Special Education, M.A.: Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Spectrum Disorders Option

Program Coordinator: Dr. Randi A. Sarokoff, BCBA-D
Office: Hennings Hall, Room 310
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Program Description

This Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Spectrum Disorders is rooted in the science of applied behavior analysis (ABA). The master’s program is designed for those who are not certified teachers (although teachers are welcome) and would like to pursue becoming a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®). At Kean University, you will develop an evidenced-based approach to teaching students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities. Master’s students will be required to conduct a master’s thesis.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the University’s admissions requirements:

• Baccalaureate degree with a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average

• Official transcripts from all institutions attended

• Three Letters of Recommendation (professional experience)
• An appropriate scholarly writing sample (APA style, if available) (send a paper from your undergraduate work)
• Professional resume/CV
• Personal Statement (Why do you want to be accepted?)
• Official TOEFL or IELTS score reports (International Students ONLY)

Program Requirements

• 27 credit course sequence

• 12 credits of Research: Master’s Thesis

• [Four courses taken consecutively over your last two years of study beginning with SPED 7900 in Fall of your second year]. MUST BE TAKEN OVER CONSECUTIVE SEMESTERS, each course must be passed as it is a pre-requisite to take the next class. These four cannot be taken in the same semester (Take: SPED 7900 in Fall of your 2nd yr; SPED 7906 in SP of your 2nd yr; SPED 7907 in Fall of your last yr; SPED 7908 in SP of your last yr.)

If you are interested in becoming a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®), this Master’s Program, this program will provide you with the coursework and the Master’s degree requirements to be eligible to sit for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) BCBA® exam. Seven courses included in this program meet the 315 hours of coursework required to take the BCBA® exam beginning in 2027. Additional requirements by the BACB include supervised fieldwork (see www.bacb.com for information on the current requirements to sit for their BCBA® exam).

Required Courses 21

These courses are required to sit for BCBA®.

SPED 5100	BASIC PRINCIPLES OF BEHAVIOR	3
SPED 5101	BEHAVIOR ASSESSMENT FOR LEARNERS WITH AUTISM AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES	3
SPED 5102	BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION FOR LEARNERS WITH AUTISM & OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES	3
SPED 5103	SUPERVISION AND ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT	3
SPED 5200	THEORY & PHILOSOPHY IN BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS: EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF BEHAVIOR	3
SPED 7900	SINGLE-SUBJECT EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN	3
SPED 7903	ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR IN APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS	3

These courses are only offered for the Fall/Spring semesters except for the following:

• SPED 7900 only offered in Fall semester.

• SPED 7903 only offered in Spring semester.

Required Research Project 9

 

SPED 7906	INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL RESEARCH IN APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS	3
SPED 7907	CLINICAL RESEARCH IN APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS I	3
SPED 7908	CLINICAL RESEARCH IN APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS II	3

SPED 7907 only offered in Fall semester.

SPED 7906 and SPED 7908 only offered in Spring semesters.

Special Education Courses 9

 

SPED 5005	FOUNDATIONS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION	3
SPED 5020	EDUCATIONAL STRATEGIES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES & AUTISM	3
SPED 5023	TECHNOLOGY FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES	3

SPED 5005 only offered in Fall & Summer semesters.

SPED 5020 only offered in Spring & Summer semesters.

Total Credit Hours: 39