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Online Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis

The online Master of Education (MEd) in Special Education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis was designed for professionals who want to develop expertise in applied behavior analysis without obtaining a teaching license.

UofL's online master's in special education can prepare you to meet learners' behavioral challenges and needs through a comprehensive curriculum; one that includes a verified course sequence (VCS) for those seeking to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). As a student, you will learn how to become a behavior analyst knowledgeable of your science, effective in your practice and ethical in your interactions.

The MEd in Special Education in Applied Behavior Analysis is offered by the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Louisville.

Note: this program is not designed to lead to teacher certification.


How Much Will I Pay?

Tuition & Aid    

Online MEd in Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis Program Highlights

  • Prepare to work with students who have intellectual disabilities that impede academic achievement and adaptive behavior skills (e.g., communication, social behavior and daily living activities).
  • Take advantage of the opportunity to complete the educational requirements necessary to sit for your Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification examination.*
  • Complete your degree in as little as two years.
  • Experience the flexibility of a fully online program—designed to fit your life with 24/7 access to classes and coursework completed when it’s right for you.
  • Skip the GRE/GMAT—it's not required for admission.
  • Learn from faculty with distinguished academic credentials, industry experience and a strong commitment to applied research.

*Students will complete most of the required 2,000 hours of supervised field experience on their own outside of the program after earning the degree.

100% ONLINE COURSES

With UofL Online, you can complete this degree on your own time through fully online coursework.

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10 COURSES

Complete the program in just 10 courses.

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SKIP THE GRE/GMAT

The GRE/GMAT is not required for admission to the MEd in Special Education.

Online learning video - Online Master of Education in Special Education: Autism Spectrum Disorder and Applied Behavior Analysis

"Our graduates will leave our program equipped with knowledge they need to make a difference in the lives of students who have disabilities."



Jon Burt, PhD
Program Director

 

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Online MEd in Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis Application Deadlines


Application Deadline Term Start Date
August 1 Fall August

Steps to Apply for the Online MEd in Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis

  1. Complete graduate application
  2. $65 non-refundable application fee
  3. Submit 2 letters of recommendation (please list email addresses for recommenders in the online application)
  4. Provide personal statement of 250-500 words
    • Please indicate whether you want to pursue the program on part-time or full-time basis.
    • The personal statement is the applicant's opportunity to demonstrate his/her writing ability as well as provide a personal introduction to the admissions screening committee.
    • The personal statement should be no more than 500 words, and should be double spaced and word-processed. Applicants are encouraged to proofread their writing, and to submit the best work possible.
  5. Upload your signed Acceptable Use of Technology and Code of Ethics statement to your online graduate application
  6. Check for scholarships

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Online MEd in Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in special education, psychology, speech language pathology, occupational therapy or social work earned from an accredited institution*
    • This program is not currently approved to lead to a Rank II, if you’re seeking a Rank II check out the ASDABA concentration within the MEd in Teaching and Learning—also available 100% online
  • Professional certification/license/experience in a field related to autism/intellectual disability
  • Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75

No GRE/GMAT required for admission.

*See the Graduate School Transfer of Credit Policy for more information.

Send all materials to:
Graduate Admissions
University of Louisville
2211 S. Brook Street
Louisville, KY 40292
gradadm@louisville.edu

Transfer Crefit for Online MEd in Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis Students

If you have received graduate credit from another institution, you may transfer up to 6 credits that directly replace approved courses in the program. Approval must be granted by the program director.

For more information on the admission and application process, please contact our Online Learning Enrollment Counselors at 800.871.8635 or by email at online@louisville.edu.

 

The online MEd in special education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis is a 30-39 credit hour (10-13 course) program with 18-27 credit hours in core curriculum and 12 credit hours in the ASDABA concentration. This program is not designed to lead to teacher certification The program is offered 100% online. Courses are asynchronous, and delivered in standard term length. Additional practicum hours are available for full-time students.


Course Title Credit Hours
Inquiry (9 hours)
EDSP 644 Applied Behavior Analysis 3
EDSP 654 Radical Behaviorism 3
EDSP 669 Single Subject Research Methods and Designs 3
Advocacy (6 hours)
EDSP 651 Professional and Ethical Practice of Applied Behavior Analysis 3
EDSP 673 Research Seminar in Autism Spectrum Disorders 3
Action (3-12 hours)
EDSP 653 Practicum in Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis 3
Applied Behavior Analysis (12 hours)
EDSP 570 Autism: Introduction and Understanding 3
EDSP 671 Autism: Strategies and Techniques 3
EDSP 546 Behavior Analytic Approach to Communication 3
EDSP 650 Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis 3
Minimum Total Hours 30-39

Entry, midpoint and exit assessments are also required for graduation.


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Online MEd in Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis Course Descriptions

Online MEd in Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis Success Team


    Online MEd in Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis Featured Faculty





    Online MEd in Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis FAQ


    • Which term should I apply for?

      The MEd in Special Education in Applied Behavior Analysis currently accepts applications for the Fall semester, with an August start. You can view application deadlines and requirements on our Application tab.

    • Can I start teaching with this degree?

      No, the MEd in Special Education in Applied Behavior Analysis does not lead to teacher certification. This program is designed for professionals who want to develop expertise in applied behavior analysis without obtaining a teaching license.

    • Who is this program for?

      The online Master of Education in Special Education in Applied Behavior Analysis is designed for professionals who want to develop expertise in applied behavior analysis without obtaining a teaching license.

      If you’re an educator seeking a Rank II and are interested in autism spectrum disorder and applied behavior analysis, please check out the concentration within the MEd in Teaching and Learning—also available 100% online!

    • Can you tell me more about this program?

      Students in the MEd in Applied Behavior Analysis program’s traditional option will complete a verified course sequence (VCS) for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Certification Exam, allowing them to meet the educational requirements for board certification. Only one practicum course is included in this sequence of coursework, making this a good option for working students. However, it is important to note that hours completed during the required practicum are separate from the fieldwork supervision hours required for the BACB exam.

      In addition to coursework requirements, students must complete 2,000 hours of supervised field experience to be eligible to take the BACB exam. Hours completed during the field-based practicum experience may be used toward both the course and the BACB fieldwork hours, as long as the requirements for both are met. In this option, students will complete most of the required supervised field experience hours on their own outside of the program after earning the degree. It is important for prospective students to understand that they will not be eligible to sit for the BCBA exam until they have completed all requirements, including 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork. Because the supervised fieldwork hours are not completed during the program, the traditional (non-concentration) option within the MEd in Applied Behavior Analysis at University of Louisville is not designed to prepare students for licensure immediately upon graduation in any US state or other jurisdiction.

      For more information about professional licensure, you can view our Professional Licensure Notifications and Disclosures resource.

    • Is financial aid available for this program?

      Yes, there is financial aid available for this program. You can learn more by visiting our Financial Aid tab on the Tuition page.