Educational Psychology — Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration

Tuition per credit hour

$460 for both in-state & out-of-state residents. See details and other costs

Credit hours

36 required credit hours. Each course is equal to 3 credit hours. Browse course list

Financial aid

Over 150 graduate assistantships available with stipend & tuition assistance, plus scholarship & fellowship opportunities. Explore aid

Admissions

No GRE required. Apply for fall, spring, or summer term. View application process & deadlines

Program Highlights

Prepare for a career as Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®): We offer an Association of Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) Verified Course Sequence.
Balance your schedule while completing your degree: Our fully online program allows you to complete coursework from wherever you are.
Take advantage of program flexibility: We accommodate working professionals with multiple start dates, flexible course sequencing, and evening online class meetings.
Earn your degree on your terms: Study full-time and finish in as few as 2 years, or study part-time and finish in 3 years.
Save money with affordable tuition: All students are eligible for our low in-state tuition rate.
Study with experienced faculty: All faculty are BCBA® clinicians with extensive experience working in schools and behavioral health settings.

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BCBA® certification

ABAI has verified our courses meet coursework requirements for eligibility to take the BCBA® examination. Students interested in BCBA® credentialing are also required to complete supervised fieldwork, which can be completed during or after the program. Our graduates have a high first-time pass rate on the BCBA examination.

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Program requirements

This program prepares you to meet coursework requirements for taking the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) examination and provides a strong foundation in educational research, special education procedures, and the needs of school-aged children with exceptionalities.

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Engaged and dedicated faculty

All program faculty are credentialed BCBAs® with extensive clinical experience, and many are dually credentialed as school psychologists. You’ll work one-on-one with a faculty advisor for your course and career planning.

Meet our faculty

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Graduate student support

Our Office of Graduate Studies connects you with opportunities for professional development, scholarships, and graduate assistantships. They also foster our graduate student community through Peer Mentorship and the Graduate Student Board.

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Scholarship opportunities

Scholarships offer financial aid that doesn’t need to be repaid. We encourage students in graduate degree programs to apply for scholarship opportunities.

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Connect with us

Our monthly Graduate Information Sessions are an excellent way to learn more about the benefits of our program, as well as our admissions and financial process.

Educational Psychology — School Psychology Concentration (Blended)

Master’s Program

Applied Behavior Analysis

Certificate of Graduate Study (Online)

School Psychology

Doctoral Program

Next Steps

Our graduate admissions counselors are here to answer your questions about the admissions process, our academic programs, and student support services.

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Admission information: MS in Educational Psychology — Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration

Application deadlines

We accept applications on a rolling basis and review them continuously.

Application deadline	Fall term start	Spring term start	Summer term start
Recommended*	June 15	November 15	March 15
Final	August 1	December 15	April 15
International	June 1	October 15	Not available

* Students that apply by the priority deadline are given preference for space in the program.

Applicants to the MS in Educational Psychology with a Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis program must meet the minimum requirements below:

An earned bachelor’s or graduate degree from an institution of higher learning accredited by a regional or national accrediting body, and
A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) in a baccalaureate degree program or 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in a graduate degree program.
- Applicants who do not meet minimum GPA eligibility requirements may submit a letter requesting special consideration. The letter should provide evidence of their ability to complete graduate studies successfully. Without such a letter, applicants who do not meet minimum GPA eligibility requirements may be denied automatically. Exceptions to this policy will be considered on a case-by-case basis and are at the discretion of the program.

Applicants who meet minimum eligibility requirements are not guaranteed admission to the program. Admissions decisions will be based on the overall quality of application materials and program capacity.

Applicants are required to provide the following materials:

General requirements

Application: Online application
Application fee:
- In-state, out-of-state, and Canadian applicants: Free to apply
- International applicants: Submit US $50 fee to apply
Transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, excluding the seven campuses of the University of Maine System (UMS transcripts are accessible to USM). A transcript is official when sent directly from the institution.
- International College transcripts: In addition to an official copy of the transcript, we require an official evaluation of college-level transcripts approved by one of the following transcript analysis agencies
  - National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES)
  - Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE)
Resume: Submit a resume or CV that outlines professional, volunteer, and community experience.
Students whose first language is not English may be required to take one of the following: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Pearson Test of English (PTE) or Duolingo. Applicants must submit official scores as part of the application process. See additional information regarding test scores and requirements.

Additional requirements

Essay: A response to the following question: “Why do you seek training in applied behavior analysis?”
Letters of Recommendation: One letter of recommendation attesting to the applicant’s ability to succeed in graduate school and a career in behavior analysis. Only professional letters of recommendation will be accepted. Letters from professors, professionals in the field of behavior analysis, and/or supervisors from employment/internship settings are recommended. Letters from family members and friends will not be accepted.

Professional Licensure and Certification Notice

Students who are pursuing degrees leading to application for professional licensure or certification should be aware that credentialing requirements vary state-to-state. Students may contact their state department of education certification office and/or state licensing boards to determine whether or not their USM program meets credentialing requirements for professional practice in their prospective states of employment. Successful completion of a program of study at the University of Southern Maine does not guarantee licensure, certification, or employment in the relevant occupation.

International student instructions

View additional application requirements

English proficiency test scores

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Where to send application materials

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