College of Education and Human Development

Master of Science in ABA

Fall 2025 admission deadlines:

Priority application deadline: February 1

Final application deadline: March 1 

If you are an undergraduate student graduating in May or Summer 2026, you can apply before your degree posts. You may be admitted into the program contingent on your degree posting before starting in the ABA graduate program. 

Applicants are encouraged to have their admission file completed as early as possible. All applications, required documents and letters of recommendation, if applicable, must be submitted by 5:00 PM U.S. Central Time on the day of the deadline. Deadlines are subject to change.

Timing on Admission Decisions: Prospective students who met the priority application deadline can expect to hear back on the admission decision by February 22. Students who applied by the final application deadline can expect to hear back on the admission decision by March 22. Once the cohort is full, prospective students may be put on a waitlist and notified if an opening becomes available.  

GRE: Not Required

Preferred: BCaBA ®, RBT®, and/or undergraduate degree in Applied Behavior Analysis or Behavior Analysis

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:

1. Online Application
2. Transcript(s) from all universities where a degree was conferred
3. Resume
4. 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.
5. 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 GradCAS. Click here to apply!