Applied Behavior Analysis: M.S. & M.A.
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Autism Therapy
Behavioral Gerontology
Mental and Behavioral Health Therapy
Organizational Behavior Management
School-Based Behavioral Intervention Support
Special Education
Substance Abuse Treatment
Special Topics in ABA, including behavioral economics and contingency management
Subspecialties of ABA: relational frame theory (RFT) & acceptance and commitment theory (ACT)
Applied Experience in ABA, offering ACT training
Behavioral Assessment
Behavior-Change Procedures
Ethical & Professional Issues in ABA
Supervision, Training & Performance Management
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No particular undergraduate degree is required for this program. Common areas of study for BCBAs include psychology, education or speech pathology.
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Arkansas’ only M.S. and M.A. in ABA
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Completed Online
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Clinical Partners in the U.S. & Abroad
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Semester Program
Degree Options:
choose your path
In their words
learn more about our program & how ABA is making a difference
"As the first Master of Science and Master of Arts degrees in ABA in the state of Arkansas, and one of few faith-based institutions to offer master’s degrees in ABA, Ouachita is proud to provide a high-quality, comprehensive degree program in an effort to address the shortage of BCBA®s in the state and around the country, and to train the next generation of compassionate, quality-driven scientist-practitioners who will be committed to the field and to serving their communities."
Julyse A. Migan-Gandonou Horr, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA
Director, Applied Behavior Analysis Program

Rigorous, Christ-centered approach
Ouachita offers a unique opportunity – outstanding career preparation at a university committed to fostering a love of God and a love of learning. As one of the few faith-based institutions in the country to offer graduate programs in ABA, your faculty at Ouachita will be committed to both your success in the classroom and your spiritual growth. You’ll emerge a highly-skilled, compassionate practitioner prepared for a life of meaningful work.

Prepare for BCBA® certification
As a Ouachita ABA student, you’ll be prepared for a successful transition from graduate
to Board Certified Behavior Analyst® once you’ve taken and passed the BCBA® exam. You’ll follow our Association for Behavior Analysis International’s (ABAI)
Verified Course Sequence (VCS) which incorporates the BACB®’s 6th edition Test Content Outline (TCO) as well as the BACB®’s 2027 Pathway 2 BCBA® eligibility requirements. And test prep is embedded in the curriculum.

ONLINE FLEXIBILITY, PERSONAL CONNECTIONS
Ouachita’s low-residency program allows you to complete the degree almost completely online so you can continue – or begin – your career from your own community while making face-to-face connections with other students in your cohort. Your classmates will be a source of support and inspiration throughout your journey. Plus the clinical work completed in the M.S. program is a great launching point for your future helping clients who have a variety of needs.
LEARN FROM OUTSTANDING PRACTITIONERS
expert faculty members as mentors
program details
M.S. in ABA
Total Hours = 36
YEAR ONE
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ABA 6143, Concepts & Principles of ABA
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Fall Term I
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3 hours |
ABA 6153, Research Methods in ABA
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Fall Term II
|
3 hours |
ABA 6161, Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork I
|
Fall Term
|
1 hour |
ABA 6243, Behavioral Assessment
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Spring Term I
|
3 hours |
ABA 6253, Behavior-Change Procedures I
|
Spring Term II
|
3 hours |
ABA 6261, Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork II
|
Spring Term
|
1 hour |
ABA 6343, Ethical & Professional Issues in ABA
|
Summer Term
|
3 hours |
ABA 6353, Supervision, Training & Performance Management
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Summer Term
|
3 hours |
ABA 6361, Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork III
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Summer Term
|
1 hour |
YEAR TWO |
|
|
ABA 6443, Behavior-Change Procedures II
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Fall Term I
|
3 hours |
ABA 6453, Experimental Analysis of Behavior
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Fall Term II
|
3 hours |
ABA 6482, ABA Thesis/Capstone I
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Fall Term
|
2 hours |
ABA 6542, Special Topics in ABA
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Spring Term I
|
2 hours |
ABA 6563, Advanced Concepts & Principles of ABA
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Spring Term II | 3 hours |
ABA 6582, ABA Thesis/Capstone II
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Spring Term | 2 hours |
M.A. in ABA
Total Hours = 36
YEAR ONE
|
|
|
ABA 6143, Concepts & Principles of ABA
|
Fall Term I
|
3 hours |
ABA 6153, Research Methods in ABA
|
Fall Term II
|
3 hours |
ABA 6171, Applied Experience in ABA I
|
Fall Term
|
1 hour |
ABA 6243, Behavioral Assessment
|
Spring Term I
|
3 hours |
ABA 6253, Behavior-Change Procedures I
|
Spring Term II
|
3 hours |
ABA 6271, Applied Experience in ABA II
|
Spring Term
|
1 hour |
ABA 6343, Ethical & Professional Issues in ABA
|
Summer Term
|
3 hours |
ABA 6353, Supervision, Training & Performance Management
|
Summer Term
|
3 hours |
ABA 6371, Applied Experience in ABA III
|
Summer Term
|
1 hour |
YEAR TWO |
|
|
ABA 6443, Behavior-Change Procedures II
|
Fall Term I
|
3 hours |
ABA 6453, Experimental Analysis of Behavior
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Fall Term II
|
3 hours |
ABA 6491, Applied Research Project I
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Fall Term
|
1 hour |
ABA 6554, Subspecialties of ABA
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Spring Term I
|
4 hours |
ABA 6563, Advanced Concepts & Principles of ABA
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Spring Term II | 3 hours |
ABA 6591, Applied Research Project II
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Spring Term | 1 hour |
Ouachita is a place of community and relationship. By coming to campus for a three-day intensive, you will connect with your classmates, professors and your future alma mater. This will enrich your academic experience as you complete the program remotely through online courses. After three days, you will have a jump start on the rest of your degree. And, research indicates that online students who engage with their campuses have much higher success rates.
Save the Date: August 2023
Estimated total tuition and fees for full 36-hour program: $27,770
Ouachita General Graduate Admissions Requirements:
- Conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution
- 2.5 minimum GPA on a 4.0 scale (individual programs will delineate more specifics)
- Completed application, which includes a statement of purpose
- Three references
- Minimum English proficiency requirements for international students are as follows:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):
At least 79 on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT)
At least 550 on the paper-based TOEFL - International English Language Testing System (IELTS):
At least a 6.5 on the IELTS exam
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):
Admissions Requirements for the M.S. or M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis:
- Meet general university graduate admissions requirements
- A minimum GPA of 3.000 on a 4.000 scale*
- Brief interview with ABA fieldwork coordinator
*Conditional admission is considered for applicants who meet all other admissions requirements and have a GPA below 3.000, but not lower than 2.500.
*Applications are evaluated based on the following criteria: Personal Statement: Writing; Personal Statement: Goals/Program Fit; GPA; Letters of Reference; Related Experience; and Persistence/Motivation.
*A GRE score is not required for admission to the ABA program.
While fieldwork placement is not required for admission, it is required for enrollment in the Master of Science degree program. Fieldwork placement requires a significant time commitment of at least 25 hours per week. A Ouachita Memorandum of Understanding/Supervision Agreement must be received by July 1. While Ouachita will assist with this process, the student is expected to take the lead in finding an appropriate placement. In some cases fieldwork placement may require relocation to an available fieldwork placement site.
See the Behavior Analyst Certification Board's BCBA Fieldwork Requirements for additional information about the expectations for fieldwork. If you cannot devote this time to the program and your placement, you will not be able to complete the program requirements for the Master of Science degree in applied behavior analysis.
Current clinical partners:
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of – and develop competence in – the historical, theoretical and philosophical foundations of behaviorism, as well as the conceptual analysis of behavior, with particular emphasis on radical behaviorism.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of – and develop competence in – the concepts and principles of applied and experimental behavior analysis.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of – and develop competence in – behavioral measurement, data collection systems, graphical representation and visual analysis of behavioral data, and experimental design with particular emphasis on single subject research designs.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of – and develop competence in – ethical and professional issues as they pertain to behavior analytic research and practice.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of – and develop competence in – behavioral assessments and selection of assessment-derived behavioral interventions, particularly as they pertain to behavior reduction and behavioral acquisition.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of – and develop competence in – the application of principles of behavior as behavior-change procedures, with particular emphasis on the implementation of behavioral interventions to increase and decrease behavior of social significance.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of – and competence in – behavior analytic personnel supervision, training, consultation and performance management.
- Students will demonstrate competence in behavior analytic clinical skills with particular emphasis on professional practice and service delivery model across a variety of populations and settings, including and beyond Autism and Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities.
- Students will demonstrate competence in conducting applied behavior analytic research.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of – and develop competence in – one or more specialized areas of behavior analysis.
GRADUATE & PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
Graduate and Professional Studies at Ouachita seeks to be a source of ongoing intellectual and spiritual growth for those pursuing lifelong learning or career advancement. Ouachita fosters community through relationships with classmates and professors in all learning environments. Through innovative modalities, fields and approaches, these programs prepare Ouachita students for success in a variety of fields.
GET IN TOUCH
Have a question about Ouachita? Want more information? Shoot our Graduate and Professional Studies team a message!