Get Started on Your Graduate Degree Online Today!

The Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program is designed to provide education, training, and experience to students with the goal of preparing them for Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s (BACB) requirements for credentialing as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

Program highlights:

  • In-state tuition for all students.
  • 40 hours are required to complete the program.
  • The coursework is fully online.
  • Application Deadline: Fall semester: March 15
What are some potential careers?

Board Certified Behavior Analysts work in schools, center-based clinics, hospitals and residential treatment facilities. They work with children, adolescents and/or adults who may have varying clinical diagnoses (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, genetic disorders, intellectual disabilities) and functioning levels.

Who should pursue this degree?

Individuals who are interested in pursuing a career that allows them to help change the lives of others by implementing treatment strategies rooted in the principles of behavior and learning and driven by data should pursue this degree.

Program Structure

To graduate with a Master of Science in Educational Psychology degree with a concentration in ABA students must:

  • Complete a minimum of 40 hours
    • 10 core educational psychology hours
    • 24 ABA concentration hours
    • 6 credit hours of a practicum course
    • Additional practicum courses are offered each semester, but students are only required to take 6 credits (two semesters)
  • Pass a comprehensive master’s examination.

Refer to the Departmental webpage and ABA Master's Program Handbook for detailed information on courses and degree requirements.

Admissions Process

Domestic/International Classified Admissions

  1. Submit online application. You will choose you will select Educational Psychology as your major and Online Education as your campus
  2. Statement of Purpose
  3. Three letters of recommendation
    • You will be asked to submit three names and three email addresses of individuals you are using as references. Once you click submit, these individuals will be sent an email from MSU, which will provide a link to an online form for completing their recommendations.
  4. TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for international students.
  5. One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
  6. One official transcript showing ALL work after bachelor’s degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
    • Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
    • Paper Transcripts Address (USPS):
      Mississippi State University
      The Office of the Graduate School
      P.O. Box G
      Mississippi State, MS 39762
    • Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.):
      Mississippi State University
      The Office of the Graduate School
      175 President Circle
      116 Allen Hall
      Mississippi State, MS 39762
  7. Payment of $60 non-refundable application processing fee for domestic students.
    Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.
  8. Once you are admitted, you will receive an email with complete instructions on registering for classes and contacting your advisor.

Academic Advising

After gaining admission to the university, you must contact your advisor to determine the courses that are most appropriate for you to take. Before the upcoming semester, your advisor will send an email to your MSU account, making course recommendations based on your program of study. Virtual individual and group advising sessions may also take place.

Mississippi State University uses email as its official means of communication with all MSU students. Please check your MSU email account (NetID@msstate.edu) daily. Information on setting up your MSU email can be found at the link for student services.

Courses in the ABA concentration have been developed and sequenced by program faculty. Students will be admitted into a cohort and the cohort will follow the pre-determined course sequence each semester.

If you choose to enroll in practicum courses, your advisor will need to approve and verify that your practicum site meets the necessary qualifications for providing appropriate clinical experiences in the field of behavior analysis as well as determining appropriate on-site supervisors for the site.

Halle Smith Headshot

Dr. Hallie Smith

Counseling, Educational Psychology & Foundations

  • Primary Advisor for ABA Concentration

Contact Information

Photo of Anusha Rijal

Anusha Rijal

Online Education

  • Coordinator
Daniel Gadke Headshot

Dr. Daniel Gadke

Counseling, Educational Psychology & Foundations

  • Department Head
Halle Smith Headshot

Dr. Hallie Smith

Counseling, Educational Psychology & Foundations

  • Primary Advisor for ABA Concentration