Get a Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis

With a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Florida Tech, Applied Behavior Analysts (ABAs) help to better the lives of children and adults struggling with behaviors ranging from difficulty with everyday social interactions to complex issues such as autism spectrum disorders, substance abuse, and many areas in between by applying a systematic, scientific approach.

Through class discussions of case studies, involvement in research studies on perplexing human behavior, or applied work at numerous internship sites in the area, students gain the knowledge and skills needed to understand and work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. Students earning a master’s in applied behavior analysis learn from faculty who themselves are making a difference in the world, be it through their meaningful research, professional services, or community activities.

Flexible Schedule—and a Choice of Campus Locations

Individuals seeking a master’s in ABA can choose to attend Florida Tech’s main campus, or attend class at the Orlando Graduate Center, located in the Baldwin Park area of Orlando. The program offers daytime, evening, and weekend class schedules, and is in close proximity to a thriving medical community, including hospitals and clinics that provide internships and applied learning opportunities for students. The Admissions committee may waive the GRE requirement for Orlando campus applicants with an undergraduate GPA of 3.3 or above.

Flexible Program—Professional Culture

Florida Tech students include a diverse mix of full-time workers in the local area to students from around the globe seeking to obtain higher-level management skills. Students who choose one of Florida Tech’s applied behavior analysis programs build the foundation necessary to become a well-respected professional in the healthcare community.

Florida Tech’s School of Behavior Analysis has four programs accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International Accreditation Board, and all of the core course sequence are also approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board^® (BACB^®). The BACB has also approved the Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork in Behavior Analysis as meeting the fieldwork requirements for the experiential component of the BCBA^® examination.

Florida Tech’s on-campus master’s-level ABA programs (applied behavior analysis, organizational behavior management, and the dual program) provide students with the requirements to take the BCBA examination immediately upon graduation.

Respected Faculty—Close-Knit Learning Environment

Florida Tech has among the most applied behavior analysis faculty of any program in the world.

Professors in the ABA programs are dedicated, productive researchers and practitioners with a commitment to developing the field of behavior analysis. Training the next generation of behavior analytic researchers and practitioners, the faculty is made up of Board-Certified Behavior Analysts^®. Students receive one-on-one attention from professors who work alongside them in research and through client interaction. A close student-professor culture in the applied behavior analysis programs creates a professional environment where students are viewed as research professionals and colleagues.

Students choosing to complete a master’s in ABA at Florida Tech are part of a program with a greater diversity of faculty than any other program of its kind in the world, with many published authors and experts on different facets of applied behavior analysis. Working alongside professors who provide one-on-one attention during research and client interaction, students earn visibility as a research professional and colleague able to study and work in the field.

Several faculty members conduct ongoing research at the Scott Center for Autism Treatment, located on Florida Tech’s campus. This world-renowned facility is dedicated to working with children who have autism and other behavioral disorders. Under the guidance of their professor, students working towards their master’s in ABA can work with children and their families to provide assessment, training, and behavior therapy.

Research Opportunities

Many School of Psychology professors perform applied research outside of their teaching responsibilities, working in settings such as clinical treatment or organizational consulting. Students participate in this research, and often publish research articles in respected ABA journals. Leading training sessions for educators on classroom behavior problems and working with children and their families to provide assessment, training, and behavior therapy at the Scott Center for Autism Treatment are examples of how Florida Tech’s applied behavior analysis programs provide real-world experience.

Facilities and Resources

Florida Tech Commons houses the School of Psychology, classrooms, human research areas, observation and treatment rooms, computer facilities, two conference rooms, and a student workroom/lounge. In addition, the Scott Center for Autism Treatment is located directly on Florida Tech’s campus, giving students an opportunity to study among professionals who work with children with autism and related disorders, implementing procedures based on the science of applied behavior analysis. The Society for Performance Management, Behavior Analysis Student Association, and Florida Tech Continuing Education Office are also available resources for students in applied behavior analysis programs.

The mission of Florida Tech’s applied behavior analysis training is to develop behavior-analytic practitioners and consultants who understand the basic principles of behavior analysis, contribute to behavioral research, and attain BCBA certification, ready to enter a doctoral program.

Applied behavior analysis training includes participation in behavior-based research projects under the mentorship of a faculty member. Many professors are published authors and experts on many facets of applied behavior analysis, such as:

• Behavioral economics
• Token economies
• Self-management
• Sports psychology
• Organizational behavior management

Some students participate in research on assessing and treatment behavior problems or teaching methods for individuals with disabilities. Faculty members conduct ongoing research at the Scott Center for Autism Treatment and are thought-leaders in the understanding of autism spectrum disorders. Many ABA students do their practicum work at this state-of-the-art facility.

Portfolio of Published Articles

Outside of research and internships, ABA students often publish research in respected ABA journals, including the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Analysis in Practice, and Behavioral Interventions. Organizations and research centers located both on and off campus help students delve deeper into applied behavior analysis training, such as:

• The Society for Performance Management—Designed to facilitate up-to-date information on the newest research and practices performed by professionals in the field.
• Behavior Analysis Student Association—MS and PhD students who meet regularly to discuss topics in behavior analysis and hold an annual conference on the field.
• The Scott Center for Autism Treatment—Specializes in working with children with autism and related disorders.
• Florida Tech Continuing Education Office—Professional development courses and certification programs online.

Though ABAs are often best known for advances in autism treatment and support, the field offers a variety of options for graduates with an MS in Applied Behavior Analysis. Alumni of Florida Tech behavior analysis programs reside around the world, working in businesses, schools, clinics, residential treatment centers, group homes, and private practice.

These applied behavior analysis jobs involve working with children, individuals with autism, and people with schizophrenia or intellectual disabilities. Graduates also work with employees in both for-profit and nonprofit organizations in business, industry, speech-language pathology, animal behavior and training, and special education.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), provides detailed information about hundreds of occupations, including, entry-level education, overall working environment, and employment prospects. According to the Bureau, overall employment in psychology careers such as applied behavior analysis jobs are projected to grow 12% through 2022. This includes a higher demand for school psychologists to work with students, particularly those with special needs, learning disabilities, and behavioral issues. Jobs will also include professionals who can assess and counsel students, as well as study how in-school and out-of-school factors affect learning.

Applied behavior analysis jobs include:

• Private practice as a certified ABA providing early intervention services to children with autism
• ABA in a school district assisting teachers to manage students with problem behavior
• ABA in a group home
• ABA consultant to companies focusing on improving employee performance
• ABA internal consultant to improve employee performance
• Program manager or director of specialized school
• ABA for state or federal government

Doctoral Program

Graduates with a master’s in applied behavior analysis can also pursue further study in the discipline by obtaining a PhD.

Florida Tech PhD students receive significant assistantships from the Scott Center for Autism Treatment that cover the majority of their academic costs.