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
The Applied Behavior Analysis program gives students the opportunity to work in a clinical and community environment to help people with disabilities.
Explore What We Offer
Recent ABA News
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.
Daniel Conine, assistant professor in Learning Sciences, published an article for the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.
Our Degree Programs
Applied Behavior Analysis, M.S.
This program gives students the opportunity to work in a clinical and community environment to help people with disabilities. 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.
Program highlights include collaborations with faculty members, opportunities for practicum internship placements and a cohort model that fosters lasting professional relationships. You will also learn client-centered responsibilities, such as problem identification, methods of intervention and implementation, management and supervision. This program also gives you important foundational knowledge, including the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts.
Exam pass-rate data are not published for sequences with fewer than six first-time candidates in a single year or for sequences within their first four years of operation. To access current pass rates, current and potential students may visit BACB’s University Pass Rates page.
The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the program course sequence toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst ® examination. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.Â
There is also a non-degree version of this program for students who have already obtained a master’s degree and are interested in taking coursework toward certification as a behavior analyst.
Education programs leading to professional licensure or certification (nursing, education, social work, counseling, accounting, allied health professions, etc.) may require additional approval from separate licensing boards, depending on the state. Students who live or plan to live outside Georgia and are considering a professional program should contact the appropriate board in their state of residency prior to beginning a course of study. To help students find the best-known contact information for the appropriate state licensing board and for a list of Georgia State program contacts, visit the Student Consumer Information website.
Educational Psychology, Ph.D.
In this program, students work closely with faculty in an apprenticeship-based model to examine how theories of learning, culture, development and behavior can be applied to educational settings. You will also explore diverse perspectives and approaches to the study of learning.
If you do not have a master’s degree, you are still encouraged to apply to the Ph.D. program. You can be admitted concurrently and receive your master’s degree on the way to your Ph.D. You are also encouraged to reach out to faculty members whose research interests overlap with your own. To find out about our work, see the EPY Ongoing Projects Page.
The program follows an apprenticeship model. This means you are paired with a faculty advisor in your first year of the program. Along with your advisor, you will put together a tailored curriculum that suits your interests and satisfies the requirements.
As a Ph.D. student, you will take coursework in:
- Research methods
- Qualitative, quantitative and single-case research and analysis
- Measurement and assessment
- Social foundations of education
- College-level instruction
In the early years of study, Ph.D. students gain foundational knowledge in current issues in education, theories of learning and development and methodology.
As you progress, you will work closely with faculty to develop greater expertise in their research specialty. You will take additional seminars and electives as well as engage in more independent research. This phase of work is marked by completion of a comprehensive exam.
The final portion of the Ph.D. program is the proposal, writing and defense of the doctoral dissertation.
Below is a list of courses in Behavior Analysis that are taught by our unit.
Note that these courses may not be offered every semester and some may contain restrictions on who can enroll. Please see the course catalog or contact us for more information. (Visit the unit page for educational psychology for more information).
Undergraduate Courses
- EPY 4190 – Introduction to Behavior Analysis
Graduate Courses
- EPY 8870 – Single-Case Methodology
- EPY 8020 – Principles of Behavior Analysis
- EPY 8030 – Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis
- EPY 8380 – Verbal Behavior and Skill Acquisition
- EPY 8360 – Staff Management and Supervision
- EPY 8970 – Ethics for Behavior Analysts
- EPY 7660 – Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis
- EXC 7310 – Strategies for Challenging Behaviors
Student Council for Exceptional Children
Our mission is to advocate for children and individuals with disabilities. For more information, visit cec.sped.org, or if you have questions, email [email protected].
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.
- For more information about our research and teaching assistantship opportunities, as well as our departmental doctoral student fellowship, contact [email protected].
- For information about GRA positions, contact and send applications/resumes to Jerson Dubon-Martinez at [email protected]
- Click here to review current faculty research projects.
- Use the link below to search for scholarship opportunities at Georgia State University.
