Michigan State University - ABA Degree Programs

Behavior Analysis Degrees at Michigan State University

Michigan State University appears in our ranking of the 10 Best ABA Master’s Degree Programs.

Undergraduate programs at Michigan State University that relate to behavior analysis include a Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Education and a minor in educational studies. The Special Education major is specifically designed for students who intend on being certified as both K-12 special education and elementary teacher. Specifically, the program combines preprofessional preparation in special education focusing on learning disabilities and in elementary education.

Graduate-level programs offered for behavior analysis at Michigan State University outnumber the undergraduate level programs. In addition to in-person classes, some of the classes are offered fully online, or as a hybrid whereby at least 50% of the class is taught through online instruction. These include graduate certificates in applied behavior analysis in special education (online), educational psychology (online), and special education leadership: multi-tiered systems of support (online). Master of Arts is offered applied behavior analysis (hybrid), special education (online), and special education leadership: multi-tiered systems of support (online). An Educational Specialist in school psychology is offered at the graduate level, and a Doctor of Philosophy in educational psychology and educational technology (hybrid), school psychology, and special education are offered.

About Michigan State University

Michigan State University was founded on February 12, 1855, with its first-class graduating on May 14, 1857. The university has over 150 years of agricultural education, starting in 1855 as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan. Progressing quickly through growth, the college then became the State Agricultural College in 1861. In 1909, the name was changed to Michigan Agricultural College. In 1925, the college became Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science. Thirty years later, the state college became the Michigan State University of Agriculture and Applied Science. Less than a decade later, the last portion of the name was dropped and is currently reflected as Michigan State University.

Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, just outside the state’s capital. The campus is on a sprawling 5,300 acres and has 563 buildings. Throughout Michigan, the University uses an additional 20,000 acres for agricultural and natural resources research and education. The student has approximately 50,000 students, 5,000 faculty and academic staff, and over 7,000 support staff. In 2018, the university had total research expenditures totaling $715 million favorably placing this as a research institute.

Michigan State University is the home of the Center for Research in Autism, Intellectual, and Other Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. The Center works towards improving the lives of those with neurodevelopmental disabilities by creating new knowledge, developing methods in prevention, diagnosis, assessment, and treatment. Additionally, Michigan State University’s Resources Center for Persons with Disabilities coordinates accommodations and programs to meet student’s needs.

Michigan State University Accreditation Details

Michigan State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The Higher Learning Commission is one of six regional institutional accreditors and serves 19 states. The Doctor of Philosophy in School Psychology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association and approved by the Association of School Psychologists.

Michigan State University Application Requirements

When applying to Michigan State University, the student could fall into one of several types of application statuses depending on the student’s previous education and location from which the student is applying.

A freshman application requires that there are no credits taken at any other university. The student’s admission is based on how well the student did in high school, to include the difficulty of the courses that were taken. Placement tests (ACT, SAT) are taken into account along with extracurricular activities. According to the Michigan State University’s admissions webpage, the 2019 freshman profile had a grade point average (GPA) between 3.5 and 4.0, a composite ACT score of between 23 and 29, and a total SAT score between 1130 and 1310. International applicants must also be proficient in the English language.

Transfer students are considered any student with postsecondary education. Students who have completed comparative courses to first-semester freshman students, have 28 or more transferable credits or have a 3.0 or higher are considered more competitive in the admission process.

Admission into the Master of Arts program from Applied Behavior Analysis requires submission of applications to both the department and the university. Three letters of recommendation and a statement of professional goals describing the reasons the student is pursuing a master’s degree is also required. Submission of graduate record examination (GRE) scores and English language proficiency is also required. A GPA of 3.0 or greater is factored in review for all undergraduate and graduate courses taken in the last two years that the student took classes. Experience working with children or youth with disabilities is also seen as favorable. To enroll in the graduate certificate for Applied Behavior Analysis, there is an additional requirement of having a master’s degree or current enrollment in a master’s degree program at Michigan State University.

Admissions for an Education Specialist typically occurs after the completion of a master’s degree; however, some students may be admitted while pursuing a bachelor’s degree. For admission, GRE scores must be submitted or the Miller Analogies Test if the student is in K-12 education administration.

Admissions into a Master of Arts for School Psychology requires admissions directly to Educational Specialist or to the Doctor of Philosophy program in School Psychology. Doctor of Philosophy degrees in educational psychology and school psychology are largely based on previous studies and experience. Additional requirements may be to provide a written statement of availability for completion of an internship (up to 30 weeks).

Tuition and Financial Aid

According to College Tuition Compare, Michigan State University state resident tuition and fees are $14,460 and non-state resident tuition and fees are $38,766 for undergraduate costs. Graduate-level costs are $18,132 for state residents and $35,628 for others.

When planning on attending, students should evaluate all options for paying for their education. The least expensive of the options is through the federal financial aid that is provided when eligible students fill out their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Through this, a Pell grant and loans (subsidized and unsubsidized) can be obtained. Private student loans can also be obtained and do not require the FASFA to get. The state of Michigan also has opportunities for very specific scholarships. Beyond these common methods of obtaining financial aid, student employment is also a viable solution for those who attend Michigan State University.