- Ed.M. in Special Education General Studies Program (non-certification)
- Ed.M. in Special Education with Teacher of Students with Disabilities Certification only
- Ed.M. in Special Education with Teacher of Students with Disabilities Certification and Gifted Education GSE Certificate
- Ed.M. in Special Education with Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant Certification
- Download the program guide (includes course list and application requirements)
- Contact the program coordinator, Dr. Judith Harrison
Program Overview
Offered jointly by the Rutgers Graduate School of Education and the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, the Ed.M. in Special Education with ABA Sequence program provides advanced graduate preparation in special education while enabling students to take 6 out of 7 courses* required to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam. Certified special and general education teachers who wish to learn to identify, assess, and address both the behavioral needs of students and the instructional needs of students with mild and moderate cognitive disabilities, most often apply.
*An additional, seventh ABA course (18:820:522 Personnel Supervision and Management in ABA) must be taken to meet the academic requirements for eligibility to take the BCBA examination. Students will need to meet additional fieldwork experience requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination. This seventh course, as well as the experience requirements, are not currently included in this degree program.
Coursework will help students develop competencies in the assessment and interventions of students with disabilities, teach collaborative teaching and consultation skills, and integrate principles of New Jersey special education law. ABA-specific required core classes will also cover the basic principles of applied behavior analysis, ethics for behavior analysts, application of ABA principles, and strategies for teaching children with autism and related disorders.
This is a non-certification program and does not include coursework resulting in a NJ school personnel license. Students with a bachelor’s degree who are interested in initial teacher certification in special education should contact the Office of Student and Academic Services. The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified our courses toward academic requirements for eligibility to take the BCBA examination. Applicants will need to meet additional experience requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination. Experience requirements are not currently included in this degree program.
The following programmatic offerings are also available for students seeking an Ed.M. in Special Education:
For more information about the Ed.M. in Special Education with ABA Sequence program:
Program Details
Application Deadline
Feb 1 / Oct 15 / May 15 *Late applications will be considered.
Entry Term(s)
Fall / Spring / Summer
Program Type
Degree + BCBA Exam Coursework
Meets the needs of individuals seeking a master's degree and the necessary coursework to sit for the exam to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. We've got you covered What will I do? In Short
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Maximize your options for employment as a behavior analyst -- learn more about
our 100% Online Master of Education in Special Education,
Guided Studies, Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration.
Degree Overview
Students complete four required courses, including a capstone course on implementation of best practices, and 30 credits in three goal areas with content meeting the standards for a Verified Course Sequence in Applied Behavior Analysis according to the Association for Behavior Analysis International and the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, as well as courses related to Autism, a primary area of service delivery in Applied Behavior Analysis.
Program Highlights
Fitchburg State University is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Fitchburg State University is working toward accreditation of its educator preparation programs under the AAQEP standards with an anticipated quality assurance review in Fall 2023.
Career Opportunities
- Behavior Analyst
- Behavior Interventionist
- BCBA Clinical Supervisor/Manager
- Behavior Clinician
- Behavior/Behavioral Consultant
- Behavior Specialist
- BCBA Program Supervisor
- Pursue a supervisory role in your current career
Total Credits
39 credits
Time Frame
While you can complete the program in as few as two years, you have six years to complete the program.
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We know you're busy, so we've given you a few different options to conveniently get the answers you need. You can…
- Email an enrollment counselor or call 978.665.3182
- Attend an Information Session
- Watch a webinar