Behavior Analysis (MS or EdS)
Apply the science of behavior to improve lives
If you’re looking to enter the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®), and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, Simmons University’s campus-based Master of Science in behavior analysis is an excellent choice.
As a BCBA®, you’ll help improve the quality of life, communication, and learning outcomes — especially for individuals with neurodivergent conditions. You can also apply your skills in a variety of other fields, including animal training, organizational behavior management, higher education, and behavioral medicine.
Simmons’ campus-based Master of Science in Behavior Analysis is one of the few master’s programs worldwide accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), and was the first in New England to earn this distinction. Our program outcome data are reported annually.
The program meets the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s degree and coursework requirements to apply for the BCBA® exam under Pathway 1 (accredited programs). You’ll receive exceptional preparation for the BCBA® exam, with Simmons students achieving a 67% first-attempt pass rate in 2024 — well above the national average of 54%.
Why study behavior analysis at Simmons?
The need for behavior analysts has continued to rise nationwide. As a BCBA®, you'll not only do meaningful work, but also enter a rewarding and respected profession. Graduates of our master’s in behavior analysis program work with individuals within the autism community, neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals, people with acquired brain injury, and individuals with mental health conditions.
With a focus on teaching the science of behavior, Simmons provides you with an in-depth understanding of the basic principles of behavior, behavior change methodologies, and the application of the science across a wide range of clinical practice and research domains. You'll learn from faculty whose specialties range from experimental behavior analysis and verbal behavior to behavioral medicine and organizational behavior management. You'll graduate ready to pursue a career in a variety of traditional and emerging fields.
Simmons University also offers a PhD in Behavior Analysis and an online Master of Science in Behavior Analysis.
MS in behavior analysis admission requirements
To apply to our Master of Science in Behavior Analysis campus-based program, you'll need to submit:
- A $75 nonrefundable application fee
- A completed online application
- Current résumé or CV Statement of purpose
- Two academic or professional letters of recommendation
- Official college transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, including degree conferral
Learn more about applying to our Master of Science in behavior analysis campus-based program.
Scholarship OpportunitiesScholarships ranging from $10,000–$20,000 are available for qualified applicants. Because we value Behavior Analysis, we are investing in the next generation of leaders!* *Applicants who work for an organization that has an agreement with Simmons are not eligible for scholarships, but do benefit from cost savings. If you are an employee at one of these organizations, please reach out to your organization representative for more information. |
What will you learn in our behavior analysis master's program?
Through Simmons’ rigorous, practice-based curriculum, you'll prepare for the BCBA® exam and develop leadership skills needed to implement, evaluate, and administer applied behavior analytic principles and methods. You'll explore contemporary research and the full range of applications of behavior analytic principles across various domains, populations, and clinical practice.
Throughout the program, you will examine the concepts and methods of applied behavior analysis within the following areas: functional assessment and analysis, ethics, evidence-based instructional methods, verbal behavior, experimental analysis of behavior, experimental design and research, and supervision.
What can you do with a behavior analysis degree?
The US demand from 2023-2024 for employees credentialed as a BCBA® or BCBA-D® rose 58%, with Massachusetts ranking second nationwide among states with the highest demand. By studying in Boston, you'll benefit from a robust job market and many providers of ABA services.
After completing your degree and earning BCBA® certification, you'll be prepared to pursue supervisory, consultative, and leadership roles in the field. However, with wide practice and research opportunities in both experimental and applied settings, you may go on to open a clinical practice or focus your career on a specialized area of practice, such as behavioral medicine, organizational behavior management, animal training, instructional design, or a related field.
You may also choose to continue your studies at the doctoral level to contribute to the growing body of behavior analytic research or to pursue opportunities to teach in higher education.
Details about our master’s in behavior analysis program
Simmons University’s behavior analysis campus-based master’s program can be completed as a Master of Science (MS) or Educational Specialist (EdS) degree, and prepares you to sit for the BCBA® exam. Our program is completed part-time, with classes available in the evenings to allow you flexibility working in the field.
To earn either the MS or EdS degree, you must complete 40 credits and a thesis research project, which is completed during Practicum courses. To prepare for Practicum, you must begin working by the end of the first semester; we provide support to help you find an appropriate worksite.
Department of Behavior Analysis Mission Statement
- To make the philosophy, theory, and science of behavior analysis explicable and accessible to individuals in an optimal position to affect meaningful educational, social, and behavioral changes.
- To generate and publish innovative research by fusing behavior analysis with relevant findings from other scientific disciplines.
- To include, whenever possible, students as authors on presentations and publications.
- To demonstrate how behavior analysis can influence the breadth and depth of issues centered on the human condition.
- To prepare students to pass the Behavior Analysis Certification Board’s examination to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.
The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the following courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® or the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® examination. Applicants will need to meet additional eligibility requirements and demonstrate they reside in an authorized country before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.
Our Faculty
Gretchen Dittrich
Associate Professor, Chair of the Behavior Analysis Department, and Director of the Master's Program
Ronald Allen
Professor of Practice and Director of the Doctoral Program for Behavior Analysis
Judah Axe
Adjunct Faculty
Emily Perry
Assistant Professor of Practice and Curriculum and Data Manager
Laura Hanratty
Associate Professor of Practice and Practicum Director
The Behavior Analysis Program in the News
Alums Use Behavior Analysis to Bring Joy to Dogs and Their Families
As co-founders and co-owners of The Dog Behavior Institute, Ran Courant-Morgan and Dr. Stephanie Keesey-Phelan have found an innovative application for their behavior analysis specialization. We spoke with them about the mission of the Institute, the intrinsic rewards of their profession, and why they chose Simmons.
Leading Humans and Bull Terriers: Terri Bright ’08MS, ’13PhD Founds MSPCA-Angell Behavior Department
Before coming to Simmons, Bright had a private practice as a dog trainer and realized she wanted to learn more about animal behavior. With support from professors, Bright made the connection that "for pets and humans, the same principles apply."