An Overview of ASU’s ABA Master Program
Would you like to get a Master of Arts degree in special education on your way toward becoming a behavior specialist? Arizona State University Online’s MA in special education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis is a completely virtual program with 10 total classes, for a total of 30 credit hours. The completion time is about 1.5 years, or 5 semesters. You can use this tuition calculator from ASU to determine your total cost of tuition. The coursework satisfies Pathway 2 for BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) certification.
You will need the following materials along with the application to apply to ASU’s program: a letter of recommendation, an updated CV or resume, and a personal statement, as well as your official transcripts from undergrad.
Your time in the program will conclude with an applied project or a capstone, where you will collate a professional portfolio as well as write a paper.
ASU Online’s Program At a Glance
- MA in special education with a concentration in ABA
- Completely online
- Total credit hours: 30
- Total classes: 10
- Completion time: typically about 1.5 years (5 semesters)
- Tuition: base rate of $605 per credit hour × 30 credits = $18,150 in base tuition before fees.
- Use ASU’s tuition calculator to estimate your total cost, as additional fees apply and may vary
- No GRE scores needed to apply
What Makes This Program Unique?
The degree awarded in this entirely online program is a Master of Arts in special education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis. This means that you will have special education information integrated into your ABA courses. (Note: this program does not lead to teacher certification.)
ASU offers an optional practicum if you would like to meet your supervised fieldwork requirements in this way.
You are able to select elective courses on topics such as diversity, artificial intelligence, or pseudoscientific practices in educational settings.
Program Reviews and Feedback
Some graduates report that they did not feel prepared to sit for the exam after going through ASU’s special education ABA program. They did note that the asynchronous nature of the courses, except for weekly Zoom meetings, was manageable.
Current students say that it is a good choice for students who are balancing school and work. They did not like that they do not get face-to-face time with the faculty/professors, as the courses are largely asynchronous.
Graduates praise the accelerated path (which takes 4 semesters rather than 5) and do not feel like it was overbearing.
Graduates praise the affordability of the program but mention that it did not prepare them adequately for the BCBA exam.
Other graduates say the coursework is not that challenging, describing 1-2 page papers and clear rubrics as contributing to the ease of the program. They also mention the affordability of the program and the accelerated pathway that can take off one semester.
The ABA Program Curriculum
ASU’s online MA program’s curriculum meets the verified course requirements to sit for the BCBA exam. You will take core classes such as:
- Assessment and Intervention Programming for Skill Acquisition
- Concepts and Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
- Fundamentals of Organizational Behavior Management
- Philosophical Foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis in Educational Settings
- Measurement, Data Display, Interpretation and Experimental Design
You will also have the opportunity to take elective courses, such as the following:
- ABA and Artificial Intelligence: Ethical Application
- Controversial Therapies: Science, Fad and Pseudoscience in Educational Settings
- Multiculturalism and Diversity in Applied Behavior Analysis
To conclude your degree, your studies will culminate in an applied project or a capstone. The capstone consists of creating a professional portfolio as well as writing a paper.
Program Admissions Requirements
For admission into ASU Online’s ABA program, you will need to submit the following:
- Graduate application (and application fee)
- One letter of recommendation
- Official transcripts from your bachelor’s or an applicable master’s program
- A personal statement about the reasons you are seeking this degree and your interests in ABA
- A CV or resume
GRE scores are not needed for this program.
Tuition, Financial Aid, and Scholarships
According to ASU’s published tuition schedule, the base graduate online tuition rate is $605 per credit hour. With 30 required credit hours, base tuition totals $18,150 before mandatory fees such as the Student-Initiated Fee and Graduate Student Support Fee. Some program-specific or differential fees may also apply. Students who enroll in the optional ABA practicum will pay an additional $1,500 course fee. You can use ASU’s tuition calculator to estimate your total personalized cost, as the final amount will depend on your residency status, course load per semester, and any applicable financial aid or discounts.
There is also an accelerated path that reduces your time in the program from 5 semesters to 4, which can reduce your total tuition cost.
Most ASU students receive some type of financial aid to help with out-of-pocket costs. You can apply for graduate loans by filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
Graduate Career Outcomes
Graduates from ASU Online’s Master of Arts in special education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis have become in-home- or clinical-based board-certified behavior analysts (BCBAs), clinical directors, and behavior specialists. With the MA in special education degree, ASU graduates are primed to work in a school setting as a behavior specialist. (Note: this degree does not lead to teacher certification.)
The program’s website mentions other career outcomes, such as the following:
- Early interventionist
- Behavior consultant
- Educator
- Behavioral researcher
- Social services
- Program management
- Community health supporter
- Sports performance behaviorist
- Organizational behavior manager
ASU ABA’s Pros and Cons
After researching ASU Online’s MA in special education with a concentration in ABA degree, I have compiled the following strengths and weaknesses of this program:
Pros:
- You will be getting an MA in special education, which means you will have additional learning experiences.
- The total time to completion is about 1.5 years, or 5 semesters.
- There is an optional practicum that can help you gather your supervised fieldwork hours.
- The program is entirely online, which means you can complete the coursework on your own time—great for busy professionals and parents.
Cons:
- It is not ABAI-accredited (however, it is VCS-aligned).
- Some graduates report that they didn’t feel prepared for the exam by going through this program, and they needed to supplement other studying as well.
- The pass rate for the BCBA exam is less than the national average.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ASU Online’s ABA Program Lead to BCBA Eligibility?
ASU Online’s MA in special education with a concentration in ABA satisfies the verified coursework requirement. You must also complete fieldwork hours to be able to sit for the exam. Note that you may also need to pursue licensure in your state; licensure requirements vary by state. Check here for information about each state’s behavior analyst licensure requirements.
Is ASU Online’s ABA Program VCS-Aligned or ABAI-Accredited?
As of March 2026, ASU Online’s ABA program is not ABAI-accredited. You can check the status of ABAI accreditation here. This program does meet the verified coursework sequence part of the requirements to sit for the BCBA exam.
Can the program be completed online?
Yes! The program is entirely online. Note that you will need to collect fieldwork hours in person where you work or at an applicable setting. ASU offers an optional practicum for those who would like to complete their supervised fieldwork experience.
Is the GRE required for program admission?
Nope! No GRE scores are needed here as of March 2026.
What is the BCBA exam pass rate for ASU Online graduates?
In 2024, for first-time test-takers, the BCBA exam pass rate was 49% for ASU Online graduates. In 2023, the rate was 38-49%. The national average for 2024 was 54%.