Online MA in ABA

“Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the use of the principles and procedures of behavior analysis to better understand and improve lives. Treatment approaches based on ABA have been empirically shown to be effective in a wide variety of areas. However, because ABA was first applied to the treatment of individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism, this practice area has the largest evidence base and has received the most recognition.” – Behavior Analyst Certification Board website

“About Behavior Analysis” – Behavior Analyst Certification Board Website
“What is Behavior Analysis?” – Association for Behavior Analysis International Website
“Behavior Analysis | An Overview” – YouTube, Behavior Analyst Certification Board

Demand for behavior analysts continues to grow substantially year over year. Annual demand for individuals holding BCBA or BCBA-D certification has increased for 16 consecutive years, including a 28 percent increase from 2024 to 2025.

This program is designed for current ABA professionals who are looking to advance their careers, and for students who have completed ABA coursework, such as coursework toward BCaBA certification.

The program is designed around the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s (BACB) Pathway 2 eligibility requirements. You will earn a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from USF that covers all BACB-required coursework content. Our program also fulfills the BACB experience requirement by overseeing your 1,500 hours of Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork. Students enroll in Practicum Seminar each semester, which works hand in hand with your practicum site. Practicum Seminar includes reading and lecture material related to clinical issues as well as presenting a case study and submitting documentation of experience hours accrued. In their final semester, students participate in a BCBA Exam Preparation course.

In 2025, 86% of USF Online MA students who took the BCBA exam passed on their first attempt (44 first-time candidates). First-time pass rates in earlier years: 83% in 2024, 80% in 2022, and 92% in 2018.

The national first-time BCBA pass rate in 2025 was 51%. See our program data for annual results.

In 2025, 100% of USF Online MA students who took the BCaBA exam passed on their first attempt (11 first-time candidates), as did 100% in 2024, 2022, and 2018.

The national average BCaBA first-time pass rate is currently 49%.

As of 2021, 98% of graduates since the program’s inception have attained BCBA certification.

Yes. Students become eligible for BCaBA certification after completing the first three semesters of coursework and 1,000 hours of Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork.

Students may transfer up to six credit hours (two courses) of graduate Applied Behavior Analysis coursework. To be considered, each course must closely match a course in our curriculum, have been completed with a grade of A, and have been taught by a doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D). Introductory courses (such as basic principles or single-case design) and courses from psychology, education, or other non-ABA graduate programs are not eligible.

Transferring credit does not shorten the five-semester program. Because the BACB requires coursework attestation from a single program, transferred courses can complicate your BCBA exam application, so we generally recommend completing the full USF curriculum. If you would like a review, the program chair can evaluate your syllabi and unofficial transcripts.

This program uses a cohort model with a set course sequence, so students move through the program together. The sequence is five consecutive semesters, including summer, and takes about 21 months to complete. Because the program already runs on an accelerated timeline, it cannot be completed in fewer than five semesters. Students who need more time to complete their fieldwork hours take an additional practicum semester.

No. We offer only the full master’s degree in behavior analysis; we do not offer a graduate certificate or non-degree option.

Live classes are held via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday and Thursday evenings between 6 and 8 p.m. ET. Class meetings last about one to two hours, depending on the course. Practicum Seminars 1–3 and Capstone in ABA 1 and 2 are asynchronous; the capstone courses include scheduled small-group or one-on-one meetings with the instructor.

One-on-one meetings with instructors can be scheduled at any time Monday through Friday. Our faculty and staff are very flexible in meeting with students as often as needed. Most faculty hold office hours into the late evening.

No. A deposit is not required to accept admission.

MS in Applied Behavior Analysis
The MS program is a classroom-based program completed over six semesters. Students complete coursework during morning and afternoon hours. The curriculum mirrors the online program in content and expectations, with the addition of a thesis requirement that provides extensive research training.

Online MA in Applied Behavior Analysis
The MA program is a fully online program completed over five consecutive semesters. Courses are scheduled during the evening, which supports working professionals. Instead of a thesis, students complete a capstone experience that includes an applied research focus.

Shared Features Across Both Programs
Both programs share the same core curriculum, admission standards, and fieldwork requirements. Each program fully prepares graduates to meet BCBA certification requirements and supports success as an ABA service provider across diverse populations and practice settings.

The Online MA in ABA is a BCBA Pathway 2 program and is currently under review for accreditation. ABAI no longer uses the Verified Course Sequence (VCS) system. The BACB will not require program accreditation until 2032.

Visit the USF Academic Catalog to learn more about the program requirements.

Visit our admission page to learn more about specific admission requirements and required application materials. 

Yes. The minimum GPA for admission is 3.0. Exceptions may be considered for applicants with substantial ABA experience, Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBAs), and applicants who have completed an ABA course sequence with high grades.

Applicants to the program should have professional ABA work experience in a clinical setting in a position such as behavior therapist, Registered Behavior Technician, or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst.

Experience can be attained in a variety of settings including schools, hospitals, clinics, in-home services, residential settings, and more. Experience may also vary across distinct populations.

Individuals who have completed an RBT Training program or undergraduate-level coursework in Applied Behavior Analysis are likely to be good candidates for the program.

No specific degree is required for admission.

While having an undergraduate degree is a good start, the program is designed for people who also have entry-level experience in the ABA field. Applicants can increase their likelihood of admission by completing USF’s online 40-hour RBT Training course, earning their RBT credential, and starting an entry-level position in the field.

It depends. Our most competitive applicants have direct ABA experience, such as providing behavior-analytic services under the direct supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

This master’s-level program is intended for professionals in the ABA field. However, USF’s ABA Program offers Continuing Education Modules specifically for training caregivers on ABA techniques. These modules are a low-cost way to learn about ABA and determine whether you may want to pursue a career in ABA.

Many past graduates of the program are primary or secondary caregivers, and we welcome their interest in our program.

It depends. You will need to be in a setting in which you can work in a behavior-analytic capacity under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). You will also need to earn RBT certification and secure a BCBA supervisor and fieldwork site.

Some teachers experience difficulty securing a satisfactory BCBA supervisor and site because most schools generally do not have dedicated ABA professionals on staff.

Additionally, students need to accrue at least 20 fieldwork hours per week (most accrue closer to 30) to graduate on time. This presents challenges for full-time teachers due to the extra time commitment required outside of your job. Typical classroom teaching practices are unlikely to satisfy fieldwork requirements.

To qualify for graduate admission, you will first need to complete a bachelor’s degree, which typically takes about two additional years. Visit the USF Academic Catalog to learn more about the program requirements.

One way is to complete USF’s online 40-hour RBT Training course, follow the steps to earn your RBT credential, and start a job as a Registered Behavior Technician. You can also strengthen your preparation by completing undergraduate ABA coursework, such as USF’s ABA minor, as a non-degree-seeking student.

The GRE is not required. Many graduate programs across the country are ceasing to use GRE scores to make admission decisions, and we agree with this practice. Your academic history, quality of writing, clinical experience, and letters of recommendation are better indicators of future performance.

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) requires students pursuing certification to complete practical fieldwork in applied behavior analysis under a qualified supervisor. The BACB offers two types of supervised fieldwork.

USF follows the Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork pathway wherein students must accrue 1,500 hours. These requirements also include:

• 20–160 hours per month
• 90-minute cumulative observation per month (must involve direct work with a client)
• 7.5% of hours supervised per month
• At least 900 of the 1,500 hours must be of the unrestricted type
• No more than 600 of the 1,500 hours may be of the restricted type

Applicants are encouraged to review the BCBA Handbook for complete information regarding fieldwork hour requirements.

It is a lot of information to unpack, but don’t worry: our Practicum Seminar courses are designed to help students understand fieldwork requirements and keep accurate fieldwork logs.

A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D) who has been certified for at least one year and has met the supervision requirements outlined by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board can provide you with supervision. If you are not currently supervised by a BCBA/BCBA-D and are looking to find a supervisor, check out some of the resources below:

BCBA Registry
Current USF Sites

Yes, there are supervisors approved throughout Florida and across the United States. You can see some of the approved sites here.

We are willing to work with any qualifying BCBA/BCBA-D to become an approved supervisor for USF students.

If your current supervisor is not yet USF-approved, that’s OK! The Online MA in ABA Practicum Coordinator will reach out to the supervisor to begin the approval process once an applicant is admitted to the program.

No. USF does not place students, assign fieldwork sites, or help students secure employment. The BACB requires students and their supervisors to be employed by the same agency, so students secure their own agency and BCBA supervisor. Most applicants already have a fieldwork site when they apply.

If you are not yet working in ABA, we recommend searching for ABA agencies in your area that are hiring Registered Behavior Technicians. For specific fieldwork questions, contact our Practicum Coordinator, Dr. Brianna Laureano, at blaureano@usf.edu.

Complete the BCBA Supervisor Support Form and upload it to your online application. You complete this form yourself; your supervisor’s signature is not required at the time of application. You can begin an application here.

Absolutely! You can begin your application now, but keep in mind that you need to complete your application, including the BCBA Supervisor Support Form, by the application deadline.

Applicants can switch agencies and/or supervisors during the application process and while they are current students in the program. Each time students switch to a new agency or supervisor, they must contact the Practicum Coordinator to complete the approval process before accruing hours with the new agency or supervisor.

Practicum Seminar courses guide students in accruing the needed experience hours to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam. Seminar also includes professional training, practical experiences, current industry news, a forum to share your experience in the field, and a place to present data on behavior change. Practicum Seminar is taken every semester and students must accrue a minimum of 250 experience hours each semester to pass the course.

Students must accrue 1,500 Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork hours to graduate, which means they are eligible to sit for the BCBA exam immediately upon graduation. To graduate in five semesters, students should accrue at least 20 hours per week; most students accrue closer to 30.

Students must accrue a minimum of 250 hours each semester to pass Practicum Seminar, but this is a minimum; students should aim for at least 300 hours each semester to graduate on time.

Students who do not accrue all 1,500 fieldwork hours within five semesters take an additional semester of practicum to complete their hours.

Absolutely! 99% of our students continue working at the agency where they worked before admission.

We provide additional resources and support to help students and their supervisors complete clinical training. While we have high expectations for our students’ supervisors, if a BCBA with supervisor training at your agency is willing to provide Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork, you may complete your experience hours where you currently work.

Students are typically paid employees of their agency, most often working as Registered Behavior Technicians.

We do not count fieldwork hours for graduation purposes that are completed while working as an independent contractor. We also do not approve agencies or supervisors that hire our students as independent contractors.

If you are currently working as an independent contractor while providing ABA services, we recommend reviewing the following resources.

• FABA Position Statement on Independent Contractors
• Registered Behavior Technician Handbook
• BACB November 2018 Newsletter
• Internal Revenue Service: Understanding Employee vs. Contractor Designation
  
  

The deadline for fall admission is June 1 of each year. The deadline for spring admission is October 15 of each year. The program does not have a separate priority deadline.

We have a dedicated admissions coordinator who is ready to help you along every step of the way. You can reach Tracy-Ann Gilbert Smith by email at tgsmith@usf.edu or by phone at 813-974-3096.

You can also contact Dr. Anthony Concepcion, program chair of the Online MA in ABA, at aconcepcion@usf.edu.

No. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible; you can still upload documents after you submit. Your application is not considered complete until we receive your application, fee, and all required supplemental documents. Incomplete applications will not be considered for admission.

In addition to the requirements found in the USF Graduate Catalog, please complete the BCBA Supervisor Support Form.

It can take up to six weeks for official transcripts to arrive at the university, be entered into the system, and be linked to your application. If you are admitted and your official transcripts are missing, you will receive a provisional admission letter outlining the missing documentation. You will have until the end of your first semester to turn in these documents.

Using the recommendation letter request assures USF that an applicant’s recommendation letters are legitimate. However, if an applicant has letters in their possession, they can upload them to their application using the “My Documents/Recommendations” or “My Workspace” section of the application.

This program does not use a template, so recommenders can simply draft their own letter and upload it to the application portal using the link sent to them by email. We recommend asking your recommenders to add GradAdmissions@usf.edu and apply@visualzen.com to their safe senders list so the emails are not routed to a junk or spam folder.

Official transcripts are ones sent directly from another institution to the University of South Florida. Unofficial transcripts are any transcripts that the student has access to (e.g., an official transcript the student ordered and opened, or a PDF or image of a transcript downloaded from the student’s online account). The program accepts unofficial transcripts to expedite the decision process, as official transcripts can take up to six weeks in transit and scanning into USF’s system. Applicants should upload their unofficial transcripts to their application and order official transcripts to be sent to USF.

No. Our admissions coordinator can access USF transcripts internally. If an applicant has attended any institutions other than USF, those transcripts will need to be uploaded and sent to USF.

Tuition is $600 per credit hour. The program has a total of 42 credit hours, for a total program cost of $25,200. The same rate applies to Florida residents, out-of-state students, and international students.

Plan to set aside about $1,000 for textbooks and BCBA exam preparation software.

The Online MA in ABA is a self-funded program, so the following tuition waivers are not accepted: the State of Florida Employee Education Assistance Program, USF Employee Tuition Program, or the Homeless Tuition Waiver. For other waivers that are not accepted, visit USF Tuition Waivers.

No. Because the Online MA in ABA is a self-funded program, there are no scholarships, grants, or tuition discounts, and USF does not offer payment plans. Tuition is billed each semester.

Most students fund the program through federal student aid (studentaid.gov) or employer tuition support. USF Financial Aid can answer questions about your eligibility.