Clinic and Classroom: Meet Libby Miranda, ABA Program Graduate

(MANHATTAN, NY — May 19, 2025) In Long Island, New York, Libby Miranda is preparing to receive her master’s degree in applied behavior analysis (ABA) from Empire State University after hard work in and out of the classroom. Miranda, who has experienced the value of applying course concepts in real-time clinic settings, has also recently been promoted to clinic supervisor at work.

Prior to joining Empire State University, Miranda felt uncertain about what career path to pursue. In initial conversations with university representatives, she was recommended the ABA program. “I just took a leap and went for it. I’m so happy that I did because it ended up being one of the best decisions of my life,” she says.

Though the idea of online learning was daunting, Miranda developed connections with faculty and peers who fueled her academic journey. “I constantly felt supported by professors and my advisor,” she comments, “It felt like such a personal experience, despite it being online.”

Her master’s degree program in ABA took Miranda through core components of the field, working closely with Empire State University’s Center for Autism Advocacy: Research, Education, and Supports (CAARES), led by Dr. Noor Y. Syed, assistant professor and ABA program coordinator. Miranda says, “I just want to give a big thanks to Dr. Syed. She was my advisor, and I truthfully could not have done this without her.”

Through fulfilling coursework and balancing other responsibilities, Miranda learned the importance of staying organized. “Organization is significant to practice in the field I’m going into,” she says. With that skill in mind, she was able to maintain A’s throughout her entire academic career. “I’m really proud of myself for being able to accomplish that because it was something that I’d never been able to do before,” she explains.

Obtaining her degree in ABA has shed light on the path forward for Miranda, who had graduated with a bachelor’s degree in a field she didn’t find fulfilling. Through this experience, which began during the COVID-19 global pandemic, she has found her passion in helping others. “I’m entering an entirely new chapter in my life with graduation and having this promotion,” she says, smiling.

The ability to apply what she learned in the classroom to real-life settings in clinic work solidified her knowledge of the field, giving her confidence in her abilities. “[Experiential learning] made it a lot easier for me to understand the concepts that I was being taught,” Miranda explains. Similarly, being able to connect with peers has been a rewarding experience—through creating and participating in group chats, she was able to get to know her classmates and foster connections and friendships. “Even though we’re online, [it shows you that] you’re not alone in this situation,” she says.

Looking ahead, Miranda aspires to expand the range of populations she serves in the ABA field, particularly high school-aged individuals— “…it would be such a treat because I feel like we would have a lot to talk about,” she says. Miranda then adds, jokingly, “I’m getting married this month, so that’s all I can think about right now.”

Once the wedding festivities settle, she is eager to dive into new experiences in her field. Miranda looks forward to more interactions with families that will continue to shape her understanding of what it means to be a caregiver to individuals with autism diagnoses.

The road to obtaining her master’s degree in ABA has been a challenging yet profusely gratifying one. Miranda advises prospective students of the ABA program at Empire State University: “Prepare yourself to be really overwhelmed by the amount of support and new set of skills that you’ll pick up.” Above all else, she highlights the compassion that characterizes the program, and the ABA field at large, saying, “I am surrounded by practitioners who care more than anyone I’ve ever seen in my entire life.”