Ed.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis: Add BCBA Eligibility to Your Master's

Already hold a master's degree? Earn your Ed.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis in just 27 credit hours, ABAI-verified and BCBA exam-eligible, in a blended format designed for professionals in education, counseling, psychology, and related fields.

  • ABAI-Verified Course Sequence
  • BCBA Exam Eligibility
  • Just 27 Semester Hours
  • Post-Master's Credential

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Why Choose NLU for the Ed.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis?

27 SH
A focused post-master's pathway to BCBA eligibility

Add the credential without repeating graduate coursework you have already completed.

ABAI-Verified
Course sequence verified for the BCBA examination

Covers the full BACB Foundational Knowledge List.

Blended Format
Online courses with in-person meetings

Designed for working professionals.

17% Growth
Projected growth for behavioral counselors through 2034 (BLS)

Much faster than the average for all occupations.

ABA for Educators
Built to translate behavior science into your field

Bridge ABA expertise and your existing professional context.

Get Started Today

Program at a Glance

How long?
27 SH
Post-master's, completed efficiently
What format?
Blended
Online courses with in-person meetings
What credential?
BCBA-Eligible
ABAI-verified course sequence
What growth?
17%
Behavioral counselors (BLS, 2024-2034)

What You'll Learn

  • Apply the concepts and principles of behavior analysis fluently
  • Design and evaluate behavior-analytic interventions
  • Conduct skills and functional assessments
  • Supervise and train others in ABA
  • Practice within professional ethical standards
  • Become eligible to sit for the BCBA examination

Full Course List

Foundations
The core concepts and principles that define behavior-analytic practice.
Research
Measuring behavior and designing behavior-analytic research.
Ethics
The professional and ethical standards that govern ABA practice.
Theory
The philosophy and history behind applied behavior analysis.
Skills Assessment
Assessing skills and designing interventions that build them.
Functional Assessment
Identifying the function of behavior and intervening effectively.
Supervision
Supervising and training others in behavior-analytic practice.
Elective
An elective connecting ABA to education, disability studies, or organizational practice.

Next start: September 21, 2026 — seats filling fast.

Admissions Requirements

  • A master's degree in a related field (education, counseling, psychology, social work, SLP, rehabilitation sciences)
  • Online application at nl.edu with official transcripts
  • A 500-word statement of academic and professional goals
  • Two professional letters of recommendation
  • Grade of B or better required in all ABA coursework
Request Info
Add BCBA to the Master's You Have

A post-master's pathway that makes you BCBA exam-eligible in 27 hours, without repeating a full graduate degree.

ABAI-Verified Course Sequence

Verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International as meeting the coursework requirements for the BCBA exam.

ABA for Your Field

Built to translate behavior science into education, counseling, and clinical practice, so you become a bridge between ABA and your discipline.

Where Will Your Ed.S. Take You?

17%
Projected growth for behavioral counselors through 2034 (BLS)
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Behavior Interventionist
Special Education Specialist
Clinical Consultant
School Behavior Specialist
Organizational Behavior Analyst

The Ed.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis is ideal for professionals who already hold a master’s and want to add BCBA eligibility. The combination, a master’s in a related field plus the Ed.S. in ABA, positions graduates uniquely, especially in schools where both educational expertise and behavior-analytic skills are in demand.

Demand for behavioral professionals is projected to grow 17 percent through 2034, much faster than average (BLS, May 2024), and Illinois ranks among the top states for behavior-analyst demand. The Ed.S. credential can provide a competitive edge over master’s-only BCBAs in educational and institutional settings.

Get Started Now

How to Apply in 3 Simple Steps

  1. Request Information

    Submit the form above. An NLU admissions advisor will reach out within one business day to confirm how your master's degree qualifies you for the program.

  2. Connect With an Advisor

    Your advisor confirms your master's meets the prerequisites, explains BCBA exam eligibility, and discusses financial aid.

  3. Apply and Start Classes

    Submit your application at nl.edu with no fee, a 500-word statement, transcripts, and two recommendations. Next start: September 21, 2026. Your advisor guides you through every step.

Get Started

Take the First Step

No commitment required. An NLU advisor will reach out within one business day to confirm your eligibility and map your path to BCBA.

Take the First Step
  • ABAI-Verified Course Sequence
  • BCBA Exam Eligibility
  • Just 27 Semester Hours
  • Post-Master's Credential

*Salary and job outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (SOC 21-1018), May 2024. BLS has no separate category for Board Certified Behavior Analysts.

**Accreditation and curriculum: National Louis University Ed.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis program page and SmartCatalog (nl.edu and nl.smartcatalogiq.com); ABAI Verified Course Sequence.