Master of Science (M.S.) in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Online Degree Program graduates serve many different populations including children, adults, and seniors and may work in residential, school, and community-based settings. Individuals served may have no diagnoses (e.g., school children in a regular education class or teachers seeking to be more effective) or may have diagnoses such as autism, behavioral difficulties, developmental disabilities, mental illness, and a variety of geriatric conditions. The thesis option, the Advanced Research Project, is targeted for individuals who are interested in conducting research or continuing on to doctoral studies.
This program meets the educational requirements for students who wish to pursue a career as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). In addition to their educational requirements, graduates of this program will need to pass an exam and complete the application process to become certified.
The Chicago School is not currently accepting applications for the online M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis program from individuals who live in or who intend to complete their practicum or internship at a site located in these states: Delaware, Kentucky, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Washington.
Master of Science (M.S.) in Applied Behavior Analysis Online Degree program students are also required to complete a thesis (Advanced Research Project) or a non-thesis option known as the Advanced Applied Project. The thesis must be a data-based empirical evaluation, but does not necessarily need to mark an original contribution to the published literature (it may be a replication and extension). The primary function of the master's thesis is to demonstrate that students are actively learning to function as scientist-practitioners who are continually engaged in making data-based assessment and treatment decisions. The applied project is a demonstration that the student can assess and treat a client effectively and ethically from start to finish. The applied project process is as stringent as the thesis option and demonstrates similar skills as the thesis option but focuses on application rather than research. The course sequence facilitates student completion of theses and applied projects with a carefully designed course sequence that has the necessary steps toward thesis and project completion embedded into the required coursework. Any student considering going on to a Ph.D. program should choose the thesis option.