Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis

The Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis program prepares students to create transformational change in the lives of clients and their families. Program Director Dr. Cayenne Shpall explains how this program at St. Edward’s University leads to graduates making a significant impact. Check out this helpful Q&A with Dr. Shpall.

Learning Goals

With your MEd in Applied Behavior Analysis, you’ll be prepared to:

• Employ a deep understanding of applied concepts and principles of behavior analysis.
• Practice effective research methods including measurement principles, data analysis and experimental design.
• Understand behavior change in clients and specific procedures to help create positive change.
• Conceptualize, analyze and implement effective applied behavior analysis programs.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the theoretical foundations of ethical and professional conduct.

Career Outcomes

The rising diagnosis rate for children with autism spectrum disorder has led to a demand for specially trained professionals. The career outlook for behavior analysts is strong, with nationwide growth projected at 20% by 2029. That growth level is considered significantly faster than average by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, projecting long-term career stability. 

With your advanced degree, you’ll be highly sought after for career opportunities in K–12 schools and other professional settings that serve individuals with developmental and behavioral disorders.

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The Online Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis is a 30-credit hour program that you can complete in 21 months while working full-time. Courses are offered in a 7-week accelerated online format and taken one at a time. The program culminates with experience-based courses — Practicum I: Seminar Course and Practicum II: Supervised Clinical Experience. 

Semester 1

Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis I

Foundations of Behavior Analysis

Semester 2

Ethical Issues and Professional Standards in Applied Behavior Analysis

Behavioral Research Methods

Semester 3  

Functional Behavior Assessment

Development of Applied Behavioral Analysis Intervention Programs

Semester 4

Organizational Behavior Management

Child Development: A Behavioral Systems Approach

Semester 5

Practicum I: Seminar Course

Practicum II: Supervised Clinical Experience
 

The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the above courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® examination. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.

For detailed degree requirements and course descriptions, please see the Graduate Bulletin or request more information.

If you want to make a difference for children and young people with autism or other disabilities and special needs, the online Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from St. Edward’s University could be right for you. In as few as 14 months, you can develop the skills and knowledge you need to pursue certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in schools and other settings — all while continuing to work in full-time employment.

This non-degree graduate certificate can be completed while also pursuing an online graduate degree or as a stand-alone certificate. Learn more about the Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Cayenne Shpall, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA
Program Director, Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis
Cayenne Shpall is a doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has worked with individuals with disabilities since 2009. Her clients have ranged from 2 to 30 years of age. Throughout her career, she has worked in a variety of settings including school, clinic, community and home environments where she has consulted with caregivers, teachers, therapists and community members. In addition to her role as program director at St. Edward’s University, she is also a clinician and provides direct supervision to behavior analysts in the field. 

Dr. Shpall is also the director of Training and Research at Galliant Autism Care. Her research and clinical interests include working with children and their families to develop functional communication, decrease severe challenging behaviors, increase tolerance to delays to reinforcement, increase social and emotional development; and cultivate an assent-based practice of behavior analysis and collaboration among health service providers.

Cyndi O’Toole, Ph.D, BCBA-D, LBA 
Clinical Assistant Professor
Cyndi O'Toole is a special educator and Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D) with 20 + years working in public education, adult education, and the private sector. Cyndi specializes in parent collaboration and support, understanding educator knowledge and use of evidence-based practices, and working with children who have autism.  In addition to her role as a professor at St. Edward's University, she is also a clinician who works with families and their children in the home environment. 

Molly Oshinski, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA
Adjunct Professor
Molly Oshinski is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and has experience working with ages 2–80 which has given her a unique perspective to always consider the long-term effects that therapists can have when working with clients. She is also co-founder and CEO of Pickle System which creates animated video models to teach a large variety of daily living skills to individuals with disabilities. She is a PhD candidate at The University of Texas at Austin with research that examines the effectiveness of animated video models in teaching menstrual care to individuals with autism.

Michelle Kuhn, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA
Adjunct Professor
Michelle Kuhn is the chief clinical officer at Galliant Autism Care as well as a professor in this program. She has been in the field of special education for over 15 years and has been teaching in higher education for over five years. In that time, she has worked in schools, homes and clinics with individuals from early intervention through adulthood. Her focus has mostly been on individuals with ASD and other developmental disabilities, and her research focus has been predominantly on social communication and staff training. 

Dr. Khun is originally from the south side of Chicago and completed both her undergraduate and master’s at the University of Illinois. She later completed her PhD at The University of Texas at Austin. Her teaching philosophy promotes a real-life view of coursework and material. As a teacher, her goal is not just to help you learn textbook lessons, but to help you think about and apply those in real life, and work to communicate with the primary people in clients’ lives to get buy-in and collaboration across the board. With this, she hopes to promote an atmosphere of communication and partnership in class to assist with the use of these skills outside of class.

Brandy Windham, SLP, BCBA,  LBA-TX
Adjunct Instructor
Brandy Windham is a Speech and Language Pathologist and Licensed Behavior Analyst. She received her degrees from The University of Texas at Austin and started her career as an SLP in the schools. Windham specializes in early intervention for children with autism and is currently the executive director of Building BLOCS, a speech and ABA center in Austin. She is an instructor at The University of Texas and St. Edward's University. She teaches undergraduate- and graduate-level students in the Communication Interventions, Assessment, Functional Behavior Assessment, Child Development and Ethics in Behavior Analysis.

Jacob Watson, MEd, BCBA, LBA-TX
Adjunct Instructor
Jake Watson became a BCBA in 2020 at the start of Covid and was thrown into clinical supervision while short-staffed and overwhelmed. That sparked a passion for Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) and how to improve organizational and individual performance. His passion led to becoming an OBM specialist in 2021, and he has since started his own business with his wife (who’s also a BCBA!). His passion and mission are to educate, equip and empower others in OBM and performance using behavior analysis as a framework for creating lasting behavior change.

At $37,260, the Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis (MEd-ABA) degree is a smart investment. The knowledge and skills acquired in this program prepare you to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® exam and enter a rewarding career as a BCBA. 

Tuition* includes all course fees but does not include books, comprehensive fees or other course materials. Once accepted to the program, you are required to submit a $500 non-refundable tuition deposit. Deposits are applied toward tuition and secure your place in the upcoming class.

*Tuition is subject to change at the discretion of the St. Edward’s University Board of Trustees.

Financial Aid

The St. Edward’s University Financial Aid Office provides information about financial aid opportunities available to graduate students. Please visit our Financial Aid page or call us at 512-387-3110 for additional details.

To apply for the Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis (MEd-ABA) program, students are required to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. Review application steps, key dates and requirements for the program.

Need more information? Please contact an Enrollment Counselor at 512-326-7501.