Master of Applied Behaviour Analysis

The Master of Applied Behaviour Analysis is designed to teach and assess the established and developing body of knowledge and skills required for the personalised, effective, and ethical application of behaviour analysis across a range of workplace and community contexts. The program covers the knowledge and skills that comprise the 5th Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) and Board Certified Assistant Behaviour Analyst (BCaBA) Task List (Behavior Analyst Certification Board, 2017). Students will apply this knowledge either as part of their existing work or in pursuit of external BCBA/BCaBA certification.  

Graduates of the Master of Applied Behaviour Analysis will demonstrate discipline specific knowledge about: 

1. The philosophical underpinnings and principles of applied behaviour analysis (ABA)
2. The relevance of ABA principles and practices to upholding the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (WHO, 2007) and relevant policies in the Australian context including the National Disability Insurance Scheme Quality and Safeguards Commission Positive Behaviour Support Competency Framework (2019)
3. Principles of assessment, goal setting, intervention, and evaluation in supporting socially significant behaviour change, including skill development and reducing behaviours that challenge, taking into account all relevant personal, contextual, and environmental factors, consistent with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (WHO, 2001) framework
4. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts
5. The applicability of ABA principles and practice to a range of health, education, and other workplace settings, including the importance of interdisciplinary practice. 

Graduates will demonstrate broad contextual knowledge about:

1. The concept of disability, including personal, contextual, and environmental factors that contribute to disability (WHO, 2001)
2. Person-centred planning as the basis for clinical decision making
3. Barriers and enablers to inclusion, participation, equality, and equity for individuals with disability 
4. The importance and inherent value of cultural diversity including understanding and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples 
5. The importance of a strengths-focused interdisciplinary approach in effective and appropriate service provision for individuals with disabilities and their families
6. Relevant policies (e.g., education) and guidelines for good practice (e.g., autism) relevant to the various contexts in which graduates may apply their knowledge and skills
7. How to critically appraise the literature and formulate research questions, including knowledge of research designs critical to the robust assessment and intervention practices. 

The Master of Applied Behaviour Analysis provides students with comprehensive and flexible training in applied behaviour analysis. The principles of ABA underpin most evidence-based interventions and practices in the fields of education and disability and can be applied to any life situation in which the aim is to learn new skills, enhance individual or team performance, or to understand and reduce behaviours that challenge.

This degree program is relevant to students wishing to apply knowledge of these principles and practices to their current work (for example, teachers, early intervention workers, allied health professionals, managers, principals) as well as those who ultimately want to pursue accreditation as a behaviour practitioner.

Recommended study pattern

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include:

• Introduction to Applied Behaviour Analysis
• Assessing and Measuring Behaviour
• Foundations of Research Inquiry
• Community Internship and Partnerships for SDGs

Plus there’s a selection of electives to choose from. As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award requirements

For the award of Master of Applied Behaviour Analysis (MAppBehAnalysis), you must successfully complete 120 credit points for one of the following:

• 120 credit points from Standard Pathway, or
• 120 credit points from Dissertation Pathway, or
• 120 credit points from Advanced Standing Pathway (80CP of study and 40CP of advanced standing), or
• 120 credit points from Advanced Standing Pathway with Dissertation (80CP of study and 40CP of advanced standing)

This degree may be awarded with Distinction where a student achieves a minimum program GPA of 6.5 with no failed courses. The words "This award was achieved with Distinction" will be recorded on the testamur.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $42,750

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

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21

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Applied Behaviour Analysis, applicants must have: 

• completed a Bachelor degree in a related area with a GPA of at least 4.0 (using a 7 point scale) - examples include Speech Pathology, Psychology, Education, Human Services, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Nutrition and Dietetics, Exercise Science and Medicine.
• OR completed the Graduate Certificate in Applied Behaviour Analysis (3363) with a GPA of at least 4.0 (using a 7 point scale) - students admitted via this pathway will be eligible for 40 credit points of advanced standing for the courses completed in the Graduate Certificate.
• OR completed a suitable qualification (Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Bachelor Honours degree) in a related area with a GPA of at least 4.0 (using a 7 point scale) - examples include Speech Pathology, Psychology, Education, Autism Studies, Disability Studies, Human Services, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Nutrition and Dietetics, Rehabilitation Counselling, Exercise Physiology and Medicine (students admitted with these qualifications may be eligible for up to 40 credit points of credit).

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
• OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

English test results must be no more than two years old.

International students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) is not available for Domestic students.

Applicants should refer to the English language requirements section of the following University procedure for exceptions to these overall requirements:

• Admission Procedure

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including: 

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE. 
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training. 
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies.