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Build professional skills that fit your career goals with an MS in Applied Behavior Analysis
Applied behavior analysis professionals apply knowledge of behavior and social skills to help develop potential in people of all ages. The Capella MS in Applied Behavior Analysis is designed to elevate your skills and build expertise in one of three specializations.
MS in Applied Behavior Analysis program overview
Our online Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis program is taught by scholar-practitioner faculty who help you build on your current knowledge and develop your professional skill set to meet real-world challenges in the field.
As an MS in Applied Behavior Analysis student, you’ll begin with core courses that lay the foundation for your program and help strengthen your skills in key areas of theory and practice. From there, you’ll move into the coursework for your chosen specialization to grow your expertise and advance toward your final project.
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide assurance that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all our accreditations and recognitions.
The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the following courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® examination.
- PSY/ABA: 7708, 7709, 7710, 7711, 7712, 7713, 7724, and 7715 (for the BCBA)
Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination. https://www.abainternational.org/.
Applicants to the MS in Applied Behavior Analysis program must provide the following information for admission:
- A bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an internationally recognized institution
- Your official master’s transcripts, with a minimum grade point average of 2.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
- A $50 nonrefundable application fee, required at the time of application, to cover transcript requests, transcript evaluation and other administrative costs
GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
International applicants will be subject to additional admission requirements.
View full admission requirements for each MHA specialization: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Behavior Analysis in Education, Organizational Behavior Management
The total cost of your MS in Applied Behavior Analysis program will depend on your specialization, scholarships and finances, transfer credits, academic performance and other factors.
Find detailed tuition information and cost scenarios for each specialization: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Behavior Analysis in Education, Organizational Behavior Management
Choosing an MS in Applied Behavior Analysis specialization
Every professional journey is different. Your chosen specialization can help you leverage your unique passions and interests to build advanced expertise for the next phases of your applied behavior analysis career.*
- Learning outcomes
- Career exploration
Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Identify symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorder
- Communicate autism spectrum disorder diagnosis criteria
Behavior Analysis in Education
- Identify basic concepts and principles of ABA that inform teaching practices in educational settings
- Apply research-based teaching techniques in the ABA field
Organizational Behavior Management
- Identify concepts and principles of behavior analysis used in organizational behavior management
- Apply OBM assessment and intervention techniques to an issue in the workplace
Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Employment settings to explore include health care, social assistance and educational services
- Research job titles such as behavior analyst and ABA clinical supervisor
Behavior Analysis in Education
- Employment settings include educational services
- Research job titles such as board-certified behavior analyst or behavior analyst
Organizational Behavior Management
- Employment settings to explore include health care and social assistance and professional, scientific and technical services
- Research job titles such as program manager or program director
*Capella cannot guarantee any specific job, promotion, salary increase or other career outcomes. You will need to conduct your own research to understand what opportunities may be available to you. Note that some career paths may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications or other designations along with a degree.
Why choose the MS in Applied Behavior Analysis at Capella University?
Scholar-practitioner faculty
Learn the latest in theory and practice from experienced doctoral faculty who are actively engaged in their professions.
Professionally aligned curriculum
Our courses are developed around nationally recognized standards, with curriculum that’s professionally aligned to help you achieve your goals.
A path to your doctorate
Some coursework may meet doctoral course prerequisites for PhD and PsyD programs and can simplify your path to doctoral study.