Earn your master degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Louisiana State University Shreveport, a program designed to develop professional behavior analysts.
Prepare for a professional career or doctoral study through the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program at LSU Shreveport. Developing the conceptual foundations and applied skills to practice as a behavior analyst, this master’s degree program includes the academic requirements you need to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) in Louisiana.
The MSABA program contains a series of core courses in applied behavior analysis that have been reviewed and approved by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board as a Verified Course Sequence (VCS). Students will possess all required classroom content hours toward eligibility to register for the certification exam upon completion.
At LSUS, you’ll also find unique opportunities to work in the field and conduct research, and a level of personal interaction with faculty you won’t find in many graduate programs. Additionally, the LSUS ABA program offers course schedules based on student need and succinct schedules to help you balance work and school obligations.
Throughout your coursework in the LSUS Master of Applied Behavior Analysis program, you will be afforded hands-on clinic experience in our on-campus Community Counseling and Psychology Clinic, as well as placement with local community partners.
The program includes practicum, internship, and a thesis or research project in addition to faculty research labs. This program design will help you develop scientific skills to be effective professionals and provide you with expertise in specialized areas such as autism, developmental disabilities, verbal behavior and communication, staff training, and beyond.
Applicants must possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited university and must complete the online LSUS Application for Graduate Admission and submit official transcripts from institutions where courses have been attempted to the Office of Admissions and Records. In addition, applicants for admission to the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis Program must meet all requirements outlined below.
Applicants must also submit to msaba@lsus.edu: (1) two Letters of Reference; (2) a completed Program Application form; (3) Letter of Intent expressing the reasons for wanting to become a behavior analyst and indicating plans after the degree; and (4) a current Resumé/CV. All material must be received prior to the program application deadline, which will be March 30th for the Fall Semester. An application is complete only when all required materials have been received. Once all admissions paperwork is complete, a formal interview is required with the program faculty.
Earn your master’s degree at LSUS and prepare for a career as a licensed or certified Applied Behavior Analyst. The master’s in applied behavior analysis program is also an excellent foundation to pursue doctoral degree programs in counseling or clinical psychology.
Graduate training model
The master’s in applied behavior analysis program is based on the practitioner-scientist model of training, emphasizing clinical practice and scholarly knowledge. There’s also a strong focus on research design and methodology. A wellness model encourages counseling practitioners to look at the whole person and think about cognitive, emotional and behavioral problems from a developmental perspective.
Student life
LSUS is home to more than 70 student clubs and organizations that offer a variety of opportunities to get involved in the community and network with area professionals. This includes Chi Sigma Iota Honor Society (the International Counseling Honor Society), which hosts activities such as a licensed professional counselor mixer with counseling graduate students, area practitioners and supervisors.
Learn from the best
Our faculty are deeply engaged in diverse research areas – from motivational interviewing with high school students, to the impact of sexuality on quality of life for women with serious mental illness. One of our professors recently took part in the NPR program Health Matters, discussing “Gratitude and Positive Psychology,” resulting in a new practicum/internship site through the host of the show. Master’s in counseling faculty participate in local events such as Shreveport’s annual city-wide health fair. The program also offers a LGBTQ teen/parent social support group as well as educational interventions in the counseling clinic through which practicum and intern students can gain diverse clinical skills.
Financial aid for master’s in counseling graduate students
More than $12.4 million in scholarship money is awarded to LSUS students each year. Take some time to explore the types of financial aid you could qualify for.
Job placement rate for M.S. in Counseling alumni
“Many of the assignments in my classes required deep introspection and provided enormous benefit toward increasing self-awareness, benefiting my personal growth and preparing me for the challenging work of being a counselor. The openness of being able to choose topics of interest for assignments was a great fit for me, as it allowed me to research areas about which I am truly passionate. As a result, my research on integrating yoga with treating female trauma survivors invited me the opportunity to participate in presenting at the annual LCA conference. I was also fortunate to be hired as a student worker in the counseling office on campus. During my time as a student worker, working under great leadership meant that opportunities for professional growth were continually present.”Angie Pellerin (M.S. in Counseling, 2016)
2022-2023 CACREP Vital Statistics, MSC Newsletter, Annual Summative Report
2021-2022 CACREP Vital Statistics, Annual Summative Report
2020-2021 CACREP Vital Statistics, Annual Summative Report
2019-2020 - CACREP Vital Statistics, Annual Summative Report, Newsletter
2018-2019 - CACREP Vital Statistics, Annual Summative Report, Newsletter
2017-2018 - CACREP Vital Statistics, Annual Summative Report, Newsletter
LSUS psychology assistant professor Dr. Michael Becerra hosted a pair of Colombian psychology colleagues in Fall 2023 as part of an exercise of academic and cultural exchange.
LSUS master’s in counseling students have scored higher than the national average on their GSA comps (from the National Board of Counselors) – an exam based on the national counselor exam for state licensure. One of our students made an almost perfect score!
Professional counselors practice in a variety of settings in which counseling or other mental health services are offered, including:
Learn more about the Master of Science in Counseling in the program handbook.
Thinking about earning your master’s degree in counseling? You might also be interested in learning more about these graduate programs at LSUS.
Starting a successful career is closer than you think. With exceptional academics and generous financial aid, LSUS allows you to get your degree close to home while launching you to new heights.