M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis

The primary goal of the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis program is to prepare graduate students to develop and master the professional and leadership skills necessary to effectively serve the community in this area of study. 

The Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program outcomes are to educate students to:

• Demonstrate understanding of the foundational skills and philosophical underpinnings of applied behavior analysis;
• Implement clinical skills and competencies supported by ethical practice and evidenced-based research; and
• Exhibit competency in applying research to inform professional practice and to advance the profession.

• Offered completely online.
• Flexibility to complete at your own pace in as few as 16 months.                
• Distinguished faculty offering expertise from diverse clinical research and practice backgrounds.
• Opportunities to leverage university physical resources and clinical populations for local and distance students.
• Flexibility in experiential learning setting- place of employment, affiliate site, online laboratory.  You can leverage your current employment setting to advance your degree.  Assistance with placement at local affiliate site.  Opportunity to specialize your experiential learning in our online research laboratories (early childhood autism, adult autism, faculty wellness lab, parent training lab).
• Instruction and assignments designed to prepare behavior analysis professionals culminating in a professional portfolio and master’s research project.
  
  • Develop behavior plans
  • Design a behavioral supervision plan
  • Deliver feedback to supervisees, trainees, and stakeholders
  • Participate in team meetings and present to group

The NSU ABA Fellowship provides students the opportunity to accrue hours toward the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s (BACB) concentrated supervised fieldwork category while employed at NSU’s Baudhuin Preschool. Fellows will be eligible for tuition reduction contingent upon six months of successful employment.  This two-year fellowship allows participants to immediately bridge theory to practice with the oversight of the University. At the conclusion of the two-year fellowship, fellows will have accumulated the necessary fieldwork hours towards Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification exam eligibility. 

View Professional Licensure Disclosure for the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis (PDF).

Students enrolled in NSU’s master’s-level ABA concentrations are eligible to apply for the ABA Fellowship Program.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrated interest and commitment to working with children and families
• Articulated motivation to pursue a career in ABA
• Preference will be given to applicants with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or higher in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate coursework
• Ability to work full time in the United States throughout the course of the fellowship (2 years
• Ability to pass both Broward County Fieldprint Fingerprinting and Department of Children and Families (DCF) Clearinghouse level-2 background checks
• Ability to pass the 90-day probationary period; extensions of the probationary period will be granted only in exceptional circumstances when there are extraordinary reasons beyond the student’s control and have been discussed with the Program Supervisor in advance of the probation deadline
• Ability to maintain satisfactory academic standing and work performance throughout the duration of the ABA fellowship

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Applications must include all of the materials listed below. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

• Completed Fellowship Application (PDF)
• Resume/CV
• Two academic and/or professional references

Email completed packages using the subject line “Fellowship Application: Last Name, First Name” to tarashee@nova.edu.

March–May: NSU accepts application

May 1, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (ET): All application materials due

May 1, 2026–June 1, 2026: Finalist selection and interviews

June 2, 2026: Selected Fellows notified

June 14, 2026: Deadline for Fellows to accept or decline the offer

June 15, 2026: Onboarding of Fellows

August 1, 2026: Estimated Start Date

NSU ABA Fellows must successfully complete 45 hours of Child Care Training within six months of employment, participate in all ESE Teacher Aide trainings, and maintain a 3.5 GPA and satisfactory employee performance throughout the course of the fellowship.

For more information, contact Tara Sheehan, Ph.D., at tarashee@nova.edu.