Program Overview
Cost: $1,320 per unit
Units: 37 units
Terms: Fall, Summer, Spring
Length: 1.5-2 years
Location(s): West Los Angeles
Format: Evening
The Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program will prepare students to
become board certified behavior analysts (BCBA®), working with individuals with impairments
such as autism spectrum disorders, developmental disabilities, or traumatic brain
injury.
For more information view the BACB exam pass-rate data. Pass-rate data are not published for verified course sequences within their first
four years of operation.
Designed for both working professionals and full-time students alike, this program
provides a thorough understanding of the concepts and principles of applied behavior
analysis (ABA). Employing the practitioner-scholar model of professional training,
a rigorous theoretical study is paired with in-depth clinical training where students
will accrue experience hours working alongside professional behavior analysts, helping
patients to develop adaptive skills for optimal functioning in educational, family,
social, and occupational roles. Upon graduation and completion of all necessary experience
hours, students will be eligible to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
exam.
To learn more about the online version of this program, please visit our Online Psychology Site.
*As of January 1, 2023, the BACB will no longer be providing certification outside
of the U.S. and Canada. If you are considering certification outside of the U.S. or
Canada, please see updates about BACB global certification.
Quick Facts
- $6,500Scholarships Available
- 50+Clinical Practicum Sites
- VCSVerification
- GRENot Required
Program Benefits
- Nationally regarded graduate school of psychology with the #6-ranked Psy.D. program
in the US*
- Access to major-university resources at the #46-ranked university in the US**
- Outstanding faculty, recognized experts, scholars, and clinicians
- Supervised clinical experience
- Dedicated placement team to help find and secure fieldwork placements
- Small class sizes providing a supportive learning environment and meaningful student-faculty
interactions
- Convenient evening format class schedules to accommodate working professionals
- Students currently working in an ABA-based setting can meet fieldwork requirements
at the site of their current employment
- Extensive networking opportunities through our alumni network with more than 20,000
professionals
*U.S. News & World Report, Best Grad School Rankings, Clinical Psychology
** U.S. News & Report, Best Colleges Rankings, National Universities
Tuition and Scholarships
Pepperdine GSEP generously offers $5,500,000 in scholarships every year, with the
majority of students receiving some form of financial assistance. The average GSEP student is awarded $7,032 in Pepperdine scholarships.*
2020-21 academic year tuition |
$48,840 |
Average GSEP scholarship |
-$7,032 |
Tuition after average scholarships |
$41,808 |
*Average scholarship based on 2019-2020 academic year and only includes new incoming
students who received aid from Pepperdine within GSEP programs. Does not include other
external forms of financial aid.
Career Outcomes
There is an increasingly high demand for behavior analysts with BCBA credentials,
particularly in behavioral health care, educational services, and social services.
After earning your degree, you may pursue certification and employment in a variety
of roles, including:
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst
- Clinical Director of ABA Services
- Clinical Manager of ABA Services
- Clinical Supervisor of ABA Services
- Behavior Specialist
- Behavioral Consultant
Employment Potential
- The number of jobs in Behavior Sciences/Applied Behavior Analysis is expected to grow
18.5% in California*
- The average salary in California for graduates of Behavior Sciences/Applied Behavior
Analysis master's programs is $62,732*
- California has the nation's highest employment demand for graduates of Behavior Sciences/Applied
Behavior Analysis master's programs*
*2017-2018 Burning Glass Report on Employment Potential for Selected Programs
FAQs
I am interested in the Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis program. Where should
I begin?
The first step in the process and the best way to get all of your questions answered
is to attend an information session.
If you are unable to attend, please contact us at 310.258.2850 to set up an appointment.
What are the admission periods for the Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis program?
When will I know if I am accepted?
For the masters programs in psychology, the Graduate School of Education and Psychology
operates on a "rolling admissions" basis. This means we review and accept applications
as they are completed. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to submit their applications
well in advance of the deadline. You will receive a decision via mail within three
to four weeks after the submission of your completed application.
Do I have to send in all application materials at once?
No. You can send in different parts of your application as they are completed. We
will hold any materials that arrive under your name, but will only begin tracking
your application and corresponding with you when we receive your online application.
What are my chances of being accepted into the program?
At Pepperdine, we utilize a holistic approach in our thorough review of each and every
application. This means that we do not disqualify applicants based on any one part
of their application. The average cumulative undergraduate GPA is above 3.0.
What are the minimum admission requirements?
Will professional references be accepted?
References should come from individuals who are familiar with your professional and
academic abilities. Recent college graduates should have at least one academic recommendation,
while applicants who have been out of college for more than three years may use either
academic or professional recommendations. It is highly recommended that letters be
sent in lieu of the forms provided in the application booklet.
Can foundational courses be waived?
Students who have taken graduate-level courses judged to be equivalent in content
to foundation level courses may petition to waive such courses. Previously taken courses
will qualify for waiver consideration if they were taken no earlier than seven years
prior to admission and a grade of "B" or better was earned. Applicants without recent
coursework (within the last seven years) in psychology; however, will be required
to complete foundational courses in preparation for the core curriculum. Foundational
courses are offered as part of the master's program.
Where should I send my application materials?
All application materials should be sent to our West Los Angeles Graduate Campus.
The admission address is:
Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology
Enrollment Services
6100 Center Drive – 5th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90045
I am an International Applicant. What additional admission requirements do I need
to submit?
Spring 2020 Deadline
- The Spring 2020 Application Deadline for International Students has passed
Summer 2020 Deadline
- The Summer 2020 Application Deadline for International Students has passed
Fall 2020 Deadline
- International Students must apply by 11:59 PM PST on June 1, 2020.
- All supplemental materials must be submitted by this date
Applicants who attended schools outside the United States are required to submit certified
transcripts in English. Submitted transcripts must include a cumulative grade point
average (GPA on a 4.0 scale, A = 4.0) that has been evaluated by a NACES member credential service (www.naces.org) such as the World Education Services, Inc. (www.wes.org) or the International Education Research Foundation (www.ierf.org)
If you have not completed your bachelor's degree at the time of application, submit
a current transcript. Upon degree completion, you are required to provide official
transcripts in a sealed envelope prior to enrollment.
Mailing Address:
Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology Admissions
6100 Center Drive 5th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA
International applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit
a minimum passing score of 550 on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL). The computer-based TOEFL test requires a minimum passing score of 80. Information concerning the availability of this test in foreign countries can be
obtained by contacting TOEFL, Educational Testing Services, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
or online at www.toefl.org. As an alternative to the TOEFL, you may submit a score of at least 6.5 on the IELTS exam. You can find out more at www.ielts.org
Is the Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis program offered on a semester basis?
The on-campus program offered at our West Los Angeles campus has two 15-week terms during Fall
and Spring and two 7-week Summer sessions.
The online program has four 11-week terms (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer). To apply for the online
program, please see the program's website.
Can the Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis program be completed in less than two
years?
On average, the program is completed in two years. However, some students may complete
the program in 1.5 years if they waive courses or have already been working in the
field and are eligible to take the 4-term course sequence.
When are the classes offered?
Classes are offered in the late afternoon and evening. Each class meets once per week.
Classes are offered Monday-Thursday. During the summer term, classes meet twice per
week.
Where is the Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis program offered?
Applied Behavior Analysis courses are offered only at the West Los Angeles Graduate
Campus.
Is funding available?
Yes. The best way to learn about opportunities for grants, loans, scholarships, and
assistantship positions is to attend one of our Information Sessions, as most meetings
include a Financial Aid presentation.
Does Pepperdine assist with fieldwork placements?
Students currently working in ABA-based settings can begin fieldwork and accrue hours
in their first semester in the program. Students who are just entering this field
will receive assistance in finding fieldwork placements once they have completed their
first semester of foundational course work.
What is your antiracism and antidiscrimination statement?
The MSABA and GSEP psychology division stand in solidarity against racial inequities
and injustice and other forms of discrimination and oppression. We are committed to
fostering an inclusive learning environment that is enriched and strengthened by diversity
including but not limited to race, ethnicity and national origin, gender and gender
identity, sexuality, class, age, ability status, and religion. GSEP also encourages
all community members to engage in critical learning and reflection to strengthen
our capacity for being effective, active, and outspoken against all forms of racism
and intersectional oppression.