The Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program is designed to equip graduates with the skills to provide effective, compassionate behavior analytic services to students and clients across the life span in a variety of settings. Students are provided with flexible options to meet coursework and supervised fieldwork requirements to be eligible to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) examination. Courses explore the principles and procedures of applied behavior analysis in-depth and address its scientific and philosophical underpinnings. With this background, successful graduates are prepared to address the most complex behavior problems and learning challenges.
Curriculum
The program requires completion of a 30-semester-hours course sequence and offers an option to add on up to 4 semester-hours to accrue further supervision at Northeastern University. The required sequence includes eight core courses, two experiential learning courses, and two courses that will guide students through completion of a scholarly project.
Courses are delivered in online or hybrid formats, with the majority of work being able to be completed asynchronously. Specific courses also include optional or required in-person or synchronous remote meeting times.
Experiential Learning and Intensive Practicum
Required experiential learning courses Experiential Learning in Skill Acquisition (CAEP 8412) and Experiential Learning in Behavioral Supervision (CAEP 8413) and optional intensive practicum courses Intensive Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis 1 (CAEP 8417) and Intensive Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis 2 (CAEP 8418) are offered to give students practice engaging in behavior analytic activities. Additionally, students may elect to accrue their supervised fieldwork requirement toward BCBA® eligibility through these classes.
Project-Based Courses
During the final year of the program students will enroll in Systematic Inquiry in Behavior Analysis 1 (CAEP 7412) and Systematic Inquiry in Behavior Analysis 2 (CAEP 7413). This set of courses is designed for students to progressively complete a scholarly project. Students will be able to select the type of project. The outcome of the first semester will be a presented proposal, and a final written report will be the outcome of the second semester.
Programs of Study
Students who follow either sample program of study, taking 6 semester hours per academic term, will complete the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis in 20 months. Courses are offered during the fall, spring, and full summer semesters with each course being offered twice per year.
Alternative options to this program of study may include:
- Completing the program in four semesters (16 months)—this involves taking 9 semester hours for two semesters and 6 semester hours for two semesters.
- Completing the program in more than five semesters—this involves taking 3 semester hours for some or all of the semesters during the program.
- Enrolling in optional intensive practicum courses—this involves adding up to two additional courses to the program of study to accrue additional supervised fieldwork hours while enrolled in the program.
Students planning on changing their program of study must complete an Alternative Program of Study form and have it approved by their faculty advisor to avoid semesters where courses they need are not offered.
Policies and Procedures
Please see Bouvé College of Health Sciences Academic Policies and Procedures. Program-specific polices follow below.
Grading, Academic Probation, and Academic Dismissal
If a student earns a grade of B– or lower, they will be placed on academic probation. In order to return to nonprobationary status, the student must retake the course during the next semester in which it is offered and earn a B or better. Failure to do so or earning a B– or below in any remaining course will result in dismissal from the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program.
Course Progression
Students are expected to register for at least one course per academic term. In order to take a semester off (including the full summer semester), students must contact their faculty advisor to inform them of the timeline and apply for a leave of absence. Students who do not apply for a leave of absence prior to skipping a semester may need to reapply when returning to their coursework.
Students must complete all core, experiential learning, and project-based courses to successfully complete the program.
Core Courses
Students enrolled in the program should pass Behavioral Concepts and Principles (CAEP 6326) and Ethics for Behavior Analysts (CAEP 6329) prior to registering for other courses unless otherwise advised.
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| CAEP 6326 | Behavioral Concepts and Principles | 3 |
| CAEP 6327 | Behavior Assessment | 3 |
| CAEP 6328 | Single-Case Research Design | 3 |
| CAEP 6329 | Ethics for Behavior Analysts | 3 |
| CAEP 6341 | Behavioral Interventions | 3 |
| CAEP 6342 | Consultation, Supervision, and Management | 3 |
| CAEP 6343 | Radical Behaviorism and Verbal Behavior | 3 |
| CAEP 6344 | Experimental Analysis of Behavior | 3 |
Experiential Learning Course
Experiential learning courses require students to have a site at which they are able to complete behavior analytic projects. There are additional requirements for students wishing to accrue supervised fieldwork hours through these courses.
The semester prior to the onset of each of these classes, the director of supervision will connect with students to confirm arrangements of an adequate worksite to complete all required activities and meeting availability. It is the responsibility of the student to comply with all deadlines throughout this process, or they will not be permitted to enroll in the course.
A grade of Satisfactory (S) is required for each of these courses.
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| CAEP 8412 | Experiential Learning in Skill Acquisition | 2 |
| CAEP 8413 | Experiential Learning in Behavioral Supervision | 2 |
Project-Based Courses
The project-based courses are designed to be taken concurrently so that students are guided through completion of a scholarly project. Prior to enrolling in Systematic Inquiry in Behavior Analysis 1 (CAEP 7412), students will work with faculty to plan for their project.
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| CAEP 7412 | Systematic Inquiry in Behavior Analysis 1 | 1 |
| CAEP 7413 | Systematic Inquiry in Behavior Analysis 2 | 1 |
Optional Courses
Students may elect to take up to two intensive practicum courses to fulfill additional supervised fieldwork hours. In order to register for these classes, students must complete all preparation tasks the semester prior to enrollment.
These courses can be started during the student's second semester in the program. They cannot be taken at the same time as experiential learning courses Experiential Learning in Skill Acquisition (CAEP 8412) and Experiential Learning in Behavioral Supervision (CAEP 8413).
Contact the director of supervision for additional information and preparation tasks.
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| CAEP 8417 | Intensive Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis 1 | 2 |
| CAEP 8418 | Intensive Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis 2 | 2 |
Program Credit/GPA Requirements
30 total semester hours required
Grade of B or higher required in each course, unless otherwise indicated
Minimum 3.000 GPA required
