Admissions | Applied Behavior Analysis

Admissions Timeline
Application OpensSeptember 1
Final Application DeadlineAugust 15
Final Application Materials Due*September 5
Program StartFall

Additional Timeline Information:

*Recommendations can sometimes take longer to arrive. You can submit your application before these have arrived. This deadline is to allow a short grace period for your recommendations to arrive, if necessary.

Enrollment in each cohort is limited and the earlier you apply, the better your chance of being admitted to the upcoming cohort. Applications are reviewed as they are received and will close once the cohort is full.

Applications are reviewed as they are received, once all materials have arrived and the application is complete. Once complete, your application will be reviewed by staff and faculty. We make every effort to communicate admissions decisions within 4 weeks of application completion.

Admissions requirements

  • Possess a degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for any undergraduate and/or graduate coursework
  • Experience with children and youth with disabilities

Who should apply?

The ABA program is a cohort-based program that can be combined with the MS in Special Education. Students can complete the graduate certificate/Verified Course Sequence (VCS) in six terms/two years and the MS + VCS coursework in seven terms/about two and a half years. Admission to this program is competitive and candidates must meet all admission requirements including documented experience working with individuals with disabilities.

  • Graduate certificate 
    • Individuals with undergraduate degrees (GPA at least 3.0) in human service areas of study such as behavior analysis, education, psychology, social work, child and family studies, etc. who are only in need of a VCS toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® examination*.
  • Master's degree and graduate certificate
    • Individuals with undergraduate degrees (GPA at least 3.0) in human service areas of study such as behavior analysis, education, psychology, social work, child and family studies, etc. who would like to receive a master’s degree (MS) in Special Education in addition to a VCS toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® examination.*

*Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination. Please refer to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board for additional requirements.

The ABA program is fully aligned with the Department of Special Education’s Vision, Mission and Beliefs.


Required Application Materials

Below is the list of the materials and information you will need to provide as part of your online application. We recommend preparing these materials in advance of submitting your application.

  • Unofficial Transcripts: from your bachelor’s degree-granting institution and from any institution at which you have earned graduate-level credit
  • English Language Proficiency: Automatically assessed in your application materials. Learn more about your options for proving proficiency.
  • Résumé.
  • Statement of Purpose: Please answer the following questions in no more than 250 words each. We recommend you provide examples when appropriate. Your answers should reflect how your background, beliefs, and experiences have prepared you for this program. For additional information, please refer to the College of Education Vision, Conceptual Framework, and Dispositions.
    • Our ideal student is someone who advocates for fairness and respect, exhibits professionalism, is committed to learning, and engages in reflection; please provide examples of your experience with children and youth that demonstrate how you meet these dispositional requirements.
    • Why are you interested in graduate work and this field? Please provide examples of your experience with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and how they have prepared you for this program.
    • This is an online, asynchronous program that requires time management skills and intrinsic motivation, please describe what skill sets and strategies you will use to be successful?
  • Recommendations: Submit contact information for at least two references via the application. Portland State University will contact your references via email and provide them with instructions for submitting electronic recommendation forms.

Admissions Review Process

We review your application for the following:

  • Academic Requirements: Via your transcripts, we assess whether you meet the university’s minimum admissions requirements.
  • Two Recommendations: If possible, at least one of these should come from someone who has seen you work with children or youth with disabilities. Your references will submit a questionnaire that you send them via the application portal. 

Ready to apply?

  1. Review the PSU Graduate School’s minimum admissions requirements.
  2. Create an account or sign into the Portland State University Admissions Application system.
  3. Select "Start New Application"
  4. Then select "Graduate Application"
  5. For the college, select "College of Education"
  6. For the program of study, select "Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Graduate Certificate"
    If you are planning to pursue the MS in addition, you will add that to your student account at a later date. No additional application is required.
  7. Select the term you plan to start the program

Post-Admissions

You will be notified of your admission decision to the program via an email and formal digital letter from the Graduate School. After admission, you will be assigned a faculty advisor and staff student success advisor, both of whom will support you through your program. The college provides an online orientation module to help you take your next steps to begin your program. You will also be invited to a live orientation session to ensure that you’re fully prepared to begin.

A few additional things to keep in mind:

  1. All students must submit their official transcripts to the Graduate School after admission.
  2. If you’re still completing a bachelor’s degree, you must apply for your degree, and it must be awarded by the term before you begin your graduate program. (Ex: if the program begins summer, the degree must be awarded by the end of spring term).
  3. You must register for coursework in the term that you are admitted in order to validate admission to the program. If you do not, your admission status will be canceled.
  4. If you’re unable to begin in your term of admission, you may request a one-year deferral by emailing askcoe@pdx.edu. This request must be made before the start of the program.