Behavior Analysis (PhD)
Please visit the program page to learn about curriculum, faculty, careers, and more! To request more information about this degree, please fill out our form. Questions? Contact admissions via email or at 617-521-2915.
How to Apply
Please consult the application deadlines listed below to ensure ample time to submit a completed application. Please also note the date interviews will be held, and hold that time accordingly on your calendar in advance of being invited to interview.
Fall 2025
Fall 2025 Behavior Analysis (PhD) Application
Please allow at least three business days for received documents to be reflected on your application status page.
Spring 2026
Spring 2026 Behavior Analysis (PhD) Application
Please allow at least three business days for received documents to be reflected on your application status page.
Summer 2026
Summer 2026 Behavior Analysis (PhD) Application
Please allow at least three business days for received documents to be reflected on your application status page.
Application Requirements
Candidates* eligible for admission should meet the following requirements:
- A conferred master’s degree or higher in Behavior Analysis or a related field (i.e., Psychology, Health Science, and Special Education)
- The candidate must meet one of the following criteria:
- Must be licensed and/or certified in the country where they clinically practice
- 2 years of experience in the following practice areas:
- Experimental Analysis of Behavior
- Organizational Behavior Management
- Animal training
- Translational research
- Behavioral Medicine
- Research experience is preferred
*Please note that the PhD program at Simmons is an online degree-seeking program. We welcome both domestic and international applicants to apply as long as said applicant is eligible based on the criteria detailed above. The PhD program is not eligible for F-1 visa sponsorship, and does not yield in eligibility for the BCBA exam.
Application Checklist
- Completed online application form
- Current résumé that outlines employment and volunteer experiences
- Statement of purpose: 2-3 pages
Make sure to answer all of the following items in a cohesive essay:- Explain your reasons for pursuing your PhD at Simmons, including what professional goals you hope to achieve after earning the degree.
- Discuss how your background has prepared you to succeed in rigorous coursework, conducting research, and writing a doctoral dissertation.
- Discuss your specific research interests as well as publication and presentation goals. Please also discuss the faculty members with whom you are interested in working, and why.
- Analytical writing sample: 10 pages maximum
Please provide an academic or professional writing sample that demonstrates your analytical, logical, and organizational abilities.- Examples include: a thesis chapter, literature review, journal publication, APA-style paper from a course, or a functional analysis.*
- Non-examples include: a client behavior plan, a clinical meeting note, a writing sample in which most of the content was authored by a coauthor.*
- Three letters of recommendation
Only letters from supervisors or academic sources will be accepted. At least one letter should be from a professor from a graduate course who can attest to your ability to succeed in doctoral-level coursework** (Note: Mentors or experiential learning supervisors do not meet the requirements for an academic letter of recommendation). - Official Transcripts
Official transcripts are required from every college or university attended since the completion of high school, regardless of whether or not a degree was earned.
Simmons alumni, please let the Admission team know if you would like us to request your Simmons transcript on your behalf by emailing [email protected]. - Language Proficiency Test Scores
TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores are required if English is not your first language and you do not hold a degree from a university where English is the primary language of instruction. - A non-refundable application fee of $80 (payable to Simmons University).
- Interview
Applicants may be invited to participate in an interview with the Admission Committee as part of the application review process.
As part of our holistic approach to reviewing applications, GRE scores are not required. The admission committee considers all aspects of a candidate's application, including the academic record, professional experience, recommendations, essay and analytical writing sample to evaluate preparedness and potential for success in the PhD program.
*For alternative formats to ensure access and to support varying learning profiles/styles, please consult with the Admission team at [email protected].
**If an applicant cannot obtain an academic reference, please consult with the Admission team at [email protected]. Applicants should include a supplemental statement providing additional information regarding the matter.
Application Deadlines
The following chart details the application deadlines for the Behavior Analysis Ph.D. Program
| Program | Semester | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| PhD in Behavior Analysis | Fall 2025 | Priority Deadline: May 1 Final Deadline: July 1 |
| PhD in Behavior Analysis | Spring 2026 | Priority Deadline: TBA Final Deadline: TBA |
| PhD in Behavior Analysis | Summer 2026 | Priority Deadline: TBA Final Deadline: TBA |
If you are interested in applying after the final deadline, please contact [email protected] to discuss options.
Priority Deadline applicants benefit from an earlier admission decision. Additionally, Priority Deadline applicants are eligible to receive an application fee waiver. Please contact [email protected] to receive the application fee waiver code.
Can I submit my online application before all of my required materials are received?
Yes, and we encourage it! Once you submit your application, you will be able to log in to the self-service center to check the status of your application and to see if your materials have been received. Prior to submitting your application, you will not be able to check your status online.
What should I do if my recommenders did not receive an email requesting a letter?
First, suggest your recommender check her/his spam folder. Since the notifications come from an automated system, the messages often end up in spam. Not there? Contact us and we can resend the notification. You can also resend invitations from your self-service center. And, finally, recommenders are always welcome to email a recommendation letter to us. We'll be glad to manually add it to your application.
How quickly are my application materials processed?
Once you submit your application, we will look for any previously received materials to attach to your application. It usually takes 1-5 business days for our office to process and attach materials. To ensure receipt of your materials in our office, please ensure that items sent by mail are issued to the following exact address:
Simmons University
Graduate Studies Admission
300 The Fenway
Boston, MA 02115
How long will a decision take after my application is complete?
Admission decisions on master's degree applications are generally available within 2 to 3 weeks of application completion. Doctoral candidates will be contacted with an update from the admission committee within 2 to 3 weeks of application completion, and admission decisions are generally available within 6 weeks of application completion.
Will my decision letter be emailed or mailed?
Decisions will be uploaded to the Simmons application portal. You will be able to see your admission decision by logging on to your Simmons application portal. You will receive an email notification when your admission decision is available.
Do I need to submit the FAFSA and Simmons University Student Information Form by the priority admission deadline?
No. Students interested in applying for federal financial aid, which is awarded in the form of loans, may do so at any point by submitting the FAFSA and the Simmons University Student Information Form to the Simmons University Office of Student Financial Services. Contact their office via email or at 617-521-2001.
Upon acceptance, eligible applicants receive automatic consideration for merit-based scholarships. Most merit-based scholarships are awarded based on the overall strength of an application for admission, and no separate application is required.
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