Earn Your BCBA-Qualifying MS in Applied Behavior Analysis

Blended format, live online sessions plus asynchronous coursework. NLU's MS in Applied Behavior Analysis is ABAI-verified, designed for working professionals, and structured to meet the BCBA coursework requirements so you can sit for the exam upon completion.

  • ABAI-Verified Sequence
  • Meets BCBA Coursework Requirements
  • Blended Format, Online + Asynchronous
  • 300+ Supervised Fieldwork Hours

Request More Information

Please enter your first name.
Please enter your last name.
Please enter a valid email address.
Please enter a valid phone number.
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code.
Military Affiliation
Please select an option.

Clicking the “Take the First Step” button constitutes your express written consent for National Louis University to contact you

By submitting, you agree to NLU’s Privacy Policy.

Why Choose NLU for Your MS in ABA?

BCBA Eligible
VERIFIED COURSE SEQUENCE

NLU's MS in Applied Behavior Analysis is verified by ABAI as meeting the coursework requirements for the BCBA examination. The curriculum covers the full BACB Foundational Knowledge List, concepts and principles, ethics, research methodology, and intervention design.

$59,190
MEDIAN, CLOSEST BLS CATEGORY

Behavior analysts work in schools, clinical settings, and organizations across Illinois and beyond. With 17% projected job growth, much faster than average, demand for BCBA-certified professionals is outpacing supply. Certification through NLU's ABAI-verified program positions you for immediate career advancement.

17%
JOB GROWTH (2024-2034)

One of the fastest-growing occupational categories in behavioral health. NLU's blended format combines online coursework with in-person clinical sessions, designed for working professionals who need to build skills without interrupting their current careers.

Get Started Today

MS in Applied Behavior Analysis at a Glance

CREDIT HOURS?
38 SH
Comprehensive master's program (typically 2-2.5 years)
ACCREDITATION?
ABAI
ABAI-verified course sequence meets BCBA certification requirements
CAREER OUTCOME?
$59,190
Median, behavioral disorder & mental health counselors (BLS, May 2024)
JOB GROWTH?
17%
Projected growth for behavioral disorder counselors, 2024-2034

What You'll Learn

  • Apply principles of radical behaviorism, experimental analysis, and ABA intervention design
  • Conduct functional assessments and design individualized behavior intervention plans
  • Implement ethical BCBA supervision and training practices
  • Master verbal behavior, skills assessment, and clinical measurement methodology
  • Develop original applied research through the thesis capstone sequence

Full Course List

Gateway Courses
Foundation in radical behaviorism, behavioral principles, and the conceptual basis of ABA, covering the full scope of BACB Foundational Knowledge.
Master the research methods and data systems used by behavior analysts to measure behavior, evaluate intervention effectiveness, and support evidence-based practice.
Program Core
Design and implement behavior change protocols using reinforcement, extinction, punishment, and other evidence-based ABA techniques across clinical and community settings.
Conduct functional analyses to identify the purpose of challenging behaviors and design individualized, function-based intervention plans.
Apply the BACB Professional and Ethical Compliance Code to real-world clinical scenarios, a required content domain for the BCBA examination.
Supervised Fieldwork
300+ hours of supervised fieldwork experience in applied settings, working with real clients under licensed BCBA supervision to build the practical skills required for certification and employment.

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

Admissions Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA preferred (lower GPAs considered with supporting materials).
  • Resume demonstrating experience in education, human services, healthcare, or a related field.
  • Two letters of recommendation.
  • Personal statement describing professional background and motivation for pursuing behavior analysis.
  • No prior ABA coursework required, the program is designed for career changers and early-career professionals.
Request Info
ABAI-Verified Curriculum

NLU's MS in ABA meets the coursework requirements for BCBA certification, verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International. The curriculum covers the full BACB Foundational Knowledge List, everything you need to sit for the BCBA examination.

Thesis Capstone Research

Unlike programs offering only comprehensive exams, NLU requires a four-course thesis sequence (ABA 599A-D). This capstone builds original research skills valued by employers and doctoral programs, graduates produce real research that strengthens clinical practice.

Blended for Working Professionals

Online courses paired with scheduled in-person sessions. The program structures the heaviest course loads one class at a time during initial terms, building skills gradually without overwhelming you while balancing clinical work and daily life.

Where Will Your MS in ABA Take You?

$59,190
Median, behavioral disorder & mental health counselors (BLS, May 2024)
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
Behavioral Analyst in Schools
Behavioral Analyst in Clinical Settings
ABA Supervisor / Training Specialist
Special Education Behavioral Support
Organizational Behavior Specialist

Board Certified Behavior Analysts work across a wide range of settings, K-12 schools, autism clinics, hospitals, early intervention programs, and corporate organizations. The 17% projected job growth through 2033 reflects expanding demand driven by insurance mandates, autism prevalence data, and school-based behavioral support requirements. NLU graduates enter this market with both the credential and the supervised hours required to practice.

Get Started Now

Just 3 Steps to Your MS in ABA

  1. Request Information

    Fill out the short form on this page. An NLU advisor will reach out within one business day to answer questions about admission requirements, the ABAI verification, and upcoming start dates.

  2. Talk to an Advisor

    A 15-minute conversation. Ask anything about the blended format, BCBA eligibility, fieldwork requirements, or how the program fits your current work schedule. We'll be straight with you.

  3. Start Your MS in ABA

    Begin your program on September 21, 2026. You're one decision away from the credential that opens BCBA certification and a career in behavioral science.

Get Started

ABAI-Verified. BCBA-Ready. Built for Working Professionals.

Connect with an NLU CPBS advisor to learn how the MS in ABA fits your schedule and career goals.

Take the First Step
  • ABAI-Verified Course Sequence
  • Meets BCBA Certification Requirements
  • Blended Format for Working Professionals
  • 17% Projected Job Growth (BLS)

** Median annual wage and 2024-2034 employment projections, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (SOC 21-1018), BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2024. BLS does not separately classify Board Certified Behavior Analysts; this is the closest category, and BCBA salaries reported by industry sources are often higher.