Assumption’s ABA Program Ranked Among Top Ten in Massachusetts 

Assumption’s Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program has been recognized as one of the top master’s degree programs in Massachusetts for 2020 by the Applied Behavior Analysis Programs Guide.  The Guide ranked Assumption as a top-ten program in the state.  

Criteria used to rank institutions offering ABA programs include student to faculty ratio, average graduate tuition rate, and percentage of first-time candidates passing the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam.

“With a rigorous curriculum that provides a comprehensive approach to ABA, we are proud that the program has been recognized as one of the best in the state,” said Karen Lionello-DeNolf, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology and director of the ABA program. “Assumption’s ABA program prepares students to be well-rounded behavior analysts who excel at applying their knowledge to make meaningful changes in the lives of the clients they serve and their families. The program provides supervised fieldwork that is coordinated with the coursework, which enables students to develop the skills necessary to implement and deliver behavior-analytic interventions. The integration of fieldwork with the curriculum is an advantage of our program, as it gives students the skills needed to advance their careers and sit for the national certification exam upon graduation.”  

The program offers coursework in the applied, basic, and conceptual branches of behavior analysis and emphasizes an evidence-based approach to assessment and intervention.  Students learn how to collaborate with colleagues from related disciplines and how to train staff, parents, and caregivers so as to maximize positive client outcomes. In addition, students have the option of completing an applied research thesis. 

Assumption’s ABA program is verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) as meeting the coursework requirements for students to sit for the BCBA exam.  Assumption’s combined pass rate on the BCBA exam from August 2018 to August 2019 is 85.7 percent, surpassing the 65 percent national average.

According to the ranking organization’s website, the Applied Behavior Analysis Programs Guide is an information resource created for students to explore the nation’s top degree programs for ABA.  It seeks to guide students to achieve their professional aspirations and become board certified.