The master's degree in applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a program housed in the Department of Educational Studies within the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media. It is designed to produce highly educated and experienced practitioners in the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA), a rapidly growing profession locally, nationally, and internationally. Graduates of the Applied Behavior Analysis program will be able to sit for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® examination to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BACB®). The program prepares candidates to work with a variety of individual issues including, but not limited to, autism, developmental disabilities, learning issues, and other behavior disorders. Graduates can gain employment in a variety of settings including private practice, public and private special education schools, ABA clinics, hospitals, residential treatment facilities, and adult services agencies. The Applied Behavior Analysis program provides a balance between rigorous academics, scholarship, and clinical experience, preparing candidates to become exemplary practitioners and scientists in the field of ABA. Potential students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with any laws that may regulate the licensing or practice of behavior analysts in their state.

The master's degree in applied behavior analysis (ABA), is a 42-credit program that is designed to be completed within two years of full-time study. The course sequence consists of 30 academic credits, six fieldwork practicum credits, and at least six research thesis credits. Twenty-one of the 30 academic credits consist of a Verified Course Sequence of the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). All course content is consistent with the current Task List (Task List 5) of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board®. In addition to the academic courses, students will complete 2 practicum courses (6 credits), which partially satisfy the BACB® supervised experience hours requirement for certification (1500 supervised hours in the field). For these hours, students will be placed in local, highly regarded, ABA agencies and schools with Affiliation Agreements through Seton Hall University. Students will need to complete the remainder of the required 1500 hours independently in order to qualify to sit for the certification examination.

Program Highlights

• All courses are taught by highly recognized faculty who maintain practices in the field of ABA.
• Applied Behavior Analysis courses are typically taught in the evenings to accommodate fieldwork hours.
• Along with their faculty mentor, all students will complete their course of study with a research thesis worthy of publication in a professional journal in the field of ABA.

What Can I Do With a Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis?

With a Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis from Seton Hall University, graduates from the Applied Behavior Analysis master's program are well-prepared to pursue a variety of professional roles. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates can work in settings such as private practice, public and private education, hospitals, and residential treatment facilities. This program, balancing rigorous academics and clinical experience, enables candidates to become proficient practitioners and researchers in the field, of addressing autism, developmental disabilities, and other behavioral disorders.