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. 

Develop advanced expertise in applied behaviour analysis and make a real difference in the lives of individuals, teams and communities. This postgraduate degree combines flexible learning with practical experience, preparing you to apply evidence-based applied behaviour analysis principles across education, disability, allied health and community settings.  

Highlights of studying the Master of Applied Behaviour Analysis 

• Learn to assess, measure and influence behaviour to enhance learning, performance and wellbeing. 
• Gain a solid foundation in applied behaviour analysis, behaviour assessment, person-centred planning and designing behaviour change interventions. 
• Explore ethical and professional practice and develop advanced skills in disability inclusion, positive behaviour support and intervention evaluation. 
• Learn to apply research, critical analysis and evidence-based approaches to enhance professional practice and client outcomes. 

Make an impact through community internships and global partnerships

Take your learning beyond the classroom with Griffith's Community Internship course. Combine academic study with practical experience in a community-based organisation, contributing to projects aligned with social justice and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These opportunities, both local and global, help you build professional skills while deepening your understanding of community needs and your role as a socially responsible professional.

You may have the option to finish your study early by graduating with a Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate in Applied Behaviour Analysis, which are Exit Only degrees from the Masters. You would then have completed the coursework components for certification with the Association for Behaviour Analysis Australia.

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 for all Pathway 1 - duration 1 year (80CP of study and 40CP for prior learning), or
• 120 credit points for all Pathway 2 - duration 1.5 years (120CP of study - related degree), or
• 120 credit points for all Pathway 3 - duration 1.5 years (120CP of study - any degree)

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.

Exit points

To be eligible to exit with the 3363 - Graduate Certificate in Applied Behaviour Analysis you must successfully complete 7801AHS - Introduction to Applied Behaviour Analysis , 7802AHS - Assessing and Measuring Behaviour , 7803AHS - Behaviour Change Interventions and 7804AHS - Ethical and Professional Conduct in Applied Behaviour Analysis from the program.

To be eligible to exit with the 4214 - Graduate Diploma of Applied Behaviour Analysis you must successfully complete 80 credit points from courses listed in the program, including 40 credit points for 7801AHS - Introduction to Applied Behaviour Analysis, 7802AHS - Assessing and Measuring Behaviour, 7803AHS - Behaviour Change Interventions and 7804AHS - Ethical and Professional Conduct in Applied Behaviour Analysis. 

The Graduate Diploma exit point is not available to students admitted to the Masters program Pathway 1 - 1 year duration (80CP of study).

To exit, you should apply for a program transfer.

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

Indicative total fee $45,000

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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You can complete this program in 1 year or 1.5 years depending on your prior study and work experience.

To be eligible for this program, you must meet one of the following criteria: 

1 year duration (80CP) 

• a recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in a relateddiscipline and two years relevant work experience or demonstrated experience as a primary caregiver to a child with disability accessing Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) intervention
• a Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies (3370) OR Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies (3270) (or equivalent)

1.5 year duration (120CP) - flexible entry

• a recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in a related discipline
• a recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) and two years relevant work experience or demonstrated experience as a primary caregiver to a child with disability accessing Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) intervention

1.5 year duration (120CP) - foundation entry

• a recognised Bachelor degree (or higher)

Related discipline includes speech pathology, psychology, education, autism studies, disability studies, human services, social work, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nutrition and dietetics, rehabilitation counselling, exercise physiology and medicine.

Relevant work experience includes working as a behaviour support practitioner or allied health and human services professional and educator.

Experience as a primary caregiver is demonstrated with a letter from a Health Professional confirming you as the primary caregiver to a child with disability accessing Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) intervention.

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 an overall score of 79 in the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with no sub-score less than 19 (applies to tests taken prior to 21 January 2026)
• OR an overall score of 4 in the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with a minimum score of 4 in each of the listening, reading, and writing skills, and a minimum score of 3.5 in speaking skills (applies to tests taken on or after 21 January 2026)
• 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 Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50 (applies to tests taken prior to 7 August 2025)
• OR an overall score of 55 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 47 (applies to tests taken on or after 7 August 2025)
• OR an overall score of 70 in the LanguageCert Academic
• OR an overall score of 59 in the Michigan English Test (MET)

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

If you do not meet the University's specified English language requirements, you may wish to contact the Griffith English Language Institute to increase your eligibility for entering a Griffith University program. This Institute offers a number of English language and other courses at both its Brisbane and Gold Coast branches.

• Griffith English Language Institute

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.

This program is offered online with a mandatory on-site internship.

You will have the opportunity to select a volunteer position from a range of community not-for-profit organisations in 7510LFC Community Internship and Partnerships for SDGs. You will be required to complete 80 hours of on-site volunteering.