Special Education (Applied Behavior Analysis), MA
AUTISM, Analyst, Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior, Special Ed, behavioral
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College is changing their name, effective Fall 2025. The new name is Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation.
Prepare to support and advocate for individuals with diverse learning and behavioral needs.
Courses for the Master of Arts program in special education with a concentration in applied behavior analysis are online and combine an assortment of resources and technologies to provide students with the opportunity to interact directly with program faculty members and classmates. Applied projects and assignments enable students to focus on the population with which they plan to work while gaining the knowledge and skills they need to use applied behavior analysis across various populations and settings. Program graduates are well prepared to provide applied behavior analysis and evidence-based consultative services and support to clients, organizations, community and family members.
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College offers university coursework verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International® as meeting the coursework requirements for eligibility to sit for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® Board Certified Behavior Analyst® examination. Once certified, these professionals are equipped to meet diverse behavior needs and make a lasting difference in the community. The course sequence meets the Behavior Analyst Certification Board-required 315 classroom hours of graduate-level instruction aligned with the BCBA/BCaBA Task List (fifth edition) and Test Content Outline (TCO 6th edition). BCBA-supervised independent fieldwork supervision hours, required for certification, are arranged and completed by the student separately from their ASU coursework. An optional remote BCBA supervised independent fieldwork practicum (SPE 580 Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum) is available.
- College/school:
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College
- Location: Online
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
30 credit hours including the required applied project course (SPE 593), or
30 credit hours including the required capstone course (SPE 597)
Required Core (3 credit hours)
SPE 525 Measurement, Data Display, Interpretation and Experimental Design (3)
Concentration (18 credit hours)
SPE 526 Concepts and Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
SPE 528 Assessment and Intervention Programming for Skill Acquisition (3)
SPE 529 Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Change Procedures (3)
SPE 530 Fundamentals of Organizational Behavior Management (3)
SPE 563 Philosophical Foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis in Educational Settings (3)
SPE 567 Ethics of Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
Electives (6 credit hours)
Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)
SPE 593 Applied Project (3) or
SPE 597 Capstone (3)
Additional Curriculum Information
Students may choose to complete a remote supervised independent fieldwork practicum (SPE 580).
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants | International applicants | English proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College.
Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- personal statement
- three letters of recommendation
- resume
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
The personal statement should demonstrate the applicant's goals with respect to the program outcomes and success in a graduate and online program. The statement should also demonstrate high-quality writing and awareness that the student understands the demands of graduate school.
Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to the applicant's potential for success in a graduate program are required for admission.
ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.
Professionals with expertise in evidence-based practices in applied behavior analysis are in high demand across sectors and industries, including education, business and health care.
Career examples include:
- applied behavior analysis therapist
- behavior consultant
- behavior specialist
- board certified behavior analyst
- early interventionist
- educator
- organizational behavior management specialist
ASU programs that may lead to professional licensure or certification are intended to prepare students for potential licensure or certification in Arizona. Completion of an ASU program may not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in another state. For more information, students should visit the ASU professional licensure webpage.
Educational Leadership & Innovation, Division
|
FAB S200
graduateeducation@asu.edu
480-965-5555
Admission deadlines
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
