Are you interested in how environment affects behavior?
UNT’s innovative Behavior Analysis master’s degree gives you a broad and deep education in Behavior Analysis, including: knowledge of principles, theory and research methods of applied behavior analysis and the experimental analysis of behavior; principles and procedures for systematic application of behavioral technology in natural environments; and, practical experience in diverse areas such as neuro-operant interventions, functional analysis, early autism intervention, animal welfare, college teaching and social justice.
Our graduate program was the first in the United States to earn accreditation from the Association for Behavior Analysis International Accreditation Board and remains accredited today. The MS program meets the BACB's Pathway 1 requirements. Click here to view the aggregate report of the program's student outcomes.
BCBA Certification
The M.S. in Behavior Analysis program offers a curriculum that fulfills the course requirements for those seeking Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification. The M.S. curriculum features behavior-analytic coursework, research training, and practical experiences under the guidance of our faculty, who collectively possess a broad spectrum of expertise in the field of behavior analysis. Thus, graduates are equipped with the essential knowledge and skills for BCBA certification.
In addition to coursework, students aiming for BCBA certification are also required to obtain fieldwork hours. A full description of eligibility BCBA requirements can be found on the BACB website. Our graduate advisor helps assist students in securing fieldwork experiences through faculty-supervised experiences, as available, and with community partners. However, it's important to note that our program does not require students to acquire or complete this supervised fieldwork as part of their degree.
Disclaimer Regarding Licensure Laws
Many states currently require licensure to practice behavior analysis. In the state of Texas, certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analysis is required for licensure which is regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. However, laws and regulations are changing rapidly and vary from state to state, so interested individuals should contact the licensing board in their state. In addition, students can visit the BACB’s website to find a list of states that currently require licensure, the year the licensure law was enacted, and the state’s licensure board and professional association. Each student is responsible for determining the requirements to practice ABA in the state in which they wish to practice.
The mission of the Department of Behavior Analysis is to provide a program of learning opportunities for graduate students that is nationally recognized for excellence and that establishes knowledge and skills that allow graduates to compete successfully in and make significant contributions to society, to contribute to the discipline of behavior analysis by conducting applied and basic research that furthers the understanding of human behavior and results in demonstrable positive behavior change, and to develop behavioral solutions for social problems at local, national, and international levels.
The Master's of Science in Behavior Analysis is offered through the Department of Behavior Analysis housed in the College of Health and Public Service. We are very proud of our M.S. program which was the first graduate program in the nation to be accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis - International. We are able to offer what is recognized worldwide as the most extensive training available in behavior analysis at the master’s degree level.
In addition to a world-class faculty and a wide range of departmental projects available to students, an array of resources necessary to ensure student success are also available at UNT including a well-stocked library system, computer labs, student health-care, and state-of-the-art workout facilities. The department also makes available computers, printers, and some shared office space to allow students to work on departmental lab and clinic projects on site.
Please notice that there are two, separate applications you must complete and submit: one application is to the graduate school and the other application is to the department. The deadline for the departmental application is January 15, and both applications must be completed by that date.
Step One
Toulouse Graduate School Application Requirements:
- A completed application for admission to the Toulouse Graduate School.
- Apply at ApplyTexas
- Select Behavior Analysis, MS as your major
- Payment of non-refundable application fee of $75.00 for US Residents
- The GRE is not required
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended sent directly to UNT
- Using priority shipping or having official transcripts sent electronically will expedite application processing
- Submit transcripts via US Mail to:
Toulouse Graduate School
1155 Union Circle – Box # 305459
Denton, TX 76203-5017
- Submit transcripts via UPS/Fedex to:
Toulouse Graduate School
1147 Union Circle, ESSC 354
Denton, TX 76203-5459
- Submit transcripts electronically to gradadmission@unt.edu
- Transcripts must come directly from the prior college/university; cannot be sent by applicant
- All international applicants must show proof of English language proficiency
After submitting the ApplyTexas application, you will receive an email within 5-7 business days from the Toulouse Graduate School providing the login information for your MyUNT portal. There you will be able to submit the departmental application (see below).
To check on the status of your application, please first check your MyUNT portal. If you have questions regarding your Toulouse application or your transcripts, please contact the Graduate School at gradadmission@unt.edu or 940.565.2382.
Step Two
Department of Behavior Analysis Application:
This portion of your application will be submitted in your MyUNT portal. Each item will show as a “To-do” item on your Tasks tile; click on the Tasks tile to submit the documents.
- A personal statement that outlines your personal experiences, your goals, your interests in behavior analysis, and why you want to attend the graduate program at UNT. Please note that students are admitted as a cohort to the M.S. in Behavior Analysis program instead of to a particular faculty member or research lab. If you do have interests in working with a faculty member or research lab/site, please share that information in your statement as well.
- Three letters of recommendation from professionals in your discipline (BCBAs, academicians, employers) who can comment on your work habits and your ability to successfully complete graduate-level work. At least one letter from an academic source is preferred.
- Please download and completed this form: MS References Form.
- We will contact your references with a form to complete as well as a way to submit their letter of recommendation
- Please do not submit, or have your references submit, letters of recommendation directly to us via email.
- We also require that all applicants to the master’s program have completed at least two behavior analysis courses as prerequisites prior to beginning the program of study in the Fall.
- While we require two courses in behavior analysis, a specific course is not required. Any course that is taught from a behavior-analytic perspective may count towards the requirement (e.g., Psychology of Learning; Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis, etc...).
- Students without these prerequisites may still apply for admission into the graduate program. We offer one “leveling” course (offered online in the summer semester) that fulfills our prerequisite requirement that can be completed prior to beginning the program in the Fall.
- If you would like an undergraduate course or courses to be evaluated, please submit a Word document providing the course name, number, and any other information you have about the course. We will follow up via email if we have further questions about the course(s).
To check on the status of your application, please first check your MyUNT portal. If you have questions regarding your departmental application, please contact us at behavior.analysis@unt.edu or 940.565.2274.
Step Three
Other Info and Online Application
The department’s application deadline for Fall admission is January 15th. We do not have a Spring enrollment option. We look forward to receiving your application by the deadline. (Please note that the department deadline is earlier and not the same as the Toulouse Graduate School's application deadline. Both applications are required).
Please feel free to contact us at behavior.analysis@unt.edu if you have any questions about our department, program, or the application process that are not answered in the sources listed here.
Tuition Costs
To determine how much it will cost to receive an M.S. in Behavior Analysis degree from the College of Health and Public service, please visit the Financial Aid office website.
Financial assistance
Amounts vary each year, but the following financial assistance programs are available to help you pursue your education:
- Douglas P. Field Memorial Scholarship
- Grace of a Miracle Scholarship in Behavior Analysis
- Guy Bedient Memorial Scholarship in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Madonna Ludlum Memorial Scholarship
- Part-time employment in faculty-supervised projects (10 to 20 hours per week)
- Research assistantships (10 to 20 hours per week)
Information about scholarships, including department-specific scholarships, as well as information about other financial assistance programs is available at financialaid.unt.edu.
Scholarships & more
The Department of Behavior Analysis in UNT’s College of Health and Public Service offers scholarships to students each year, including:
- Donald L. Whaley Memorial Scholarship
- Douglas P. Field Scholarship for Graduate Student Research
- Grace of a Miracle Scholarship
Your Academic AdvisorGraduate students are advised by department faculty. Shahla Alai-Rosales can help connect you with potential faculty advisors based on your unique interests. Shahla Alai-Rosales, Ph.D. BCBA-D, LBA, CPBA-AP Professor behavior.analysis@unt.edu 940.565.2274 Chilton 361D |
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Behavior Analysis
Behavior Analysis is a natural science that studies the effects of the environment on the behavior of individuals. Its principles are universal. They can be applied with any population, including children with autism, people with developmental disabilities, parents and children, pet owners, college students, healthcare providers, athletes, employees, and CEOs.
behv.unt.edu
Behavior.Analysis@unt.edu
940.565.2274
Chilton Hall 360