Applied Behavior Analysis

ABA Program Curriculum

• ABA Program Mission

  The mission of the Applied Behavior Analysis Programs at Assumption University is to prepare students to be well-rounded behavior analysts who excel at applying their knowledge of the science of behavior in a variety of settings. The program accomplishes this through comprehensive coursework in the applied, basic, and conceptual branches of behavior analysis and related fields. We teach evidence-based approaches to assessment and treatment that are widely applicable and based on firmly established behavioral principles. The coursework is integrated with a practicum series to provide students with multiple opportunities to develop competencies in skills related to behavior-analytic service delivery and research. The program teaches students to effectively work with and train staff, parents, and caregivers and to collaborate with other service providers in order to maximize client outcomes while remaining in harmony with the core conceptual and ethical tenants of the field. As a result, students become adept at critical thinking and are formed as contributing members to both the wider discipline of behavior analysis and the communities they serve.

• Learning Goals
  1. Foundational Knowledge of Behavior Analysis
  2. Application of Behavior-analytic Principles
  3. Case Management and Supervision
  4. Professional and Collaboration Skills
  5. Communication Skills
  6. Critical Thinking
• Master of Arts

  The Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis is a 46-credit program that can be completed in two years. Classes are held during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Two to three classes will be taken each semester, and each class meets once per week in the evening. A 52-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. Students interested in gaining research experience can pursue a thesis option in which they conduct an applied research project.

  One benefit of the program is that it includes practicum classes that allow students to obtain supervision of fieldwork hours in a manner that is coordinated with their coursework. The practicum sequence is overseen by a practicum coordinator and supervision is provided by BCBAs with extensive experience providing training to students.

  Students who complete this program will have met the coursework and fieldwork experience requirements required to apply for licensure as an applied behavior analyst in Massachusetts and to apply to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam (under the 5th Edition Task List). Applicants may need to meet additional requirements to qualify.

  Required Courses

  Behavior Analysis 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 604	Conceptual Foundations of Behavior Analysis
  ABA 605	The Experimental Analysis of Behavior
  ABA 804	Integrative Seminar in ABA

  Behavior-Analytic Fieldwork 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
  ABA 703	Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis IV
  ABA 710	Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis I: Group Supervision

  Interdisciplinary Electives (Choose 2)

  ASD 640	Collaboration and Coordination: Autism Spectrium Disorders or
  RCP 530	Introduction to Counseling Theory and Practice
  ABA 503	Behavior Analysis and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities or
  ASD 600	Foundations and Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder
  PSY 502	Psychology of Development or
  SCP 545	Human Growth and Development through the Life Span or
  SED 563	Developmental Pathways and Challenges
  ABA 704	Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis V

  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

   

  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.

• Practicum

  Fieldwork is an essential part of training to become an applied behavior analyst because it allows you to obtain the competencies needed to accurately assess behavior and develop successful interventions for your clients. Fieldwork experience is gained by working or volunteering in natural environment settings in which you can use ABA when working with people. One benefit of Assumption’s ABA program is that it includes required practicum classes that allow students to obtain supervision of all of their fieldwork hours prior to graduation. There are certain fieldwork requirements that need to be met to apply for licensure and to sit for the BCBA exam. These include:

  1. Working at a site that allows you to work with more than one person.
  2. Working a minimum of 20 hours per month related to behavior analysis.
  3. Supervision by a BCBA who has completed supervisor training, meets the current BACB supervision requirements, and is licensed as an LABA in Massachusetts.
  4. Receiving the minimum percentage of supervised hours and the minimum number of observations and supervisor contacts per supervisory period.

  Current BACB Experience Standards state that you need to accumulate 2,000 fieldwork work hours with 5% supervised hours under the Supervised Fieldwork standard or 1,500 fieldwork hours with 10% supervised hours under the Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork standard. Assumption’s practicum classes are designed to accommodate either of these standards, depending on the student’s placement. In some cases, students may need to take additional practicum credits to meet fieldwork requirements.

  To participate in a practicum, you must work or volunteer at a clinical setting where a BCBA has met the current BACB supervision requirements and is licensed as an applied behavior analyst in Massachusetts, can provide 3 to 4 hours of individual supervision per month. In addition, you must be able to work with multiple clients providing behavior-analytic services for at least 100 hours per month. Students will be asked to identify a practicum placement during their first semester and secure site/supervisor approval from the program director. The program director is available to assist students in identifying an appropriate placement.

  Assumption’s practicum courses are aligned with the behavior-analytic coursework. This allows students to gain skill in applying assessments and interventions in a coordinated manner and is a significant advantage of our program. During the first semester, a majority of supervision is provided by practicum instructors in addition to on-site supervisors. In subsequent semesters, supervision is split between Assumption practicum instructors and on-site supervisors.

  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
  ABA 703	Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis IV
  ABA 704	Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis V*
  ABA 710	Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis; Group Supervision

  *Elective for students who need additional fieldwork hours

• NECC Fellowship Opportunity
  Learn more
• Course Descriptions
  View Course Descriptions
• Upcoming Course Offerings
  Upcoming Course Offerings
• Program Statistics

  Annual reporting period:	2024
  Number of Students whose Degrees Conferred by the Program:	9
  Median Years to Graduation for Students whose Degrees Were Conferred by the Program:	2.17
  Number of Students Enrolled in the Program:	26
  Number of Students No Longer Enrolled for Any Reason Other Than Conferral of Degree:	3
  Number of Completed Applications Received:	15
  Number of Students Admitted:	14
  Number of First-time Candidates Sitting for BCBA Exam*:	12
  Percentage of First-time Candidates Passing the BCBA Exam*:	67%
  Number of Graduates Obtaining a Master-level State License as a Behavior Analyst:	7
  Median Undergraduate GPA for Applicants Admitted (4-point scale):	3.41
  Median Standardized Test Scores:	NA
  *Data are from 2023. The BACB has not yet released 2024 pass rate data.

• Licensure

  The MA in ABA program meets coursework and fieldwork requirements to apply for licensure as an applied behavior analyst in Massachusetts. Information about licensure of behavior analysists in MA can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/regulations/262-CMR-1000-requirements-for-licensure-as-an-applied-behavior-analyst-and-assistant-applied-behavior-analyst

  The Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis Program is recognized as Tier 2A by the Association for Behavior Analysis International. Graduates of the MA in ABA program will qualify to sit for the BCBA exam under Pathway 1. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.

  Please contact the Applied Behavior Analysis Program Director, Karen Lionello-DeNolf, at k.lionellodenolf@assumption.edu to discuss whether our program meets the licensure requirements to practice in another state.

• Licensure Requirements in Other States

  Assumption University’s Applied Behavior Analysis program meets the requirements for licensure in the state of Massachusetts. The University has not determined if the program meets licensure requirements in other states.

  To review the license and credentials to practice ABA in other states please visit the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts:
  https://www.apbahome.net/general/recommended_links.asp

• FAQs

  How many credits is the Applied Behavior Analysis program?
  The Applied Behavior Analysis program is a 46-credit program. A 52-credit thesis option is also available.

  What is the cost of the program?
  You can find current cost per credit and fee information on our website at s1auviv.wpengine.com/gradfinaid.

  Do you have both full-time and part-time options?
  Yes, students can complete the ABA program full-time or part-time.

  What is the average length of time to complete the program?
  The ABA program can be completed in two years (including two 10-week summer semesters) full-time. However, many students choose to complete the program part-time by taking one or two classes per semester. Completing the program part-time takes about three years.  

  What is a typical class size?
  Class sizes are small and average around 10 students per class. Practicum classes are smaller and include two to six students.

  How many classes do students take per semester?
  Part-time students take one to two courses per semester. Full-time students take two to three courses per semester. It is important to know that to be eligible for federal financial aid in the form of student loans, students must be enrolled in at least two graduate courses (six credits) per semester. The table below shows a sample part-time course plan and a sample full-time course plan.

  Part-time Option
  Fall Year 1	Spring Year 1	Summer Year 1
  ABA 500 ABA 600	ABA 501 ABA 603	ABA 601 ABA 700 ABA 710
  Fall Year 2	Spring Year 2	Summer Year 2
  ABA 602 ABA 701	ABA 604 ABA 702	ABA 605 elective
  Fall Year 3	Spring Year 3
  ABA 703 elective	ABA 704 (if needed) ABA 804

  Full-time Option
  Fall Year 1	Spring Year 1	Summer Year 1
  ABA 500 ABA 600	ABA 501 ABA 603 ABA 700 ABA 710	ABA 601 ABA 701 elective
  Fall Year 2	Spring Year 2	Summer Year 2
  ABA 602 ABA 702 elective	ABA 604 ABA 703	ABA 605 ABA 704 (if needed) ABA 804

  Are courses held online or on campus?
  The ABA program meets in person and is an on-campus program.

  What time and how often do courses meet?
  Courses meet Monday–Thursday, once per week in the late day or evenings. Course day and meeting times change each semester depending on the sections being offered.

  When does the practicum start and what support is offered in finding a placement site?
  Students in good academic standing can start the practicum series in their second semester, but it is recommended that students wait until their third semester to begin fieldwork. Many students enter the program already working in the field and with a desire to remain at that site for their practicum experience. For many of these students, we can work with the site to make that happen. For students who need to find a placement, we have strong relationships with many sites in the Worcester area. Students should schedule a time to speak with the ABA Program Director to discuss the type of placement they would like and what potential options there are.

  The practicum courses are designed such that students can meet Behavior Analyst Certification Board® experience standards for their fieldwork. Because these standards are extensive and the process to get supervision in place can sometimes be quite lengthy, students are strongly encouraged to speak with the ABA Program Director early in their first semester (if not prior to the first semester) about practicum requirements. 

  What are the requirements for practicum?
  Students in the MA in ABA and CAGS in ABA programs are required to take four semesters of practicum. They may begin after completing ABA 500 with a passing grade. The practicum courses are designed to meet the fieldwork experience standards of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (see www.bacb.com for more information). Based on these standards, students will need to complete 2,000 fieldwork hours, including 1,200 hours of unrestricted work, with 5% of their hours supervised. There are additional requirements that must be met each supervisory period (one month). The BACB limits the number of hours that can be accumulated each supervision period to 130. Therefore, it will take a minimum of 16 months to complete the fieldwork requirements, which translates to four semesters.

  Students must work or volunteer at a site where they can complete behavior-analytic activities and at which they can work with multiple clients. To be able to complete the fieldwork required by BACB standards within four semesters of practicum, students should expect to work full-time at their site. Students may enroll in practicum if they work part-time, but they must understand that they will not be able to complete the BACB-required fieldwork hours in four semesters in that case (i.e., they will need to take additional semesters of practicum). The practicum site needs to be able to provide the type of experiences needed (i.e., unrestricted activities) and a site-supervisor who meets BACB supervisor qualifications. Students are required to attend a multiple-session orientation the semester prior to beginning practicum.

  Can I do my practicum at the place where I work?
  Many students enter the program already working in the field and with a desire to remain at that site for their practicum experience. For many of these students, we can work with the site to make that happen. The site needs to be able to provide the type of experiences needed (i.e., unrestricted activities) and a site-supervisor who meets BACB supervisor qualifications who is able to provide individual supervision of 3.25 hours per month. The practicum experience may be paid or unpaid. Often, some of the student’s regular job duties can be counted as fieldwork. However, the purpose of fieldwork is to learn the skills typically performed by BCBAs, which is not usually part of students’ paid employment. Thus, students should expect that a substantial portion of their fieldwork might be unpaid even if they are able to complete that fieldwork at their place of employment.

  Can you complete the practicum while working full-time?
  It is possible to complete practicum while working full-time if the student is working at a site that is appropriate for accumulating fieldwork hours. If the place of employment is not appropriate for fieldwork, it is unlikely that the student would be able to work full-time and also accumulate sufficient fieldwork hours.

  How does practicum affect CPT and OPT for international students? 
  Curricular practical training (CPT) and optional practical training (OPT) are two types of training available to international students on F-1 visas. CPT authorizes a student to work while a student if the student’s program of study requires a practicum or internship experience. OPT takes place after a student has graduated from an academic program and provides an opportunity to enhance the student’s learning through real-world experience. Practicum requirements for the ABA program are part of CPT and may affect the student’s eligibility for OPT. 

  Students completing the MA in ABA program while on an F-1 visa should carefully consider the requirements for practicum. A minimum of four semesters (16 months) of practicum is required to complete the degree. Students should also consider the required fieldwork hours to sit for the BCBA exam (2000 hours). 

  Current regulations for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program state that students who complete CPT working part-time have the option to complete OPT. However, completing one year of full-time CPT eliminates the student’s eligibility for OPT. Full-time is defined as working more than 20 hours per week. Typically, students in the MA in ABA program work more than 20 hours per week at their field sites during the practicum experience. In certain situations, it might be possible for a student to complete practicum working part-time. Students are advised to consult with the ABA Program Director and the International Student Advisor prior to enrolling in the program. 

  What are the start terms for the program?
  The ABA program begins in the Fall semester only.

  What are the deadlines to apply?
  The application deadlines can be found on the upper left column on the main program page.

  Do applicants need to take the GMAT/GRE to apply to a graduate program?
  We do not require the GRE/GMAT. Applications are reviewed holistically, with a focus on an applicant’s transcript, letters of recommendation, and personal statement. For this reason, it is important to ensure a complete and comprehensive application.

  Are there grants, fellowships or scholarships available?
  The Applied Behavior Analysis program has an opportunity for an applicant to apply for the New England Center For Children (NECC) Fellowship. This is a terrific option for students who are interested in experiencing the experimental basis of the field and who may be considering doctoral work. The Fellowship will allow students to pursue the thesis option in the MA in ABA program. Fellows will complete an applied research thesis under the co-mentorship of an Assumption faculty member and a NECC professional.

  Fellows will be hired into full-time positions at NECC, receive supervision of up to 2,000 fieldwork hours by licensed BCBAs, and will participate in ABA research projects at Assumption and at NECC. In addition, Fellows will receive 26 credits of tuition remission, a cost savings of approximately $20,000. You can find more information on our website.

  Do you offer financial aid to graduate students?
  Federal Financial Aid is offered in the form of unsubsidized student loans. Student’s must be enrolled in a minimum of two courses per semester (i.e., 6 credits) to be eligible.

  What are the GPA/application requirements?
  A 3.0 GPA is required. However in addition to your official transcript, the graduate admissions committee considers all the application materials, including three professional letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a resume.

  The personal statement is used to gauge a student’s overall fit for the program and serves as a writing sample that provides another measure of the student’s ability to succeed in a rigorous graduate program. The personal statement should be a 1–2-page essay that explains your professional goals and experiences. The statement should include the following:

  • A description of why you are interested in studying ABA
  • A description of your post-graduate professional goals
  • Information on previous experiences, including research, practicum, internship, and work in the field of ABA
  • Demonstration of a commitment to studying ABA as science to understand and improve human behavior

  Letters of recommendation are an important part of the application package. Students should carefully consider their recommenders, choosing people who are able to speak to their academic strengths, ability to succeed in a rigorous graduate program, and knowledge of/experience in ABA.
  Recommendation letters can be from college professors, work supervisors, and internship supervisors; they should not be from co-workers, friends, or family members. The graduate admissions committee highly values recommendations from full-time professors who were part of the student’s undergraduate major of study. Recommendation letters should be printed on letterhead and signed by the letter writer. Students are strongly encouraged to communicate these requirements to their recommenders.

  How long does it take to receive a decision after applying?
  Typically applicants will be notified within a few weeks after application completion (including the submission of all materials). This is an approximate time and may vary.

• Information for International Students

  How does practicum affect CPT and OPT for international students? 

  Curricular practical training (CPT) and optional practical training (OPT) are two types of training available to international students on F-1 visas. CPT authorizes a student to work while a student if the student’s program of study requires a practicum or internship experience. OPT takes place after a student has graduated from an academic program and provides an opportunity to enhance the student’s learning through real-world experience. Practicum requirements for the ABA program are part of CPT and may affect the student’s eligibility for OPT. 

  Students completing the MA in ABA program while on an F-1 visa should carefully consider the requirements for practicum. A minimum of four semesters (16 months) of practicum is required to complete the degree. Students should also consider the required fieldwork hours to sit for the BCBA exam (2000 hours). 

  Current regulations for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program state that students who complete CPT working part-time have the option to complete OPT. However, completing one year of full-time CPT eliminates the student’s eligibility for OPT. Full-time is defined as working more than 20 hours per week. Typically, students in the MA in ABA program work more than 20 hours per week at their field sites during the practicum experience. In certain situations, it might be possible for a student to complete practicum working part-time. Students are advised to consult with the ABA Program Director and the International Student Advisor prior to enrolling in the program.