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MS in Applied Behavior Analysis
The MS in Applied Behavior Analysis Program at Sacramento State is accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International Accreditation Board.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the field of Psychology concerned with understanding the environmental variables that reliably influence human behavior, as well as developing procedures to modify socially significant behavior.
Program Mission
The mission of the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program is to prepare students to (a) think critically about behavioral processes across various socially meaningful issues, populations, and practice areas, (b) comprehend and contribute to behavior-analytic scholarship, (c) enter the ABA workforce by passing the necessary certification and/or licensure examinations to practice as a behavior analyst, (d) serve diverse communities as Master’s level scientist-practitioners, and (e) enter doctoral training programs in behavior analysis.
The ABA program prepares students to work as behavior analysts in a variety of settings including schools and agencies providing services to individuals with disabilities. The ABA program coursework fulfills the requirements to sit for the national certification exam in Behavior Analysis (BCBA). Students should note that this degree option is also appropriate for those planning to enter doctoral programs in Applied Behavior Analysis, Experimental Analysis of Behavior, or Special Education.
- To teach students to think critically and scientifically about behavioral processes;
- To enable students to enter doctoral programs in behavior analysis;
- To prepare students for careers in applied behavior analysis by passing the national certification examination (BCABA and BCBA).
PLO 1: Synthesize theories and research related to the field of ABA and apply and evaluate behavior-analytic principles and techniques to affect socially valid issues.
PLO 2: Communicate and defend scientific findings, clinical outcomes, and thesis results to relevant audiences.
PLO 3: Compare perspectives and theories, differentiate assumptions and facts, develop hypotheses, and evaluate data and research findings using appropriate research methodology.
PLO 4: Find and evaluate literature to contextualize behavior-analytic theories and research in the field of psychology as a whole.
PLO 5: Employ behavior analysis certification board and APA guidelines for the ethical treatment of human research participants, clients in treatment, staff in training, and other relevant populations, and identify violations of these ethical codes.
PLO 6: Respond appropriately to cultural and individual differences and discuss perspectives on psychology with others regardless of similarity or diversity of professional experience.
Program Highlights
- Small faculty-to-student ratio.
- The vast majority of student theses are published in leading behavior analytic journals. This means that students do meaningful research that makes real contributions to the science
- Our students are active participants at a variety of national and international conferences where they present their research projects in front of experts in the field
- Many of our students have won research awards from a variety of different professional organizations
- Program faculty have received several research and teaching awards from the university and other professional organizations
- Several of our students have been accepted in doctoral programs across the country. Our program provides the training needed for students to both be accepted and excel in doctoral programs
Research & Clinical Opportunities
Students have the opportunity to engage in state of the art research on a variety of applied and basic topics. Our research facilities include human and animal (rat) operant laboratories and research rooms for data collection with children and adults. We have also established research partnerships with different agencies in the region.
Clinical training is an integral part of our program. There are numerous funded internships and job opportunities for behavior analysis students in Sacramento to obtain clinical experience working under the direction of Board Certified Behavior Analysts.
Examples of internships* include:
*Assistantships and stipends are available for these positions.
Off-campus program providing center-based and in-home behavioral intervention and language therapy services for children diagnosed with autism.
Off-campus program providing behavioral intervention services for individuals diagnosed with autism. Provides in-home and school-based services.
Off-campus program providing in-home and center-based behavioral intervention services for children and adults diagnosed with autism.
Off-campus program providing in-home behavioral intervention services for children diagnosed with autism.
Off-campus program providing in-home and center-based behavioral intervention services for children and adults diagnosed with autism.
Off-campus program providing behavioral intervention services for children and adults diagnosed with autism in-home, schools, and community settings.
ABA Program Faculty
Interview - Dr. Caio Miguel with ABA EDU
Denys Brand, Ph.D.
(University of Auckland, New Zealand)
Contact Website
Research Interests: Performance feedback, performance management, sequential analysis, procedural integrity, three-alternative choice
Megan Heinicke, Ph.D., BCBA-D
(Auburn University)
Contact Website
Research Interests: Stimulus Preference Assessments, Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation, Developmental Disabilities, Verbal Behavior, Teaching of Behavior Analysis
Ciobha McKeown, Ph.D., BCBA-D
(University of Nebraska Medical Center)
Contact Website
Research Interests: Autism, Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention, Infant/Toddler Development, Prevention, Social Skills, Verbal Behavior
Caio Miguel, Ph.D., BCBA-D
(Western Michigan University)
Contact Website
Research Interests: Verbal Behavior, Stimulus Control/Equivalence, Autism Treatment, Applied Animal Behavior
Becky Penrod, Ph.D., BCBA-D
(University of Nevada, Reno)
Contact Website
Research Interests: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Pediatric Feeding Disorders, Assessment and Treatment of Problem Behavior, and Behavioral Health
Not accepting graduate student applications for Fall 2027 admission.
Coursework
The MS in Applied Behavior Analysis Program at Sacramento State is accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International Accreditation Board. Our program has been verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International as meeting the coursework requirements for taking the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) examination.
Student Association for Applied Behavior Analysis (SAABA)
SAABA’s mission is to promote the study of Applied Behavior Analysis by providing its members with opportunities in the field through social networking, workshops, conferences, and guest lecturer events.
Additional Resources
Program Outcome Data
| Category | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students whose degrees were conferred by the program. | 5 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 5 |
| Median years until graduation for students whose degrees were conferred by the program. | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Number of students enrolled in the program on January 1st of the reporting year. | 17 | 20 | 24 | 22 | 22 |
| Number of students no longer enrolled for any reason other than conferral of degree. | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Number of completed applications received. | 38 | 13 | 18 | 25 | 36 |
| Number of students admitted during the reporting year. | 9 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Number of Core Program Faculty Members. | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Number of Associated Program Faculty Members. | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Number of Other Contributors. | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Number of first-time candidates sitting for their Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) examination. | 9 | *Too few applicants | 6 | *Too few applicants | |
| Percentage of first-time candidates passing the BCBA certification examination. | 89% | *Too few applicants | 100% | *Too few applicants | |
| Number of graduates obtaining a master-level state license as a behavior analyst. | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Median undergraduate grade point average (GPA) for applicants admitted (report on a 4-point scale). | 3.75 | 3.73 | 3.49 | 3.46 | 3.51 |
| Median graduate grade point average (GPA) for applicants admitted (report on a 4-point scale). | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Median score on Average Letter of Recommendation Score *Psychology Department changed scoring on letters of recommendation from a 10-pt to 3-pt scale starting in 2021. | 3.00* | 3.00* | 2.67* | 3* | 9.5 |
| Median score on GRE Overall Score | Psychology Department voted to remove GRE from application requirements starting in 2021. | ||||
| Median score on GRE Writing Score | Psychology Department voted to remove GRE from application requirements starting in 2021. | ||||