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 and remains accredited today. The MS program meets the BACB's Pathway 1 requirements.

Application Process

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.

Application Procedures

 

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.

The deadline for Fall 2023 has been extended to March 10, 2023.


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

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

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 Advisor

Graduate students are advised by department faculty. Karen Toussaint 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

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