Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis, Master of Education in Special Education
Board certification requirements are changing.
From January 1, 2027, the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB) will no longer approve coursework completed under the current (2022, 5th edition) requirements.George Mason University is working on a new degree program which will satisfy the revised BACB requirements (contact us to join the interest list). However, in order to allow students sufficient time to complete their coursework and fieldwork hours and to sit for the certification exam before the December 2026 deadline, there will be no further admission to the Graduate Certificate from Fall 2025 onwards.
The last semester to start the ABA certificate will be Summer 2025.
Applicants wishing to complete the Master’s in Special Education in parallel with the certificate should plan to start no later than Spring 2025.
Please use the form in the Contact tab below for queries about the certificate program and the admissions process.
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a scientific approach to the study of behavior that is concerned with describing, explaining, predicting, and changing behavior.
The 21-credit ABA graduate certificate is designed to increase the professional training of individuals responsible for designing, implementing, and monitoring behavioral treatment and verbal behavior training programs in schools, private practices, and community agencies. Please note this is not a teacher licensure program.
Students wishing to attain a master's degree in special education in conjunction with the ABA certificate complete an additional 9 credits of course work.
Fully Online Program
- Not eligible for VA Educator Tuition Discount
- 8 week modules
- 100% online
- Not eligible for in-state tuition pricing
- Start in spring, summer or fall
Campus/Blended Program
- Eligible for VA Educator Tuition Discount
- Traditional Semester
- Face-to-face interaction with faculty
- Eligible for in-state tuition pricing
- Certificate-only students start in fall or spring
- MEd/ABA students start in spring, summer or fall
Certificate Courses
- EDSE 619: Principles and Procedures of Behavior Analysis (3 credits)
- EDSE 621: Applied Behavior Analysis: Empirical Bases (3 credits)
- EDSE 622: Philosophical and Conceptual Issues in Behavior Analysis (3 credits)
- EDSE 623: Applied Behavior Analysis: Assessments and Interventions (3 credits)
- EDSE 624: Applied Behavior Analysis: Applications (3 credits)
- EDSE 625: Applied Behavior Analysis: Verbal Behavior (3 credits)
- EDSE 664: Ethical and Professional Conduct for Behavior Analysis (3 credits)
Additional Master's Degree Courses
- EDSE 501: Introduction to Special Education (3 credits)
- EDSE 517: Computer Applications for Special Populations (3 credits)
- EDSE 590: Special Education Research (3 credits)
See the chart showing how the ABA courses apply to the MEd in Special Education.