Coordinator:
Dake Zhang (848-932-0821; email:
dake.zhang@gse.rutgers.edu)
Please visit the website.
Program Description: The master's degree program in special education with the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) sequence provides advanced graduate preparation
in special education and enables students to take the coursework required to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam. The program represents
collaboration between the Graduate School of Education (GSE) and the Graduate
School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP).
The 36-credit program is composed of a special education
core (15 credits), an ABA core (18 credits), and an elective chosen in consultation
with an academic adviser (3 credits).
The program DOES NOT include coursework leading to teacher certification in special education. The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified our courses toward coursework requirements for eligibility to take the BCBA examination. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination. Experience requirements are not currently included in this degree program.
Education Requirements:
The 36-credit program is composed of a special education core (15
credits), an ABA core (18 credits), and an elective chosen in
consultation with an academic adviser (3 credits).
Accepted students will have five years to complete the program, from the
beginning of any coursework to be counted toward the program.
Special Education Core (15 credits)
15:293:525 Psychology of the Exceptional Child (3)
15:293:522 Learning Disabilities (3)
15:293:509 Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (3)
15:293:523 Inclusive Teaching in Education (3)
15:293:534 Classroom Organization for Special Education (3)
BCBA Core (offered by GSAPP) (18 credits)
18:820:513 Basic Principles of Behavior Analysis (3)
18:820:512 Introduction to Analysis and Single Case Design (3)
18:820:521 Ethical Issues in Behavioral Analysis (3)
18:820:514 Applications of Behavior Analytic Principles: Changing Behavior (3)
18:820:517 Assessment and Treatment of Challenging Behavior (3)
18:820:516 Advanced Topics in Behavior Analysis: State-of-the-Art Teaching Strategies for Children with Autism and Related Disorders (3)
Electives (3 credits)
One elective from Educational Psychology (290), Learning, Cognition, and Development (295), or Counseling Psychology (297), with adviser's approval.
Note: A grade of B or better is required for all ABA core courses. The above courses will meet the
requirements for the master's degree. An additional, seventh ABA course (18:820:522 Personnel
Supervision and Management in ABA) must be taken to meet the academic requirements for eligibility to
take the BCBA examination. Students will need to meet additional fieldwork experience requirements
before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination. This seventh course, as well as the
experience requirements, are not currently included in this degree program.
Master of Education (Ed.M.) Programs with No State Certification 
