Autism Spectrum Disorder and Applied Behavior Analysis
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The University of Louisville's M.Ed. in Special Education with a concentration in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Applied Behavior Analysis degree program prepares students to meet the behavioral challenges and needs of the community by delivering a comprehensive curriculum in the philosophical, experimental, and applied domains that inform a natural science of behavior. Through this training, students learn to apply strategies and tactics grounded in the principles of the science to a variety of behaviors and contexts. Specific focus is placed on the assessment and treatment of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in healthcare and educational settings. The program’s mission is to produce behavior analysts knowledgeable of their science, effective in their practice, and ethical in their interactions committed to using the science of behavior to better lives.
The program accomplishes this mission using a 5-semester cohort model. Each cohort is comprised of no more than 20 students admitted each fall. Courses are offered both online and face-to-face and are scheduled in the evenings. All students adhere to a set schedule of coursework and are expected to commit to the program fully while enrolled. The program’s faculty are comprised of instructors, researchers, and practitioners with a wealth of experience in the science and practice of behavior analysis. The program is rigorous and demands excellence from its students and strives to deliver the same.
Students enrolled in our program are given the opportunity to meet the degree and coursework requirements necessary to sit for their Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification examinations. Additionally, students enrolled full-time in the program will be given the opportunity to accumulate the majority of their fieldwork hours while enrolled.
Value Statement
The following six guidelines embody the values and related behaviors the program promotes to its students and faculty.
- Be excellent, diligent, and inquisitive in your studies.
- Be involved, curious, and enthusiastic about your education.
- Be respectful, cooperative, and helpful towards your colleagues.
- Be responsible, tenacious, and creative when applying your science.
- Be sincere, empathic, and patient with your clients.
- Be honest, reliable, and ethical in all your interactions.
View the curriculum for M.Ed in Special Education for admission requirements, degree requirements and other information
M.ED in Special Education - Concentration in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Applied Behavior Analysis
Application deadline: June 15th for Fall
This program can be completed entirely online!
There is both a 39-credit hour full-time option and a 30-credit hour part-time option available for students wishing to complete the program. Both options lead to the same degree in 5-semesters. The primary difference between the full-time and part-time option relates to practical training. Full-time students enroll in an additional 9-credit hours of practicum while enrolled and part-time students do not. Students enrolled part-time in the program are responsible for making their own arrangements for meeting the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s (BACB) fieldwork requirements. Usually this involves working for an organization (e.g., clinic, school, hospital, residential facility) that employs Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) that are qualified and able to supervise trainees pursuing their own BCBA credential. Applicants interested in the part-time option are expected to have their fieldwork arrangements ready before they start the program. Students enrolled in the program part-time have the option to complete all of their coursework at a distance during the evening hours.
Full-Time Students
The primary benefit of enrolling in the full-time option is the program facilitates the acquisition of fieldwork hours under a variety of settings and supervisors. In other words, the program arranges site placements and supervisors for the students and helps arrange relevant practical training activities. This ensures that when students graduate from the program, they have developed competencies across a variety of settings and patients/learners. This breadth of practical training helps students become more marketable when seeking employment after graduation. Students enrolled in the program full-time are expected to complete 15-20 hours of practicum each week and participate in weekly group supervision meetings. Practicum schedules will vary depending upon site needs.
A limitation for enrolling as a full-time student is that practicum placements are almost always unpaid. Historically, some full-time students have been able to simultaneously hold part-time employment while enrolled. Full-time employment for a full-time student is very strongly discouraged given the time requirements for practicum and didactic coursework.
Part-Time Students
The primary benefit of enrolling as a part-time student is the possibility of accumulating some fieldwork hours while employed by an agency offering applied behavior analysis services. However, potential applicants should be aware that employers may not offer compensation for the majority of the fieldwork hours trainees are expected to accumulate. This is because 60% of the fieldwork hours accumulated by a trainee must be acquired while engaged in unrestricted activities. Unfortunately, many of these types of activities are not billable by service providers. More information on the difference between restricted and unrestricted activities can be found in the BACB's Fieldwork Standards document.
A limitation for enrolling as a part-time student is the potential lack of variety in settings that comes with acquiring all fieldwork hours with a single employer. Additionally, students enrolled part-time are expected to facilitate the accumulation of their fieldwork hours on their own. For students interested in sitting for a BCBA certification examination, this involves ensuring that they have a qualified BCBA supervisor overseeing their work and are following the BACB's Fieldwork Standards.
Teacher education candidates should visit the Educator Preparation Program page and review the expectations listed under the "Review These Teaching Profession Expectations" section.
Please visit the Educator Preparation Program page and read items listed under "Advanced Educator Preparation" for this program for more in-depth information regarding admission requirements for this program.
Click on a course name (ex. "EDSP 540 ") in the degree requirements. Information includes class description, prerequisites (if any), terms offered, among other information.
Applicants interested in the program are encouraged to schedule a meeting with the program coordinator, Dr. Jon Burt. To schedule a meeting, send a quick message to jon.burt@louisville.edu along with a few options indicating dates/times when you are available to meet.
Please contact Betty Hampton at betty.hampton@louisville.edu if you wish to apply after the priority application deadline for the fall semester. The program does not consider applicants for the spring semester.
The Program's structured practical training system offers students the opportunity to practice the skills learned in the classroom across a variety of populations and settings. Full-time students dedicate around 15 hours per week to their practicum coursework across four of their five consecutive semesters. Students are assigned to community sites where they gain a wealth of experience working with a variety of populations in schools, clinics, and hospitals alongside talented BCBA professionals. The program is proud to have partnerships with the following community providers.
- Bluegrass Center for Autism
- Clinical Behavior Analysis
- Heartfelt Solutions
- Jefferson County Public Schools
- Lee Specialty Clinic
- LittleStar ABA Therapy
- Meaningful Day Services
- New Vista
- Oldham County Schools
- Shelby County Public Schools
- Stephens Behavior Consulting
- Walden Behavior Solutions
With the permission of the Program Coordinator and the approved community site, qualified full-time students may be allowed to accumulate fieldwork hours at their places of employment.
FAQ: Autism Spectrum Disorder and Applied Behavior Analysis
The job outlook for behavior analysts is fantastic. There is a large demand for behavior analysts and too few of us to fill the need. All of our past graduates have accepted employment offers in the field while still enrolled in the program. For more information, please see a recent Workforce-Demand Report published by the BACB.
Behavior analysts make very competitive salaries. According to Payscale.com and Indeed.com, the annual average salary for a master's level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is between $58,000 and $68,000.
No, the training offered in the program is self-contained and does not require a specific bachelor’s degree. However, experience working or being around developmentally disabled populations is recommended prior to starting as the vast majority of behavior analysts work with these populations after graduating.
The University's tuition rates can be found at the Office of Admissions website. Historically, the university has been able to offer graduate assistantships to some students enrolled in the program.
The program is well-respected and received by our students. Exit survey data from our last two cohorts show that the program scored a 5 out of 5 average rating from graduating students evaluating the program's overall quality.
The program admits a cohort of 20 students or less every Fall. Priority applications are due June 15th, although late applications may be accepted.
Yes, we strongly encourage you to reach out and setup an appointment to speak with us about the program and more generally about a career in behavior analysis. During our meeting, we can discuss your career goals and determine whether the program is a good fit. If you wish to setup a meeting please contact the Director of Special Programs, Betty Hampton, at betty.hampton@louisville.edu. When you reach out, please include some dates and times you are potentially available to meet and indicate whether you would prefer to meet in-person or over the phone.