ABA Programs at Florida State University, Panama City

Florida State University is the oldest higher education institution in Florida, founded in 1851. FSU grew from a liberal arts college in 1897 into the research university we know today. The university now extends beyond its main Tallahassee campus to several satellite locations, including the Panama City campus where the Applied Behavior Analysis program runs successfully.

The field of applied behavior analysis started in the mid-1960s. It focuses on analyzing and changing behavior through environmental modifications. FSU Panama City’s graduate program serves three main goals. Students get a detailed understanding of behavior analysis principles through coursework and real-world experience in a variety of settings. The program prepares graduates to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts. Research helps develop practical solutions for social and behavioral challenges.

This unique five-semester thesis-equivalent (CORE Project) program has sections for a comprehensive exam. Students create a Professional Portfolio to show their behavioral skills. Resident faculty from both Panama City and Tallahassee campuses teach courses through an Interactive Television Network. Students can live at either location and get equal face-to-face interaction as faculty travel between campuses.

Students receive assistantships and tuition waivers through placement with approved behavior analytic agencies. Both Panama City and Tallahassee areas offer many settings for behavior analysis practicum experiences, including the on-campus Early Childhood Autism Program (ECAP).

FSU ranks among the “Top 50” institutions globally for behavior analysis research, based on published authors and educational institutions. This steadfast dedication to excellence makes FSU Panama City’s ABA program a top choice among aba masters programs in Florida for students looking to advance their careers in this growing field.

What ABA programs does Florida State University – Panama City offer?

FSU Panama City offers a Master of Science in Psychology with a Specialty in Applied Behavior Analysis. This program is the only terminal master’s degree program in the Psychology department. Students at both FSU Tallahassee and FSU Panama City can access this nationally top-ranked program.

The program runs for five semesters and requires students to complete a CORE Project with a complete examination. Students build a Professional Portfolio to show their behavioral skills instead of writing a traditional thesis. You’ll need thirty-nine credit hours to graduate, and each course requires at least a 2.75 (B-) grade point.

The program’s curriculum has several key parts. Students start with simple Principles courses – EAB 5700 (Basic Principles of Behavior) and EAB 5701 (Basic Methods of Applied Behavior Analysis). They then take four Special Areas of Application courses that cover developmental disabilities and autism, mental health and aging, education, and performance management. The program rounds out with courses on theory, research methods, and ethics in applied behavior analysis.

Students begin their three-semester practicum in the summer of their first year. The Early Childhood Autism Program (ECAP) at FSU Panama City provides on-campus practical training. Every student gets tuition waivers and paid assistantships at approved behavior analytic agencies during their practicum.

The program’s faculty includes world-class experts in applied behavior analysis. Students learn from more than twelve Ph.D. faculty members with specialty training in behavior analysis. Most of these faculty members also hold BCBA-D certification.

The program uses an Interactive Television Network to make classes available to students in both Panama City and Tallahassee. Faculty members travel between campuses to meet all students in person.

FSU’s ABA program ranks No. 1 worldwide for BCBA exam pass rates. This mix of strong academics, real-life experience, and great outcomes makes it an ideal choice for future behavior analysts.

Accreditation

Accreditation serves as a key measure of quality and rigor for ABA programs’ academic credentials. The FSU system’s main and satellite campuses have full accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This regional accreditation lets FSU award various degrees from associate to doctoral levels, along with certificates and diplomas across approved educational tiers.

FSU Panama City offers something extra for students interested in behavior analysis programs. The Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis has earned prestigious accreditation from the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) Accreditation Board. This special recognition makes it one of just 24 graduate-level ABA programs nationwide with ABAI accreditation.

The ABAI Accreditation Board renewed the program’s full accreditation status in 2025 for five years through December 31, 2029. Site visitors praised many outstanding features during their complete evaluation. The program’s high certification exam pass rates and steadfast dedication to community service stood out. The board also called the program’s funding model truly exceptional, with its tuition deferrals and competitive pay rates at practicum sites.

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) has verified the program’s curriculum and practicum components. This verification confirms that course content and supervised practical experiences line up with professional certification standards.

FSU Panama City’s accreditation status depends on the Tallahassee parent campus’s continued accreditation since it’s a branch campus. The Panama City location goes through evaluation during all reaffirmation reviews. This integrated approach will give consistent educational standards at all FSU locations.

Students thinking about behavior analysis education in Florida should note these multiple accreditation levels. They show clear evidence of program quality, faculty expertise, and commitment to professional standards. These factors matter a lot to pick a graduate program that prepares you well for certification and career success in applied behavior analysis.

Tuition

Money plays a crucial role at the time you’re pursuing graduate studies in applied behavior analysis. The ABA program at Florida State University’s Panama City campus stands out because right now, all students get tuition waivers through paid assistantship placements with approved behavior analytic agencies.

FSU Panama City’s standard graduate tuition costs $444.26 per credit hour for Florida residents and $1075.66 per credit hour for out-of-state students. Students from specific Alabama and Georgia counties might qualify for a special out-of-state rate of $464.49 per credit hour.

Students need to work at least 10 hours weekly throughout a semester to qualify for these waivers. The credit hour requirements vary based on your funding status. Students with assistantships must take 9 credit hours each semester. Those without university funding need 12 credit hours per term.

The tuition waivers don’t cover all costs. Students still pay tuition fees each semester. Panama City’s fees are typically lower than Tallahassee’s.

Students have several ways to fund their education before reaching the practicum stage. They can tap into federal, state, or university grants, student loans, work-study programs, and merit or need-based scholarships. Filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a must to get financial aid.

The Adam P. Arias ABA Autism Scholarship is a great way to get funding for graduate students in FSU Panama City’s Applied Behavior Analysis program. This scholarship looks at community service, financial need, and academic excellence.

Legislative and internal policy changes can affect tuition rates and financial aid options. Make sure to check the latest information through official university channels.

Admissions

The ABA program at Florida State University’s Panama City campus offers a competitive yet clear admission process. Students can apply once a year, and the Fall enrollment deadline is January 15th. FSU Panama City doesn’t require GRE or other standardized graduate admission tests for Master’s programs.

Applicants need a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) from their upper-division undergraduate coursework. Most successful candidates bring 1 to 5 years of hands-on ABA experience, though this isn’t mandatory. Students with backgrounds in education, counseling, and similar fields can also apply to the program.

A complete application package should have these items:

• A completed University Application for Admission to a graduate program at Florida State University along with a $30.00 application fee
• One official copy of transcripts from all colleges attended
• A personal statement describing your experiences with behavior analysis and career goals
• Three letters of recommendation (at least two letters must come from faculty)
• A detailed resume

Students must clear both federal and state criminal background checks before registering for their first semester. These checks are needed because of the program’s practicum components. Background check results could affect your admission status.

The Admissions Portal lets you track your documents and application status after submission. FSU sends most communications through email, so keeping your contact details updated is important.

The program receives many applications each cycle, so early preparation helps. Accepted students get information about orientation and campus resources to help direct their academic experience at FSU Panama City.

What sets FSU – Panama City apart?

FSU’s Panama City campus offers one of the most exceptional ABA programs in Florida. FSU has grown into a global leader in behavior analysis research over the past years. The university ranks among the “Top 50” institutions worldwide for published authors and educational representation. Students benefit directly from exposure to innovative behavioral science research.

Small class sizes at FSU Panama City give students a detailed academic experience. The close-knit environment lets students work closely with faculty experts. Students learn from world-class specialists in applied behavior analysis. Over a dozen faculty members hold Ph.D. credentials with specialty training in behavior analysis. Twelve faculty members’ BCBA-D certification makes the program even more valuable.

The program’s limited-access structure will give a quality education with individual attention. Students get paid assistantship placements at approved behavior analytic agencies, including FSU’s Early Childhood Autism Program. This setup helps with tuition costs and lets students build impressive portfolios of their behavioral skills.

FSU Panama City’s non-profit ABA program stands alone in the Florida Panhandle. It provides both in-home and in-clinic services. This community focus creates meaningful ground effects beyond traditional education.

The Panama City campus takes a market-driven approach by building mutually beneficial alliances with Florida’s leading employers. This focus on practical applications helps graduates develop skills they’ll use in their careers.

Next steps

Want to join FSU Panama City’s prominent ABA programs? The application deadline is January 15th for Fall enrollment, and the program doesn’t accept spring or summer admissions. You can start your Fall 2026 Graduate Application on August 1st, 2025.

Students receive tuition waivers through paid assistantship placements at approved behavior analytic agencies. These placements help you get clinical experience while covering your education costs.

The program needs you to complete these prerequisites: Introduction to Psychology, Research Methods, Conditioning and Learning, and Applied Behavior Analysis with a grade of B- or better. You can apply before finishing prerequisites, but you must complete them before starting graduate coursework.

Federal and state criminal background checks are mandatory before your first semester registration. Note that positive results could affect your admission status due to practicum requirements.

The program takes thirty-nine credit hours, and registration happens online. You cannot substitute courses from other universities for any of the ten required EAB content courses. Your prior applied experience cannot replace practicum requirements.

FSU Panama City’s certified behavior analyst program creates paths to rewarding careers. Behavior analysts work in settings of all types – schools, clinics, hospitals, and community organizations. Their work helps address behavioral challenges and enhances life quality for many different populations.

This program’s graduates excel in certification exams, with FSU holding the top global rank for BCBA exam pass rates. Their success shows in career growth too, as the program ranks fourth nationwide for graduates’ median salary.

FSU Panama City puts ethical practice at its core. Students learn to handle complex ethical decisions through specialized courses that focus on professional conduct in behavioral interventions.

The program benefits both students and the community through its Early Childhood Autism Program. This setup serves two purposes – it trains future analysts and provides vital community services. Students get hands-on experience where theory and practice come together each day.

The ABA programs at Florida State University, Panama City offer something special to people who want to understand and shape human behavior. Students can grow their careers while helping their community – a combination rarely found in Florida’s ABA masters programs.