarding Applied Behavior Analysis, visit our ABA unit page.

The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the program course sequence toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst ® examination. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.

Education programs leading to professional licensure or certification (nursing, education, social work, counseling, accounting, allied health professions, etc.) may require additional approval from separate licensing boards, depending on the state. Students who live or plan to live outside Georgia and are considering a professional program should contact the appropriate board in their state of residency prior to beginning a course of study. To help students find the best-known contact information for the appropriate state licensing board and for a list of Georgia State program contacts, visit the Student Consumer Information website.

Program Highlights

Funding Opportunities

Various awards, assistantships and fellowships are available to new and current graduate students. Funding opportunities in the Applied Behavior program Analysis include:

Graduate Research Assistantships: students interested in conducting research in applied behavior analysis may be able to earn full or partial tuition waivers by working directly with program faculty on applied research projects.
Project Behavioral Early Education Scholars (BEES) is a new initiative that can help provide financial support as you study for this degree. Project BEES hopes to recruit, train and support graduate students interested in graduating with an M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis. Learn more about this funding opportunity.

Classroom Experience

The Applied Behavior Analysis program provides classroom experiences that assist students in acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® Examination.

The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified our courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst®. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.

Coursework is delivered primarily in a face-to-face format and consists of lectures, discussions and group projects.

Field Experience

Fieldwork experiences provide students the opportunity to accrue supervised experiences that meet the BCBA standards for qualified practical experiences. For more information about the requirements, including resource documents visit BCBA’s Eligibility Requirements page.

The faculty work closely with approved partners to provide these mentored experiences.

If students are employed in a qualified setting, the faculty collaborate with those sites to ensure they can provide the appropriate supervision and experiences.

Research Opportunities

The applied behavior analysis program does not require the completion of a thesis but our faculty welcome student participation in research. To the extent possible, faculty include students in carrying out projects, planning implementation and writing results for publication. Manuscripts resulting from these collaborations have been published in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (Gibbs, Tullis, Thomas and Elkins, 2018), Behavior Analysis in Practice, Behavioral Interventions, The Analysis of Verbal Behavior (Wymer, Tarbox, Beavers and Tullis, 2017) and Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities (Peters, Tullis and Gallagher, 2016).

Career Outcomes

Nationally, annual demand for individuals holding BCBA certification has increased every year since 2010, including an 80% increase in demand from 2018 to 2019 (BACB, 2019). The average salary for newly Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) nationwide is approximately $55,000, depending on where they practice, and the average salary among all BCBAs in the Atlanta, Ga. area is approximately $87,000.

Many BCBAs work in fields related to intellectual and developmental disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder, with other practice areas continuing to grow. More information on BACB certificates, including areas of professional emphasis, can be found on the BACB’s website. Our program alumni are working in a number of states as BCBAs, case managers, lead therapists, teachers and clinical directors.

Teacher showing student the letter A on a card

Program Details

Admissions Requirements

Application Deadline:

Fall: February 1
Spring: Does Not Admit
Summer: Does Not Admit

When applying to the applied behavior analysis program, you will need to submit several documents for review.

Online application
Application fee of $50
Goals statement (upload with the application — goals statement should be 500-1,000 words, summarizing your skills and experiences that are relevant to graduate students in applied behavior analysis. Address the fit between your objectives and the graduate training offered at Georgia State. Finally, discuss what you would like to be doing three to five years after you complete your coursework at the university.)
Resume (upload with the application)
Two letters of recommendation (identify your recommenders on the application — recommenders should be professional or academic)
Official Transcript(s): Submit transcripts from all colleges/universities attended either electronically to [email protected] or by mailing directly to Georgia State University | Office of Admissions — Graduate School |P.O. Box 4018 Atlanta, GA 30302.

The Applied Behavior Analysis M.S. degree program consists of the following requirements (credit hours in parenthesis):

Professional Studies (9)
Major (15)
Applied Practice (3)
Elective (9) Students select nine semester hours of program-related coursework with the consent of their advisor. The purpose of the elective hours is to enable students to shape a program of study to fit their individual intellectual interests. The student and the advisor will discuss potential coursework options in line with the student’s individual goals.

Program total: minimum of 36 semester hours

For complete degree requirements, visit the catalog.

Funding Your Graduate Education

Cost of attendance and funding opportunities are integral to your decision to attend graduate school. Georgia State University is proud to offer a variety of funding opportunities, from assistantships to fellowships.

Awards and Assistantships

Various awards, assistantships and fellowships are available to new and current graduate students. We encourage you to contact your department, college, school or institute of interest to get more information about the assistantships and fellowships that they offer their students.

The Scholarship Resource Center offers guidance and support to students seeking financial assistance through scholarship opportunities, including this scholarship library.

Fellowships

The Office of Graduate Programs’ Fellowship Advisor works with students interested in applying for nationally prestigious and competitive fellowships. The Office of Graduate Programs also coordinates the application process for students applying to the Second Century Initiative, the Provost’s Dissertation Fellowship and the Dissertation Library Travel Awards.