Pre-Requisites

Experience Needed to Apply

We expect our candidates to have experience working with people with disabilities. In addition, we are looking for candidates who have at least one year of direct Applied Behavior Analysis experience (e.g., working as an ABA tutor or working as a paraeducator or teacher in a program that uses ABA strategies and methodology). Candidates with more ABA experience will be given preference.

Previous Education

We do not have requirements regarding what field your Bachelor's degree is in.  However, we do value your experiences in the field and will take them into account in admission decisions. Starting in 2022, the BACB will accept Master's degrees in any field of study. If you already have a Master's degree and have any questions regarding the sufficiency of that degree, you should contact the BACB directly.

Applying for the ABA On-Campus Program: M.Ed. Option

Students wanting an M.Ed. in Special Education should apply to be a UW graduate student.  You should apply for the Master of Special Education, choosing the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) On-Campus option.

Students applying for the M.Ed. option will need to submit the following:

  1) ABA Statement of Purpose. This is a two-page statement addressing the following:

  • What in your past experience has influenced your interest in Applied Behavior Analysis?
  • What in your academic and work experience has prepared you for graduate school in Applied Behavior Analysis?
  • Why is the program at the University of Washington a good match for your academic and career goals?
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion are important to our ABA program. Please speak to the unique experiences and perspectives you would  bring to our program.

  2) Unofficial transcripts from all schools in which a degree was earned and all schools attended in the last five years

  3) Resume/Vita

  • Please note that we are looking for at least 6 months experience with Applied Behavior Analysis

  4) Graduate Record Exam (GRE):  The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) will no longer be required. 

  5) Two letters of recommendation. At least one of these should speak to your work experience in Applied Behavior Analysis.  

  6) TOEFL scores (only for some international applicants) 

  • Click here for more information on TOEFL requirements 

You must submit your application through the UW Graduate School. To apply for the M.Ed. option, click here. 

Applying for the ABA On-Campus Program: ABA Course Sequence Only (No M.Ed.)

If you are hoping to become a BCBA and already have a Master's degree, you may wish to take just the ABA course sequence without the additional classes for a Master's degree.  If so, you can apply to the on-campus program as a graduate non-matriculated student (GNM). In addition to the general College of Education GNM requirements, students applying to the ABA on-campus program will also need to submit the following:

  1) ABA Statement of Purpose. This should be a two-page statement addressing the following:

  • What in your experience has influenced your interest in applied behavior analysis?
  • What in your academic and work experience has prepared you for graduate school in applied behavior analysis?
  • Why is the program at the University of Washington a good match for your academic and career goals?

  2) Unofficial transcripts from all schools in which a degree was earned and all schools attended in the last five years

  3) Resume/Vita

  •  Please note that we are looking for at least one year of experience with Applied Behavior Analysis         

  4) Two letters of recommendation. At least one of these should speak to your work experience in Applied Behavior Analysis. 

  5) TOEFL scores (only for some international applicants) 

  • Click here for more information on TOEFL requirements 

To apply for GNM status through the UW Graduate School, click here.

For questions about the application process, contact edinfo@uw.edu 

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