Online Master of Science in Behavior Analysis

Program Overview

Simmons University's online Master of Science in Behavior Analysis prepares students for certification as behavior analysts. The program offers 40 credits of coursework, including core courses in behavior analysis principles and practicum courses for hands-on experience. Taught by experienced practitioners, the program equips students for leadership roles in applying behavior analysis in clinical and research settings. Graduates meet the coursework requirements for the BCBA® exam.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The online Master of Science in Behavior Analysis (MSBA) program at Simmons University is designed to prepare students to meet the necessary coursework requirements to earn their certification as a behavior analyst. The program focuses on teaching students how to assess behavior, communicate effectively, and achieve success in their careers. The program is ABAI verified and meets the Behavior Analyst Certification Board®’s coursework eligibility requirements. Students can finish the program in as few as 20 months.

Outline:

The program consists of 40 credits and a thesis research project, which is completed during Practicum courses. The program is structured as follows:

• 8 Core Courses: These courses cover the foundational principles of behavior analysis, including verbal behavior, methodologies for behavior change, and applied behavior analysis.
• 2 Practicum Courses: These courses provide students with hands-on experience in applying behavior analysis principles in real-world settings.
Students must begin working by the end of the first semester and will graduate with the necessary coursework requirements needed to sit for the BCBA® exam.

Featured Courses:

• Verbal Behavior: This course explores research on and practical applications of the analysis of verbal behavior.

Teaching:

The faculty at Simmons University are experienced practitioners and educators who bring practical experience to the classroom. They are dedicated teachers committed to excellence and take pride in preparing their students to become the next generation of effective behavior analysts.

Careers:

The job market for credentialed behavior analysts is promising, and demand is growing rapidly. The master’s degree in behavior analysis from Simmons University prepares students for leadership roles in the implementation, evaluation, and administration of applied behavior analytic principles and methods in a variety of clinical and research settings.

Other:

• The program is offered online, allowing students to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule.
• The program is designed to be flexible and accessible to students with busy lives.
• The program provides students with access to a variety of career support resources, including résumé reviews, mock interviews, portfolio assessments, the Handshake networking platform, and access to the Virtual Career Center.
• Students create valuable and lasting connections with faculty through mentoring sessions.
• The program is committed to making 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.
• The program is committed to generating and publishing innovative research by fusing behavior analysis with relevant findings from other scientific disciplines.
• The program is committed to demonstrating how behavior analysis can influence the breadth and depth of issues centered on the human condition.
• The program is committed to preparing students to pass the Behavior Analysis Certification Board’s examination to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.