Get a Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis and Organizational Behavior Management

This intensive Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) program is essentially a double major, providing graduates with the skills, credentials, and flexibility to lead clinical or managerial teams using a behavioral approach.

Developing as experts in both evolving fields, professionals can work directly with patients, consult in a corporate environment, and combine the fields for a unique specialty. Blending the two programs into a master’s in ABA and OBM gives students a wider range of expertise and potential careers. Florida Tech’s master’s in ABA and OBM program is among only a few in the world offering this degree option.

With a master’s in ABA and OBM, graduates are equipped for different types of behavioral consults. Applied Behavior Analysts (ABAs) help to better the lives of children and adults struggling with behaviors ranging from difficulty with everyday social interactions to complex conditions such as autism spectrum disorders or substance abuse by applying a systematic scientific approach. Organizational behavior managers (OBMs) also use a scientific behavioral approach, but address human behavior issues in the workplace, such as improving employee productivity and efficiency.

Professional Culture—Flexible Program and Schedule

Florida Tech students are made up of a diverse mix of full-time workers in the local area to students from around the globe seeking to obtain higher-level management skills. Students who choose a master’s in ABA and OBM build the foundation necessary to become a well-respected professional in the healthcare and business community.

The program offers daytime, evening, and weekend class schedules, and is in close proximity to a thriving medical community, including hospitals and clinics that provide internships and applied learning opportunities for students.

Florida Tech’s School of Behavior Analysis has four programs accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International Accreditation Board, and all of the core course sequence are also approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®). The BACB has also approved the Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork in Behavior Analysis as meeting the fieldwork requirements for the experiential component of the BCBA examination.

Florida Tech’s on-campus master’s-level ABA programs (applied behavior analysis, and the dual program with organizational behavior management) provide students with the requirements to take the BCBA examination immediately upon graduation.

Florida Tech also holds the distinction of being one of the only master’s in ABA and OBM programs, particularly in the study of organizational behavioral management.

The BACB is the only credentialing organization for professionals within the discipline.

Respected Faculty—Close-Knit Learning Environment

Florida Tech has among the most applied behavior analysis faculty of any program in the world.

Students working towards a master’s in ABA and OBM develop their expertise through class discussions of case studies, involvement in research, and internship opportunities. Florida Tech has more ABA and OBM faculty than other universities, with all core faculty board certified behavior analysts.

Many professors are published authors and experts on many facets of ABA and OBM, such as behavioral economics, self-control, sports psychology, employee efficiency, and others. Florida Tech professors are involved in ongoing research at the Scott Center for Autism Treatment, located at Florida Tech. Working alongside professors who provide one-on-one attention during research and client interaction, master’s in ABA and OBM students earn visibility as a research professional and colleague able to study and work in the field.

Research Opportunities

Many School of Psychology professors perform applied research outside of their teaching responsibilities working in settings such as clinical treatment or organizational consulting. Master’s in ABA and OBM students participate in this research, at research centers and organizations located on and off campus including the Scott Center’s Psychological Services, the Society for Performance Management, and the Behavior Analysis Student Association.

Students are also given an opportunity to develop a portfolio of published work through organizations and research centers located both on and off campus. Florida Tech students have consistently published research in respected ABA journals.

Expert Career Preparation

Because of the ABA and OBM program’s varying experience in clinical and business settings, graduates can work for many different public and private organizations, choosing a clinical career, business career, or a combination of the two for unique and equally rewarding opportunities. Florida Tech is one of the only universities in the nation that offers a master’s in ABA and OBM for a truly diverse career path.

The mission of Florida Tech’s master’s in ABA and OBM training is to develop behavior-analytic practitioners and consultants who understand the basic principles of behavior analysis, contribute to behavioral research, serve as consultants to human service agencies, attain BCBA certification and, if desired, be ready to enter a doctoral program. Florida Tech graduates score among the highest on the International Board Certification Exam in behavior analysis.

Master’s in ABA and OBM students participate in behavior-based research projects under the mentorship of a faculty member. Florida Tech professors are published authors and experts on many facets of ABA and OBM including:

• Behavioral economics
• Self-management
• Sports psychology
• Employee efficiency
• Autism spectrum disorders
• Organizational behavior management

Research projects can include teaching new skills, assessing and treating behavior problems, or methods of improving the delivery of services in human services organizations.

Scott Center for Autism Treatment

Located directly on Florida Tech’s campus, the Scott Center for Autism Treatment specializes in working with children with autism and other related disorders. Internship opportunities are available for master’s in ABA and OBM students involving analysis of internal processes for efficiency and evaluating staff for effectiveness. These experiences build on what students learn in the classroom, allowing them to help improve a dynamic work environment.

Society for Performance Management

This research center provides students with the opportunity to discuss, research, and present projects on many areas of organizational behavior management. Students earning a master’s in ABA and OBM work with faculty, fellow graduate students, and members of other universities around the country to learn ways to apply OBM principles to modern business scenarios. Students present at conferences and work with outside agencies to develop solutions for business challenges, including behavioral safety, direct-line supervision of employees, improving staff performance, reducing absenteeism, and staff training and development.

Portfolio of Published Articles

Outside of research and internships, graduate students often publish research in respected ABA journals, including the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Analysis in Practice, and Behavioral Interventions. Organizations and research centers located both on- and off-campus help students explore topics in ABA and OBM. Florida Tech’s dedication to research and state-of-the-art facilities ensure that students graduating with a master’s in ABA and OBM have a deeper understanding of each field and a portfolio of published work, real-world insights, and experience.

A master’s degree ABA and OBM prepares individuals to become a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst^® (BCBA). Graduates with a master’s in ABA and OBM are also prepared to enter a doctoral program at Florida Tech.

Alumni with a master’s in ABA and OBM from Florida Tech reside around the world, working in businesses, schools, clinics, residential treatment centers, group homes, and private practice. Graduates work with children and individuals with autism, schizophrenia, or intellectual disabilities. They also provide expert counsel to businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government entities on a host of workplace topics from employee management, productivity, and efficiency.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), provides detailed information about hundreds of occupations, including, entry-level education, overall working environment, and employment prospects. According to the Bureau, overall employment in psychology careers such as applied behavior analysis jobs are projected to grow 12% through 2022. This includes a higher demand for school psychologists to work with students, particularly those with special needs, learning disabilities, and behavioral issues.

Jobs will also include professionals that can assess and counsel students, work in speech-language pathology, animal behavior and special education, or consult in corporate environments to identify behavioral challenges that affect workplace productivity and delivery of services.

ABA and OBM jobs for individuals with a master’s in ABA and OBM include:

• Private-practice ABA providing early intervention services to children with autism
• ABA consultant in a school district such as assisting teachers to manage students with problem behavior
• ABA in a group home
• ABA consultant or staff to companies focusing on improving employee performance
• Program manager or director of a specialized school
• ABA for state or federal government

Diverse Career Options

Because of the program’s varying experience in clinical and business settings, graduates with a master’s in ABA and OBM work in many different public and private organizations, or combine the two. Some of the career areas graduates pursue include:

• Business, nonprofit, and government consulting
• Safety improvement consulting
• Teaching special education
• Executive management
• Managing a human service organization
• Consulting to families and school districts

Doctoral Program

Graduates with a master’s in ABA and OBM are well prepared to enter Florida Tech’s doctoral program in behavior analysis. Many Florida Tech students receive significant assistantships from The Scott Center for Autism Treatment that covers the majority of their academic costs.

On average, graduates with a PhD have higher salaries and employment rates than those with a master’s or bachelor’s degree, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Doctoral graduates also continue into academia as professors to teach the next generation of students. For full-time doctoral graduate research assistants, full-pay tuition scholarships are available.