Applied Behavior Analysis
Learn the science of behavior so that you can influence change and solve socially significant problems.
Applied Behavior Analysis Program
On campus
Admission Deadline
Fall start: June 15
Degrees Offered
M.A., C.A.G.S.
Department
Karen Lionello-DeNolf, Ph.D.
Graduate Studies Events
Graduate Studies Winter Open House
Join campus community members for an Assumption College Graduate Open House. Spend part of your day with us and learn how a graduate degree or certificate from Assumption College can advance your career. Attend Open House and your application fee waived will be waived!
The 11th Annual Graduate School Symposium
Each year current and recently graduated students from the seven graduate programs here at Assumption present their research at the Graduate Studies Symposium. Presentations include paper and posters and entries can be nominated and sponsored by all graduate faculty. The common theme is “excellence”...
Graduate Studies Spring Open House
Join campus community members for an Assumption College Graduate Open House. Spend part of your day with us and learn how a graduate degree or certificate from Assumption College can advance your career. Attend Open House and your application fee waived will be waived.
Why ABA at Assumption?
Program Curriculum
Faculty
In the Applied Behavior Analysis program you will learn from experts in the field.
Practicum
How does the practicum work?
Fieldwork Placement
Students are encouraged to work with the Program Director in order to identify a fieldwork site placement. Students are asked to identify a placement and have it approved by the Program Director during their first semester. Students may begin the practicum course sequence in the second or later semesters. Students are strongly encouraged to speak with the Program Director prior to accepting a position at a fieldwork site.
Fieldwork Hours
To qualify to sit for the BCBA exam, students are required to complete at least 1,500 and up to 2,000 hours of fieldwork in applied behavior analysis, depending on the percentage of fieldwork hours supervised by a qualified BCBA. Students will complete four to five semesters of practicum in order to accumulate the required fieldwork hours. Students are required to work or volunteer at their approved site for approximately 130 per calendar month.
Fieldwork Supervision
In the first semester of practicum, students will receive both individual and group supervision through the practicum classes. In subsequent semesters of practicum, 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.
Shining their light
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.
Applied Behavior Analysis 2018
BCBA serving public school districts
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.
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 AppointmentAdmissions 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 any field of study from an accredited college or university and an official transcript
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)
*We strongly recommend at least one academic letter of recommendation; the remaining letters may be professional. All recommendations may be professional if an academic letter is not feasible. However, all letters should address the student’s ability complete graduate level academic work and may also address the student’s experience with ABA-based interventions.
Learn More about Career Opportunities in Applied Behavior Analysis
Interventions based on the principles of behavior analysis are commonly used in the treatment of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and autism. However, behavior-analytic principles can be applied in many other areas. Included here is a resource that showcases many ABA subspecialty areas.
ABA Resources
Related Programs
Apply to Assumption
Assumption College seeks students who will take full advantage of the extraordinary opportunities available to them. Start your journey and apply today. We look forward to reviewing your application!
Undergraduate Admissions Graduate Admissions Continuing Education Admissions