Applied Behavior Analysis, M.S.
Want a career where your work creates real, measurable change?
Saint Louis University’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis prepares you to use the science of behavior to improve lives, organizations and communities. The SLU curriculum follows the required course sequence set by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® and prepares you to meet the coursework and fieldwork requirements needed to sit for the BCBA® exam.
Applied behavior analysis is the science of how and why behavior occurs and how to change it in meaningful ways. As an ABA professional, you work with individuals and systems to increase well-being, improve performance, and support positive change across a wide range of settings.
At SLU, you learn to use direct assessment, data, and evidence-based principles to design, implement, and evaluate interventions. You also develop cultural humility by examining bias, power, and context so you can provide ethical and responsive services across diverse communities.
Graduates work in settings such as:
- Autism and developmental disability services
- Mental and behavioral health
- Schools and education
- Health care and medical settings
- Organizations and business
- Sports, health and fitness
- Criminal justice
- Diversity, equity, inclusion and access (DEIA)
What Sets SLU’s M.S. in ABA apart?
Choose a Thesis or Capstone Pathway
You can choose to complete either a thesis or a practice-focused capstone, allowing you to tailor your experience to your professional and academic goals. You are encouraged and supported to present your work at professional conferences and engage in scholarly dissemination, helping you build visibility, confidence and leadership within the field.
Strong BCBA® Exam Outcomes
You benefit from a program with consistently strong BCBA® exam outcomes, reflecting an emphasis on applied learning, high-quality supervision, and intentional preparation aligned with exam expectations.
Culturally Responsive Training
You develop strong technical skills while also building cultural humility, preparing you to serve clients across settings with respect, awareness and ethical care.
Flat-rate Tuition
You pay a single, predictable program cost with no surprise tuition increases or hidden fees.
Built-in Fieldwork
You complete required supervised fieldwork as part of the program with structured guidance and oversight, so you do not need to secure supervision on your own.
Flexible Learning Formats
You may complete the program in either an online or in-person format, allowing you to choose the option that best fits your schedule and learning preferences.
SLU’s ABA program is designed to prepare you for a successful and meaningful career. You are well positioned to sit for the BCBA® exam, advance in clinical and organizational roles, and apply to Ph.D. programs in behavior analysis or related fields.
Curriculum Overview
SLU’s Applied Behavior Analysis programs offer four pathways:
-
M.S ABA Research track (in person) (39 credit hours)
-
M.S. ABA Clinical track (online) (36 credit hours)
-
Dual degree: M.S. in ABA / M.S.W. Clinical (in-person or online) (64-67 credit hours)
-
M.S.W. with ABA Concentration (in-person or online) (53 credit hours)
Both M.S. in ABA tracks include eight 3-credit courses, five practica, one seminar, and a culminating project — either a 6-credit thesis (research track) or a 3-credit capstone (clinical track).
The dual degree (M.S. ABA / M.S.W. Clinical) includes eight ABA courses, required M.S.W. coursework, five practica (ABA, M.S.W., or both), two seminars (one ABA and one MSW), and a 3-credit capstone project.
In the M.S.W. with ABA Concentration, students earn an M.S.W. degree, but the program includes all ABA and M.S.W. coursework and fieldwork required to sit for both social work licensing exam and the BCBA exam.
All students — regardless of pathway — complete 1,500 hours of supervised fieldwork and coursework that meet requirements to sit for the BCBA® exam. Dual-degree students also complete all coursework and required practica hours for social work licensure eligibility.
Programs follow a cohort model. M.S. in ABA students begin each fall, while dual-degree students may start in the fall or spring semesters. All programs are designed to accommodate both full-time and part-time enrollment.
More detailed program information can be found in the ABA Program Student Handbook.
Fieldwork and Research Opportunities
SLU’s applied behavior analysis program offers you a practice-integrated education that prepares you to become a knowledgeable and ethical scientist-practitioner. You are prepared for a range of clinical and management careers across the health, education and social services sectors.
If you pursue BCBA® certification through SLU’s practicum sequence, you complete a total of 1,500 hours of applied behavior analysis field practicum across five semesters under the supervision of a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®). The practicum experience ensures that you master all areas of the BCBA® content list in your first three semesters, expand your research skills in your fourth semester, and address a social justice topic in your final semester.
The diversity of practicum settings equips you to practice confidently and independently as a professional.
Field Education Policy and Procedures Manual
Careers
After graduation, you are prepared to sit for the BCBA® examination and to apply your training across diverse professional settings. You may work with individuals diagnosed with autism and their families, support adults with challenging behavior and developmental disabilities, or contribute to job training sites, schools, health care agencies, and other community-based organizations. Some graduates also go on to lead state education initiatives and advocacy projects.
Your training also prepares you to apply behavior analytic principles at the organizational and systems level, including in workforce and organizational development; health and wellness initiatives; mental and behavioral health services; aging and gerontology; criminal justice settings; and diversity, equity, inclusion and access efforts.
Tuition
| Tuition | Total Program Cost |
|---|---|
| MS Applied Behavior Analysis | $41,000 |
Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:
Information on Tuition and Fees
Financial Aid
We are committed to helping you make your graduate education both affordable and meaningful. As an incoming student, you may be eligible for several forms of financial support, including scholarships, fellowships and graduate assistantships, as well as additional funding opportunities available during your program.
FAFSA and Other Resources
All incoming students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application. A step-by-step guide to submitting your FAFSA is available online. Saint Louis University Student Financial Services provides a Graduate Financial Aid Handbook that outlines the process of financing your graduate education.
The following links to resources in Saint Louis University Student Financial Services may also be helpful:
Scholarships
All new incoming students will receive a partial scholarship upon admittance, thanks to our generous alumni and benefactors. Scholarship awards vary and are awarded upon admission. No separate application process is required.
Fellowships
In addition to scholarships, the School of Social Work offers competitive graduate fellowships that provide financial support and/or scholarships along with professional experience to graduate students. Unlike scholarships, all fellowships include a work or research requirement, which varies by fellowship type. Graduate Fellows contribute to the School’s teaching, research and administrative activities while furthering their professional development. Find more information on the School of Social Work website.
Newly accepted master's or doctoral students and students in the first year of a program may also be eligible to apply for University-wide diversity, dissertation or presidential fellowships. Find more details on fellowship applications here.
Graduate Assistantships and Internships
Graduate assistantships (GA) are University-funded assistantships awarded by the School of Social Work. They are assigned and funded for two semesters (a duration of 10 months, 20 hours per week), working with designated faculty. Benefits include an option for health insurance coverage (12 months), a stipend and two semesters (fall and spring) of tuition remission.
Under faculty mentors, GAs provide assistance with research/scholarship, teaching, community engagement and other professional, SSW or programmatic activities and are required to attend the University’s Graduate Assistants’ orientation the week before fall classes.
For more information about graduate assistantships, fellowships, scholarships and financial aid, please visit SLU’s Graduate Scholarships, Fellowships, Assistantships and Awards website.
Other Funding for Current Students
Current students may be eligible for conference/training funding. Opportunities and eligibility requirements vary and are communicated throughout the year by the programs.
Accreditation
Saint Louis University offers behavior-analytic coursework that is designed to meet the Pathway 2 behavior-analytic coursework eligibility requirements for BCBA® certification.
1. Conceptual synthesis and interpretation of behavior-analytic principles
Integrate and interpret foundational concepts and principles to support accurate, function-based analysis of behavior.
2. Researcher-practitioner decision-making
Apply single-case experimental design and data-based reasoning to evaluate behavior-analytic research and clinical decision-making in practice contexts.
3. Design behavior analytic interventions
Assess, design, and evaluate behavior-analytic interventions that target meaningful, socially significant behavior change across diverse settings and populations.
4. Demonstrate ethical and professional conduct
Apply ethical and professional standards consistent with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts to evaluate and guide behavior-analytic practice and research.
5. Deliver culturally responsive behavior analytic practices
Apply culturally responsive and contextually sensitive behavior-analytic practices that honor client identities, promote equity, and enhance social validity.
6. Collaboration with stakeholders
Integrate stakeholder perspectives into behavior-analytic planning and evaluation to support ethical, feasible and socially meaningful outcomes.
Admission Requirements
Successful applicants should possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. Conditional admission may be considered for students with cumulative GPAs below 3.00.
It is recommended that students have taken prior coursework in applied behavior analysis or have independently studied ABA texts.
Application Requirements
- Application form
- Transcript(s)
- Resume
- Professional Statement
Requirements for International Students
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students must also meet the following additional requirements:
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency. ABA requires a TOEFL score of 92 or higher.
- Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include:
- Courses taken and/or lectures attended
- Practical laboratory work
- The maximum and minimum grades attainable
- The grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations
- Any honors or degrees received.
- Credential Evaluation Reports (such as the WES, ECE, The Evaluation Company (TEC), or Scholaro) are required.
If admitted to the School of Social Work, the International Office will require additional documentation to issue an I-20. Questions about these requirements can be directed to internationalservices@slu.edu.
Application Deadlines
The M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis begins each fall and has two application deadlines.
- February 1- Priority deadline for any student wishing to be considered for merit-based scholarships, graduate assistantships and fellowship opportunities.
- June 1- Final deadline for any international candidate wishing to begin their coursework in the fall of that year.
- August 1- Final deadline for any domestic candidate wishing to begin their coursework in the fall of that year.
Review Process
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The admissions committee considers several factors to determine a candidate's eligibility:
- Academic achievement
- Strength of the undergraduate program
- Application information
- Professional statement
- Work experience
- Any graduate degrees earned
- Motivation, leadership and service
- Undergraduate GPA
- Clinical experience in behavior analysis
Program Requirements
Students must earn a B/S or better in all Practica, Generalist and ABA courses to pass the courses and matriculate. Students must earn a grade of C or better in all other courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Essential course | ||
| Course must be taken in first semester of enrollment | ||
| ABA 5746 | Principles & Concepts in Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| Other required courses | ||
| ABA 5001 | Supervision and Organizational Behavior Management | 3 |
| ABA 5002 | Philosophy of Behavioral Science | 3 |
| ABA 5116 | Practicum IV | 1 |
| ABA 5118 | Practicum V | 1 |
| ABA 5775 | Basic Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| ABA 5747 | Behavioral Assessment | 3 |
| ABA 5748 | Behavior Change and Process | 3 |
| ABA 5749 | Ethics in Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| ABA 5774 | Research Methods for Everyday Practice | 3 |
| ABA 5820 | ABA Introduction to Practicum Seminar 1 | 1 |
| ABA 5826 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum I 1 | 2 |
| ABA 5827 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum II | 2 |
| ABA 5828 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum III | 2 |
| Clinical Track or Research Track | 3-6 | |
Choose 3 hours of Clinical Capstone or 6 hours of Thesis Research | ||
| Advanced Clinical Research Capstone | ||
| Thesis Research | ||
| Total Credits | 36-39 | |
- 1
Concurrent enrollment allowed and encouraged with ABA 5746.
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses. Any course with a letter grade B- or below or U will have to be retaken.
This roadmap is just one example of a semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. There are other plans students can and do take. The plan of study for each particular student is established in consultation with each student’s academic advisor; this roadmap does not replace academic advising appointments.
Roadmap notes:
- This Roadmap assumes full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
- Courses/Milestones marked with an “!” are critical and must be completed in the semester listed in the Roadmap to ensure a timely graduation.
- Course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
Clinical Track (Full-time)
Students must earn a B/S or better in all practica, generalist and ABA courses to pass the courses and matriculate. Students must earn a grade of C or better in all other courses.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Critical course: ABA 5746 | Principles & Concepts in Behavior Analysis 1 | 3 |
| ABA 5774 | Research Methods for Everyday Practice | 3 |
| ABA 5820 | ABA Introduction to Practicum Seminar 2 | 1 |
| ABA 5826 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum I 2 | 2 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| ABA 5747 | Behavioral Assessment | 3 |
| ABA 5748 | Behavior Change and Process | 3 |
| ABA 5827 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum II | 2 |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Summer | ||
| ABA 5749 | Ethics in Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| ABA 5775 | Basic Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| ABA 5828 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum III | 2 |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| ABA 5002 | Philosophy of Behavioral Science | 3 |
| ABA 5115 | Advanced Clinical Research Capstone | 3 |
| ABA 5116 | Practicum IV | 1 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Spring | ||
| ABA 5001 | Supervision and Organizational Behavior Management | 3 |
| ABA 5118 | Practicum V | 1 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
- 1
ABA 5746 must be taken in first semester of enrollment.
- 2
Concurrent enrollment allowed and encouraged with ABA 5746
Clinical Track (Part-time)
Students must earn a B/S or better in all practica, generalist and ABA courses to pass the courses and matriculate. Students must earn a grade of C or better in all other courses.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ABA 5746 | Principles & Concepts in Behavior Analysis 1 | 3 |
| ABA 5774 | Research Methods for Everyday Practice | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| ABA 5747 | Behavioral Assessment | 3 |
| ABA 5820 | ABA Introduction to Practicum Seminar 2 | 1 |
| ABA 5826 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum I 2 | 2 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| ABA 5749 | Ethics in Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| ABA 5827 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum II | 2 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| ABA 5002 | Philosophy of Behavioral Science | 3 |
| ABA 5828 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum III | 2 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Spring | ||
| ABA 5116 | Practicum IV | 1 |
| ABA 5748 | Behavior Change and Process | 3 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Summer | ||
| ABA 5775 | Basic Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| ABA 5115 | Advanced Clinical Research Capstone | 3 |
| ABA 5118 | Practicum V | 1 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Spring | ||
| ABA 5001 | Supervision and Organizational Behavior Management | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
- 1
ABA 5746 must be taken in first semester of enrollment.
- 2
Concurrent enrollment allowed and encouraged with ABA 5746
Research Track (On Campus Only, Full-time)
Students must earn a B/S or better in all practica, generalist and ABA courses to pass the courses and matriculate. Students must earn a grade of C or better in all other courses.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Critical course: ABA 5746 | Principles & Concepts in Behavior Analysis 1 | 3 |
| ABA 5774 | Research Methods for Everyday Practice | 3 |
| ABA 5820 | ABA Introduction to Practicum Seminar 2 | 1 |
| ABA 5826 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum I 2 | 2 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| ABA 5747 | Behavioral Assessment | 3 |
| ABA 5748 | Behavior Change and Process | 3 |
| ABA 5827 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum II | 2 |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Summer | ||
| ABA 5749 | Ethics in Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| ABA 5775 | Basic Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| ABA 5828 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum III | 2 |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| ABA 5002 | Philosophy of Behavioral Science | 3 |
| ABA 5116 | Practicum IV | 1 |
| ABA 5990 | Thesis Research 3 | 3 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Spring | ||
| ABA 5001 | Supervision and Organizational Behavior Management | 3 |
| ABA 5118 | Practicum V | 1 |
| ABA 5990 | Thesis Research 3 | 3 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
- 1
ABA 5746 must be taken in first semester of enrollment.
- 2
Concurrent enrollment is allowed and encouraged with ABA 5746
- 3
Students must register for 3 credit hours of ABA 5990 in consecutive semesters
Research Track (On Campus Only, Part-time)
Students must earn a B/S or better in all practica, generalist and ABA courses to pass the courses and matriculate. Students must earn a grade of C or better in all other courses.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Critical course: ABA 5746 | Principles & Concepts in Behavior Analysis 1 | 3 |
| ABA 5774 | Research Methods for Everyday Practice | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| ABA 5747 | Behavioral Assessment | 3 |
| ABA 5820 | ABA Introduction to Practicum Seminar 2 | 1 |
| ABA 5826 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum I 2 | 2 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| ABA 5749 | Ethics in Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| ABA 5827 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum II | 2 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| ABA 5002 | Philosophy of Behavioral Science | 3 |
| ABA 5828 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum III | 2 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Spring | ||
| ABA 5116 | Practicum IV | 1 |
| ABA 5748 | Behavior Change and Process | 3 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Summer | ||
| ABA 5118 | Practicum V | 1 |
| ABA 5775 | Basic Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| ABA 5990 | Thesis Research 3 | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| ABA 5001 | Supervision and Organizational Behavior Management | 3 |
| ABA 5990 | Thesis Research 3 | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
For admission questions contact:
Social Work School Graduate Admissions Office
sswadmissions@slu.edu
314-977-2752
For program questions contact:
Michael J. Passage, Ph.D., BCBA
Director of the applied behavior analysis program
Assistant clinical professor
michael.passage@slu.edu
314-977-2733