University of Maryland, Baltimore County ABA Programs

UMBC’s Master of Arts in Human Services Psychology specializes in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Students in this school learn the science of behavior and its real-life applications. The program helps them understand what causes behavior and how to address important behavioral challenges at the individual level rather than group level.

Students must complete at least 36 credit hours after their bachelor’s degree. The program has everything in behavior learning and cognitive aspects, measurement techniques, and single-case experimental designs. Students also take courses in basic and applied behavior analysis, behavioral intervention design, data evaluation, and ethics of behavioral interventions.

UMBC’s applied behavior analysis program works in several areas:

• Developmental disabilities
• Behavioral medicine
• Educational settings
• Organizational behavior management

Students get hands-on skills through supervised practicum experiences where they apply behavior analysis principles. Rather than writing a traditional master’s thesis, they complete a capstone project. This project might involve repeating previous research or creating new investigations.

The Association for Behavior Analysis International Accreditation Board has fully accredited the program. The program has a Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Verified Course Sequence. This really prepares graduates to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst examination after they finish their supervised fieldwork.

The program meets the growing need for accountability in service delivery. It fills a gap in specialized programs across the mid-Atlantic region. Students develop detailed competencies in basic psychology, behavior analysis principles, and measurement techniques. They learn to evaluate existing behavior, design individual treatment programs, and get essential skills to deliver and maintain effective services.

This program gives students the foundation to succeed professionally. They can make a real difference in many fields where applied behavior analysis helps evaluate and treat behavioral challenges at the individual level.

What ABA programs does University of Maryland, Baltimore County offer?

UMBC’s Psychology Department runs a resilient Applied Behavior Analysis program that offers a Master of Arts degree. Students get professional certification and practical training through this program. The university awards a Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis, which was known as the Master of Arts in Human Services Psychology with an ABA track before 2025.

Students must complete 36 credit hours after their bachelor’s degree. The program started in 2003 and has managed to keep high standards. Its graduates achieved a remarkable 92% pass rate on the BCBA examination. Dr. John Borrero, a B.F. Skinner New Researcher Award recipient, leads the program and helps prepare excellent behavior analysts.

The curriculum focuses on these core components:

• Learning and cognitive aspects of behavior
• Measurement of behavior
• Single-case experimental designs
• Basic and applied analysis of behavior
• Behavioral intervention design and data evaluation
• Ethics of behavioral interventions

The program features evening classes after 4:30 PM. Students can take courses like Verbal Behavior, Cognition, and Treatment Ethics on campus or at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Working professionals can advance their education without giving up their jobs.

Hands-on experience plays a vital role in the program’s education approach. Students gain valuable experience through supervised practicum as they apply behavior analysis principles in real-life settings. They can work at organizations like Spectrum Behavior Health, Little Leaves, Butterfly Effects, Capital ABA, and Early Autism Solutions.

Students complete a capstone project instead of a traditional thesis. They can replicate prior research or design an original investigation. This project shows their understanding of behavior analysis principles and research methods.

The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) Accreditation Board has fully accredited the program through December 31, 2032. This accreditation confirms the program meets high standards without serious issues. Students become eligible to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst examination after graduation and completing supervised fieldwork requirements.

UMBC also offers a Ph.D. in Human Services Psychology with a Behavioral Medicine Concentration to students seeking doctoral-level education. This 98-credit, five-year program immerses students in Psychology Training Clinic practice and dissertation research.

Accreditation

The University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s Applied Behavior Analysis program holds prestigious accreditations that validate its educational quality and professional standards.

The program earned full accreditation from the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) Accreditation Board. The ABAI Accreditation Board renewed the program’s full accreditation for seven years through December 31, 2032. This renewal shows the program meets established standards without major issues.

ABAI accreditation brings significant benefits. Since January 1, 2022, all ABAI-accredited programs automatically meet the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s (BACB) requirements for BCBA® and BCaBA® certification applications through Pathway 1. Graduates can now complete their certification process with fewer steps.

UMBC has managed to keep its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The university received Level VI accreditation renewal on March 2, 2017, valid until the next evaluation visit in 2025-2026. The U.S. Secretary of Education recognizes MSCHE to conduct accreditation activities for higher education institutions across the United States.

The program’s excellence spans nearly two decades. The Applied Behavior Analysis track in the Master of Arts in Human Services Psychology has held ABAI accreditation since 2003, showing consistent quality education.

The program also has a Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Verified Course Sequence. Students are well-prepared to take the BCBA certification examination after graduation. The verification confirms the curriculum covers all certification board’s required knowledge areas.

The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) authorizes UMBC as the State Licensing Authority to award degrees. This authorization adds another layer of validation to the program’s quality within the state educational system.

Multiple accreditations and verifications ensure students receive education that meets national professional standards and quality benchmarks effectively.

Expert faculty members drive the success of UMBC’s Applied Behavior Analysis program. Distinguished professors bring both academic credentials and hands-on experience to their roles. Students learn from professionals who run active clinical practices while teaching.

Small class sizes let students get individual attention throughout their learning. The program’s excellent faculty-to-student ratio will give a solid foundation for quality teaching and mentoring. This setup promotes strong bonds between faculty and students and creates space for detailed feedback.

Students build their skills step by step through a well-laid-out course sequence. Classes meet once weekly in the evening (after 4:30 PM) to help working professionals advance their careers. This flexible schedule makes it easier for students to keep their jobs while studying.

The program shows remarkable results in student achievement. Since 2003, graduates have reached a 92% pass rate on the BCBA examination. After graduation, alumni find positions in a variety of settings:

• Educational institutions
• Behavioral health clinics
• Private practice
• Research organizations

Students get exceptional benefits through the program’s partnership with Kennedy Krieger Institute. They access specialized training environments and see advanced clinical methods in action. The program lets students observe and practice with recognized leaders in applied behavior analysis.

Faculty-led projects give students many chances to research real-life behavioral challenges. These projects help improve students’ analytical skills while adding value to behavior analysis as a field.

Students learn to put theory into practice throughout their studies. The capstone project shows they know how to design and implement behavior analytic interventions. This final project serves as both a learning tool and a professional portfolio piece.

Dedicated academic advisors help students pick courses and find professional growth opportunities. This integrated support explains why UMBC’s Applied Behavior Analysis program keeps attracting professionals who want to master this growing field.

Tuition

Smart financial planning helps you make the most of your education investment. Students who want to join UMBC’s Applied Behavior Analysis program need a clear picture of all costs to make the right choice.

These numbers show the direct costs you’ll see on your bill, which includes tuition and mandatory fees. UMBC uses these figures as part of the Cost of Attendance (COA) to help you estimate your maximum expenses during your studies.

Your budget should include more than just tuition. You’ll need about $1,200 yearly for textbooks, $2,278 for transportation, and $1,586 for personal expenses. Students who choose campus housing at Graduate Gardens should add $20,936 for room and board.

UMBC and the University System of Maryland Board of Regents can change these rates when needed. You should check the latest costs before you enroll.

Part-time students pay based on credit hours. The program includes several required fees – technology, athletic, auxiliary facilities, and graduate program fees come standard.

International students with non-immigrant visas must meet extra requirements. Health insurance charges apply each semester. The insurance costs about $1,755 per term unless you get a waiver.

A non-refundable $75 application fee starts your admission process. Understanding these costs now helps you plan better for your educational journey.

Admissions

UMBC’s Applied Behavior Analysis program welcomes new students each fall. The deadline to submit applications is January 1st if you plan to start in August.

The Application Committee looks at several aspects of your profile. Your academic record shown in unofficial transcripts plays a vital role. The Graduate School recommends a minimum 3.0 GPA or “B” average. Students with lower GPAs can still make a strong case through excellence in other areas.

Your professional background makes a substantial difference. A detailed resume or CV should showcase your behavior analysis coursework and work experience. This helps the committee get a full picture of your readiness for graduate studies.

You’ll need three letters of recommendation. The best mix includes both professors and workplace supervisors who know your educational background and professional experience. Once you submit your application, your references will receive forms by email.

Your Statement of Purpose should be well-laid-out and no longer than two pages. Make sure to include:

• Qualifications and experiences
• Motivation for pursuing graduate education
• Long-term career goals

Writing samples can boost your application’s strength. Research summaries, honors theses, or literature reviews work well as examples.

The program has dropped the GRE General Test requirement completely. UMBC won’t even accept these scores if you have them.

You can apply through the online portal for $50 or send a paper application for $70. Paper applications need all materials in one manila envelope, including sealed and signed recommendation letters and transcripts.

Students whose native language isn’t English must provide language proficiency scores from approved tests.

What sets University of Maryland, Baltimore County apart?

The ABA programs at University of Maryland, Baltimore County stand out with several key features that make them special.

Students consistently excel in the program, with an exceptional 92% BCBA exam pass rate since 2003. This soaring win comes from a powerful partnership between UMBC’s Department of Psychology and Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Department of Behavioral Psychology. Students get unmatched hands-on experience through this collaborative effort that other programs simply can’t provide.

The program’s location gives students a real advantage. UMBC sits just 15 minutes from downtown Baltimore and 30 minutes from the Washington beltway, with easy access by car or public transit. Students can tap into resources throughout the University System of Maryland and visit national research centers, libraries, and museums.

The program’s graduates thrive in school districts, private schools, consulting companies, and organizations that help people with autism and developmental disabilities. They present intervention projects at behavior analytic conferences and publish in prominent behavioral journals. This shows the program’s strong focus on research contributions.

UMBC’s program meets the growing need for qualified behavior analysts in the mid-Atlantic region. This prepares graduates to build successful careers in this expanding field.

Next steps

Want to join the ABA program at University of Maryland, Baltimore County? Here’s what you need to know about deadlines and requirements.

The Fall 2026 admission deadline is set for January 1, 2026. The Application Committee will review your application based on several factors:

• GPA shown in unofficial transcripts
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae that shows your relevant coursework and experience
• Three letters of recommendation (best if you include both academic and work-related references)
• Statement of Purpose (up to two pages)
• Optional writing samples (research summaries, honors thesis, or literature reviews)

Your statement needs to cover your qualifications, experiences, why you want to attend graduate school, and your career goals. The GRE General Test isn’t required or used in admission decisions.

You can submit your application online. This is the quickest way and costs less than paper applications ($50 vs. $70). If you choose paper submission, send all materials together in one manila envelope.

Once you complete the program and get enough supervised practicum hours, you can take the Behavior Analyst Certification Board examination. You’ll gain hands-on experience through supervised practicum sessions that prepare you for professional certification.

International students need to create a myUMBC account and send official transcripts to the Graduate School.