Eileen Whelan, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Associate Professor of School Psychology
Educational Leadership & Support, Department Chair
The 32 unit Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis includes the necessary coursework to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
The program courses are verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI).
The program will prepare you to assist people to learn new behaviors, increase or reduce existing behaviors and teach individuals when to use new behaviors. The scope of these services ranges from addressing challenging behaviors of an individual to changing the behavior of an entire organization.
Program Highlights
- Small class sizes
- Evening classes
- Coursework verified by the Association for Behavior Analysts International
- For a detailed program brochure click here
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Catalog
Program Director: Azure Pellegrino, Ph.D., BCBA-D
OverviewThe 32-unit Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis includes the necessary coursework and supervision to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)®. The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the following courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® examination. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements (e.g., supervision) before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.
The program will prepare you to assist people to learn new behaviors, increase or reduce existing behaviors, and teach individuals when to use new behaviors. The scope of these services ranges from addressing challenging behaviors of an individual to changing the behavior of an entire organization.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
- Philosophical Underpinnings: Candidates will apply the philosophical underpinnings of applied behavior analysis in the effective use of research, data and scientific reasoning.
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Concepts and Principles: Candidates define and provide examples of the concepts and principles of behavior analysis.
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Measurement, Data Display, and Interpretation: Candidates will use the tools effectively as they use measurement, data display and interpretation.
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Experimental Design: Candidates engages in experimental design processes such as external and internal validity, dependent and independent variables, features of single subject experimental design, etc. They will demonstrate skills using a single subject research design.
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Ethics: Candidates will apply the ethical standards of the behavior analytic discipline to decisions about their practice and articulate the basis of that reasoning to clients, staff, community and the BACB. Candidates will behave in accordance with the Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts.
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Behavior Assessment: Candidates will apply knowledgeable skills in behavior assessment in their work. They will effectively conduct functional behavior assessments, preference assessments, skill strength and deficient assessments, and descriptive assessments. The candidate will demonstrate an understanding of the prioritization of socially significant behavior change goals as they determine the needs for behavior analytic services.
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Behavior Change-Procedures: Candidates will effectively use proven intervention strategies and behavior change procedures They will use a wide range of behavior change strategies and techniques.
- Selecting and Implementing Interventions: Candidates will select and implement behavior interventions with integrity and skills using data to make decisions about services. They will collaborate with others who support those services.
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Personnel Supervision and Management: Candidates will demonstrate leadership in the field of behavior analysis, guiding practitioners in supervision and management in their daily applied work. They will effectively evaluate, train, monitor, provide feedback, and reinforcement to support improvement of personnel performance.
Locations Offered
Concepts and Principles: Candidates define and provide examples of the concepts and principles of behavior analysis.
Measurement, Data Display, and Interpretation: Candidates will use the tools effectively as they use measurement, data display and interpretation.
Experimental Design: Candidates engages in experimental design processes such as external and internal validity, dependent and independent variables, features of single subject experimental design, etc. They will demonstrate skills using a single subject research design.
Ethics: Candidates will apply the ethical standards of the behavior analytic discipline to decisions about their practice and articulate the basis of that reasoning to clients, staff, community and the BACB. Candidates will behave in accordance with the Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts.
Behavior Assessment: Candidates will apply knowledgeable skills in behavior assessment in their work. They will effectively conduct functional behavior assessments, preference assessments, skill strength and deficient assessments, and descriptive assessments. The candidate will demonstrate an understanding of the prioritization of socially significant behavior change goals as they determine the needs for behavior analytic services.
Behavior Change-Procedures: Candidates will effectively use proven intervention strategies and behavior change procedures They will use a wide range of behavior change strategies and techniques.
Personnel Supervision and Management: Candidates will demonstrate leadership in the field of behavior analysis, guiding practitioners in supervision and management in their daily applied work. They will effectively evaluate, train, monitor, provide feedback, and reinforcement to support improvement of personnel performance.
Synchronous Online
Program Start/Semester Length
Cohorts begin in Fall and Spring
Degree Pathway
Applied Behavior Analysis MA Degree Pathway
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 (e.g. supervision) before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.
Required Courses (32 units)- PPP 770 - Introduction Concepts and Principles ABA Credits 1
- PPP 771 - Experimental Design and Behavioral Research Credits 3
- PPP 772 - Advanced Concepts and Principles of ABA Credits 3
- PPP 773 - Ethics and Professionalism in ABA Credits 3
- PPP 774 - Personnel and Supervision and Management Credits 2
- PPP 775 - Philosophical Underpinnings of ABA Credits 2
- PPP 776 - Behavior Assessment Credits 3
- PPP 777 - Behavior Change Procedures Credits 2
- PPP 778 - Behavior Change: Selecting Interventions I Credits 1
- PPP 779 - Behavior Change: Selecting Interventions II Credits 1
- PPP 780 - Research: Single Subject Design I Credits 1-3
- PPP 783 - Research: Quantitative Design I Credits 1-3
- PPS 772 - Issues and Values in Schools and Society Credits 3
- PPP 793B - BCBA Supervised Experiences Credits 1 - 15 * OR
- PPP 701 - Introduction to Organizational Behavior Management Credits 1 and
- PPP 702 - Introduction to Multi-Tiered System of Support Credits 1
*Only 2 units required for master's degree
*Only 2 units required for master's degree
Possibilities Await
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For more information, visit our Connect page to schedule a meeting with an admission professional or to find an upcoming information session or registration event.
Ready to take the next step?
To be considered for admission for the M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis, please submit the following items:
- Completed Application for Admission and $45 non-refundable application fee.
- Official college/university transcript(s) verifying receipt of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and any post-baccalaureate work.
- If you are currently finishing up your degree, please submit current transcript.
- A final transcript will need to be submitted before you may enroll in classes.
Transcripts can be sent electronically by your institution to trans.evaluator@fresno.edu or via mail in an envelope sealed by your institution to:
ÐÔÊÓ½ç
Office of the Registrar
1717 S. Chestnut Ave.
Fresno, CA 93702
- If you are currently finishing up your degree, please submit current transcript.
- If your cumulative GPA for your bachelor’s degree is below a 3.0 (4.0 scale), a letter of explanation is required.
- Reference Forms – Two references are required for the M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis program. The references should attest to your professional qualities and your academic qualifications, noting your ability to complete graduate-level work.
- Form can be found at
- Statement of Intent – Provide a written statement explaining your interest in the program, long-term goals and your experience in the field.
- International applicants must submit additional documentation including English Proficiency Score (TOEFL=minimum of 550 PBT or 79 iBT, IELTS=6.5), copy of passport, visa information and a statement of financial support.
View our State Professional Licensing and Certificate Disclosure at fpu.edu/about/disclosure-documents
Cost & Financial Aid
The below listed prices reflect the current and upcoming Fall and Spring semesters and do not include any financial aid. Paying for college can be an overwhelming step in your education journey. We can help you find all the opportunities to reduce your out of pocket costs.
Tuition & Fees
* This is an estimate. Costs subject to change. Please refer to the Catalog for additional fees. Cost of attendance figures are used for budgeting purposes only and represent an estimate of projected tuition and fees for the coming academic year. Actual tuition rates are approved by the Board of Trustees and may vary.
Types of aid
Financial aid can refer to scholarships, grants and loans, which are available to you from the government, the university or outside sources. Aid types vary depending on the type of student you are.
Career Opportunities
There is an increasing demand for BCBA certificate holders in the schools and the private sector working with adults and children in areas such as: behavioral treatment of autism, organizational behavior management, brain injury rehabilitation, behavioral sports psychology, and behavioral pediatrics. Successful completion of this Master of Arts degree and the required supervised hours prepares you to sit for the BCBA examination.
Career Development Happens Here
The staff in our Career Development and Experiential Learning Center are here to help you prepare to enter the working world. Whether your a freshman or an ÐÔÊÓ½ç alum, there are a number of resources and trainings offered to help you find the internship and job you’re looking for.
- Resume writing classes
- Career assessments, exploration & planning
- Job search and networking opportunities
- and much more