Applied Behavior Analysis, M.S.

Admissions Requirements

Application Deadline:

• Fall: February 1
• Spring: Does Not Admit
• Summer: Does Not Admit

When applying to the applied behavior analysis program, you will need to submit several documents for review.

• Online application
• Application fee of $50
• Goals statement (upload with the application — goals statement should be 500-1,000 words, summarizing your skills and experiences that are relevant to graduate students in applied behavior analysis. Address the fit between your objectives and the graduate training offered at Georgia State.  Finally, discuss what you would like to be doing three to five years after you complete your coursework at the university.)
• Resume (upload with the application)
• Two letters of recommendation (identify your recommenders on the application — recommenders should be professional or academic)
• Official Transcript(s): Submit transcripts from all colleges/universities attended either electronically to [email protected] or by mailing directly to Georgia State University | Office of Admissions — Graduate School |P.O. Box 4018 Atlanta, GA 30302.
• View the ABA Program’s Transfer Credit Policy

GSU’s M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis Program abides by the April 15 resolution. This means that students accepted into the program are under no obligation to respond to offers of financial support (e.g., assistantships, fellowships, graduate scholarships, traineeships) prior to April 15 of the year in which they were accepted to the program. Read more about the April 15 Resolution.

Forthcoming Degree Requirements (all new students beginning Fall 2025)

The Applied Behavior Analysis M.S. degree program consists of the following requirements (credit hours in parenthesis):

• Professional Studies (9)
  • EPY 8850 – Introduction to Single-Case Methodology (3)
  • ABA 8100 – Ethics for Behavior Analysts (3)
  • ABA 8000 – Principles of Behavior Analysis (3)
• Major (12)
  • ABA 8250 – Behavioral Assessment (3)
  • ABA 8260 – Behavioral Intervention (3)
  • ABA 8800 – Behaviorism (3)
  • ABA 8810 – Experimental Analysis of Behavior (3)
• Applied Practice (6)
  • ABA 7650 – Fieldwork in Behavior Analysis I (3)
  • ABA 7660 – Fieldwork in Behavior Analysis II (3)
• Thesis (9)
  • ABA 7990 – Thesis in Behavior Analysis I (3)

Program total: minimum of 36 semester hours

A catalog link will be available soon.

Optional Add-On Certificate in ABA Professional Specialization

Beginning in Fall 2025, the program will also offer an optional add-on Certificate in ABA Professional Specialization. The purpose of the Certificate in ABA Professional Specialization is to equip ABA Master’s students with advanced knowledge related to their intended population and setting for practice after graduation, and to shape competencies related to interdisciplinary collaboration. Students who complete this optional add-on certificate will complete one of five specializations, chosen in consultation with their advisor, each with specific associated coursework: (1) autism and developmental disabilities, (2) preschool and early childhood special education, (3) at-risk students, (4) health literacy, and (5) the science of reading.

This optional certificate requires 9 hours of coursework in one of five areas, as listed below.

Autism and Developmental Disabilities

• EXC 7250 – Characteristics of Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders (3)
• EXC 7320 – Methods of Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders Spring (3)
• EXC 7000 – Collaboration with Parents and Professionals (3)

Preschool and Early Childhood Special Education

• EXC 7650 – Characteristics of Young Children with Disabilities (3)
• EXC 7660 – Methods of Teaching Young Children with Disabilities (3)
• EXC 7000 – Collaboration with Parents and Professionals (3)

Science of Reading

• EXC 7010 – Assessment and Structured Literacy Instruction in Word Reading for Students with Dyslexia and other reading Disabilities (3)
• EXC 7190 – Theoretical Foundations for Literacy Instruction for Students with Dyslexia and Other Reading Disabilities (3)
• EXC 7420 – Assessment and Structured Literacy Instruction in Reading Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension for Students with Dyslexia and Other Reading Disabilities (3)

Students Who Are at Risk

• EXC 6580 – Instructional Methods for Students with Behavior/Learning Disabilities (3)
• EXC 6560 – Educational Evaluation of Students with Disabilities (3)
• EXC 7310 – Strategies for Social and Emotional Behavior in Students with Behavior and Learning Disabilities (3)

Health Literacy

• EPY 8265 – Health Behavior: Acquisition and Change (3)
• PHPB 8275 – Health Literacy (3)
• EPY 7080 – Psychology of Learning and Learners (3)

For degree requirements for current students (admitted prior to Fall 2025), visit the catalog.

Funding Your Graduate Education

Cost of attendance and funding opportunities are integral to your decision to attend graduate school. Georgia State University is proud to offer a variety of funding opportunities, from assistantships to fellowships.

Awards and Assistantships

Various awards, assistantships and fellowships are available to new and current graduate students. We encourage you to contact your department, college, school or institute of interest to get more information about the assistantships and fellowships that they offer their students.

The Scholarship Resource Center offers guidance and support to students seeking financial assistance through scholarship opportunities, including this scholarship library.

Fellowships

The Office of Graduate Programs’ Fellowship Advisor works with students interested in applying for nationally prestigious and competitive fellowships. The Office of Graduate Programs also coordinates the application process for students applying to the Second Century Initiative, the Provost’s Dissertation Fellowship and the Dissertation Library Travel Awards.

Cost Calculator

Our calculator can help you get an idea of the costs associated with attending the university.

The program’s coursework is aligned with ABAI’s tiered model of accreditation standards, which are aligned with Pathway 1 for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification.

View ABA Program’s Outcomes Data.

Learn about our new funding opportunity called Project BEES:

• Project BEES Scholars 
• Project BEES To Combat Shortage of Educators Working With Young Children With Disabilities
• GSU ABA Program Handbook