Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Autism & Applied Behavior Analysis Online

This accredited online Ed.S. program helps broaden your skill sets and qualifies you for leading positions educating children with developmental disabilities and behavioral challenges in schools, institutions, community agencies, or independent practice.

Apply by 1/3/25
Start class 1/13/25 Apply Now

Program Overview

Why consider NKU’s online autism & applied behavior analysis Ed.S. program

Deepen your expertise and influence change in a high-demand field with the Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Autism & Applied Behavior Analysis online program from Northern Kentucky University. Our curriculum also provides a verified course sequence toward becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

From 2008 to 2012, Kentucky public schools saw a 72% increase in the number of students ages 6-21 with autism. This 100% online Ed.S. program is designed to broaden your skills in working with these children. However, obtaining a BCBA credential also enables you to fill roles outside the public school system—in institutions, community agencies, as an independent practitioner, and more. It also provides a pathway to a Rank 1 designation on your Kentucky teaching certificate.

In this accredited autism Ed.S. teaching program, you will:

  • Prepare to gain the credentials you need to work in schools, institutions, community agencies, or independent practice
  • Gain a working understanding of theoretical perspectives, measurement systems, ecological inventories, functional behavior assessment, and positive and proactive behavior intervention plans
  • Learn from real-life scenarios and think critically about ways to drive innovation in school districts and regional, state, and federal education agencies
  • Learn from the same experienced faculty who teach on campus
In this accredited autism Ed.S. teaching program, you will:+
  • Prepare to gain the credentials you need to work in schools, institutions, community agencies, or independent practice
  • Gain a working understanding of theoretical perspectives, measurement systems, ecological inventories, functional behavior assessment, and positive and proactive behavior intervention plans
  • Learn from real-life scenarios and think critically about ways to drive innovation in school districts and regional, state, and federal education agencies
  • Learn from the same experienced faculty who teach on campus

As a graduate of this online program, you will have the tools and knowledge you need for advanced educational roles, including:

  • Behavioral Specialist
  • Department Head
  • Independent Practitioner
As a graduate of this online program, you will have the tools and knowledge you need for advanced educational roles, including:+
  • Behavioral Specialist
  • Department Head
  • Independent Practitioner
+

Online education programs also available:

Northern Kentucky University offers a variety of graduate education programs online. Check out our other quality online education programs.

Total Tuition $14,124
Program Duration As few as 18 months
Credit Hours 36

Accreditation

CAEP Accredited

The Northern Kentucky University College of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

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Need More Information?

Call 800-985-7215

Call 800-985-7215

Tuition

Find out how and when to pay your tuition

Our affordable Ed.S. in Teaching and Leading – Autism & Applied Behavior Analysis online program offers the same pay-by-the-course tuition to all in-state and out-of-state students.

View additional tuition information+

Program Per Credit Hour Required Fees Total Program with Fees
Ed.S. in Teaching and Leading – Autism $412 $528 $14,124

Tuition and fees subject to change at any time.

Tuition Breakdown:

Total Tuition $14,124
Per Credit Hour $412
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Ranked among the “Top Public Colleges” by Forbes, 2022

Calendar

Discover the milestones to guide your student journey

The Ed.S. in Teaching and Leading – Autism & Applied Behavior Analysis online program is convenient and flexible, featuring six start dates on an accelerated course schedule. View the calendar to find the best start date for you and be sure to note all corresponding deadlines.

View full calendar  + 

SessionProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment Due
Spring 11/13/251/3/251/7/251/10/251/13/25
Spring 23/17/253/5/253/10/253/14/253/17/25
Summer 15/12/254/30/255/5/255/9/255/12/25
Summer 26/30/256/18/256/23/256/27/256/30/25

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 1/3/25
Class Starts 1/13/25
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Admissions

What you need to know about our autism & applied behavior analysis Ed.S. online program

The Ed.S. in Teaching and Leading – Autism & Applied Behavior Analysis online program has a streamlined admission process to help you get started right away.

Admission Requirements:

  • Official transcripts of all coursework from accredited institutions
  • Teaching certificate or out-of-state equivalent
  • 3.0 GPA or higher in all master's-level coursework
View all admission requirements +

Ed.S. in Teaching and Leading – Autism & Applied Behavior Analysis Online Admission Requirements

  • Complete online application for admission
  • Pay $40 non-refundable application fee
    • If you are an NKU alum or active/veteran military member, your application fee will be waived
  • Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework from accredited institution(s). One transcript must show successful completion of a master's degree in education or in the content area of the applicant's teaching certificate.
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA in master's-level coursework
  • Teaching Certificate: Submit a copy of current teaching certificate showing certification at the Rank 2 level or out-of-state equivalent. New teachers in Kentucky may submit a Kentucky Statement of Eligibility.
  • Supplemental application

Official documents may be mailed or emailed to:

NKU Office of Graduate Education
302 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099

[email protected]

Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215.

Courses

Read about our autism & applied behavior analysis online classes

For the Ed.S. in Teaching and Leading – Autism & Applied Behavior Analysis online, the curriculum is comprised of 11 courses covering 33 credit hours, which include 15 core hours and 18 hours of concentration through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.

Expand All
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to education research enabling candidates to become effective consumers and users of research in education. It will improve candidates’ ability to apply research findings appropriately in school settings and will lay a foundation for an original action research project.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Legislation and instructional practices relating to the education of students with exceptionalities. Course covers various methods of co-teaching as well as locating, adapting, and developing materials and methods for including students with disabilities in general elementary, middle, and secondary classrooms.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the role of the cooperating teacher in developing and mentoring prospective teachers and interns and standards-based observation and feedback. This course includes a job-embedded requirement of supervising a student in field or clinical experience.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1.5
In this course students will conduct a comprehensive literature review on a topic that relates to a specific educational issue that impacts P-12 student learning and create a research-based design of an action research project that can be conducted and reported as their capstone project. This class must be taken in the first 7-week of a semester and followed by 703.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1.5
In this course students will conduct a comprehensive literature review on a topic that relates to a specific educational issue that impacts P-12 student learning and create a research-based design of an action research project that can be conducted and reported as their capstone project. This course should be taken in the second 7-week period of the same semester in which 702 is taken.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1.5
In this course students will conduct and report the results of an research project reflecting synthesis and application of knowledge acquired in prior coursework to address a specific educational issue leading to enhanced P-12 student learning, including data analysis, written summary of research findings, and poster presentation. This class must be taken in the first 7-week of a semester and followed by 705.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1.5
In this course students will conduct and report the results of an research project reflecting synthesis and application of knowledge acquired in prior coursework to address a specific educational issue leading to enhanced P-12 student learning, including data analysis, written summary of research findings, and poster presentation. This course should be taken in the second 7-week period of the same semester in which 704 is taken.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Understanding the fundamental concepts and principles that underlie behavior analysis. The course aims to provide comprehensive knowledge about the core foundations of behavior analysis.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1.5
Principles and terminology of applied behavior analysis, data skills, functional behavior assessment, and positive and proactive behavior intervention plans. This class must be taken in the first 7-week of a semester and followed by 652.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1.5
Principles and terminology of applied behavior analysis, data skills, functional behavior assessment, and positive and proactive behavior intervention plans. This course should be taken in the second 7-week period of the same semester in which 651 is taken.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1.5
Theoretical perspectives, measurement systems, ecological inventories, functional behavior assessment, and positive and proactive behavior intervention plans. This class must be taken in the first 7-week of a semester and followed by 656.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1.5
Theoretical perspectives, measurement systems, ecological inventories, functional behavior assessment, and positive and proactive behavior intervention plans. This course should be taken in the second 7-week period of the same semester in which 655 is taken.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The focus of this course is research in applied behavior analysis. Topics include the issues and procedures for conducting single subject research including data collection, behavior change methods and an overview and application of various single subject research designs.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will cover the ethical responsibilities required of applied behavior analysts: including informed consent, protection of confidentiality, and selection of least intrusive, least restrictive behavior change procedures. Candidates will examine case studies which present ethical dilemmas and will review legal issues and the ethical decision making processes.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on the issues and applications of applied behavior analysis in applied settings (e.g., classrooms, homes, group homes and residential facilities). Candidates will review ABA principles and will select acquisition and reduction goals for behavior change based on assessment data; write specific programs for these goals; and combine their programs into a comprehensive intervention plan.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides guidance on using Behavioral Skills Training (BST) for teaching others to identify and address problem behaviors through evidence-based procedures grounded in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), including data collection and analysis. By the course's end, participants will grasp effective ABA supervision, create a professional ePortfolio, enhance understanding of addressing challenging behaviors, and explain foundational ABA concepts clearly to non-specialists.

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