ABA Programs at Oslo Metropolitan University

Oslo Metropolitan University is a leading institution in Norway’s capital city. Its Department of Behavioral Sciences, under the Faculty of Health Sciences, offers specialized programs in behavior analysis. Students enjoy access to cultural and professional opportunities throughout Oslo’s vibrant capital.

The university earned its reputation through complete academic offerings in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). OsloMet offers a bachelor’s degree in psychology with behavior analysis focus, a master’s in Behavioral Science, and a Ph.D. program in behavior analysis. The bachelor’s program has all courses needed for the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) certification, making it an excellent choice for students seeking professional certification.

OsloMet’s unique approach to behavior analysis education stems from its cross-disciplinary nature. Students come from various educational backgrounds, creating a rich learning environment where different viewpoints join together. The university combines behavior analysis with complexity science, network analysis, and economics. This mix expands the scope of problems that behavioral analytic frameworks can address.

The curriculum strikes a balance between theory and practice. Students get solid foundations in behavior analysis theory and research methods while choosing specialized elective courses. These options include Organizational Behavior Management (OBM), risk management, behavioral economics, complex human behavior, Early Intensive Behavioral Interventions, and professional ethics. Students complete their master’s program by writing a thesis in scientific article format, preparing them for academic publication.

OsloMet works together with practice fields in education and research at national and international levels. The university’s scientific community commands respect, with faculty maintaining extensive international networks. Visiting scholars and students with promising master’s thesis projects add to this global viewpoint.

Research groups and projects showcase the university’s dedication to advancement. OsloMet’s partnerships with industry and society give students practical experience and ground application opportunities. These connections help keep behavior analysis programs aligned with current professional practices.

What ABA programs does Oslo Metropolitan University offer?

Oslo Metropolitan University provides a complete range of Applied Behavior Analysis programs at every academic level from undergraduate studies through doctoral research.

The Bachelor’s in Psychology with an Emphasis in Behavior Analysis program establishes the foundation of ABA education at the university. This three-year degree earned accreditation through December 31, 2031 from the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). Students get all courses needed for the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) certification. The program’s 2022 enrollment reached 115 students, with 18 graduates that year. Competition runs high – only 65 students secured admission from 1,584 applications in 2022. Most students complete their studies in three years.

The Master’s Program in Behavioral Science (previously called Master’s in Learning in Complex Systems) represents advanced specialization. ABAI accredited this program through December 31, 2031. The program started a mission to give students “knowledge, skills and competence… useful to design, implement, manage, and document processes of change for individuals and in systems”. The program had 273 enrolled students in 2022, with 46 completing their degrees. Students typically finish in about 2.75 years. While selective – accepting 105 out of 619 applicants in 2022 – the program attracts students from various backgrounds. Teachers, nurses, social educators, psychology graduates, and professionals from economics, law, and human resources make up the student body.

OsloMet’s PhD in Behavior Analysis program enables students to conduct advanced research in the field.

The university supplements these degree programs with specialized courses. The Introduction to Behavior Analysis (MALKA211) master’s course runs one semester (10 ECTS) in English. Students learn core concepts like respondent and operant conditioning, measurement techniques, and ethical considerations. Undergraduates can take Behavior Analysis 1 – General Principles (PSYK1420), a one-semester course (10 ECTS) covering similar fundamentals.

The Applied Behavior Analysis course (VERB2300) offers 15 ECTS of hands-on study in planning, documenting, and evaluating behavior analytic interventions. Students apply theoretical principles through case-based supervised group work and skills training sessions.

These programs run on-campus in Oslo. They maintain rigorous academic standards while giving students both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in applied behavior analysis.

Accreditation

The ABA programs at Oslo Metropolitan University show evidence of academic excellence through their international standards compliance. Both undergraduate and graduate programs have earned recognition from the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) Accreditation Board through detailed evaluations.

The Master in Behavioral Science program first received ABAI accreditation in 2014 and holds this status through December 31, 2031. This renewal shows the Board’s professional judgment that the program meets quality standards without serious gaps. The program’s mission aims to give students “knowledge, skills and competence… useful to design, implement, manage, and document processes of change for individuals and in systems”.

The Bachelor’s in Psychology with an Emphasis in Behavior Analysis program also has full accreditation through December 31, 2031. The ABAI Accreditation Board awarded this status after finding that the program meets all standards well. Students learn “basic competence in psychology and behavior analysis to conduct functional analyzes of behavior” and how to arrange “appropriate reinforcement contingencies for promoting and maintaining desired behavior change”.

The Department of Behavioral Science within the Faculty of Health Sciences runs both programs on campus[91]. Each year, the university submits reports that meet accreditation requirements from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) through the ABAI Accreditation Board.

Since January 1, 2022, all ABAI-accredited programs match the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s (BACB) degree and coursework requirements. This alignment helps international students get BCBA and BCaBA certification through Pathway 1.

Norway handles BACB certification differently from other countries. One source explains, “In Norway, the BACB certification is not required for professionals working with people with autism. We have rather strict licensing requirement for health personnel and teachers”. All the same, more professionals want BACB certification in this setting.

The ABAI accreditation involves several steps. Programs go through eligibility reviews, site visits, and get chances to respond before the board decides. This complete evaluation will give a strong foundation in behavior analysis education worldwide.

Tuition

Students at Oslo Metropolitan University pay different tuition fees based on their nationality and program choice. You need to understand these costs before you begin your ABA education.

Norway made a big change in autumn 2023. The country started charging tuition fees to non-European students. Students from countries outside the EU/EEA now need to pay for their studies in Norway. Your program choice determines the exact amount you’ll pay.

Most programs cost between 67,000 NOK and 95,000 NOK per year for the 2026/2027 academic year. These fees are a big investment, especially for master’s programs. The university’s documents don’t list ABA program fees, but master’s programs usually cost within this range.

Good news for EU/EEA and Swiss students – they don’t pay any tuition at public Norwegian universities. This makes Oslo Metropolitan University a great choice for European students who want to study ABA.

Exchange students get special treatment. They don’t need to pay any semester fees. This benefit helps students who join short-term behavior analysis programs.

The university charges all students a semester fee. This rule applies even if you study abroad through exchange programs. The fee is about 100 euros each semester. This amount is much lower than regular tuition.

Your tuition payment covers courses, guidance, supervision, exams, and administration. But you’ll need extra money for visa costs, living expenses, and books. Make sure to add these costs to your budget.

The university wants full tuition payment before each academic year starts. Right now, you can’t pay in installments. You’ll get an invoice with bank details early enough to arrange your payment. Remember, you must pay all fees in Norwegian Krone.

The university doesn’t give scholarships or loans to international students. Norway doesn’t have national scholarship programs either. This means international students need to find their own way to pay for their education.

Admissions

The ABA programs at Oslo Metropolitan University have specific admission criteria that depend on your study level. Your path to admission will be different if you want to pursue a degree program versus individual courses.

Students need a bachelor’s degree with at least a C average to join the Bachelor’s program. The program welcomes students from a variety of educational backgrounds. Teachers, nurses, social educators, psychology graduates, social workers, economists, engineers, police officers, military personnel, lawyers, and HR professionals make up the student body. US students should note that they need to take a Norwegian language proficiency test before they can join the complete master’s program.

The Master’s program welcomes applicants who are already admitted to a master’s program in behavioral sciences. Upper-level bachelor students in behavioral sciences might also be eligible. Exchange students choose their courses during their exchange application process. The application deadline falls on October 1, so make sure to mark your calendar.

Several individual courses are available with their own requirements:

• PSYK1420 (Behavior Analysis 1): No specific admission requirements
• MALKA211, MALKA217, MALKA218, MALKA219, MALKA220, and MALK4000-403: Open to master’s level students within Behavioral Sciences or Psychology (upper-level bachelor students might be eligible)
• MALKA215: Students must be at master’s level within Behavioral Sciences or Psychology and have a solid background in Behavior Analysis

Both internal and external students can apply for PhD courses. Your current status determines the application process. Students already in one of the faculty’s doctoral programs (Behavior Analysis or Health Sciences) can register through the Studentweb portal. External applicants must either be in a PhD program at another institution or have completed their master’s degree.

What sets Oslo Metropolitan University apart?

ABA programs at Oslo Metropolitan University stand out from other worldwide offerings in several unique ways.

The program’s most striking feature combines systems thinking, complexity theory, and network analysis with behavior analysis curriculum. OsloMet stands possibly as the only institution globally that blends these disciplines together. This approach is a big deal as it means that students can tackle more complex problems using behavior analytic principles.

The master’s program brings together students from many different educational paths. You’ll study with professionals from education, healthcare, economics, law enforcement, military, legal practice, and human resources. This mix of backgrounds creates a learning environment where different professional views merge with behavior analysis principles.

The program’s specialized courses make it special. Students and employers value the courses in Organizational Behavior Management (OBM), risk management, and behavioral economics that combine field knowledge with behavior analysis. Graduates learn to use behavioral principles in many professional settings.

Practical training plays a key role in the curriculum. Students spend nine weeks applying their knowledge in real-life settings like schools, kindergartens, or healthcare facilities. They measure behavior, implement changes, analyze data, and work through ethical issues in practice.

Graduates can work in both public and private sectors. OsloMet’s behavior analysis concepts work well across different populations and settings. This flexibility helps graduates find jobs more easily.

The university’s mission aims “to bring behavior analysis to the people” by sharing behavioral science knowledge in any discipline. This dedication to accessibility and ground application makes OsloMet a leader in behavior analysis education.

Next steps

Want to study ABA at Oslo Metropolitan University? These practical steps will guide you through the application process and help plan your academic experience.

The master’s program applications require submission through the Søknadsweb portal (fsweb.no). Your name must match your passport exactly, and you need to provide valid contact details. The university sends all application correspondence by email, and admission decisions appear in Søknadsweb.

Important deadlines you should know:

• October 1 – Application deadline for international exchange students
• March 1 – Early admission application deadline

Early decision candidates must fulfill all requirements by March 1 and be top-ranked applicants. Qualified candidates who miss early admission can still compete for regular spots in July.

ABA program graduates build successful careers in various fields. They work in general, special, and higher education, health and social services, leadership and human resource management, and scientific research.

The master’s program creates a strong foundation for doctoral studies. The university offers single PhD courses in Behavior Analysis without tuition fees to both internal and external students.

Accepted students can customize their academic path through course selection. Exchange students need to include more than 30 ECTS in their Learning Agreement or reach out to the university for assistance.