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The Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis is an online degree program that allows you to develop the knowledge and skills you need to become a caring, competent, and culturally aware practitioner of applied behavior analysis. This program prepares you for a career working alongside neurodiverse individuals — including people diagnosed with autism — and their families.

  • Comprehensive online curriculum
  • Three live sessions per term
  • Engaging and interactive asynchronous content
  • Internship
  • Preparation for certification exam
  • Completed in two years as full-time

Our program meets the behavior-analytic coursework requirements by the Behavior Analytic Certification Board (BACB) for those pursuing the [BCBA/BCaBA] Pathway 2 eligibility route. Our program has a qualified Pathway 2 Program Contact, Dr. Maryellen Jensen, who can submit the Pathway 2 Coursework Attestation for applicants who are applying for certification on or after January 1, 2026.

The program has been found eligible to apply for recognition by the ABAI in the Tiered Model of Education.

The Master of Arts degree in Applied Behavior Analysis follows a cohort model. Applicants will need to complete supervised fieldwork before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination. For more information regarding the complete requirements to become eligible to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® exam visit . Regarding demand for this growing field, please visit the report.

For information on State licensure requirements in a particular state or territory, see .

Why Truman?

Program designed for working professionals
Completely online with three live classes per course
Research-based cohort mode
Provides knowledge and skills to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Learn from the best

Meet the Faculty

Slide 1 - Maryellen Jensen
Dr. Maryellen Koch Jensen, Director of Applied Behavior Analysis

Dr. Jensen, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Applied Behavior Analysis, is the Program Chair of Applied Behavior Analysis. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst also serving as the Director of the Greenwood Interprofessional Autism Center at À¶Ý®ÊÓÆµ. Her area of specialty is working with individuals with Autism and Developmental Disabilities. Dr. Jensen has been involved in the field of Developmental Disabilities and Autism for 34 years. First as a mom and a Chiropractor and then as a Special Educator and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She has worked with individuals from birth to 65 years old, in clinics, schools, homes, habilitation centers and now at the Greenwood Interprofessional Autism Center. Dr. Jensen earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Sherman College of Chiropractic in Spartanburg, SC, her Masters of Education from Arkansas State University and her graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology. She is Board Certified and a Licensed Behavior Analyst as well as a member of Applied Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). Dr. Jensen is a strong advocate for clients and their families, as well as students learning to support individuals with autism and developmental disabilities.

Christopher Rosado
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BCBA Careers

Career/Role

Typical Setting

What the BCBA Does

Autism Services BCBAABA clinics, in-home therapy, schools, telehealthAssess behavior, writes treatment plans, supervises RBTs, trains caregivers, monitors client progress
Clinical SupervisorABA companies, therapy centersOversees treatment quality, supervises staff, reviews data, manages caseloads
Behavior ConsultantSchools, agencies, private practiceHelps teams understand and reduce challenging behavior through assessment and intervention
School-Based BCBAPublic schools, special education departments, cooperativesSupports students with behavioral needs, writes behavior intervention plans, train teachers and paraprofessionals
Early Intervention SpecialistBirth-to-5 programs, clinics, homesWorks with young children on communication, social skills, adaptive skills, and behavior reduction
Severe Behavior SpecialistClinics, hospitals, residential programsWorks with aggression, self-injury, elopement, property destruction, and other high-risk behaviors
Parent Training SpecialistClinics, telehealth, community agenciesTeaches parents how to use behavioral strategies at home
RBT/Staff TrainerABA, organizations, schools, residential programsTrains and supervises direct-care staff using behavioral skills training
Program DirectorABA clinics, nonprofits, schoolsOversees services, staffing, compliance, budgets, quality assurance, and program development
Residential Behavior AnalystGroup homes, foster-care agencies, residential treatment centersSupports individuals with behavioral, developmental, or trauma-related needs in residential care
Intellectual/Developmental Disability Services BCBAState agencies, nonprofits, adult day programs, supported livingBuilds behavior plans and skill-building programs for children or adults with developmental disabilities
Adult Services BCBAVocational programs, supported employment, adult disability servicesHelps adults build job skills, independence communication, and daily-living skills
Organizational Behavior Management ConsultantBusinesses, healthcare, manufacturing, corporate trainingUses behavior analysis to improve employee performance, safety, productivity, training, and workplace systems
Performance Management ConsultantCorporate or nonprofit settingsDesigns systems to improve staff performance, feedback, incentives, and accountability
Safety ConsultantIndustrial, manufacturing, healthcare, transportationUses behavioral safety strategies to reduce workplace injuries and improve compliance
Healthcare Behavior AnalystHospitals, rehabilitation centers, integrated care settingsSupports patient adherence, health routines, staff training, and behavior change related to medical care
Feeding Therapy Behavior AnalystClinics, hospitals, pediatric therapy programsWorks with food refusal, restricted eating, mealtime behavior, and caregiver training
Behavioral Gerontology SpecialistNursing homes, memory care, elder servicesSupports older adults with dementia-related behavior, routines, independence, and caregiver training
Substance Use/Addiction Behavior SpecialistRecovery programs, behavioral health clinicsApplies behavior-change principles to treatment adherence, relapse prevention, and skill-building
Mental Health/Trauma-Informed Behavior ConsultantClinics, schools, residential programs, foster care servicesUses ABA principles carefully alongside trauma-informed care to support emotional regulation and behavior change
Juvenile Justice Behavior SpecialistDetention centers, diversion programs, residential youth facilitiesSupports youth behavior change, staff training, reinforcement systems, and skill development
Correctional Behavior AnalystPrisons, jails, reentry programsDesign behavior-support systems, staff training, and rehabilitation-focused interventions
Animal Behavior ConsultantZoos, shelters, service-animal programs, private consulationUses behavior principles for training, enrichment, behavior reduction, and welfare
ResearcherUniversities, research centers, nonprofitsStudies behavior, interventions, learning, skill acquisition, or systems change
Professor/InstructorColleges, universities, online programsTeaches ABA courses, supervises research, mentors future bheavior analysts
Entrepreneur/Private Practice OwnerIndependent clinic, consulting business, telehealthRuns a business providing ABA therapy, consultation, parent training, staff training, or OBM services
Public Policy/Advocacy SpecialistState agencies, nonprofits, professional organizationsWorks on access to services, insurance policy, disability rights, ethics, and systems improvment

ABA Program—Academic Calendar

Program starts in the fall of each year. Eight-week courses offered year-round.

2026-27

Spring First BlockSpring Second BlockSummer Eight-Week
1/6/27-3/2/273/15/27-5/8/276/1/26-7/24/26
Fall First BlockFall Second Block
8/12/26-10/6/2610/12/26-12/12/26

Admission

Admission is made on a rolling basis but is limited to 24 students per cohort. À¶Ý®ÊÓÆµ early for priority consideration.

Regrettably, we are unable to consider applications for fully-online programs by individuals who reside outside of the United States and its territories at this time.  International applicants are still encouraged to consider our face-to-face programs located on campus in Kirksville, Missouri.

 

Application Requirements

 

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Online Application
Personal-Statement
Personal Statement
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Official Transcripts
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Background Check
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Minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA

Tuition

32
credit hours
$571
per credit hour
$18,272
total estimated tuition*

*Total estimated tuition based on 2026-27 academic year. Tuition subject to change.

Financial Aid

Degree-seeking students enrolled in at least six credit hours per semester are eligible for federal financial aid programs. For more information, see Financial Aid Resources for Graduate Studies or contact the Financial Aid Office at (660) 785-4130 ´Ç°ùÌýfinaid@truman.edu.

Schedule a Virtual Visit

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Get an inside look at the online learning environment, meet your professors, and get all your questions answered during a virtual visit.