ABA Programs from The Chicago School

The Chicago School’s Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program takes a scientific approach that goes way beyond traditional methods. Most people think ABA only treats autism, but it helps many different groups. The field includes organizational behavior management, instructional design, and work with unique populations like elderly care and traumatic brain injury patients.

You’ll find ABA programs at different levels at The Chicago School to match your career path. The school offers certificate programs, master’s degrees, and doctoral studies that build your expertise step by step. These programs are available to more people through online and campus-based options, so you can learn in a way that works best for you.

• Theory and Philosophy
• Experimental Analysis of Behavior
• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Service Delivery

This well-laid-out approach will give a deep understanding of both theory and real-world applications. The scientist-practitioner model runs through all these areas and teaches you to be a researcher, scholar, and someone who can evaluate how well interventions work.

These programs stand out because they give you the tools to create real behavior change through evidence-based decisions and careful program planning. Expert faculty members will push you to develop leadership skills while you use modern technology to learn more effectively.

The ABA programs at The Chicago School help you get professional certification. Your program choice lets you complete requirements for either Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) or Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) credentials. These qualifications are in high demand – between 2023 and 2024, there was a remarkable 58% increase in demand for professionals with BCBA or BCBA-D certification.

The Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis takes your master’s knowledge further by improving your research, clinical, and leadership abilities. You can specialize in organizational behavior management or culturo-behavior sciences, which opens up more career paths.

Your studies will expose you to many ABA specialties like instructional design, staff and parent training, and verbal behavior techniques. This broad training prepares you to help clients from all backgrounds across industries, making your education both thorough and adaptable.

What ABA programs does The Chicago School offer?

The Chicago School helps you build expertise in Applied Behavior Analysis through certificate and master’s programs. Students can choose between online classes and campus locations to fit their schedule.

You have two certificate options based on your education level. The Post-Bachelor’s Certificate prepares you to become a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® (BCaBA®). This certification lets you supervise Registered Behavior Technicians and others who implement behavior-analytic interventions. The program includes an optional three-credit field-based clinical training at approved sites.

Students with a master’s degree can pursue the Post-Master’s Certificate to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®). This graduate-level credential allows you to supervise Assistant Behavior Analysts, Registered Behavior Technicians, and behavior-analytic intervention implementers. The Chicago School offers BACB®-compliant practicum, though students can complete it elsewhere.

The Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program stands at the heart of The Chicago School’s ABA offerings. Students learn analytical and conceptual tools needed for ethical behavior-analytic interventions. The program features two tracks that match your career goals:

• Practitioner Track (38 credit hours) – Perfect for future clinicians working in schools, clinics, homes, or community agencies. This track emphasizes applied service delivery and clinical skills through three structured practica in verbal behavior, skill acquisition, and behavior reduction. The program ends with an applied project focused on meaningful behavior change.
• Research Track (39 credit hours) – Built for students aiming at doctoral studies or research careers. This track focuses on research design, scientific writing, and experimental analysis. Students work in research practica over multiple terms and complete a publishable empirical thesis.

The M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis programs at the Chicago campus, Dallas campus, and Online have earned accreditation from the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) Accreditation Board. This achievement highlights the program’s quality and rigor.

The coursework covers concepts and principles in behavior analysis, measurement and design, and professional ethics. Students learn to provide ABA services to clients with different needs in various settings.

Expert faculty members specialized in behavior analysis help develop your leadership skills. You’ll work with modern technologies and learn about ABA applications in instructional design, staff and parent training, and verbal behavior.

The Chicago School’s ABA programs meet all education and practicum requirements for professional certification. This creates a strong foundation for your career in applied behavior analysis, whatever path you choose.

Accreditation

Quality and rigor in educational institutions depend heavily on accreditation. The Chicago School has earned several prestigious accreditations that showcase its dedication to educational excellence.

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission has accredited The Chicago School since 2011. This recognition confirms the quality of education across its programs and campuses.

The Chicago School’s Applied Behavior Analysis programs have received specialized accreditation from the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) Accreditation Board. This board sets and enforces standards for behavior analysis education at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. ABAI accreditation is a mark of excellence in program quality.

Three MS in Applied Behavior Analysis programs at The Chicago School now hold ABAI accreditation:

• Chicago Campus – The program received its original accreditation in 2019 through 2024 and later got an extension through December 31, 2027.
• Dallas Campus – The program earned its original accreditation in 2025 through December 31, 2027.
• Online Program – The program is accredited through December 31, 2027.

Programs must go through an extensive review process to get ABAI accreditation. They need to meet strict standards that give a full picture of their quality and rigor. Programs must operate for five years before they can apply for accreditation. The review looks at curriculum details, faculty credentials, student results, and the overall teaching approach.

Department Chair Dr. Ashley Whittington-Barnish emphasized this achievement: “ABAI accreditation is confirmation of the commitment our faculty and staff have to the success of our students. It speaks to the comprehensiveness, rigor, and quality of our program”.

Students who choose ABAI-accredited programs can be confident they’ll get the Verified Course Sequence and field experience needed for BCBA certification. With 38 states now regulating ABA therapy practice, picking an accredited program becomes vital for career success and professional standing.

Tuition

Money plays a vital role when you choose your education path. The Chicago School uses clear pricing for its ABA programs. Students can pick from several payment choices that fit their budget.

Master’s programs like the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis will cost $1,458 per credit hour. Graduate certificate courses in ABA match the master’s-level rates.

You should plan for these extra fees:

• Student Institutional Service fee: $401 per term or $802 per semester
• Academic Success Lab fee: $100
• Experiential Learning Technology fee: $195
• Degree Conferral fee: $215

Students at the Chicago campus pay $131 per semester for a U-Pass plus a one-time $5 issuance fee.

Your tuition balance needs payment by Friday of the first week each term. Monthly payment plans split your balance into smaller amounts if you can’t pay all at once. You’ll make your first payment in week one, followed by regular payments until the term ends. This plan has no setup costs or interest.

The Chicago School wants ABA education to be available to more people. Their website states: “The Chicago School is dedicated to keeping our professional degree programs accessible to anyone regardless of financial status”. This shows through their scholarships and financial aid services that help you find the right payment setup.

Note that tuition and fees are direct costs from the school. These numbers might change once you enroll. Meeting with a financial aid advisor before starting classes gives you a better idea of your costs.

The Chicago School makes quality ABA education possible for students from all financial backgrounds. They do this through fair tuition rates, flexible payments, and financial help while keeping their high academic standards and accreditation.

Admissions

The Chicago School takes a comprehensive approach to assess each applicant’s qualifications and potential for their ABA programs. Starting your application is easy – just create your username and password to work on your application whenever you want.

Most ABA programs look for an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, but this isn’t set in stone. Your application needs official transcripts from every institution where you earned a degree to give us a full picture of your academic journey.

Don’t feel discouraged if your GPA is below 3.0. The Chicago School asks for additional materials to get a better sense of your capabilities:

• Three letters of recommendation from academic professors or professional/volunteer experience supervisors
• An essay that explains your qualifications, interest in the field, and career aspirations

This extra information helps the admissions team look beyond just grades. The review process values your personal and professional experiences, which creates opportunities for candidates from different backgrounds.

Once you finish your application, you’ll need to pay a $50 application fee. You can pay online with a credit card through our secure server, by phone, or by sending a check or money order to the admissions office. Your application won’t move forward until we receive this fee.

We encourage you to connect with the Office of Admissions to discuss your background. Our team is here to help make your application process as smooth as possible.

International students interested in campus-based programs in Anaheim, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. should plan ahead. You’ll need extra time for visa processing, so it’s best to complete your application earlier than domestic students.

After you’re accepted, you’ll need to pay a deposit to secure your spot. The deadline is typically April 15th, though later offers depend on space availability. Since programs have limited space, we recommend applying early.

What sets The Chicago School apart?

ABA programs at The Chicago School give graduates an exceptional path to career success. These programs stand out because we integrated multicultural and intersectional considerations into assessment and intervention design – something you won’t find in many other ABA Ph.D. programs. Students learn to develop interventions that work in a variety of populations and contexts.

The Chicago School’s Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis goes beyond standard curriculum. Students can specialize in organizational behavior management. This specialty opens up career paths outside clinical settings and prepares graduates to use behavior analytic principles in corporate settings, schools, and community groups.

The program’s strength lies in its balanced focus on practical skills and theory. Students gain solid knowledge of behavior analysis philosophy, science, and applications. This prepares them to excel as both practitioners and researchers. The scientist-practitioner model spreads through every level of the program. Graduates can think critically about behavior-analytic concepts and research.

The Chicago School experience shines through its faculty mentorship. Alumna and Associate Professor Shannon Ormandy puts it best: “The support and encouragement I received and the truly terrific mentors at every step of the way helped me achieve things I never thought possible”. This customized guidance builds both technical skills and professional confidence.

Students also get field-based clinical training at Chicago School-approved sites. These experiences are a great way to get hands-on practice with classroom concepts, even when not required.

The Chicago School shows its steadfast dedication to accessibility by making professional degree programs available whatever the financial circumstances. Scholarships and financial aid help qualified students from different backgrounds pursue their education.

This detailed educational approach equips graduates to handle behavior change needs in multiple settings – from autism intervention to organizational management.

Next steps

Want to start your ABA career at The Chicago School? You can begin by creating a unique username and password that lets you work on your application over multiple sessions. The applicant portal is where you’ll complete all required fields and upload your documents once your profile is set up.

Your application moves forward after you pay the $50 fee. You can pay online with a credit card, over the phone, or by mailing a check. The school won’t process your application until they receive this payment.

The next step is to complete your FAFSA before your predicted start date to ensure smooth processing of financial aid. The Chicago School has several financial aid options and potential scholarships to make their programs available to more students. Space in these programs is limited, so admitted students should submit their deposit by April 15th to secure their spot.

After finishing the program, you’ll take the BACB certification exam to get certified. Your program choice determines whether you’ll pursue BCaBA or BCBA licensure. BCaBA certification requires either 1,300 supervised fieldwork hours or 1,000 concentrated fieldwork hours.

The job market looks promising – BCBA positions have grown steadily since 2010, with a remarkable 58% jump from 2023 to 2024. This growth makes it a great time to begin your trip into applied behavior analysis at The Chicago School.