Online Master's in Special Education Programs with a Specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis
Applied behavior analysis, or ABA, represents a scientific approach to using positive reinforcement methods and other intervention modalities to improve the function of individuals diagnosed with various developmental disorders. Its theories and practices have broad applications in psychology, mental health, and education and ABA methods have been found to be particularly useful in special education with children and adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and similar functional disabilities. Special education teachers employ ABA assessment and invention principles to improve learning outcomes and help students with ASD and related diagnoses improve academically.
Master’s programs in special education with a concentration in ABA combine general special education training with coursework and instruction in the theories and practices of ABA. These programs prepare students for careers in special education, as well as for educational roles in mental health, social work, and business settings. In addition, most programs help prepare graduates to apply for the Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), Board-Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) or Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) professional credentials administered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). Teachers with BCBA credentials commonly seek roles as ASD resource teachers, K-12 behavioral health counselors, and/or special education program designers and administrators.
What is a Master’s in Special Education with a Specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis Degree?
A Master’s in Special Education in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program is an interdisciplinary graduate degree program that provides training and instruction in special education teaching methods and the science of ABA. These programs are designed for teachers and educators with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree who want to use the tools of ABA to advance special education programs in K-12 schools and other educational settings. Students in these programs learn to work with children, adolescents, and young adults who have learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and other cognitive deficits and/or physical limitations that require special education services. In addition, they study ABA and cultivate ABA proficiencies, which have been shown to be particularly effective in reaching learners diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
As part of a special education in ABA master’s program, students prepare to apply for professional credentials administered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). The BACB has a three-tiered credentialing system, beginning with the paraprofessional Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification and moving up through Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) to Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), which is the standard for practice in the field of ABA and required by many but not all states for professional practitioners. To ensure graduates have the proper training for BCBA certification, most graduate programs seek accreditation from the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) Accreditation Board and/or align their curriculum with the BACB’s Verified Course Sequence (VCS).
Note: In addition to Master’s in Special Education programs with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis, there are graduate degree programs that focus specifically on ABA. These programs are typically offered through schools of psychology or other related departments. For more information on these graduate programs, check out our online Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis programs page. For more information on the field of ABA, check out our FAQ on Applied Behavior Analysis.
Online Master’s in Special Education – Applied Behavior Analysis Programs
Many schools now offer Master’s in Special Education programs with an ABA concentration in fully or primarily online formats. Online programs are typically a more flexible alternative to campus-based programs, as online students are not required to commute to campus for lectures and weekly class meetings. In addition, schools often design online master’s programs for working professionals who still plan to work full-time or part-time while earning their degree. Online programs are also a way for students who do not live near a school offering a Master’s in Special Education in ABA program to earn their degree without having to relocate or travel long distances for classes.
Online programs use internet-based distance learning platforms, commonly referred to as learning management systems (LMSs), to deliver live and/or prerecorded lectures, virtual class meetings, assignments, exams, and other course materials. Online students are also able to interact with professors and instructors, as well as classmates and technical support staff through a program’s LMS. While online students can earn their degree without having to attend any on-campus sessions, they may still be required to complete in-person practical experiences in classrooms or other settings that employ ABA professionals. These sites must typically be approved by the program and while some programs match students to placements, others expect students to setup their own placements. In addition, some online programs include a limited number of on-campus visits that online students are required to attend in-person.
How OnlineEducation.com Identifies and Classifies Online Master’s in Special Education – ABA Programs
There are numerous designations for online Master’s in Special Education programs that offer training in ABA. Most schools offer one of three largely equivalent types of degrees: Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS), or Master of Education (MEd). OnlineEducation.com researches these degree programs and identifies schools that offer master’s programs that provide training and instruction in the use of ABA in schools and other educational settings. This includes Master’s in Special Education programs with a specialization, concentration, or designated track in ABA.
To be classified as an online program, all or most the program’s didactic instruction (i.e., all instruction not designated as site-based practical experiences) must be offered online. Programs that are fully online, and those that require one or two campus visits per year are classified as online programs. Programs that require three or more campus visits per year are classified as hybrid programs and not listed on the site. In addition, programs listed on the site must be offered by accredited, non-profit colleges and universities.
What Students Learn in Online Master’s in Special Education – ABA Programs
Special education graduate programs generally include coursework in identifying and assessing special education needs, pedagogy for the special education classroom, special education program design, legal and ethical concerns in special education, and laws pertaining to special education. Core coursework in special education programs often has applications across the broad population of K-12 students and even adults who require special education services. Schools usually align their special education curricula with standards developed by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), which accredits Master’s in Special Education programs.
ABA-specific training is fairly standardized and usually aligns with the Behavior Analysis Certification Board’s (BACB) Verified Course Sequence (VCS). The VCS targets specific proficiencies related to the principles of behavioral analysis, the application of these principles in real-world settings, ABA research methods, and professional ethical conduct standards. The BACB also requires master’s students who intend to apply for the BCaBA or BCBA credential to complete a certain number of supervised practical hours, a process that is often incorporated in master’s program curricula. While ABA is most commonly associated with helping students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), its methods are used across the field of special education, which encompasses teaching strategies for students with a wide range of behavioral, social, and emotion issues, as well as physical disabilities, such as hearing impairment.
Common Courses in Online Master’s in Special Education – Applied Behavior Analysis Programs
The table below provides an overview of coursework that is typical of special education master’s programs with an applied behavior analysis track. The names and their descriptions are drawn from online programs currently offered by accredited, nonprofit colleges and universities.
| Course Title | Course Description |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis | Introduces the science of human behavior and its formal analysis, with a focus on how theories are applied in schools and human service settings; and covers behavioral assessments, behavioral analytics, ethical intervention plans, behavioral change procedures, and behavioral outcome evaluations. |
| Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Exceptional Learners | Explores the theoretical bases for practical approaches to the study of exceptional learners, with an additional focus on cultural and language differences among learners with special needs. |
| Research Methods for Behavior Analysis | Introduces ABA research methodologies and explores how they are used in special education; and students learn about single case research and intervention strategies. |
| Ethical Issues in Behavior Analysis | An examination of ethical guidelines, appropriate ethical standards, and professional practice in behavior analysis. |
| Verbal Behavior in ABA | An exploration of current research in verbal behavior, with a focus on delayed language development, assessment of language deficits, and instructional tools to teach vocal and non-vocal verbal responses. |
| Introduction to Students with Orthopedic, Sensory, and Multiple Disabilities | Designed for educators and professionals who work with children and adolescents who exhibit sensory, physical, and orthopedic disabilities; and covers the causes, characteristics, and educational implications of working with these students through a collaborative, transdisciplinary team approach. |
| Behavior Principles and Disability: Assessment and Intervention | Explores the basic behavioral principles and techniques used in completing effective Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs), Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), and function-based interventions. |
| Therapeutic Approaches Using Principles of Behavior Analysis | Explores contemporary and historical behavior therapies, including “Third Wave” contextual behavior therapies such as Behavioral Activation (BA), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP). |
| Introduction to Emotional and Behavioral Disorders | Covers the history of educating students with emotional and behavioral disorders, the problems involved in defining, assessing, and treating disorders, and different types and etiology of behavior and learning problems. |
| Teaching Learners with Disabilities in Inclusive Settings | An examination of instruction, collaboration, accommodations, and consultations as part of a broader strategy for integrating learners with disabilities in inclusive settings. |
Admissions to Online Master’s in Special Education – Applied Behavior Analysis Programs
The baseline admissions requirement for master’s programs is a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university. Applicants to online Master’s in Special Education programs with a concentration in ABA may also be required to have taken courses in psychology, behavioral science, education, or other related areas. Some programs may also have a minimum undergraduate GPA requirement, typically around 3.0 on a four-point scale. While there are programs that are designed for students with no prior teaching experience, some programs require applicants to hold a valid state teaching license or certification. In addition to academic transcripts, candidates may be asked to supply two or more academic or professional references, a personal goals statement, answers to one or more essay questions, and/or GRE or MAT test scores.
It is important to note that application materials vary by program; therefore, candidates should read admissions policies carefully to ensure they meet a program’s admissions criteria before applying. However, there are programs that look at each applicant’s admissions materials holistically and may admit students who do not meet all of their published criteria. Unlike undergraduate degree programs where colleges and universities commonly get thousands or tens of thousands of applications, the number of applicants applying to graduate programs is generally smaller and students are encouraged to reach out to admissions advisors if they have any questions about the program or their chances for admission.
Online Master’s in Special Education – ABA Format Options
There are three key structural differences among online programs that students should consider when researching programs. These differences pertain to online instruction methods, enrollment options, and whether a program is fully online or requires a limited number of campus visits. Each of these factors is reviewed in detail in the sections below.
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Instruction: Synchronous instruction is the formal designation for online instruction that takes place in real-time, such as live streamed lectures and virtual class meetings that use video conferencing software. Some but not all programs utilize synchronous online instruction, which tends to provide a structure and cadence that is similar to attending campus-based classes. The alternative is asynchronous instruction, a category that encompasses prerecorded lectures and voice-over presentations which students can access 24-7 through a program’s LMS, as well as reading assignments, papers, discussion boards, and other materials students engage with at their convenience. Asynchronous instruction provides greater flexibility than synchronous instruction, which may be helpful for students who are working while earning their degree. However, asynchronous instruction also requires more self-discipline and stronger time management skills, as students must keep up with course materials and complete assignments by set due dates without weekly scheduled lectures.
Part-Time vs. Full-Time Enrollment: Full-time enrollment in a master’s program typically requires a commitment of 40 or more hours per week to classes and coursework. Students who are enrolled full-time can often earn their degree in 18 to 24 months. Part-time enrollment can reduce the time commitment to 15 to 20 hours per week, depending on the number of courses a student takes per term. However, part-time enrollment can extend the time to graduate by a year or more, with most part-time students earning their degree in two to three years. To give part-time students a pathway to earning their degree in two years, some programs offer courses year-round or use alternative academic calendars that allow students to focus on one course at a time, while still completing the equivalent of a full-time course load over the length of a traditional 15-week semester. Most online master’s in education programs are designed for adult students who continue working while earning their degree and thus offer flexible or part-time enrollment options.
Campus Visits: Campus visits are often referred to as immersion sessions, intensives, or residencies, and they can be a valuable component of an online program. This is especially true for students who wish to meet classmates and instructors in person. However, these sessions can also cause scheduling conflicts and may add to the overall cost of a program, as they require travel for students who do not live near their school’s campus. While most online Master’s in Special Education programs do not require any campus visits, some programs use campus-based sessions for orientations, workshops, networking opportunities, and other experiences in which students benefit from being on site. OnlineEducation.com classifies programs as online if they require two or fewer campus visits per year. However, it is important to note that internships, practicums, and student teaching hours are not classified as campus visits as they are typically completed at sites that are near a student’s residence or place of employment.