Graduate

Applied Behavior Analysis

Learn the science of behavior so that you can influence change and solve socially significant problems.

Applied Behavior Analysis Program

Program Tracks Available

On campus

Admission Deadline

Fall start: June 15

Degrees Offered

M.A., C.A.G.S.

Department

Psychology

Program Overview

Program Viewbook

The Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) programs at Assumption College prepare students for careers as applied behavior analysts, and graduates of our programs will be well-prepared for both clinical and research-based positions. Our programs teach the science of behavior, which is essential for individuals interested in autism, general and special education, developmental and intellectual disabilities, social work and related fields.

The multi-disciplinary focus of the ABA programs provides opportunities to work with faculty in the psychology, human services and rehabilitation studies, and education departments.

Coursework covers both typical and atypical development and the comprehensive curriculum covers the applied, experimental, and conceptual branches of behavior analysis.

Fieldwork experience is supervised by board certified behavior analysts. Students in the masters program have the ability to pursue either an applied or research track through tailored coursework.

Course sequence and practicum experience is verified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. The program meets coursework and fieldwork requirements to apply for licensure as an applied behavior analyst in Massachusetts and graduates are well-prepared to apply to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam. Our combined pass rate for 2018 and 2019 is 80%, compared with the national average of 65% for 2018.

Program Contact

Susan M. Cahill

Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions

Schedule a Conversation

508-767-7365 sm.cahill@assumption.edu Admissions House - Room 205

Karen Lionello-DeNolf, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Psychology, Director of Applied Behavior Analysis

508-767-7498 k.lionellodenolf@assumption.edu Kennedy Memorial Hall - Room 144

Susan Volungis

Academic Support Team Coordinator

508-767-7390 volungis@assumption.edu Kennedy Hall - Room 123

Why ABA at Assumption?

course sequence and practicum experience BACB-verified

1,000

fieldwork experience hours

85.7%

Assumption’s combined pass rate on the BACB exam for August 2018 to August 2019

pursue either an applied or research track through tailored coursework

Jump To

Program Curriculum

Master of Arts

The Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis is a 46-credit, two-year program, including two summer sessions. Two to three classes will be taken each semester, and the classes are held once per week in the evening. A 51-credit thesis option is also available. The coursework includes the applied, experimental and conceptual branches of behavior analysis, so students receive a well-rounded education that prepares them to work in a variety of settings. The program also includes practicum classes that will allow students to obtain supervision of fieldwork hours. Students interested in gaining research experience can pursue a thesis option in which they conduct an applied research project.

Students who complete this program will have met the coursework and fieldwork experience requirements to apply for licensure as applied behavior analysts in Massachusetts and to apply to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam (under the 4th Edition Task List). Applicants may need to meet additional requirements to qualify.

Required Courses

Core Behavior Analysis Courses

ABA 500	Principles of Learning and Behavior Analysis*
ABA 501	Measurement and Research Methods in Behavior Analysis*
ABA 503	Behavior Analysis and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
ABA 600	Behavioral and Functional Assessment*
ABA 601	Behavior-Analytic Interventions I*
ABA 602	Behavior-Analytic Interventions II*
ABA 603	Ethical, Legal and Professional Topics in Behavior Analysis*
ABA 710	Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis \| Group Supervision

Advanced Behavior Analysis Courses

ABA 604	Conceptual Foundations of Behavior Analysis
ABA 605	The Experimental Analysis of Behavior
ABA 700	Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis I**
ABA 701	Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis II**
ABA 702	Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis III**
ABA 804	Integrative Seminar in ABA

Interdisciplinary Courses

RCP 530	Introduction to Counseling Theory and Practice
PSY 502	Psychology of Development OR
SCP 545	Human Growth and Development through the Life Span

Optional Courses

ABA 800	Pre-thesis Seminar in ABA
ABA 801	MA Thesis in ABA I
ABA 802	MA Thesis in ABA II
ABA 803	MA Thesis in ABA III

*BACB Verified Course Sequence course
**BACB Verified Practicum course

Qualifying Examination

The qualifying exam is required for all students in the Applied Behavior Analysis M.A. and C.A.G.S. programs. The exam itself will be conducted in such a way as to maximize your opportunity to exhibit integration of the theoretical, basic, applied, and ethical principles learned across the curriculum. Students completing the optional thesis in ABA will complete a thesis defense in lieu of the qualifying exam.

Assumption cannot guarantee that students successfully completing the program will pass the certification exam or become licensed.

View Course Descriptions

View Fall 2019 Course Schedule

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study

A 34-credit Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Applied Behavior Analysis is offered to students who have completed a master’s degree in any field of study and wish to complete the BACB Verified Course Sequence courses. The C.A.G.S. consists of seven courses on applied behavior analysis (the BACB Verified Course Sequence), three practicum courses, and an integrative seminar in ABA.

Required Courses*

ABA 500	Principles of Learning and Behavior Analysis
ABA 501	Measurement and Research Methods in Behavior Analysis
ABA 600	Behavioral and Functional Assessment
ABA 601	Behavior-Analytic Interventions I
ABA 602	Behavior-Analytic Interventions II
ABA 603	Ethical, Legal and Professional Topics in Behavior Analysis
ABA 710	Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis \| Group Supervision
ABA 804	Integrative Seminar in ABA

*Students may choose to take additional courses from among the following electives for additional credit:

ABA 503	Behavior Analysis and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
ABA 604	Conceptual Foundations of Behavior Analysis
ABA 605	The Experimental Analysis of Behavior
PSY 502	Psychology of Development
SCP 545	Human Growth and Development through the Life Span
RCP 530	Introduction to Counseling Theory and Practice

Three Practicum Courses

ABA 700	Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis I
ABA 701	Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis II
ABA 702	Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis III

Qualifying Examination

The qualifying exam is required for all students in the applied behavior analysis M.A. and C.A.G.S. programs. The exam itself will be conducted in such a way as to maximize your opportunity to exhibit integration of the theoretical, basic, applied, and ethical principles learned across the curriculum. Students completing the optional thesis in ABA will complete a thesis defense in lieu of the qualifying exam.

Assumption cannot guarantee that students successfully completing the program will pass the certification exam or become licensed.

View Course Descriptions

View Fall 2019 Course Schedule

Fieldwork experience is gained by working or volunteering in natural environment settings in which you can use ABA when working with people. There are certain requirements that need to be met. These include working at a site that allows you to work with more than one person, working a minimum of 10 hours per week related to behavior analysis, being supervised by a BCBA who has completed supervisor training, meets the current BACB supervision requirements, is a licensed ABA in Massachusetts and receiving the minimum percentage of supervised hours per supervisory period. You may choose to gain fieldwork experience by independently working with a supervisor or through university-approved practicum experiences (which include a greater amount of supervision and fewer fieldwork experience hours).

2,000 fieldwork hours are required and will be completed in 4-5 semesters of practicum.

The Behavior Certification Board, Inc.® has verified the following practicum courses toward the experience requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Analyst Examination® (under the 4th Edition Task List). Applicants may need to meet additional requirements to qualify.

Practicum Courses

ABA 700 Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis I
ABA 701 Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis II
ABA 702 Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis III
View Course Descriptions

View Fall 2019 Course Schedule

Faculty

In the Applied Behavior Analysis program you will learn from experts in the field.

Karen Lionello-DeNolf, Ph.D. Program Director Assistant Professor of Psychology Director of Applied Behavior Analysis

Sheila Bessette, BCBA-D, LABA Adjunct Faculty, Graduate/Professional Studies

Andrea Bowes, BCBA, LABA Adjunct Faculty

Elizabeth Brennan, BCBA, LABA Adjunct Faculty

Desiree Chumsantivut, BCBA, LABA Adjunct Faculty

Dewey DeLisle, BCBA, LABA Adjunct Faculty

Kelly McConnell, BCBA-D, LABA Adjunct Faculty

Colleen Yorlets, BCBA, LABA Adjunct Faculty

Practicum

How does the practicum work?

Fieldwork Placement

Students are encouraged to work with the program director in order to identify a practicum placement. Students are asked to identify a placement and have it approved by the program director during their first semester. Practicum begins during the second semester.

Fieldwork Hours

Students are required to complete 1,000 hours of fieldwork in applied behavior analysis with 7.5% of their hours supervised by a BCBA each week. Students will complete three semesters of practicum in order to accumulate the required 1,000 fieldwork hours. Students are required to work or volunteer at their approved site for a minimum of 25 hours a week (with a maximum of 30 hours per week). Students may only accumulate fieldwork hours while enrolled in the practicum class for graduate credit.

Fieldwork Supervision

Students will receive 50% of their supervision during the weekly class meeting; the remaining 50% will be received individually at their work site. All supervision will be provided by BCBAs who are also licensed applied behavior analysts in Massachusetts.

BACB Verified

Assumption’s ABA course sequence and practicum courses meet the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s (BACB) requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst Examination® (under the 4th Edition Task List). Applicants may need to meet additional requirements to qualify.

Shining their light

Ashley Perry

Applied Behavior Analysis
Shared Living Case Manager, Seven Hill Foundation

I want to really make a change for the people I support.

I hope to gain the proper skills to go into the field and work with young children or adults to help reduce problem behaviors for struggling families.

Stephen Blaisdell

Applied Behavior Analysis 2011
Special Education Teacher, Crossroads School

Understanding the theories and practices is important to realizing how they can be applied.

I want to develop behavior programs based on scientific principles and feel confident that the work I am doing is individualized and targets the behavior I want to change. I also would like to become a BCBA, and I know this program will prepare me well.

see another

Graduate Visit Opportunities

We invite you to learn more about our graduate programs - either through a visit to campus, or by scheduling a phone conversation with an admissions team member or one of our program directors. Contact us today to learn more!

Schedule an Appointment

Admissions Requirements

Prerequisites:

To be accepted into the master’s program, you must have:

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and an official transcript
An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0

To be accepted into the C.A.G.S. program, you must have:

A master’s degree in behavior analysis, psychology or education

Application Requirements:

Completed Application Dated & Signed
$30 Application Fee (waived for AC alumni)
Three letters of recommendation are required – professional and at least one academic.
Official Transcript(s)
Personal Statement
Current Resume
TOEFL or IELTS (for applicants whose native language is not English)

Apply Today

Learn More about Career Opportunities in Applied Behavior Analysis

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles and practices are greatly used in the treatment of individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism, however, ABA services can extend far beyond that. Included here is a resource that evaluates the many ABA subspecialty areas that exist.

Applied behavior analyst career pathways

ABA Resources

Downloads

External Resources

Apply

Visit Assumption

Applied Behavior Analysis

Learn the science of behavior so that you can influence change and solve socially significant problems.