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M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis

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Key features and benefits

  • WSU ABA program offers a flexible, 100% online format taught by faculty with extensive field experience and research expertise. It is grounded in the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s® (BACB) 6th Edition Task List and emphasizes practical application through case-based learning. 
  • 100% online. The program is fully online and designed with flexibility in mind, making it ideal for working professionals.

  • This 36-hour program can be completed in as little as 5 semesters.

  • Aligned with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s® 6th Edition Task List. Graduates will be eligible for certification based on Pathway 2 of the BACB® once they complete their supervised fieldwork hours.
  • The program includes a one-semester practicum requirement, with supervision provided for up to 240 hours in approved settings. This experience allows students to apply coursework directly to real-world practice. Students are responsible for securing supervision for the remainder of the 2,000 hours required for BCBA® certification.

 

M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis

About the Program

The Master of Education in ABA at Wichita State University is a rigorous, 36-credit-hour online program designed to prepare students to apply behavioral science to improve the lives of individuals across diverse settings. Our curriculum blends foundational theory with advanced intervention strategies, ensuring graduates are equipped for effective, ethical practice. Students gain the knowledge and skills needed to meet national certification standards and excel in professional ABA roles.

Goal of this program

To prepare highly competent, ethical behavior analysts who can design, implement, and evaluate interventions that produce meaningful behavior change across populations and settings.

This program is ideal for educators, therapists, social service providers, and other professionals who want to expand their expertise in behavior analysis or pursue national certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®). Students interested in school psychology at WSU may also earn the M.Ed. in ABA en route to their Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in School Psychology.

Who should apply

Individuals with a passion for understanding and influencing behavior and with the motivation to be self-directed learners who value evidence-based practice, are committed to improving quality of life for others, and can balance professional responsibilities with academic rigor. 

Careers and Degree Outcomes

  • Graduates often work as behavior analysts in schools, clinics, hospitals, mental health agencies, and private practice, or in leadership roles in human services, special education, and organizational behavior management.
  • According to the U.S. Employment Demand for Behavior Analysts: 2010–2024 report from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®), the demand for professionals with BCBA® or BCBA-D® certification has risen every year since 2010. From 2023 to 2024 alone, demand grew by 58%. In 2024, the highest demand was concentrated in California, Massachusetts, Texas, New Jersey, and Florida, which together represented 40% of all job postings nationwide. California accounted for nearly half of that share, representing 19% of the total demand. More than 103,000 job postings were recorded nationwide in 2024, with over 1,000 in Kansas alone, a 345% increase in demand from the previous year.

 

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