Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Studies

Gain the knowledge and skills you need to enter applied professional and research positions and prepare to enter doctoral programs.

At a Glance

Flexibility

Part Time | Full Time
Delivery Options

On Campus | Hybrid
Degree

MS

MS in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Studies

The Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Autism Studies at the University of Massachusetts Lowell adopts the scientist-practitioner model to prepare students with the knowledge and skills they need to enter both applied professional and research positions and be well-prepared for future matriculation into doctoral programs. Through required and elective coursework, fieldwork experience, and available research opportunities, students are exposed to a wide range of scientific perspectives within Psychology.

ABA option: Provides coursework and supervised experience required to sit for the BCBA^® exam and apply for licensure (LABA) in Massachusetts.
Autism Studies option: For those interested in autism-research-related careers and additional graduate training.

The program features flexible online and afternoon/evening courses. Full-time students can complete the degree in two years. Learn more about our high Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) pass rates.

The ABA and Autism Studies Program at UMass Lowell welcomes, values, and respects all persons regardless of race, ethnicity, belief system, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, and (dis)ability. We are a community that thrives on our diversity. We encourage you to speak and listen to learn from other perspectives, as we believe this creates a more meaningful educational experience for students and faculty.

The program will train students to critically evaluate research, conduct their own applied research and quantitative analysis, and communicate findings to a range of audiences.
The program will prepare students to conduct behavioral assessments and design function-based interventions.
The program will prepare students to demonstrate proficiency in measuring and defining behavior; understanding the conceptual basis for interventions and how they do or do not work within various contexts; and disentangle and recombine components of interventions into innovative forms.
The program will educate students on personal and professional ethical standards and their distinctions and impacts in research and practice.
The program will prepare students to respect cultural differences and to be aware of their impacts on assessment and intervention, as well as be aware of power imbalances that may arise in various contexts.
The program will educate students on the foundations and philosophical basis for behavior analysis and to the wide application of behavior analysis.
The program will educate students on the full range of autism presentations across individuals and the lifespan including key diagnostic criteria, common co-occurring disorders, and how they are assessed.
The program will prepare students to seek continued education, professional growth, lifelong learning, and identify gaps in knowledge and areas that need remediation.

Rocío Rosales, Program Coordinator Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Studies
Anita Li, Assistant Professor
Rebecca Markovits, Associate Teaching Professor
Alice Frye, Teaching Professor
Ashleigh Hillier, Professor, Director for the Center for Neurodiversity Education, Support and Training (NEST)
Jiabin Shen, Associate Professor, Co-Director for the Center for Neurodiversity Education, Support and Training (NEST)

Number of students whose degrees were conferred by the program: 16
Median years until graduation for students whose degrees were conferred by the program: 2
Number of students enrolled in the program on January 1 of the reporting year: 34
Number of students no longer enrolled for any reason other than conferral of degree: 2
Number of completed applications received: 46
Number of students admitted: 27
Number of Core Program Faculty Members: 3
Number of Associated Program Faculty Members: 8
Number of Other Contributors: 22
Number of first-time candidates sitting for their Board-Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) examination: 22
Percentage of first-time candidates passing the BCBA certification examination: 64%
Median undergraduate grade point average (GPA) for applicants admitted (report on a four-point scale): 3.47

Association for Behavior Analysis International's Accreditation Board Annual Reports

Program Quick Facts

Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Not Required
Available On-Campus with Some Hybrid Classes
High BCBA Pass Rates
STEM Designated Degree Program

Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Studies Curriculum

The M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Studies is a 39-credit master's degree with options in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Studies. For a complete list of academic requirements and courses, please visit the Academic Catalog.

Supervised Fieldwork at Affiliated Sites: You will complete your supervised fieldwork (practicum) experience at one of our affiliated agencies. These agencies work with a wide range of clients, from preschool-aged to adults, and offer services in various settings, including home-based, community-based, and center-based, providing our students with many paid employment options for their fieldwork. Additionally, our graduates typically get hired as Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) at their agency immediately after graduating. Those who decide to move to a different agency transition to BCBA roles in nonprofit organizations, private organizations and public and private schools that provide Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to individuals with developmental disabilities.

Please consult any applicable state licensure requirements for this program.

A total of 39 academic credits, is required for the completion of the degree.

Required Courses
Course #	Course Name	Cr.
Total		27
Foundations (9 Credits)
PSYC.5810	Behavior Concepts & Principles of Behavior Analysis	3
PSYC.5830	Philosophical Underpinnings of Behavioral Analysis	3
PSYC.6630	Experimental Analysis of Behavior	3
Methods (6 Credits)
PSYC.5120	Applied Research Methods	3
PSYC.5650	Measurement & Experimental Design	3
Behavioral Assessment, Interventions, and Ethics (12 Credits)
PSYC.5840	Behavioral Assessment	3
PSYC.5850	Professional & Ethical Issues in Behavioral Analysis	3
PSYC.5870	Behavior Change Procedures	3
PSYC.5890	Implementation & Supervision Practices in Behavior Analysis	3

Required Supervised Practicum (6 credits)
Course #	Course Name	Cr.
Total		6

PSYC.6710	Supervised Practicum	3
PSYC.6720	Supervised Practicum	3

Elective or Thesis Option (Pick One)

Elective OR Thesis Option
Course #	Course Name	Cr.
Total Required		6
Elective Option (6 Credits total, choose any of the two following)
PSYC.5000	Introductory to Community Social Psychology	3
PSYC.5010	Applied Developmental Psychology	3
PSYC.5040	The Family System	3
PSYC.5220	Psychology of Diversity	3
PSYC.5450	Community and Organizational Change	3
PSYC.5740	Social and Community Interventions in Autism	3
EDUC.6300	Educating Diverse Populations	3
PSYC.6423	Program Evaluation	3
Thesis Option (6 Credits)
PSYC.7440	Master's Thesis	6

Total Credits = 39

A total of 39 academic credits, is required for the completion of the degree. Students must complete a thesis.

Required Courses
Course Number	Course Name	Credits
Total		30
Foundations (9 Credits)
PSYC.5710	Autism and Developmental Psychopathology	3
PSYC.5740	Social & Community Interventions	3
PSYC.5810	Behavior Concepts & Principles of Behavior Analysis	3
Methods (12 credits)
PSYC.5120	Applied Research Methods	3
PSYC.5820	Measurement & Experimental Design	3
PSYC.6500	Advanced Quantitative Methods	3
XXXX.XXXX	Approved Methods Elective	3
Independent Research (9 credits)
PSYC.5920	Directed Study in Autism Studies	3
PSYC.7440	Thesis	6

Elective or Thesis Option (Pick One)

Electives (choose 3 courses for a total of 9 credits)
Course Number	Course Name	Credits
Total Required		9
Elective Option (6 Credits total, choose any of the two following. Options not listed here may be allowed by petition))
PSYC.5460	Grant Writing	3
PSYC.5010	Applied Developmental Psychology	3
PSYC.5040	The Family System	3
PSYC.5220	Psychology of Diversity	3
PSYC.5450	Community and Organizational Change	3
PSYC.6940	Mentored Research Experience	3
EDUC.6300	Educating Diverse Populations	3
PSYC.6423	Program Evaluation	3

Total Credits = 39

Updated 4/1/25

Why Study Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Studies at UMass Lowell?

Research Opportunities

Engage in applied and translational research with on-campus facilities or off-campus in collaboration with community partners to develop the skill set of a scientist-practitioner.

Make a Difference

Deepen your understanding of issues related to culturally responsive care and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) as they pertain to supporting clients, families and supervisees.

Expand Your Career Options

As a board-certified behavior analyst, you can work with schools and other agencies to design and implement effective interventions for a variety of populations. You can also conduct research that could lead to new and effective interventions.

Applied Behavior Analysis & Autism Studies Career Outlook

+13.3%

Projected job growth for master's degree holders in Massachusetts (2023–2035)
(Lightcast, 2023)
$75,000

Average salary for board-certified behavior analyst in Massachusetts
(Indeed.com)

Where Our Graduates Work

Boston Behavior Learning Centers
ABI New England
Beacon ABA Services
Behavioral Concepts (BCI)
Shapiro Educational and Behavioral Consultants
The Autism Community Therapists (TACT)
Valley Collaborative Elementary School
Edinburg Center

Tuition and Admissions

Eligible students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for financial assistance.

Complete the FAFSA

View Estimated Annual Tuition and Fees for the 2025 - 2026 Academic Year

Cost Per Credit: $600
Term Registration Fee: $30

Please see online tuition and fees for more information.

As a graduate student, you may qualify for federal student aid and other need-based scholarships. To be considered for financial assistance, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Learn more at UMass Lowell Graduate Aid.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and certain eligible non-citizens. Please visit Financial Aid if you have questions about your eligibility.

Come be a part of an exciting new collaborative partnership between UMass Lowell and Lasell University that will prepare scholars with expertise in:

Interdisciplinary training in special education, applied behavior analysis and autism studies
Working collaboratively to improve educational and behavioral services and outcomes for school-aged children with autism and related disabilities

Students admitted to the University of Massachusetts Lowell/Lasell University Interdisciplinary Personnel Preparation Program will receive:

Fully paid university tuition for two years
Financial assistance to complete additional coursework in teaching bilingual learners or coursework toward the BCBA® credential
$500 in travel funding
$800 for books and materials

Funding is contingent upon availability and may be subject to change. Learn more about the COAST* program.

*Collaborative Opportunities in Applied Behavior Analysis and Special Education Targeting Autism and High-Intensity Needs (COAST)

Application:
- Summer 2025 - Spring 2026
- Summer 2026 - Spring 2027
Application Fee: $50
Statement of Purpose: Outline goals, experience and achievements (max 2 pages).
Letters of Recommendation: Two (2) for master's, three (3) for doctoral applicants. Criminal Justice, Master of Arts (M.A.): Letters of recommendation are optional.
Transcripts: You may apply with unofficial transcripts, but official transcripts are required if accepted.
Test Scores: UMass Lowell’s school code is 3911. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for Criminology and Criminal Justice and Global Studies doctoral programs. The Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) is required for the Master of Music in Music Education. Scores are accepted but not required for other programs.
Resume: The following programs require a resume for admission:
- Master of Music Education
- Master of Public Administration
- Master of Education programs (except Education Administration, M.Ed)
- Education Specialist in Language Arts and Literacy
- Ph.D. in Psychology applicants should submit a curriculum vitae (CV) rather than a resume to highlight academic and professional achievements.
Writing Sample: Education Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs only.
Forms: Principal's Acknowledgement Form (pdf) for Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Education Administration, pre-kindergarten through 12th grade (PK-12) only.

All materials must be received before your application is reviewed. To add documents before review, log in and select “Program Materials.”

Application Deadlines

Global Studies Ph.D. and Psychology Ph.D.: January 15
Criminology Ph.D.: February 1
Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Studies: February 15
Leadership in Schooling Doctor of Education (Ed.D.): Applications are accepted from July – October 15.

International Applicants

Transcripts must show degree completion and include a credential evaluation from a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member, such as:

Center for Educational Documentation (CED)
Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
World Education Services (WES)

English proficiency is required. If English is not your country’s national language, please submit one of the following scores:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 79+
TOEFL for Leadership in Schooling Ed.D. programs: 90+
International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.5+
IELTS for Leadership in Schooling Ed.D. programs: 7+
Duolingo: 115+
ASC English: Level 6+
Pearson Test of English (PTE): 53+

Please note:

In addition to the requirements for graduate admission, applicants are also required to have a minimum of 4 courses in psychology and one course in statistics in their undergraduate coursework. Students should have some background in the psychology of child development, and we are especially interested in students with coursework in some of the foundational areas of psychology (e.g., developmental, learning, behavior analysis, biological bases of behavior, research methods, etc.).
New students are accepted in the Fall semester only. The program application deadline for Fall is February 15.

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What Our Students Are Saying

“The Autism Studies program has really allowed me to grow as a student, a clinician and a researcher. Even during my first year, I was conducting research in the department’s laboratory facilities on campus, as well as in local preschools. These experiences are helping me prepare for a research career in the study of autism.” — Devon White

“This program assisted me with building my own skills as a practitioner. Through independent research and fieldwork opportunities, and the flexibility of the program, I learned to generalize my behavior analytic skills to working with a variety of populations.” — Roger Matar

“My experience in this program was nothing short of rewarding. Since applied behavior analysis is embedded into the curriculum, I was able to develop a more comprehensive and analytical outlook, as well as a continuous advocacy for data.” — Beatriz Cintrón (Querol)

“My graduate experience in this program changed the trajectory of my professional career for the better. I learned not only to apply the principles of ABA to help individuals I work with directly, but to become a true scientist-practitioner.” — Emily Sullivan

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