Department of Counseling, Health and Kinesiology
ABA Degree Programs
The ABA program offers undergraduate and graduate coursework. The Bachelor of Science in ABA, Minor in ABA, and Master of Science in ABA launched in Fall 2022.
Bachelor of Science in ABA
Minor in ABA
Master of Science in ABA
GRE: Not Required
Undergraduate Degree: An undergraduate degree from a specific field is not required. However, preference is given to students with an undergraduate degree in ABA, special education, and psychology. Prospective students who do not have undergraduate coursework in ABA are encouraged to take ABA 3301 Introduction to ABA before starting the graduate program. In addition, prospective students do not have degrees in these fields are encouraged to take RBT training before applying or starting the ABA program. This should be discussed in your personal statement. Learn more about how to become an RBT by watching the video below.
ABA Experience: Students are not required to have experience in ABA. However, preference is given to those students who have experience in ABA. Students who do not have experience in ABA are encouraged to observe ABA services and discuss these experiences in their personal statements.
Application Packet:
- Online Application
- Transcript(s) from all universities where a degree was conferred
- Resume
- 1 letter of recommendation
- The letter of recommendation should be from someone who can speak to your abilities and strengths that will allow you to be successful in graduate school.
- A former or current professor, supervisor, or employer may provide a letter of recommendation.
- The letter of recommendation will be submitted through GradCas along with the rest of the application.
- 1-page personal statement. Your personal statement must be at least one full page in 12-point font, double-spaced. Please take care in drafting your letter. Grammar is taken into account to determine your readiness to enter a graduate program. Your personal statement should include the following:
a) reason(s) for wanting to earn a master's degree in ABA
b) reason(s) for wanting to enter the ABA program at A&M-SA specifically versus other schools
c) past and current experience in ABA (coursework and clinical)
d) how the degree will help you attain your professional goals
e) if your GPA is not a 3.0 in the last 60 hours of your undergraduate degree, discuss your plan for maintaining a 3.0 GPA in graduate school (e.g., What will you do differently, How are your circumstances different now?, What lessons have you learned that will help you be successful in graduate school?)
f) any other relevant information that speaks to your preparedness to enter a graduate program (e.g., having the time to dedicate to your studies, academic, professional; personal experiences that have prepared you to be successful in a graduate program)
Your personal statement will be submitted through GradCas along with the rest of the application.
How to Apply: Apply for the MS in ABA Program through Graduate Admissions. Click here to apply!
FAQ: For frequently asked questions about the ABA program, click on the link below:
To learn more about graduate admissions and apply for the program, visit the Office of Research and Graduate Studies webpage.
Varied Community Experience
The ABA Program has established partnerships with ABA therapy companies that provide in-home, community, and clinic-based ABA services. Students benefit from A&M-SA’s Institute for Autism and Related Disorders and Institute for School and Community Partnerships which have established partnerships with local school districts. Students in the ABA program can participate in varied settings to earn supervised experience hours needed to become BCBAs/BCaBAs.
Employability
A career as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is the typical outcome for graduates of a master’s degree program in ABA. A career as a Board Certified assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) is the typical outcome for graduates of a bachelor's degree program in ABA. BCBAs work in a variety of settings: Clinics, schools, homes, and other healthcare facilities. They are responsible for conducting ABA assessments, including functional behavior assessments (FBAs); developing and implementing treatment plans; and making adjustments to those plans as necessary to improve socially significant behavior that positively impacts clients/students. BCaBAs work under the supervision of a BCBA. The MS and BS in ABA programs train students to support neurodiverse individuals in a variety of settings.
Graduates of the ABA program will be qualified to fill the ever-increasing demand for BCBAs and BCaBAs at ABA companies and school systems. The BACB (2023) reports that demand for behavior analysts has increased each year since 2010 throughout the United States. Specifically, from 2021 to 2022, there was a 23% increase. While the demand for Behavior Analysts exists across the nation, Texas is the state with the third-highest demand for BCBAs and the fourth-highest demand for BCaBAs (BACB, 2023). Click here to view the full report.
Many successful and rewarding careers in ABA can be pursued as a behavior analyst with BCBA certification. Some of these careers and other ABA include:
- Supervising Board Certified assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBA), registered behavior technicians (RBTs), and/or direct-care therapists.
- Serving as a consultant for large corporations that provide services to children with autism.
- Working or consulting with school districts to maximize learning for students and decrease challenging behaviors utilizing ABA.
- Supervising or managing an organization that provides ABA therapy.
- Working as an Insurance Care Advocate for an insurance company that focuses on ABA.
- Engaging in public policy advocacy efforts to improve access to care.
- Assisting special education lawyers.
In San Antonio, there are 17 school districts and over 30 ABA companies that can benefit from hiring behavior analysts.
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