MS in Applied Behavior Analysis
at PCOM
The MS in Applied Behavior Analysis program with an emphasis in behavioral pediatrics provides a strong foundation in applied behavior analysis—and seeks to bring the best of the discipline and practice of psychology and behavior analysis to understanding and enhancing the development of all children, and helping them meet their individualized needs in a variety of pediatric settings.
MS in ABA students have the opportunity to complete a pediatric practicum providing behavioral health services through PCOM Psychological Services and a PCOM Healthcare Center.
The ABA degree program, delivered in hybrid form, is committed to training future behavior analysts who are thoroughly prepared for service and practice in the 21st century and offers a holistic and integrated view of health care—one that treats the whole person and provides the opportunity to consult and collaborate with students from other medical-related disciplines. The program is also dedicated to preparing students to promote social justice through culturally responsive practice and advocacy to ensure equity for all children.
“PCOM's ABA program is unique because it's a one-year program, the only one of its kind in the area; which allowed me to get out into the field as soon as possible and work with clients.”
Sophia Raff
The MS in Applied Behavior Analysis program with an emphasis in behavioral pediatrics is designed to provide individuals with comprehensive behavioral assessment, family and interdisciplinary consultation and intervention skills in pediatric settings. Our coursework, more than 50 percent of which is offered online, is focused on supporting the needs of children with neurodevelopmental and behavioral disabilities—and their families—in settings including in school, home, community, medical and residential settings.
Our ABA courses are taught by expert faculty who are board-certified behavior analysts and psychologists with extensive applied clinical experience. Additionally, these courses are offered within a dynamic medical school environment which offers opportunities for interprofessional education and collaboration. The program provides supervised field experience, research experience and faculty mentorship.
DOWNLOAD PROGRAM BROCHURE [PDF]The fieldwork experience provides students with the opportunity to integrate knowledge and skills learned through coursework. Students will complete the ABA practicum that begins in fall and ends in spring and will coordinate with the director and other faculty to find a placement and accrue supervised field experience that may count towards Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) supervised field experience (if the specific requirements of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® - BACB® are met by the placement).
The Behavior Analyst Certification Board requires all students to complete supervised field experience, please refer to bacb.com for details.
Students can earn these hours while working and can begin accruing hours from day one of starting the master’s program. Many students in the program earn their hours while they work and are enrolled in the program.
To earn certification, students must earn a graduate degree—completing required coursework—while also completing experience in line with current experience standards. Finally, each student must take and pass the required examination.
For more information regarding the supervised field experience requirement, visit the Behavior Analyst Certification Board website.
Based on Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) reports, PCOM typically maintains high first-time BCBA exam pass rates for its Applied Behavior Analysis programs, often exceeding the national average (which is around 54–60%). Specific, up-to-date annual percentages should be verified directly via the annual BACB university pass-rate report, which details performance for Verified Course Sequences (VCS).
Visit the ABA degree program application requirements page for details regarding admissions requirements and the application process.
PCOM is committed to helping students maximize funding sources and minimize student debt. Visit our Office of Financial Aid section to learn about cost of attendance, types of aid available and how to apply for financial aid.
Tuition CalculatorFor more information, please contact:
PCOM Office of Admissions
Email: admissions@pcom.edu
Phone: 215-871-6700 | Fax: 215-872-6719
Interested in learning more about the field of ABA and potential careers? Please visit the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) and Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) websites. To learn about some of the most common applications of behavior analysis, see the Behavior Analyst Certification Board video page and the ABAI Special Interest Group lists.
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