Board Certified Behavior Analysts® (BCBA®s) are in high demand nationwide and being competitively recruited to fill a variety of positions working with people with disabilities in school and education settings, home settings, and clinical programs.
The Master of Science in Teacher Education, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Concentration is designed to prepare professionals to use core behavior analytic skills to improve the lives of children, adolescents, and adults with unique learning and behavior challenges. Grounded in principles of applied behavior analysis, ABA treatment approaches aim to prevent and reduce problem behaviors and to increase appropriate behaviors and skills.
The ABA Concentration provides courses in Special Education and School Psychology programs primarily focused on treatment approaches for children and adults with learning or behavioral difficulties and their teachers and caregivers.
Required Coursework (21 credits)
| MS in Teacher Education, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Concentration | Credit Hours |
| Required Courses | |
| EDPY 636 – Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Psychology and Behavior Analysis* | 3 |
| EDPY 515 – Educational Applications of Behavioral Theories of Learning* | 3 |
| EDPY 517 – Direct Assessment and Intervention for Academic Skills Deficits* | 3 |
| SPED 530 – Applied Behavior Analysis in School Settings* | 3 |
| SPED 555 – Methods of Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders* | 3 |
| SPED 501 – Advanced Topics in Applied Behavior Analysis* | 3 |
| EDPY 505 – Quasi-Experimental and Single-Subject Design Research*
or SPED 603 – Reading and Applying Research for Diverse Learners: Single-Subject Approaches* |
3 |
| Electives | |
| EDPY 510 – Psychological Theories of Human Development Applied to Education | 3 |
| EDPY 516 – Educational Applications of Cognitive and Affective Models | 3 |
| SCHP 690 – Psychopathology in School and Mental Health Settings | 3 |
| SPED 542 – Methods of Teaching Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders | 3 |
| SPED 552 – Classroom Management | 3 |
| SPED 553 – Assessment of Exceptional Students | 3 |
*Note: To complete the coursework required for board certification in behavior analysis (BCBA), students must complete EDPY 515, EDPY 517, EDPY 636, SPED 555, SPED 530, SPED 501, and either EDPY 505 or SPED 603. An international certifying board specifies and updates additional requirements (e.g., completing supervised fieldwork experience, passing exam) for board certification which are outside of coursework included in the Teacher Education, ABA Concentration.
15-Month Program Option (Full-Time Student)
This program takes place over 15 months and is ideal for full-time students. Coursework begins in the summer term, runs continuously through the fall and spring terms, and is completed at the end of the following summer. See the example course sequence below.
|
15-Month Program |
Example Course Sequence |
|
Summer (1) |
SPED 555 (3): Methods of Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (offered summer even year only) SPED 530 (3): Applied Behavior Analysis in School Settings (offered every summer) |
|
Fall |
EDPY 517 (3): Direct Assessment and Intervention for Academic Skills Deficits EDPY 505 (3): Quasi-Experimental and Single-Case Design Research Elective (3) |
|
Spring |
EDPY 636 (3): Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Psychology and Behavior Analysis Elective (3) Elective (3) |
|
Summer (2) |
EDPY 515 (3): Educational Applications of Behavioral Theories of Learning (offered summer odd years only) SPED 501 (3): Advanced Topics in Applied Behavior Analysis (offered summer odd years only) |
| Total | 30 Hours Coursework |
2-Year Program (Part-Time Student)
This program is ideal for part-time students. Coursework involves 1-2 classes per term and is completed over 2 years. See the example course sequence below.
| 2-Year Program | Example Course Sequence |
| Year 1 | |
| Fall | EDPY 505 (3): Quasi-Experimental and Single-Case Design Research |
| Spring | EDPY 636 (3): Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Psychology and Behavior Analysis Elective (3) |
| Summer | SPED 530 (3): Applied Behavior Analysis in School Settings (offered every summer) SPED 555 (3): Methods of Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (offered summer even years only) |
| Year 2 | |
| Fall | EDPY 517 (3): Direct Assessment and Intervention for Academic Skills Deficits Elective (3) |
| Spring | Elective (3) |
| Summer | EDPY 515 (3): Educational Applications of Behavioral Theories of Learning (offered summer odd years only) SPED 501 (3): Advanced Topics in Applied Behavior Analysis (offered summer odd years only) |
| Total | 30 Hours Coursework |
Through the ABA Concentration, students will take courses within our Verified Course Sequence.*
(The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the following courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® examination (via Pathway 2)).
Applicants will need to meet additional BACB® eligibility requirements, including evidence of residency in an authorized country, before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.
The VCS is available as an option for students enrolled in graduate, degree-seeking programs in Applied Behavior Analysis, Special Education, and School Psychology. BCBA supervised fieldwork hours, required for certification, are arranged and completed by the student separately from coursework. Applicants will have to meet additional requirements to qualify for the exam.
*Verified Course Sequence pass-rate information is published annually. 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.
For further information on how to become a highly-qualified Board Certified Behavior Analyst® follow the link to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.
Minimum of 30 hours of coursework including BCBA coursework. To complete the coursework required for board certification in behavior analysis (BCBA), students must complete EDPY 515, EDPY 517, EDPY 636, SPED 555, SPED 530, SPED 501, and either EDPY 505 or SPED 603. An international certifying board specifies and updates additional requirements (e.g., completing supervised fieldwork experience, passing exam) for board certification which are outside of coursework included in the Teacher Education, EdS ABA Concentration.
If you have questions about the program or the course of study, please contact:
Tara C. Moore, associate professor and instructional team lead
Email: tara.moore@utk.edu