Applied Behavior Analysis

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Our Master's Science in Education in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a 39-credit-hour program designed to equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to work effectively with individuals with diverse academic and behavioral needs. As a graduate of this program, you will be qualified for employment in school, community or clinical settings. You may also apply for the Licensed Behavior Specialist (LBS) offered by the Pennsylvania Board of Medicine. Our curriculum is designed around the Verified Course Sequence through the Association for Behavior Analysis (ABAI) and has been developed to meet the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) Examination. Learn more about board certification

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Compassionate Care

The ABA program at Duquesne is committed to teaching practices rooted in compassionate care. Compassionate care embodies ensuring students have the interpersonal skills required to successfully implement behavior analytic techniques in a caring, thoughtful, and ethical manner. Learn more about compassionate care.

Pathway to Board Certification

The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) has verified the following courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® examination. This verified course sequence equips students with the academic requirements to take the exam and is pre-approved coursework through ABAI. Applicants will need to meet additional fieldwork requirements and supervision before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination and subsequently become fully certified as a BCBA®.

BCBA® Verified Course Sequence

 Note: This program does not meet the requirements for CBP/HD Special Education teaching certification in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Program Information

Our M.S.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) curriculum will prepare you for advancement within various schools, communities and clinic settings. Our program provides the coursework component for eligibility to take the BCBA® Examination. Additional requirements including but not limited to, field supervision is required before sitting for the BCBA® exam and not provided by our program. Our coursework meets the criteria to apply for the Licensed Behavior Specialist (LBS) certification offered by the Pennsylvania Board of Medicine however, the coursework may not meet all of the requirements for the certificate.

Degree

Master's

Academic Department

Educational Foundations and Leadership

Duration

2 years

Required Credit Hours

39

Online Flexibility

Our Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program offers a flexible curriculum, allowing you to take classes online or in person. Contact us for more information on how the program can fit into your schedule.

Compassionate Care Curriculum

Compassionate-care-based training is incorporated into each course to prepare you to apply this process in your work as a behavior analyst. This is an overview of compassionate care and how it is embedded into our curriculum.

Compassion means to be aware of others' distress and to do something to alleviate that distress. The action of compassion is a fundamental aspect of human interactions and forms the bedrock of most caring professions.

Photo of Duquesne faculty and student having a discussion at desk with bookshelf in background
Compassionate care in ABA is an intentional, explicit and systematic process for prioritizing and teaching interpersonal and ethical skills to students of ABA with a behaviorally analytic lens. Compassionate-care-based behaviors include actions that BCBA®s can demonstrate to ensure that clients, colleagues and caregivers are treated with empathy, dignity and respect throughout all interactions with BCBA®s.

A sample of compassionate-care-based behaviors may include:
  • Receiving Feedback
  • Giving Feedback
  • Advocacy
  • Perspective-taking
  • Psychological Flexibility
  • Cultural Awareness and Humility
Voices from the autistic* community and others who have undergone ABA treatment have inspired some board-certified behavior analysts (BCBA®s) to actively incorporate teaching compassionate-care-based skills to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) students. How we implement interventions and our ability to build relationships and collaborate with those we work with is paramount to the success of overall client treatment. 

At Duquesne, we continue to strive for excellence in our field and provide the best care possible to those who need it. Our ABA program systematically and intentionally incorporates compassionate-care-based training into each course, emphasizing the importance and role of compassion in delivering ABA treatment.

*Note: Insight into the use of identity-first language is provided by the Autistic Self Identity Network.
The ABA program at Duquesne uses various methods for teaching compassionate-care-based skills to students throughout the program. Some of those methods include:

  • In-depth discussions, critical thinking and reflection opportunities on compassion-based behaviors from a behavioral analytic lens throughout their coursework during case study work and fieldwork
  • Incorporation of operational definitions for compassionate care behaviors using actionable behaviors
  • The use of Behavioral Skills Training (BST) to learn and practice compassionate-care-based behaviors
  • Self-management opportunities and training to practice and note progress on compassionate-care-based skills
  • Opportunities to participate in and/or be part of research related to compassionate care in ABA

The ABA program at Duquesne University believes that prioritizing and teaching the actions of compassion through a behavioral analytic lens is foundational and essential in developing effective, competent and ethically-minded practitioners.
Having the opportunity as a student to receive training and feedback about compassionate care behaviors throughout your coursework will enhance your ability to work effectively with clients, caregivers and colleagues. Such opportunities create a culture to consider, reflect, apply and practice these skills before you become a practitioner in the field. Developing compassionate care-based skills also has the potential to improve outcomes for clients and collaboration and interactions with caregivers and colleagues.
The ABA program faculty at Duquesne recognizes and accepts the critiques from the autistic community and strives to create practitioners who will work collaboratively with clients, caregivers, and colleagues to create socially significant and meaningful change for the individuals we serve. The implementation of a framework of compassionate care in ABA reflects a deep commitment to teaching students to use behavioral analytic practices that not only create effective behavioral change but, at its core, consider the holistic nature of the human experience to best meet the needs of the various individuals being served through this science.

Advance Your Career and Make an Impact

Information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.® (BACB®)

20%Job Growth Rate

BCBA® job growth is expected to increase by more than 20% in the next eight years (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

1,942%Increase in demand for BCBA®s

The demand for BCBA®s increased by 1,942% from 2010 to 2018. Between 2017 and 2018, demand increased by 127%. This increase has occurred in all 50 states (BACB®).

Career Opportunities

Graduates have multiple career opportunities in various ABA subspecialties. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB®) provides a summary of these options from behavior analysis in education, health and fitness, environmental sustainability and more.

23%Increase in demand for behavior analysts

The demand for behavior analysts is increasing: Annual nationwide demand for individuals holding BCBA® Certification has increased each year since 2010, with a 23% increase from 2021 to 2022 (BCBA®, 2022).

Application Process

Bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA*

For admission to this graduate program in Special Education, you must meet the minimum GPA requirement (3.0) in your previous coursework.

*Applicants are customarily expected to have a 3.0 grade point average, based on a four-point scale, in their undergraduate work. However, exceptions may be granted on a limited basis, in which there is substantial additional evidence of a student's academic competency.

International Applicants

Effective January 1, 2023, initial BACB® certification applications will no longer be accepted from individuals who reside outside of the US, United Kingdom, Canada & Australia. FAQs About the 2023 International Changes.


Additionally, International Students seeking fully online programs are not eligible for U.S. Student Visas. Visit International Admissions for additional information and requirements.

Rolling Admissions

Our M.S.Ed. ABA program has a rolling admissions process. This means you can apply anytime throughout the year.

Materials

  • Graduate Application
  • Official transcripts
  • Personal Statement
    • Prompt:
      Describe any previous academic, professional or volunteer experiences that have prepared you for this program and the field of ABA. How have these experiences shaped your understanding and interest in applied behavior analysis?

Send official application materials to:

OR

  • Duquesne University
    Office of Graduate Admissions
    600 Forbes Avenue
    Pittsburgh, PA 15282

Please note:

All students will need to obtain the following clearances during their first semester of attendance:

  • Act 33 - Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
  • Act 34 - Criminal Record Check
  • Act 114 - FBI Clearance
  • Act 126 - Mandated Reporter Training
    TB test

Early Start Program - Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), M.S.Ed.

Undergraduate students across the University can start graduate studies in the M.S.Ed. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program. During your junior or senior year, you have the opportunity to take up to five courses in this master's-level program at the undergraduate tuition rate.

Connect with us to learn more and we will walk you through the application process. To get started, call (412) 396-6093.

Student Perspective

M.S.Ed. ABA student Katelyn Niggemyer outside on campus with trees and water ountain in background

Learning how to implement compassionate care throughout my coursework has been indispensable to my career. It has greatly improved the level of rapport I am able to establish with clients as well as the quality of services I provide.

Katelyn Niggemyer M.S.Ed. ABA '25

Our Faculty Experts

Reva Mathieu-Sher

Reva Mathieu-Sher

ABA Program Director, Assistant Professor

Bridget Green

Bridget Green

Assistant Professor

Xiuchang Huang

Xiuchang Huang

Associate Professor

Liz McCallum

Liz McCallum

Professor

Cliff Oliech

Cliff Oliech

Clinical Assistant Professor

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Our Mission

Since its inception in 1964, the philosophy of Duquesne University's Special Education program has been one that acknowledges the dignity and uniqueness of each individual. Our mission is to prepare skilled educators who will maximize the potential for achieving a meaningful quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

Verified Course Sequence ABAI logo that reads Verified Course Sequence VCS Program ABAI Association for Behavior Analysis International

VCS Program

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. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.

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ABA Program

Vernice Veranga-Mulcahy

Program Manager