Applied Behavior Analysis (MS)
The Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program will train you to be an exceptional behavior analyst who has the skills to improve quality of life for people with behavioral challenges, including young children and adults with developmental needs.
Our Mission:
At the University of Missouri, our mission is to provide students with the scientific, analytical, and conceptual skills necessary to provide effective, ethical, and culturally responsive behavior analytic interventions for the diverse communities that they serve. Through education, research, and community engagement, our mission is to elevate the standards of applied behavior analytic (ABA) practice and contribute to the betterment of society.
Program Goals:
- Equip students with the scientific and analytical skills necessary for designing and implementing effective behavior analytic interventions.
- Develop competence in the conceptual foundations of ABA to ensure students can apply these principles effectively across various settings.
- Teach students to deliver behavior analytic services in an ethical and culturally responsive manner, recognizing and respecting the diverse backgrounds and needs of the communities they serve.
- Foster research competency by having students to engage in research activities that contribute to the advancement of ABA knowledge and practices, promoting a culture of inquiry and innovation.
- Develop collaboration and leadership skills that promote active participation in professional communities.
Degree Requirements
A minimum of 36 semester credit hours must be completed in fulfillment of Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. Completion of this degree includes completion of a Thesis Research Project. In addition to the coursework requirement, you will need to meet experience standards. The BACB© has two categories of experience: (a) Supervised fieldwork (2000 hours) or Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork (1500 hours). To learn more about these requirements please visit BACB.com
Research and Practicum:
ABA relies on interventions and strategies that are empirically validated. Research provides the evidence needed to determine which interventions are effective and under what conditions they work best. To support the field’s continuous innovation and improve the efficiency of behavioral treatments, our master’s program requires the completion of a Thesis Research Project. Students enrolled in the program must complete a minimum of 6 Thesis credit hours. During this coursework, a faculty member works with each student in a one-on-one capacity to support the completion of an empirical research study.
To ensure that our students are knowledgeable about the latest evidence-based practices and are equipped to implement them effectively, our program requires the completion of a supervised practicum experience worth 9 credit hours. A faculty member of the behavior analysis program oversees the practicum experience to ensure that students are receiving the proper guidance and support to meet their long-term goals. After completing the practicum, students will have engaged in hands-on application of behavior analysis principles within various settings (clinics, hospitals, telehealth, schools) and populations aged 12 months through adulthood and geriatric care.
We have several options for graduate students to obtain fieldwork experience that counts towards licensure.
Option 1. The Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment serves as our main research facility and will provide an opportunity to work alongside other researchers as you develop interventions to treat complex behaviors. At this site, highly qualified ABA providers will provide you with concentrated fieldwork experience, which includes increased supervision and less required fieldwork experience compared to other models.
Option 2. Experiential Learning Sites: The University of Missouri’s Applied Behavior Analysis Graduate Program has partnerships with various school districts, clinics, hospitals, and other agencies across the state of Missouri (St. Louis, Columbia, Kansas City, Jefferson City, Springfield, Cape Girardeau), to provide you with opportunities to work/learn in various settings with a range of individuals from early childhood through adults. At each site, a highly qualified Applied Behavior Analysis provider has been identified and will provide you with supervised fieldwork experience.
Option 3. If you work or plan to work in a school district, alternative school, or care center that does not currently have access to an ABA provider, you are eligible to participate in our Remote Field Practicum. In this experience, you will be assigned to a qualified ABA provider from the University of Missouri. Through this one-on-one support, you will be supported virtually, and your program will be individualized to meet your needs.
We are dedicated to fostering a collaborative and inclusive learning environment where students engage in cutting-edge research, evidence-based practices, and hands-on experiences. Our goal is to empower graduates to make meaningful contributions to the lives of individuals and communities through the application of ABA principles.
Curriculum:
The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI©) has verified the course sequence offered in the University of Missouri’s Applied Behavior Analysis Graduate Program and you will be able to apply our coursework to the requirements for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst© license. Courses are offered both in-person and online to provide flexibility and address the need for qualified ABA therapists across the state.
| Course | Information |
| 8100: Concepts and Principles | This course will provide an overview of both classic and contemporary theory and research on nonhuman and human learning. We will focus on a behavior-analytic conceptualization of learning and the underlying research on basic processes and operations that result in learning. The readings and class discussions will provide you with a strong foundation in the psychology of learning from a behavioral orientation, with particular emphasis on the relation between biological and environmental contributions to selection of behavior. |
| 8440: Advanced Behavior Management | This course will provide graduate students with advanced theory and knowledge in behavior management. Emphasis will be placed on understanding and using the principles of applied behavior analysis.
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| 8800: Practicum
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The Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis provides practical training in ABA. Graduate students will participate in an intensive practicum that focuses on developing well-rounded training in ABA. By completing the practicum, students will be well versed in developing skill building programs and behavioral reduction programs that focus on function-based interventions (e.g., functional analyses). |
| 8353: Single Subject Design | The course is for advanced graduate students in special education, k psychology, related fields and includes behavioral measurement, single subject research designs, data analysis methods, critical analysis and evaluation of single subject research and research proposal. |
| 8385: Individualized Assessment and Intervention | This course builds upon the basic principles of learning and applied behavior analysis presented during previous courses in the Behavior Analysis core. The course will offer advanced coverage of the functional assessment of problem behaviors. In particular, there will be a strong emphasis in the functional analysis of problem behaviors. Additionally, this course will focus on how identification of function guides treatment development (i.e., function-based treatments). |
| 8090: Thesis
|
ABA relies on interventions and strategies that are empirically validated. Research provides the evidence needed to determine which interventions are effective and under what conditions they work best. To support the field’s continuous innovation and improve the efficiency of behavioral treatments, our master’s program requires the completion of a Thesis Research Project. During this coursework, a faculty member works with each student in a one-on-one capacity to support the completion of an empirical research study. |
| 8450: Verbal Behavior | This course will introduce a behavior analytic approach to language study (i.e., verbal behavior). The course will have two related focuses: (a) the theoretical underpinnings of a functional approach to language and (b) a review of the testing and application of the theory of verbal behavior in research and practice. During the first half of the semester, we will read and discuss Skinner’s analysis of verbal behavior (VB). During the second half of the semester, we will survey the literature base supporting a behavior analytic approach to language and will also discuss the application of verbal behavior analysis to practice. |
| 8500: Systems Level Behavior Analysis | This course will offer an introduction to the application of behavior analytic concepts and principles to problems of human behavior at the systems level. Students will learn the basics of modifying behavior at the systems level, which includes clinical settings. Class assignments will help the students learn to apply the concepts discussed in class to their own work environment. |
| 8460: Survey in ABA | This course builds upon the basic principles of learning and applied behavior analysis presented during previous courses in the Behavior Analysis core. The course will offer coverage of the many different applications of behavior analysis (e.g., behavioral medicine, behavioral gerontology, substance abuse, organizational behavior management, etc.). Finally, this class will cover topics related to professional development. |
| 8305: Legal and Ethical Issues
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This graduate level course provides the student with an in-depth coverage of ethics and professional behavior in applied behavior analysis. This course primarily emphasizes ethical and cultural considerations for treatment but also covers behavioral assessment, experimental evaluation of interventions, and selecting intervention outcomes and strategies. |
Student Outcome Data:
Graduates in our program have fulfilling careers working in clinics, hospitals, and schools across the nation.
| Year | First Time Pass Rate on BACB© Exam |
| 2019 | 68% |
| 2020 | 73% |
| 2021 | 75% |
| 2022 | 100% |
| 2023 | 75% |
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Application Deadlines
First deadline: January 15th (For scholarships)
Second deadline: March 30th (For practicum placements)
Third deadline: June 30th – For admittance to the classes
Admission Requirements:
Admission to this degree program is based on the following criteria:
- A completed baccalaureate degree
- At least a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work
- If English is not your native language, please submit a TOEFL score of at least 100 (internet-based test), an IELTS score of at least 7, a Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of at least 66 or a Cambridge C1 Advanced score of at least 190.
- The exam should be taken six to nine months before the term the student wishes to start their program.
- International students who have completed one year of college-level full-time study in a country where English is the native language may waive this requirement if they meet all the conditions set by the Graduate School.
- Get more information about testing from MU Testing Services.
Administrative Procedures:
Interested students should apply to the graduate school
Additional information is available using the following links:
How to Apply
Complete the following steps before your application deadline.
1. Complete the Graduate Studies application online.
- If you’re a former MU degree-seeking student wishing to resume the same program/degree, use the Graduate Re-activation Form
- Current MU graduate students changing or adding degrees should use the Change of Degree, Program Adviser Form.
- Post-baccalaureate (non-degree seeking) graduate students who have applied in the past three semesters should contact Graduate Studies to request their application be made available to us.
2. Write a statement of purpose, usually around 500 words, in which you summarize your professional goals, including career objectives, research interests, your motivation for advanced graduate work and other pertinent information.
3. Resume/Curriculum Vitae: Please make sure to include the month/year for the start and end dates of all work experience (Upload to the Supplemental Information section of your application).
4. Submit at least two letters of recommendation.
- The letters should attest to your professional competence, academic preparation and potential for graduate work.
- Ideally, two letters should be from college or university professors who can discuss your academic abilities, and one should be from an administrator or colleague who can describe authoritatively your professional experience and potential.
- Letters are submitted through the online application system.
5. English Proficiency test scores from the past two years (only required for students whose native language is not English.)
6. TOEFL or IELTS scores from the past two years (only required for students whose native language is not English). Waivers will not be granted for this requirement.
7. Upon department acceptance, have official transcripts from all previous college work at institutions other than MU sent directly to: Office of Graduate Studies, 210 Jesse Hall, Columbia, MO 65211.
Conditional acceptance
Conditional acceptance into the program is not provided for those students who wish to pursue English language training in the U.S. prior to starting their graduate studies. Applications submitted will be reviewed for admission into the program as per the criteria noted below.
An interview may be required by the admissions committee. Please feel free to submit any other materials that you feel would give a clearer picture of your qualifications. If you have questions contact the Department of Special Education at umccoesped@missouri.edu.
Admission Decisions
Each applicant’s credentials are reviewed by a committee of faculty that is committed to using professional judgement to find applicants with great potential for success and contribution to the profession. The department cannot assure admission to all applicants who meet minimum admission requirements.
Graduate Certificate
For information on the Applied Behavior Analysis Graduate Certificate, click here.