Master of Education (M.Ed.)
7-week 100% online
Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis
Take the first step in becoming a Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst (COBA). Enroll in the online M.Ed. program in special education with a specialization in applied behavior analysis at BGSU.
Join one of the largest special education programs in Ohio to take your career to the next level.
You will gain the knowledge and skills needed to pursue the supervised fieldwork that leads to the national Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) professional credential exam. This credential, verified through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, allows you to become a Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst (COBA) in Ohio or earn similar licensure in many other states.
The coursework alone does not ensure the BCBA credential but is the first important step to gaining it.
Have questions?
Our online enrollment specialists are here for you from registration to graduation. Contact us with questions about applying, financial aid, program details, student support and more. online@bgsu.edu | 419-372-3226
Program highlights
- Convenient and flexible. Our 100% online master’s program offers multiple start dates throughout the year and seven-week courses. Classes are asynchronous – you can keep working and take them when and where you want. It takes about two years to complete your degree.
- World-class faculty. Learn from the same faculty members who teach on campus. Collaborate with them on active research projects.
- Peer connections. Find support from a network of peers who have the same goals.
Career opportunities
The career outlook for the profession is strong. BGSU graduates of the M.Ed. program in applied behavior analysis are in high demand. They are employed in a variety of educational, healthcare and private-practice settings.
Career paths
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
- Supervising clinician
- Onboarding specialist
- Counselor
- Behavior technician
- Case manager
- Traveling clinic role
Curriculum
Students in the applied behavior analysis master’s degree program take the BCBA verified course sequence that meets pathway 2 criteria. This assures students that the content areas and number of study hours will meet the criteria for starting the supervised fieldwork component. The fieldwork component is required before taking the comprehensive examination and eventually achieving a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) professional credential.
The course content covers subjects including behavior assessment through behavior change procedures to measurement and display of experimental design. You will learn front-line skills, as well as the professionalism and compliance requirements of the BCBA code and disciplinary systems.
We also explore philosophical underpinnings and the process of personnel supervision and management.
Our course sequence is verified through the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) for the 5th edition task list.
Sample courses
- Applied Behavior Analysis I
- Assessment in Behavior Analysis
- Single-Case Design Research in Education
- Ethics in Behavior Analysis
- Behavioral Philosophy and Concepts
- Master’s Project/Exam/Thesis
BGSU is the only university in Ohio and one of just nine in the nation to earn the Quality Matters Online Learner Support certificate for all of our seven-week online programs. The certificate recognizes that our programs provide the critical services needed for student success and that we use student feedback to continuously improve those services.
The M.Ed. in Special Education with a specialization in applied behavior analysis is a program from the School of Inclusive Teacher Education in the College of Education and Human Development.
Accreditation
Bowling Green State University [BGSU] is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. BGSU has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 01/01/1916. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation was received in 2022-2023, with our next reaffirmation of accreditation scheduled for 2032-2033. Questions should be directed to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.