Admission Requirements
- An online application (see the "How To Apply" page)
- A well-written statement of purpose (approximately 1,000 words, double-spaced, 12-point font)
- Original or certified copies of all academic transcripts
- Students graduating with a bachelor's degree in the spring term (before June) are encouraged to apply
- Three strong letters of recommendation
- No GRE required
Applicants should have all of the following:
- A well-written statement of purpose, for example
- Expressed conceptual understanding of the field of behavior analysis, the program at CSUN, and future goals as board certified behavior analysts
- Clear commitment to becoming scientist-practitioners in the field of behavior analysis
- Solid academic backgrounds (e.g., high academic grades, particularly in research methods, and behavior analysis coursework)
- Strong Recommendation Letters from credible recommenders who observed the candidate in various relevant settings (e.g., as a student, as a behavior interventionist, and supervisee).
- Valuable clinical experience through faculty research, employment, internships, volunteerships, etc.
For Admission to Classified Graduate Status
- Admission to the program generally requires an Undergraduate Degree (or its equivalent for international students), from a regionally accredited institution, in Psychology. Applicants who do not have a Degree in Psychology should consult with the Academic Director.
- A GPA of 3.0 is required except on approval by the Graduate Admission Committee.
General University requirements also must be met. Carefully consult other sections of the CSUN catalog for details. These requirements include passing the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam (UDWPE) with a score of 8 or higher.
Conditionally Classified Status
- Students who do not meet all admissions requirements for classified status may be accepted as conditionally classified students. Conditionally classified students will complete the "conditions" of their admission within the first year of their program and request classification from their program advisor.
- Note that all CSUN students must be "formally classified" before applying to graduate and earning their degree from CSUN.
English Proficiency Requirements
For Non-U.S. Degree and International Students Only
Exception: If a graduate applicant has earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S., the TOEFL or other English language proficiency exam is not required.
The English language tests and minimum scores listed in the table below are accepted by CSUN for graduate applicants for Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis.
| Test Name and Website | Minimum Score Required for Graduate Students | Send Score Directly To CSUN |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge C1 Advanced English (formerly CAE) | 180 | Email 'Confirmation of Entry' page to intladm@csun.edu. |
| DET - Duolingo English Test | 105 | Online through your Duolingo Account. See Sending Your Results. |
| EIKEN CSE - Common Scale for English | 2630 (1) | Contact EIKEN online; they will send the score directly to us. |
| GTEC CBT - Global Test of English Communication Computer-Based Test | 1200 | Have GTEC send a copy of your "Official Score Certificate" to CSUN. |
| IELTS - International English Language Test System | 6.5 | Have IELTS send a copy of your "Test Report Form" to CSUN. |
| iTEP Academic - International Test of English Proficiency | 4.0 | Have iTEP send your score to CSUN. |
| PTE Academic - Pearson's Test of English | 58 | Online through your PTE Academic Account |
| TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language | - Internet Based score: 80 - Paper-based score: 550 We do not accept TOEFL ITP. | Use CSUN School Code 4707. |
If a graduate applicant has earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a college or university outside the U.S. where English is the principal language of instruction, the TOEFL or other English language proficiency exam is not required. Please note:
- CSUN interprets "where English is the principal language of instruction" to mean that a school is located in a country where English is the daily medium of communication for the majority of residents, and that students receive academic instruction in English at all levels of education.
- Countries currently meeting the above requirement are: Australia, Belize, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, plus a few nations in the Commonwealth Caribbean (Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago).
Admission to the University
Students must submit an online application to the program and be admitted prior to taking the first class in the program. Students are required to provide official transcripts from the required institutions of higher education.
Before submitting your application, please ensure you meet all University admission requirements, including a minimum GPA of 2.5.
