36 hours

You are eligible to apply to the MS in Applied Behavior Analysis program if you meet the following requirements:

- Earned, or will have earned, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution before the date of enrollment at the University of Georgia. - Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA (Grade Point Average) of 3.0 for all courses taken. This program takes a holistic approach to admissions and does not require standardized testing scores to be submitted; no GRE or M.A.T. scores are required.

Application Process:

Complete the Graduate School Application and include: - Official transcripts to the Application - A minimum of two (2) letters of recommendation - Resumé that highlights any experiences you might have related to Applied Behavior Analysis - A statement of purpose that describes your experiences working with individuals with developmental disabilities and/or your knowledge regarding Applied Behavior Analysis as well as why you wish to earn an M.S. in ABA

English Proficiency Exam Scores for international students:

International applicants will also need to score a minimum of 20 points each on the Speaking and Writing sections of the TOEFL with an overall minimum score of 80. Test scores must be within 2 years from the date of application.

Program Deadline to Apply:

January 15

EDSE 4050/6050

Managing Severe Aggressive Behavior in the Classroom and Community

3

EDSE 7210

Behavioral Methods of Instruction

3

EDSE 7230

Basic Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis

3

EDSE 7300  *

Master's Thesis

1-9

*minimum 3 hours; thesis students only

EDSE 7440

Practicum in Special Education

1-12

EDSE 7650  *

Applied Project in Special Education

1-12

*minimum 3 hours; non-thesis students only

EDSE 7780

Behavior Analysis Across the Lifespan

3

EDSE 7790

Staff Training and Supervision in Behavior Analysis

3

EDSE 7810

Philosophical Underpinnings and Concepts in Behavior Analysis

3

EDSE 8020

Translational Behavior Analysis

3

EDSE 8230

Professional Ethics for Behavior Analysts

3

EDSE 8370

Single-Subject Research Methodology in Special Education

3

GRSC 7001

GradFIRST: First-year Research and Scholarship Training Seminar

1

The practicum courses require approximately 425 contact hours in each Fall and Spring and approximately 250 contact hours in summer irrespective of BACB (Behavior Analyst Certification Board®) requirements. These are supervised on our sites.

Students are encouraged to take elective courses in areas that complement the required components of their program of study as approved by faculty advisor.

A minimum of 1500 hours of supervised clinical practicum is required for students to be eligible to apply for the Board-Certified Behavior Analyst examination. These hours must be completed in one of our approved settings near the UGA Athens Campus. The Mary Frances Early College of Education requires a background check for all external placements related to degree programs, which must be completed through PreCheck, Inc. at the student's expense. If you are completing a practicum requirement in a school, there may be additional background check requirements. If placements are denied based on the background check results, students may not be able to complete the practicum requirements of this program. MS Thesis students must have an approved thesis for degree completion. MS Non-Thesis students must have an approved capstone/applied project for degree completion.

Select additional courses, as needed, in consultation with an advisor to meet the minimum number of required credit hours for this program.

Students completing this degree are prepared to apply for the Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Exam and pursue careers in school, clinical, or consultative settings, serving individuals with developmental disabilities. https://career.uga.edu/outcomes/major_summary22/applied_behavior_analysis_-_masters22

Transfer of credit may be allowed when recommended by the student’s major professor and graduate coordinator, and when approved by the dean of the Graduate School. Please see the UGA Graduate School policy linked here: https://grad.uga.edu/admissions/requirements/acceptance-of-credit-by-transfer/

Qualified students will be nominated for applicable and available Graduate School awards, departmental graduate assistantships, training grants, and research grant assistantships. - Coral Jo Bishop Fellowship https://coe.uga.edu/students/financial-aid/coral-jo-bishop - Jan L. Branham Scholarship https://coe.uga.edu/students/financial-aid/jan-branham

All students complete a supervised teaching internship and are encouraged to pursue additional internship experiences that support their professional development and career aspirations.

The UGA Applied Behavior Analysis Clinic and the Center for Autism and Behavior Education Research (CABER) offer supervised opportunities to apply what you are learning, including interdisciplinary translational research, education, and outreach. Our Student Affairs office will find placements for you during your program of study if required - Dyslexia Endorsement https://coe.uga.edu/academics/non-degree/dyslexia-endorsement/ - Preschool Special Education Endorsement https://coe.uga.edu/academics/non-degree/preschool-special-education-endorsement/

- Student Association for Behavior Analysis (SABA) - Graduate Student Association - Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC) - BrainIAC - Communicaid+Nation - Minorities in Education (MIE)

PhD in Special Education https://coe.uga.edu/academics/degrees/phd-special-education/