Applied Behavior Analysis

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

Fall: June 30

Karen Lionello-DeNolf, Ph.D. Director

Welcome to the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Program at Assumption University! On these webpages, you will find information about our courses, fieldwork experience, faculty, and ABA in general.

The ABA program is designed to prepare you to become a well-rounded behavior analyst, allowing you to advance your career in a variety of human-service and education settings. Our program meets the education and fieldwork requirements for graduates to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam and apply for licensure as an applied behavior analyst in Massachusetts. (For licensing requirements in other states please visit https://www.apbahome.net/general/recommended_links.asp.) All of our faculty are devoted to helping you develop your knowledge and skills related to behavior-analytic service delivery and research so that you are able to help your clients make meaningful improvements to their lives. We emphasize evidence-based approaches to assessment and treatment that are based on firmly established behavioral principles. We integrate fieldwork experiences with the coursework, allowing you to develop applied skills as you learn the science behind the interventions you are using. Our graduates are positioned to enter a field with increasing demand and have multiple choices for their career paths. As you learn about our program, please feel free to reach out with any questions you have. I am looking forward to accompanying you on this exciting journey.

Applied Behavior Analysis 2019
Special Education Teacher and BCBA (supervisor), Worcester Public Schools

The class sizes are small, and the professors are accessible and kind.

Assumption’s ABA program provided opportunities for learning and assessment of student knowledge, practicum experience, and covered the perfect amount of content taught seamlessly, which was hugely influential in my achievement of passing the board exam through the BACB.

The Applied Behavior Analysis program challenged and supported me in becoming a behavioral clinician

Each one of my instructors brought their own experience into the classroom which has been useful in my current position. I assist in creating Positive Behavioral Support plans that focus on adults increasing their independence and accomplishing their goals.

Applied Behavior Analysis 2018
Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Shapiro Educational & Behavioral Consultants

The most rewarding aspect of my job is applying what I’ve learned on a day-to-day basis.

There’s a saying, ‘If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.’ Every client is different. Every day brings a unique challenge. I like that I can create new programs for specific individuals to help them move forward in their lives.

Applied Behavior Analysis Dual Degree Program Psychology BA ‘20, Applied Behavior Analysis MA ‘22
Special Education Teacher, Central Mass Collaborative

Assumption helped me become a professional in the field by having high, yet attainable expectations.

Assumption also has provided me with my current job as a teacher pursuing my BCBA credential. I was able to intern at CMC in my final semester in undergrad and was able to transition right into a career that would also provide a discount on my graduate tuition.

Amanda Maynard

Applied Behavior Analysis 2019
Special Education Teacher and BCBA (supervisor), Worcester Public Schools

“The class sizes are small, and the professors are accessible and kind. Assumption’s ABA program provided opportunities for learning and assessment of student knowledge, practicum experience, and covered the perfect amount of content taught seamlessly, which was hugely influential in my achievement of passing the board exam through the BACB.”

Kate Diaz

Applied Behavior Analysis 2019
Behavioral Clinician, Horace Mann Educational Associates (HMEA)

“The Applied Behavior Analysis program challenged and supported me in becoming a behavioral clinician Each one of my instructors brought their own experience into the classroom which has been useful in my current position. I assist in creating Positive Behavioral Support plans that focus on adults increasing their independence and accomplishing their goals.”

Joshua Jenness, BCBA, LABA

Applied Behavior Analysis 2018
Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Shapiro Educational & Behavioral Consultants

“The most rewarding aspect of my job is applying what I’ve learned on a day-to-day basis. There’s a saying, ‘If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.’ Every client is different. Every day brings a unique challenge. I like that I can create new programs for specific individuals to help them move forward in their lives.”

Talia Rossi

Applied Behavior Analysis Dual Degree Program Psychology BA ‘20, Applied Behavior Analysis MA ‘22
Special Education Teacher, Central Mass Collaborative

“Assumption helped me become a professional in the field by having high, yet attainable expectations. Assumption also has provided me with my current job as a teacher pursuing my BCBA credential. I was able to intern at CMC in my final semester in undergrad and was able to transition right into a career that would also provide a discount on my graduate tuition. ”

• Program Overview

Stephanie E. Plotkin Murin, M.Ed.

Karen Lionello-DeNolf, Ph.D.

Caroline Rauscher

Why ABA at Assumption?

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.

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

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

Behavior-Analytic Fieldwork Courses

Interdisciplinary Electives (Choose 2)

Optional Courses

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.

A 37-credit Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (C.A.G.S.) 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 coursework and fieldwork required to sit for the BCBA exam. The C.A.G.S. consists of seven courses on applied behavior analysis, practicum courses, and an integrative seminar in ABA.

Required Courses

Required Practicum Courses

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

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 will be conducted to maximize one’s ability to demonstrate an 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.

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

*Elective for students who need additional fieldwork hours

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.

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

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 www.assumption.edu/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.

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.

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.