APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS
“The methods of science have been enormously successful wherever they have been tried. Let us then apply them to human affairs.”
—B. F. Skinner
Applied behavior analysis is an applied science that focuses on identifying how environments affect behavior, and how we can use that information to develop effective behavior change strategies across a wide range of settings and populations.
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OUR DEGREE PROGRAMS
Recent ABA News
Jennifer Austin and Daniel Conine, faculty members in the Department of Learning Sciences, have been appointed to the board of associate editors for the journal Behavior Analysis in Practice.
Department of Learning Sciences Associate Professor Christopher Tullis has been newly elected as co-vice president of Public Policy on the Georgia Association for Behavior Analysis Board.
Four faculty from the Georgia State University received 2022 seed grants to implement language and literacy intervention programs.
Jason Braasch and Daniel Conine, faculty members in the in the Department of Learning Sciences, are two of eight recipients of the College of Education & Human Development’s Faculty Awards for 2022.
Our Degree Programs
Applied Behavior Analysis, M.S.
Applied behavior analysis is an applied science that focuses on identifying how environments affect behavior and how we can use that information to develop effective behavior change strategies across a wide range of settings and populations. It teaches mastery of basic behavior-analytic skills, such as measurement, experimental design and various principles and procedures of behavioral change to help students become better therapists, teachers and clinical practitioners.
The mission of Georgia State University’s M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis program is to train the next generation of behavior-analytic scientist-practitioners who:
(1) are grounded in the concepts, principles, philosophy and evidence-based practices derived from the experimental and applied analysis of behavior
(2) can ethically and compassionately apply this knowledge to problems of social significance and
(3) are prepared for clinical practice, doctoral study or both. The program’s coursework is aligned with ABAI’s tiered model of accreditation standards.
For more information on the Applied Behavior Analysis M.S. Program, please click the button below.
Our faculty are currently accepting applications for doctoral students. See our faculty biographies (below) for more information. You are also encouraged to reach out to faculty members whose research interests overlap with your own.
If you are interested in completing a Ph.D. with a faculty in the ABA Program, please fill out the information request form below or email [email protected] for more information.
Forthcoming Degree Requirements (all new students beginning Fall 2025)
The Applied Behavior Analysis M.S. degree program consists of the following requirements (credit hours in parenthesis):
- Professional Studies (9)
- EPY 8850 – Introduction to Single-Case Methodology (3)
- ABA 8100 – Ethics for Behavior Analysts (3)
- ABA 8000 – Principles of Behavior Analysis (3)
- Major (12)
- ABA 8250 – Behavioral Assessment (3)
- ABA 8260 – Behavioral Intervention (3)
- ABA 8800 – Behaviorism (3)
- ABA 8810 – Experimental Analysis of Behavior (3)
- Applied Practice (6)
- ABA 7650 – Fieldwork in Behavior Analysis I (3)
- ABA 7660 – Fieldwork in Behavior Analysis II (3)
- Thesis (9)
- ABA 7990 – Thesis in Behavior Analysis I (3)
Program total: minimum of 36 semester hours
A catalog link will be available soon.
Optional Add-On Certificate in ABA Professional Specialization
Beginning in Fall 2025, the program will also offer an optional add-on Certificate in ABA Professional Specialization. The purpose of the Certificate in ABA Professional Specialization is to equip ABA Master’s students with advanced knowledge related to their intended population and setting for practice after graduation, and to shape competencies related to interdisciplinary collaboration. Students who complete this optional add-on certificate will complete one of five specializations, chosen in consultation with their advisor, each with specific associated coursework: (1) autism and developmental disabilities, (2) preschool and early childhood special education, (3) at-risk students, (4) health literacy, and (5) the science of reading.
This optional certificate requires 9 hours of coursework in one of five areas, as listed below.
Autism and Developmental Disabilities
- EXC 7250 – Characteristics of Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders (3)
- EXC 7320 – Methods of Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders Spring (3)
- EXC 7000 – Collaboration with Parents and Professionals (3)
Preschool and Early Childhood Special Education
- EXC 7650 – Characteristics of Young Children with Disabilities (3)
- EXC 7660 – Methods of Teaching Young Children with Disabilities (3)
- EXC 7000 – Collaboration with Parents and Professionals (3)
Science of Reading
- EXC 7010 – Assessment and Structured Literacy Instruction in Word Reading for Students with Dyslexia and other reading Disabilities (3)
- EXC 7190 – Theoretical Foundations for Literacy Instruction for Students with Dyslexia and Other Reading Disabilities (3)
- EXC 7420 – Assessment and Structured Literacy Instruction in Reading Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension for Students with Dyslexia and Other Reading Disabilities (3)
Students Who Are at Risk
- EXC 6580 – Instructional Methods for Students with Behavior/Learning Disabilities (3)
- EXC 6560 – Educational Evaluation of Students with Disabilities (3)
- EXC 7310 – Strategies for Social and Emotional Behavior in Students with Behavior and Learning Disabilities (3)
Health Literacy
- EPY 8265 – Health Behavior: Acquisition and Change (3)
- PHPB 8275 – Health Literacy (3)
- EPY 7080 – Psychology of Learning and Learners (3)
For degree requirements for current students (admitted prior to Fall 2025), visit the catalog.
- opportunities, as well as our departmental doctoral student fellowship, contact [email protected].
- Click here to review current faculty research projects.
- Use the link below to search for scholarship opportunities at Georgia State University.
Scholarships Database
Search and apply for scholarships online
Project BEES Scholars
Project BEES provides a specialized, fully-funded master’s-level training experience in applied behavior analysis (ABA) and early childhood special education. (ECSE). Learn more about this funding opportunity.
Core Faculty
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Alumni Spotlight
Meet Whitney Trapp, alumna of the Applied Behavior Analysis program and working at an autism center in Brookhaven, Ga.
Gereen Francis, M.S. ABA, has applied what she’s learned to forming her own consulting business to help families understand their child’s challenging behaviors.
Ashley Gibbs is a graduate of the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis and recently accepted a clinical director position overseas.
Contact Us
PHONE
404-413-8040
EMAIL
[email protected]
Department of Learning Sciences
30 Pryor St. SW
Suite 750
Atlanta, GA 30303
