Florida International University ABA Programs
Florida International University welcomes students to explore their Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) programs. Their premier offering is the Master of Science in Psychology with a major in Behavior Analysis. The Association for Behavior Analysis International Accreditation Board has accredited this program, which shows their dedication to excellence in behavior analysis education.
The MS program takes a unique approach with its cohort-based, lockstep structure. Students complete 45 credit hours in just 18 months. New classes start twice a year – fall and spring semesters. Your class format depends on when you start. Fall students enjoy hybrid classes with face-to-face sessions at the Modesto Maidique Campus plus online work. Spring students participate in hybrid Online Live classes through Zoom meetings with some independent study components.
The program teaches you to understand human behavior through scientific principles and use them to improve people’s lives. You’ll learn everything needed to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). The program also gives you hands-on experience through supervised practicum during your second, third, and final semesters.
The job market for BCBA certification has exploded. Numbers show an amazing 5,852 percent increase from 2010 to 2021, with a 38 percent jump in 2020-2021 alone. This growth shows how behavior analysis is gaining recognition in organizations of all types.
FIU also offers a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis. This certificate helps professionals who already have a graduate degree complete their BCBA certification requirements. The program features seven courses in FIU’s graduate Verified Course Sequence over three semesters (12 months). Classes meet on Zoom once or twice weekly at 5 p.m. EST or later.
Undergraduate students can pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with an Applied Behavior Analysis Track. This degree needs 120 total credit hours, with 39 major hours requiring a grade of ‘C’ or better.
These programs need serious dedication. Master’s students must attend weekly classes (once for fall admission, twice for spring admission after 4 p.m.). They also need 10 hours minimum outside class over two weekdays each week for practicum experience. This approach gives you solid training in both theory and real-world applications of behavior analysis.
Expert faculty members lead FIU’s behavior analysis programs, bringing their knowledge right into your classroom.
What ABA programs does Florida International University offer?
FIU offers three different ABA program options that match your career stage and educational goals.
The substance of the graduate programs is the Master of Science in Psychology with a major in Behavior Analysis. Students need 45 credit hours to complete this detailed program, which takes 18 months in a cohort-based, lockstep format. The curriculum guides you toward the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA©) credential and meets all certification requirements. Your coursework follows a well-laid-out sequence through four semesters:
Your first semester builds a foundation with Behavior Analysis Foundations, Single-Case Research Methods, and Ethical Code. You’ll move on to Concepts & Principles and Behavior Assessment in the second semester, and start your practicum experience. The third semester focuses on Behavioral Technologies and Organizational Behavior Management. Your final semester has Applied Lifespan Development and continued practicum work.
The supervised practicum is a chance to complete 1,500 hours of Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork. This means you’ll graduate ready to take the BCBA exam. You’ll also get hands-on experience with local organizations that provide behavior analysis services.
If you have a graduate degree already, FIU’s Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis might be right for you. This option has seven courses in the graduate Verified Course Sequence, spread over three semesters (12 months). Keep in mind that while the certificate program provides the required coursework for BCBA certification, it doesn’t include supervised fieldwork experience.
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with an Applied Behavior Analysis Track serves undergraduate students. This program has coursework that prepares you for the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) certificate. You’ll learn to define behavior as the unit of study, identify functional relationships between behavior and the environment, observe and measure behavior objectively, and implement behavior analytic interventions.
The job market looks bright for program graduates. The field has seen a remarkable 5,852 percent increase in demand for BCBA-certified professionals from 2010 to 2021, with a 38 percent jump from 2020 to 2021 alone. Graduates work in a variety of roles such as behavior analysts, clinical supervisors, educators, researchers, program managers, autism specialists, and clinical directors. The undergraduate track especially prepares you to work with people who have autism spectrum disorder and other disabilities, or those who want help with behavior change and skill development.
Accreditation
Florida International University’s behavior analysis education has earned formal recognition through strict accreditation processes. The Master of Science in Psychology with a major in Behavior Analysis holds accreditation from the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) Accreditation Board. This recognition validates the program’s educational standards and how well it works.
The ABAI Accreditation Board awarded provisional accreditation to the MS program for three years in 2025. Their professional assessment showed the program meets established standards but needs some improvements in student outcomes. Provisional status means they will monitor and evaluate the program to make sure it keeps getting better.
The program aims to “produce graduates who promote the principles of radical behaviorism, demonstrate superior behavior analytic skills, and who involve themselves in highly effective and ethical behavior analysis practice”. These goals line up with the strict standards of the accreditation board.
ABAI has verified FIU’s courses that count toward Board Certified Behavior Analyst examination requirements. Students who complete the program will have met a vital part of the certification process.
BCBA certification needs three main things: coursework, supervised fieldwork, and examination. FIU’s Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis includes seven courses in the graduate Verified Course Sequence. This sequence works great if you have a graduate degree but need to finish the required coursework for BCBA certification.
The program meets BACB’s degree and coursework requirements through Pathway 1 for both BCBA® and BCaBA® certification applications. Students can take this direct route to become eligible for certification.
FIU joins several universities in the United States that have ABAI-accredited master’s programs. Other prominent schools include Auburn University, Caldwell University, Ohio State University, and University of Nevada, Reno.
Students get real benefits from this accreditation status. The curriculum stays current with industry standards, graduates gain professional credibility, and the certification process becomes easier because of pre-verified coursework.
This accreditation gives you confidence in getting quality education that meets national standards when looking for ABA programs in Florida. You can find detailed certification requirements at www.bacb.com.
Tuition
FIU offers transparent tuition rates and plenty of financial aid options for students. Florida residents in the Applied Behavior Analysis undergraduate track pay $205.57 per credit hour, while out-of-state students pay $660.19 per credit hour. Graduate ABA program rates differ, with in-state students paying $455.64 and out-of-state students paying $1056.29 per credit hour.
Students pursuing an online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Applied Behavior Analysis track should expect to pay $235.57 per credit hour as Florida residents and $690.19 as non-residents. Base tuition rates might increase due to program-specific fees and enrollment status.
Your total costs will include several additional fees:
- Athletic fees
- Health fees
- Parking fees
- Distance Learning Fee ($30 per credit for online courses)
- One Card/Photo ID Service Fee ($10 annually)
Financial support at FIU is readily available. About 89% of full-time undergraduate students get some form of aid. The FAFSA application opens each year on October 1, and submitting it by December 1 gives you priority consideration.
The Golden Promise program shows FIU’s steadfast dedication to making education affordable. This program covers all tuition and fees for first-time-in-college Florida students who have zero expected family contribution. You just need to submit your FAFSA to check if you qualify.
Private scholarships and FIU-specific awards help cover costs that federal and state aid might miss. Florida’s Bright Futures program gives high-achieving state students another funding option. Applications open on October 1 of your senior year in high school.
Graduate ABA students should work with the Office of Scholarships to strengthen their applications since graduate-level scholarships are highly competitive. The University Graduate School’s Funding Page lists more options, including assistantships and fellowships.
The Panther Payment Plan lets you spread out your educational expenses. Qualified students can also explore private student loans through approved lenders – a helpful option especially for certificate program students.
A typical undergraduate semester budget at FIU goes beyond tuition. You’ll need to plan for books and supplies ($675), housing ($4,465), food ($2,461), transportation ($1,473), and personal expenses ($1,737).
Admissions
Students who want to join FIU’s behavior analysis programs need to prepare their applications carefully and watch the deadlines. The university welcomes applications for Fall 2026 for its Master of Science in Psychology with a major in Behavior Analysis. FIU stands out by offering program starts twice a year, with new groups starting in fall and spring semesters.
The application follows several clear steps. Students must submit the online graduate application with a $30 fee. They also need these supporting documents:
- Official university/college transcripts from all previous institutions
- GRE scores (mandatory from Fall 2025)
- Application attestation form
- Statement of intent (maximum three double-spaced pages)
- Resume/CV showing behavior analysis experience
- Three letters of recommendation (professors preferred)
The MS in Behavior Analysis has specific deadlines that differ from regular university dates. Students should submit materials by April 15 for fall admission and August 15 for spring admission. The university’s standard graduate deadlines are June 1 for fall, October 1 for spring, and March 1 for summer terms.
International students have extra requirements. Spring admission works only as a fully remote-hybrid option and excludes F-1 or J-1 visa students. These students must apply for fall admission. They need to provide translated transcripts, English test scores (TOEFL 550 paper-based/80 internet-based or IELTS 6.5), and visa paperwork.
The admissions committee reviews complete applications within 6-8 weeks after the deadline. Students can check their application status through their MyFIU account, which becomes active 3-5 business days after submission.
The Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis program has temporarily stopped accepting applications for Spring 2025 and later terms.
What sets Florida International University apart?
Several distinctive features raise FIU’s behavior analysis programs above other educational options in Florida and beyond.
A detailed practicum experience integrated into the master’s curriculum sets FIU apart. You can accumulate up to 1,500 hours of Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork through three semesters of supervised practicum. This practical component helps you graduate with all requirements met to sit for the BCBA exam—an advantage many competing programs lack.
The program’s hybrid format strikes a perfect balance between flexibility and rigorous education. Students complete about half the coursework asynchronously online in their cohort. This structure accommodates working professionals while maintaining educational quality.
The curriculum incorporates BCBA exam preparation and offers targeted support for certification instead of treating it as an optional addition. FIU’s dedication to your professional success extends beyond graduation through this integration.
Former students praise their professors’ emphasis on ethical and compassionate approaches to ABA practice. A recent graduate shares: “The professors are great, they promote ethical and compassionate aba, I feel like I’ve learned a lot and the assignments are applicable and relevant”. Students learn to practice behavior analysis with integrity and sensitivity.
BCBA certification demand showed a remarkable 5,852 percent increase from 2010 to 2021. This growth gives FIU graduates an advantage in the job market. Your FIU education investment aligns with expanding career prospects.
Students pursuing the online psychology degree with ABA track receive tailored guidance from a dedicated success coach. This individual support helps them guide through program requirements and enhance educational outcomes.
FIU’s faculty conducts active research in behavior analysis. Their research-based approach ensures students learn from instructors who understand both theoretical foundations and practical applications of contemporary behavior analysis.
Next steps
Want to start your next chapter with FIU’s behavior analysis programs? You can begin by completing the online graduate application on the Graduate School website and paying the $30 application fee. Create an account on FIU’s main application page, and you’ll receive confirmation and next steps by email.
Once you submit your application, you’ll need these documents:
- Official university transcripts from all previously attended institutions (FIU graduates don’t need to submit FIU transcripts)
- GRE scores (required starting Fall 2025) submitted using institution code 5206
- Completed application attestation form
- Statement of intent (maximum three double-spaced pages)
- Resume highlighting relevant behavior analysis experience
- Three recommendation letters (preferably from professors)
The program has two main deadlines: April 15 for fall admission and August 15 for spring admission. You can check your application status through your MyFIU account, which becomes available 3-5 business days after submission.
International students should apply for fall admission only, as spring admission offers remote-hybrid options that don’t support F-1 or J-1 visa requirements.