Pepperdine’s Applied Behavior Analysis Master’s Program Earns Five-Year APBA Accreditation

Pepperdine’s Applied Behavior Analysis Master’s Program Earns Five-Year APBA Accreditation

The Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program is the first to receive accreditation from the Association for Professional Behavior Analysts’ Accreditation Board.

Pepperdine University’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (MSABA) program has earned a five-year accreditation from the Association for Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA), recognizing the program’s commitment to high-quality training, ethical practice, and continuous improvement.

The accreditation covers the 2026–2031 cycle. APBA also identified Pepperdine as the first program accredited by its Accreditation Board, calling the achievement an important milestone in the organization’s efforts to advance quality and excellence in behavior analysis education.

“Achieving accreditation is a significant accomplishment and reflects the time, effort, and commitment your team has dedicated to preparing future behavior analysts for professional practice,” APBA stated in announcing the decision.

APBA’s Accreditation Board granted accreditation after reviewing the program’s curriculum, structure, educational outcomes, faculty qualifications, resources, and preparation of students for professional practice. Its outcome letter noted that Pepperdine’s submitted materials demonstrated the program team’s commitment to high-quality training, ethical practice, and ongoing improvement.

The review identified no standards requiring corrective action or mandatory follow-up in the program’s annual reporting. Reviewers recommended several areas for continued development, but APBA emphasized that no corrective changes are required in those areas.

“We are delighted to attain this accreditation and affirmation of the high standards of our MSABA program,” said Robert A. deMayo, associate dean and professor of psychology. “I congratulate Dr. Adel Najdowski and her team, including Dr. Lusineh Gharapetian and Amaryllis Loew, on this significant achievement. The program exemplifies GSEP’s commitment to prepare students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership. We look forward to many more years of successfully training the next generation of ABA professionals.”

Accreditation is an ongoing process. During the five-year cycle, the program will submit annual reports to APBA, continue evaluating its curriculum and outcomes, and notify the organization of significant changes that could affect its compliance with accreditation standards. Pepperdine will be eligible for reaccreditation in October 2031.

Applied behavior analysis uses principles of learning and behavior to help individuals and communities achieve meaningful improvements in their lives. Pepperdine’s graduate program prepares students for professional practice grounded in ethical decision-making, evidence-based methods, and service to others.

“Earning APBA accreditation is a powerful validation of our faculty’s dedication to delivering rigorous, high-quality behavior analytic education,” said Adel Najdowski, professor and program director of the MSABA program in the Psychology Division of Pepperdine’s Graduate School of Education and Psychology. “This milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to equipping our students with the skills, ethical grounding, and practical experience needed to make a meaningful impact in the field of behavior analysis.”