McNeese State University ABA Programs
McNeese State University shines as a leader in academic excellence with a 75-year legacy of trusted education and innovation. The university ranks among America’s top public universities and is one of the best regional schools in the South.
The Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program at McNeese delivers an exceptional educational experience. Students benefit from an on-campus master’s program that holds accreditation from the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) Accreditation Board. The program has kept this prestigious status since 2013 and recently earned a three-year reaccreditation. McNeese’s psychology graduate program in ABA is the only ABAI-accredited program in Louisiana and one of just 20 accredited programs across the country.
The program’s excellence shows in its rankings. A recent article in the ABAI journal, Behavior Analysis in Practice, placed McNeese’s graduate program among the top 10 ABA programs for research, training, and faculty quality. This recognition highlights the program’s high standards and complete approach to behavior analysis education.
The online-only program offers different benefits. While it doesn’t have ABAI accreditation, it has earned Verified Course Sequence (VCS) approval. It also partners with the Behavioral Health Centers of Excellence (BHCOE) as an Academic Program Partner. Students who live more than 50 miles from campus get quality supervised learning through BHCOE-accredited sites.
Students receive a thorough education through carefully planned coursework and practica. This approach builds a strong foundation in behavior analytic principles and procedures. The curriculum combines intensive coursework on learning principles and their real-world applications. Students must complete an empirical thesis and participate in supervised practicum experiences.
The McNeese Autism Program (MAP) serves as a training facility for students within 50 miles of campus. MAP operates as an outpatient treatment center, providing ABA services to people with various neurodevelopmental disorders. These include autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and genetic disorders like Down syndrome.
The program’s mix of rigorous academics, research work, and hands-on practice creates skilled scientist-practitioners. Graduates excel in their professional roles and are well-prepared for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) examination.
What ABA programs does McNeese State University offer?
McNeese State University has three different paths to study Applied Behavior Analysis. Students can choose the program that best fits their needs and situation.
The on-campus Master of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis is the university’s flagship program. The Department of Psychology and Counseling runs this seven-semester, 58-credit hour graduate program. The program has managed to keep its Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) accreditation since 2013. The program got reaccredited through December 31, 2027, making it the only ABAI-accredited ABA program in Louisiana.
Students in the on-campus program follow a detailed curriculum that has challenging coursework, an empirical thesis, and supervised practicum experience. Students who live within 50 miles of campus work at the McNeese Autism Program (MAP). MAP is an outpatient treatment center that helps about 30 patients with various neurodevelopmental disorders.
The university also has an online-only ABA program that’s perfect if you can’t attend classes on campus. While this program isn’t ABAI-accredited, it has earned Verified Course Sequence (VCS) approval. The Behavioral Health Centers of Excellence (BHCOE) recognizes it as an Academic Program Partner. Students living beyond the 50-mile campus radius get their supervised learning through BHCOE-accredited sites.
The Applied Behavior Analysis Post-Master’s Certificate (PMC) program is the third option. This program works best if you already have a Master’s degree in a field the Behavior Analysis Certification Board recognizes. The PMC program has:
- A verified course sequence approved by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board
- Face-to-face and 100% online options
- A well-laid-out 39-credit hour curriculum over five terms
- 15 credit hours of detailed internship experiences
All three programs give students the coursework they need to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) examination. But only the on-campus program automatically provides the supervised fieldwork needed for board certification.
Students get hands-on experience at MAP, where they help people with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and genetic disorders like Down syndrome. MAP’s clinical services help improve people’s lives by reducing problematic behavior and building adaptive, academic, communication, feeding, independent living, social, and vocational skills.
Board Certified Behavior Analysts and program faculty supervise students throughout their studies. This supervision ensures students get quality education and clinical experience to build successful careers in applied behavior analysis.
Accreditation
Quality indicators like accreditation play a vital role in educational programs, especially when you have specialized fields like Applied Behavior Analysis. McNeese State University’s on-campus Master of Arts in Psychology with an ABA concentration received full reaccreditation. The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) Accreditation Board granted this for a three-year cycle. This recognition shows the program’s steadfast dedication to excellence in behavior analysis.
The on-campus ABA graduate program is 11 years old with ABAI accreditation. McNeese’s program is the only one in Louisiana with this difference. The program belongs to an exclusive group of twenty-eight master’s level programs worldwide that ABAI has accredited.
Dr. Joanna B. Thompson, director of the Applied Behavior Analysis program, shares, “Earning reaccreditation was a team effort from the students, staff, clinical behavior analysts and core-ABA faculty in our program”. The ABAI Accreditation Board’s 2024 renewal came after they confirmed the program meets established standards.
ABAI’s accreditation process involves a thorough assessment of various program elements. Their standards make sure training programs assess curricular development, faculty qualifications, clinical supervision, and student outcomes. This helps maintain evidence-based best practices in training. The detailed review process confirms the quality and effectiveness of McNeese’s ABA educational approach.
McNeese State University also holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This allows them to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Such institutional accreditation adds another layer of quality assurance.
It’s worth mentioning that McNeese offers different program options. The on-campus program has ABAI accreditation, while the online-only program has Verified Course Sequence (VCS) approval. Both programs are ABAI 5th Edition Task List Verified Course Sequences. This means students can take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) examination after completing their coursework.
McNeese’s graduate program ranks among the top 10 ABA programs nationwide according to the ABAI journal, Behavior Analysis in Practice. This ranking considers research, training, and faculty quality. Dr. Cameron Melville, the psychology graduate program coordinator, adds that “Accreditation and being named a top training program in applied behavior analysis just confirms that our program is high quality”.
McNeese’s dedication to these accreditation standards will give students education that meets the highest professional measures in Applied Behavior Analysis.
Tuition
McNeese State University’s ABA education costs depend on where you live and which program you choose. Money plays a key role in students’ decisions about their education path.
McNeese State University keeps its tuition rates affordable compared to national averages for the 2025-2026 academic year. Students from the state who enroll in ABA programs pay approximately $4,724 per semester, which adds up to $9,448 yearly for tuition and fees. Students from other states pay a bit more at $5,224 per semester, totaling $10,448 per year. International students pay $5,724 each semester, bringing their yearly total to $11,448.
These numbers reflect full-time enrollment and might change since they come from last year’s actual costs. Students should check the university’s Academic Catalog to learn more about specific fees and other expenses.
McNeese’s ABA programs stand out as a great value when compared to other schools. State residents pay nowhere near the typical $25,707 yearly cost at other public colleges. Students from outside the state also save money since the rates are much lower than the $44,014 national average at similar schools.
Graduate students at McNeese pay higher fees than most – $2,794 per year puts the school in the top 10% nationally for graduate fees. All the same, the total tuition stays competitive. Full-time in-state graduate tuition ranks in the bottom 20% nationwide.
Students taking fewer classes should know that hourly rates run from $504 for state residents to $561 for out-of-state students. These rates fall in the middle to lower range compared to similar programs nationwide.
Online Applied Behavior Analysis program has its own pricing structure. State residents pay about $2,972 per semester ($5,944 yearly), while national students pay $3,308 per semester ($6,616 yearly). International students in this program pay $3,638 per semester ($7,276 yearly).
Students should use McNeese’s net price calculator before enrolling. This tool helps estimate total costs and shows potential grants and scholarships that could lower expenses.
Admissions
McNeese State University’s ABA programs have specific academic requirements and a well-laid-out application process. Students must submit their applications through the university’s online portal to the William J. Doré School of Graduate Studies.
- Fall semester – August 14
- Spring semester – December 1
- Summer semester – May 15
Students start their application by paying a $30 fee and submitting official undergraduate transcripts with GRE scores. The simple eligibility criteria include a 2.5 minimum undergraduate GPA and GRE scores that add up to 285 or higher for verbal and quantitative sections. Students also need three hours of statistics and at least 18 hours in psychology courses. These must include experimental psychology, abnormal psychology, and social psychology.
Recent admission data shows strong academic performance among successful applicants. Admitted students’ median undergraduate GPAs range from 3.13 to 3.69, with the latest group averaging 3.4. Their median GRE combined scores fall between 289 and 302 points.
Students who meet minimum requirements first enter the Graduate School. The Departmental Admissions and Retention Committee then evaluates them after their first semester or after completing 12 hours of graduate work. Students can call it a Master of Arts in Psychology program only after the committee accepts them and admits them to candidacy.
McNeese welcomes ABA program students during all three semesters – Fall, Spring, and Summer. New students should check out merit-based Graduate Assistantship opportunities through the Department of Psychology at the McNeese Autism Program. These assistantships offer monthly stipends and reduced tuition for eligible students in both on-campus and online programs with site placement contracts.
Students who live in the five-parish area around Lake Charles must complete their internship at the McNeese Autism Program, even if they take online courses. Students living outside this area can finish their internship at an approved ABA institute that has proper supervision agreements.
What sets McNeese State apart?
ABA Programs at McNeese State University shine with qualities that set them apart from others. BestValueSchools.org ranked the on-campus program as #1 nationally based on accreditation, enrollment, and affordability. The program’s graduates have shown remarkable success rates in professional examinations. Many students land clinical BCBA positions even before graduation or within weeks after.
Students excel professionally thanks to the program’s mix of challenging coursework, research, and hands-on experience. McNeese alumni consistently impress employers with their advanced skills and complete knowledge of applied behavior analysis. This real-life preparation pays off – many students secure positions as board-eligible candidates before finishing their certification exams.
Research excellence remains the substance of the McNeese ABA program. Students take active roles in scholarly work and present at prestigious conferences such as:
- Louisiana Behavior Analysis Association (LaBAA) Conference
- Texas Association for Behavior Analysis (TxABA) Conference
- Annual convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI)
The McNeese Autism Program (MAP) gives students unmatched practical experience within the 50-mile campus radius. Students gain hands-on client experience under expert supervision at this on-site practicum setting. Many programs ask students to find their own practicum sites, but McNeese blends this experience right into the curriculum.
There’s another reason the program stands out – career versatility. Graduates choose from various paths including clinical supervision, behavioral consultation, training coordination, animal behavior consulting, school-based analysis, and special education assistance. Some students continue their education with doctoral studies in applied behavior analysis or experimental psychology.
The program shapes scientist-practitioners and creates an aba therapy Lake Charles resource that serves both students and the community. The field continues to accelerate – the BACB reports a 4,209% increase in demand for behavior analysts over 11 years. McNeese’s program equips graduates with exceptional career preparation.
Next steps
The ABA Programs at McNeese State University welcomes new students. Your future in behavior analysis starts with proper preparation and timely action.
Students begin the MS in Applied Behavior Analysis program as a Fall cohort in August. This structure lets you and your classmates boost your learning experience by moving through the curriculum together.
The program accepts applications until these deadlines:
- Fall: August 14
- Spring: December 1
- Summer: May 15
A complete application needs your undergraduate transcripts and GRE scores submitted through the William J. Doré School of Graduate Studies website. Your combined verbal and quantitative GRE scores should total 285 or higher, with a 2.5 minimum undergraduate GPA.
The McNeese aba program’s Autism Center provides internship placement to admitted students who live in the 5-parish area (Calcasieu, Cameron, Jeff Davis, Allen, Beauregard) or within 50 miles of campus. McNeese partners with the Behavioral Health Centers of Excellence (BHCOE) to place online students who live outside this area.
The Department of Psychology and Counseling at the McNeese Autism Program offers Graduate Assistantship opportunities. These positions come with monthly stipends and reduced tuition, making aba therapy Lake Charles training more accessible.
Your career prospects look promising. Recent graduates landed clinical positions within weeks. You can pursue roles in clinical supervision, behavioral consultation, or advance to doctoral studies.