Online Master of Education in Behavior Analysis
Support Clients Through Challenges With Top-Ranked BCBA Preparation
Master’s Program Overview
- Format: Online
- Number of credits: 30
- Average duration: 2 years
Graduates of Lehigh’s online Master of Education in Behavior Analysis are equipped to improve the lives of individuals with behavior challenges through evidence-based assessments and interventions.
With this graduate program, you’ll get the graduate-level coursework you need for BACB certification while working through real-world scenarios that prepare you for an impactful career in a growing field.
Who Can Benefit From a Master’s in Behavior Analysis?
The Lehigh M.Ed. in Behavior Analysis prepares professionals to pursue Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification, including current behavior analysts, educators, counselors and healthcare workers. Our focused, practice-based curriculum and supportive faculty will give you everything you need for a successful behavior analysis career.
Our commitment to building your analytical expertise and professional competency is demonstrated by our 100% pass rate for the BCBA exam.
Already earned your master’s degree? Our Graduate Certificate in Behavior Analysis can provide the additional credits necessary for BCBA exam eligibility.
To learn more about the online M.Ed. in Behavior Analysis at Lehigh University College of Education and download a brochure, please fill out the form. You can also talk one-on-one with an enrollment specialist directly by calling (610) 215-2867 or emailing us at edprograms@lehigh.edu.
Expected Program Outcomes
The curriculum of the M.Ed. in Behavior Analysis was designed to prepare students for fulfilling, impactful behavior analysis careers.
Graduates understand core concepts of applied behavior analysis, including strategies that can be applied to make behavior change socially meaningful in school, home and community settings.
Graduates will be able to conduct a functional assessment of problematic behavior and perform comprehensive functional analysis.
Graduates will demonstrate proficiency in single-subject research design. They will learn to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and use data to drive clinical decision-making.
Graduates will demonstrate a strong understanding of the BACB Professional and Ethical Compliance Code, including understanding professional conduct and responsible decision-making in applied behavior analysis practice.
What Can You Do With a Behavior Analysis Degree?
Our program combines academic rigor, practical application and a broad curriculum, preparing students for successful and impactful careers in a variety of growing fields. Behavior analysis professionals might work with children with autism, individuals with developmental disabilities or anyone in need of behavioral support in settings like schools, clinics and hospitals. Some of the many roles that students pursue after obtaining their M.Ed. in Behavior Analysis include:
- Clinical director or supervisor
- Educational consultant
- Researcher
- Organizational behavior management (OBM) specialist
- Applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapist
- Developmental specialist
- Forensic behavior analyst
- Human services manager
- Private practice
- Health and wellness coach
33%
Salaries for individuals holding BCBA certification have increased by 33% over the past five years, and job postings have increased by 150%.
— Lightcast™
Pay Less for Your Behavior Analysis Degree
Current Educator? Save on Your Tuition
The Pennsylvania Educator Tuition Incentive provides a
15% discount
on up to 18 credits per year. This reduces the tuition rate to $561 per credit. Find out more.
At $685 per credit hour, Lehigh’s online Master of Education in Behavior Analysis is one of the most cost-effective programs in the country. Lehigh’s degree costs 25% less than comparable master’s programs at other universities. We offer exceptional value without sacrificing quality — you’ll be ready to drive positive change and prepare for your BCBA examination.
Board Certified Behavior Analysts earn a national average salary of $77,145 (Source: Payscale). With Lehigh’s competitive tuition rate, graduates can earn back the cost of their education in just a few years.
Expert Faculty, Flexible Format
Online students join a program that prioritizes flexibility through asynchronous coursework, meaning that you can complete the program without sacrificing your professional and personal commitments. You will also benefit from personal attention from experienced instructors who truly care about your success.
To discuss your options, reach out to an enrollment specialist. It takes less than 10 minutes to chat!
Frequently Asked Questions
A master’s in behavior analysis focuses on assessments and evidence-based interventions to improve the lives of people with behavioral issues. The Lehigh University master’s in behavioral analysis program also prepares professionals to pursue Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification.
A master’s in mental health counseling focuses on the clinical practice of treating people with general mental health issues. Obtaining this master’s degree can be the first step towards becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in most states.
A master’s in behavior analysis often covers both the theory and application of behavior principles, while a master’s in applied behavior analysis (ABA) focuses more specifically on applying these principles in real-world settings. Both types of programs can prepare students for BCBA certification if they meet accreditation and coursework requirements. The main difference between these credentials often lies in a degree program’s emphasis rather than its core content.
At Lehigh, the online M.Ed. in Behavior Analysis provides the comprehensive training and verified coursework necessary for students to pursue BCBA certification.
The online Certificate in Behavior Analysis is ideal for individuals who already hold a master’s degree but need additional educational credits to be eligible to sit for the BCBA exam and for professionals seeking behavioral analysis skills for their current careers.
The online M.Ed. in Behavior Analysis is designed for professionals who currently have or are working toward the experience requirements needed to sit for the BCBA exam.
The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) is the nonprofit organization that governs the profession. The BACB sets the standards for certification and maintains the ethical requirements for practitioners. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is the actual professional credential you earn after completing your graduate education and passing the board exam. The online M.Ed. in Behavior Analysis at Lehigh provides the graduate-level coursework required by the BACB for those pursuing the BCBA credential. While the BACB issues the certification, Lehigh provides the academic foundation and training necessary to meet their rigorous standards.
The online M.Ed. in Behavior Analysis is the academic degree you earn upon completion of your graduate studies at Lehigh. Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification is a professional credential awarded by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).
To earn the BCBA credential, you must:
- possess a graduate degree
- complete specific verified coursework
- fulfill supervised fieldwork requirements
- pass a national examination
The Lehigh online M.Ed. in Behavior Analysis provides the graduate-level academic foundation and the verified course sequence required to meet the educational standards for certification.
Yes. Our program meets the behavior-analytic coursework requirements for those pursuing the BCBA/BCaBA Pathway 2 eligibility route.
There are several certification levels in behavior analysis. Below are a few of the more common ones:
Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
- Entry-level certification for direct service providers
- Implements behavior-analytic services under supervision
- Requires 40 hours of training and passing an exam
Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA)
- Mid-level certification
- Provides behavior-analytic services under supervision of a BCBA or BCBA-D
- Requires a bachelor’s degree, specific coursework, supervised fieldwork, and passing an exam
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
- Independent practice-level certification (most common professional level)
- Can practice independently and supervise others
- Requires a master’s degree, graduate-level coursework in behavior analysis, supervised fieldwork (2,000 hours), and passing an exam
Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D)
- Doctoral-level certification
- Same practice privileges as BCBA but requires a doctoral degree
- Includes additional doctoral coursework and supervised experience
The outlook for individuals working in behavior support is very strong. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors will grow 17% through 2034, which is much faster than the average for all professions.
