Master in Angewandter Verhaltensanalyse

Drake University’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program will prepare individuals for careers working with children and adults with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities, treating challenging behavior in various populations and settings, and developing interventions and recommendations to increase adaptive behavior and address skill deficits.

Drake University is currently the only institution in Iowa to offer coursework and practicum experiences for students to be eligible to sit for the exam to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®).

Program Options

Drake’s ABA Program offers two options for students interested in Applied Behavior Analysis:

• Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis
• Certification in Applied Behavior Analysis

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the scientific study of learning and behavior in which the principles of behavior are applied to understand, predict, and improve socially significant behavior.

Drake’s ABA Program is a comprehensive program that provides intensive classroom instruction and supervised practicum experiences. Coursework in the ABA Program will prepare individuals to enter the field with the ability to:

• Teach new skills to children and adults and promote appropriate and desirable behavior
• Assess, prevent, and treat challenging behavior
• Supervise and train caregivers, school, personnel, staff, etc.
• Work with children and adults with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities

The College of Arts and Sciences is a community of life-long learners engaged in the creative use of knowledge, culture, and reflection to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Through its interdisciplinary programs, offerings in the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities and fine arts, the college prepares you for a productive career, active leadership and responsible citizenship in the global and diverse community of the future.

The College offers degree programs in the full range of arts and sciences disciplines and interdisciplinary programs, enabling you to lay the groundwork for a career in business, the arts, and the professions, including teaching.

It also provides the liberal education experiences for students in the University's undergraduate professional programs, and, through its School of Fine Arts, addresses the artistic needs of all members of the Drake community.

With 40 majors in the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and fine arts, the College of Arts and Sciences spans a vast territory of human knowledge and provides the foundation of the liberal arts at Drake.‌

Your experience in the college will combine breadth and depth—exposure to an impressive range of ideas and thorough immersion in fascinating projects.

Whatever your area of interest, you will learn to write well, to think critically and creatively, to pose powerful questions, and to search out the answers, gaining exceptional preparation for future success.