Institute for Behavioral Studies

The Institute for Behavioral Studies was established in 2007 to provide students the opportunity to focus on academic curricula related to the study of the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in the context of delivering effective educational services to learners with special needs.  ABA is the process of systematically applying interventions based upon the Science of Human Behavior to improve socially significant behaviors to a meaningful degree, and to demonstrate through the application of the scientist-practitioner model that the interventions employed are responsible for the improvement in behavior (Baer, Wolf & Risley, 1968; Sulzer-Azaroff & Mayer, 1991).  The primary mission of the Institute is to “Infuse the Science of Human Behavior into the Art of Teaching,” by offering educational programs focused on training teachers and other classroom staff in Applied Behavior Analysis.  The Institute offers degree and certificate programs in the following areas:

• Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis;
• M.Ed. in Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis;
• M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis;
• 5th Year M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis;
• M.Ed. Initial and Professional Licensure in Moderate or Severe Special Needs and Applied Behavior Analysis;
• M.Ed. Non-Licensure in Moderate Special Needs and Applied Behavior Analysis;
• Graduate Certificate in M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis;
• Graduate Certificate in Autism

Licensure/Board Certification: The M.Ed. and Certificate programs offered through The Institute for Behavioral Studies meet the academic standards for both Licensure as a Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst LABA) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as well as the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA©) of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).   Students planning to apply for Licensure or to sit for the BCBA exam upon graduation should consult with their Academic Advisor regarding meeting the MA Division of Professional Licensing/BACB and The Institute for Behavioral Studies standards for internship experiences and supervision.