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Program Overview

Degree:

MS in Applied Behavioral Analysis Degree

Application:

$0 application fee. No essays/exams.

National University’s Master of Science in Applied Behavioral Analysis program is designed for those who have a true passion for working with individuals on the Autism Spectrum and those with neurodiverse conditions that benefit from behavior change systems. Our curriculum focuses on preparing you to sit for the BACB (Behavior Analyst Certification Board) exam.

ABA is an in-demand and rewarding profession that makes an impact in clients’ lives. It’s a type of therapy focused on helping the patient to modify their behaviors. When successful, ABA can help the patient establish or improve a wide range of critical skills, including social skills, employment-related skills, communication skills, academic skills, and hygiene-related or self-care skills.

If you want to help people who have behavioral and social challenges, NU’s MS in Applied Behavioral Analysis can provide you with the skills you need to accomplish your goals. To learn more about ABA Psychology and autism, please click here.

Degree Requirements

To receive a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis, students must complete at least 45 quarter units (the equivalent of 10 1-month courses) of graduate work.

National University awards credit in quarter units, with each academic year divided into four 12-week quarters. 

Each quarter is made up of three 4-week classes, with one class per month. Under the current policy, 4.5 units of credit are awarded for courses.

  • 45 quarter units must be completed at National University.
  • A total of 4.5 quarter units of graduate credit may be granted for equivalent graduate work completed at another institution.

To effectively transfer units to this degree, the transferable units were not previously used in earning another advanced degree. In addition, the coursework was completed within the past 7 years. Course equivalence cannot be granted for life experience. Please refer to the graduate information section of the University catalog for admission and evaluation.

The following courses are specific degree requirements. Students may need to take additional general electives to satisfy the total units for the degree.

PRogram Requirements

9 Courses

4.5 Quarter Units

This course identifies the goals of behavioral analysis as a science, explains the philosophical assumptions underlying the science of behavior analysis, describes and explains behavior from the perspective of radical behaviorism and the dimensions of ABA, and distinguishes among the four branches of ABA.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ABA 624

Describes an assessment process that explores the purpose a behavior serves for a person, how to conduct a functional analysis of problem behavior, interpret functional assessment data, and the role in treating and preventing problem behaviors.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ABA 620

Defines the field’s fundamental elements: behavior and the environmental antecedent and consequential events that influence it; and introduces key terms and principles that describe relationships among these elements.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ABA 622

Role of measurement in behavior analysis, how to assess the social significance of potential target behaviors, how to interpret graphically displayed data, options for setting criteria for behavior change, state intervention goals in observable and measurable terms, identify potential interventions based on assessment results, and recommend interventions goals and strategies.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ABA 626

Focuses on promoting improved significant social changes in an individual’s life and defines the major types of generalized behavior change and strategies and tactics applied behavior analysts use to achieve them.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ABA 630

Outlines standards of professional practice a code of conduct for behavior analyst, describes strategies and tactics for providing ethically sound client services, and how to achieve, maintain, and to maintain and extend professional competence.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ABA 632

The course focuses on providing the supervisor with instructions on how to facilitate ABA programming with supervises, and to evaluate the effects of supervision.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ABA 634

This course is designed to help students achieve fluency skills in applied behavioral skills.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ABA 628

Describes how to state intervention goals in observable and measurable terms, identify potential interventions based on assessment results, and recommend interventions, strategies, and goals.

Final Project for Major

1 Course

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ABA 636

The course is designed to utilize within-subject design research strategies when conducting an applied behavior analytical experiment.

Bilingual Student Teaching

4 Course

4.5 Quarter Units

This course identifies the goals of behavioral analysis as a science, explains the philosophical assumptions underlying the science of behavior analysis, describes and explains behavior from the perspective of radical behaviorism and the dimensions of ABA, and distinguishes among the four branches of ABA.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ABA 620

Defines the field’s fundamental elements: behavior and the environmental antecedent and consequential events that influence it; and introduces key terms and principles that describe relationships among these elements.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ABA 622

Role of measurement in behavior analysis, how to assess the social significance of potential target behaviors, how to interpret graphically displayed data, options for setting criteria for behavior change, state intervention goals in observable and measurable terms, identify potential interventions based on assessment results, and recommend interventions goals and strategies.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ABA 624

Describes an assessment process that explores the purpose a behavior serves for a person, how to conduct a functional analysis of problem behavior, interpret functional assessment data, and the role in treating and preventing problem behaviors.

One of the following:

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ABA 620

Defines the field’s fundamental elements: behavior and the environmental antecedent and consequential events that influence it; and introduces key terms and principles that describe relationships among these elements.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ABA 620

Defines the field’s fundamental elements: behavior and the environmental antecedent and consequential events that influence it; and introduces key terms and principles that describe relationships among these elements.


Candidates will complete the bilingual clinical practice experience through student teaching or the internship. The bilingual clinical practice (bilingual/dual language K12 classroom) experience courses (BIL 540A, BIL540B, BIL 640A, BIL 640B) do NOT grant graduate credit.

Bilingual Student Teaching

4 Course

PRIOR to beginning any of the Bilingual Student Teaching below, the candidate must successfully complete all Core and Methods courses, pass CBEST, pass CSET, pass CSET LOTE and meet any other related program requirements and submit a successful student teaching application. The bilingual student teaching application process must be completed at least three-months prior to the candidate’s intended start of student teaching. Bilingual student teaching placements in

Bilingual/Dual Language K12 classrooms are made through a collaborative partnership of the university and respective school districts. The bilingual student teaching placements must align to the CSET credential sought. Bilingual student teaching is unpaid and composed of at least 600 instructional hours (16-18 weeks of full-time student teaching) in designated Bilingual/Dual Language K12 classrooms.

4.5 Quarter Units

This course identifies the goals of behavioral analysis as a science, explains the philosophical assumptions underlying the science of behavior analysis, describes and explains behavior from the perspective of radical behaviorism and the dimensions of ABA, and distinguishes among the four branches of ABA.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ABA 620

Defines the field’s fundamental elements: behavior and the environmental antecedent and consequential events that influence it; and introduces key terms and principles that describe relationships among these elements.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ABA 622

Role of measurement in behavior analysis, how to assess the social significance of potential target behaviors, how to interpret graphically displayed data, options for setting criteria for behavior change, state intervention goals in observable and measurable terms, identify potential interventions based on assessment results, and recommend interventions goals and strategies.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ABA 624

Describes an assessment process that explores the purpose a behavior serves for a person, how to conduct a functional analysis of problem behavior, interpret functional assessment data, and the role in treating and preventing problem behaviors.

Bilingual Internship

4-8 Courses

PRIOR to beginning any of the Bilingual Student Teaching below, the candidate must successfully complete all Core and Methods courses, pass CBEST, pass CSET, pass CSET LOTE and meet any other related program requirements and submit a successful student teaching application. The bilingual student teaching application process must be completed at least three-months prior to the candidate’s intended start of student teaching. Bilingual student teaching placements in

Bilingual/Dual Language K12 classrooms are made through a collaborative partnership of the university and respective school districts. The bilingual student teaching placements must align to the CSET credential sought. Bilingual student teaching is unpaid and composed of at least 600 instructional hours (16-18 weeks of full-time student teaching) in designated Bilingual/Dual Language K12 classrooms.

4.5 Quarter Units

This course identifies the goals of behavioral analysis as a science, explains the philosophical assumptions underlying the science of behavior analysis, describes and explains behavior from the perspective of radical behaviorism and the dimensions of ABA, and distinguishes among the four branches of ABA.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ABA 620

Defines the field’s fundamental elements: behavior and the environmental antecedent and consequential events that influence it; and introduces key terms and principles that describe relationships among these elements.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ABA 622

Role of measurement in behavior analysis, how to assess the social significance of potential target behaviors, how to interpret graphically displayed data, options for setting criteria for behavior change, state intervention goals in observable and measurable terms, identify potential interventions based on assessment results, and recommend interventions goals and strategies.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ABA 624

Describes an assessment process that explores the purpose a behavior serves for a person, how to conduct a functional analysis of problem behavior, interpret functional assessment data, and the role in treating and preventing problem behaviors.

This program doesn’t have any specializations

Program Learning Models

Everybody learns differently, so NU has created two unique learning models for earning your MBA. Select the path that works best for your own personal style of learning.

Taking the 1-on-1 pathway allows for more personalized instruction. This modality offers weekly starts, flexible online learning options, and 8-week classes.

The one to one model is accredited by Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).  As a leading accreditation association for business education, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) “develops, promotes, and recognizes best practices that contribute to continuous improvement of business education.” The Association emphasizes the importance of “learning how to learn,” balancing teaching and research activities to enhance the quality of classroom instruction and contribute to student learning. To learn more about the ACBSP, visit their website.

Taking the 1-on-1 patThe class-based option is a more social approach to learning, with the pathway including teamwork, group projects, and collaboration. This modality offers monthly start dates, 4-week course options and more structured timelines.hway allows for more personalized instruction. This modality offers weekly starts, flexible online learning options, and 8-week classes.

Programmatic accreditation by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education is mission-driven and outcomes-based, and involves an independent, external evaluation of the business programs offered by an institution’s academic business unit. The effectiveness of the academic business unit is evaluated by reviewing the educational processes related to teaching and learning in the institution, and by an assessment of the outcomes of the teaching-learning process. The class-based model is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11374 Strang Line Road in Lenexa, Kansas, USA. For more information about IACBE, please visit their website

Not sure which version is right for you? Click here to reach out to an Enrollment Advisor.

This program doesn’t have any specializations

Dissertation Completion Pathway (DCP) is a 100% online pathway helping “All But Dissertation” students finish their doctoral degree.

  • Block transfer of credit from your previous institution
  • Flexible monthly start dates
  • Highly trained faculty providing feedback each week on your dissertation
  • Strategic support and targeted resources to help you finish