Applied Behavior Analysis (MS)
Welcome to the Applied Behavior Analysis (MS) program home page. Use this page as a guide to the Applied Behavior Analysis (MS) program from acceptance to graduation.
Academic Plan
APBEH-MS
Total Credits
Earn at least 44 credits
Advisors
- April N. Kisamore, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA – Faculty Advisor Last Names A-I
- Lauren K. Schnell-Peskin, Ph.D., BCBA-D – Faculty Advisor Last Names J-R
- Sal Ruiz, Salvador Ruiz, PhD., BCBA-D – Faculty Advisor Last Names S-Z
- Valerie J. Lyons, Graduation and Administrative Advisor
Newly Accepted Students
Getting Started and Orientation
New Student Checklist
Welcome to the School of Education! Visit the Newly Accepted Students page for a checklist to get you started at Hunter College.
New Student Support
If at any point you need support, please reach out to our New Student Liaison at newsoest@hunter.cuny.edu or make an appointment.
Orientations
Students will attend three orientations to cover all the information needed to start your program:
- General New Student Orientation
- Program Advising Session
- Clinical Experiences and Fingerprinting Orientation
See “Program Related Events” for details about upcoming sessions.
Financing Your Degree
Visit the Financing Your Degree page for information.
Fingerprint Clearance Requirements
All students in teacher preparation programs as well as programs in school counseling need to be fingerprinted so that they are cleared to work with children in various settings including New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) public schools, charter networks, and other organizations. Visit the Fingerprinting page for requirements and procedures.
Program Sequences
Consult the program sequence guide for a suggested order of courses. The program sequence guide provides a suggested order of courses for the program based on start date. It also includes when to take exams and apply for clinical experiences in addition to other important non-course requirements. For technical registration support and troubleshooting, please visit the Register for Classes page.
5th Edition Verified Program Sequences
Hunter College Catalog
To review descriptions of specific courses and academic progress standards for the program along with exit requirements please use the course catalog for the year you were admitted to the program.
Course Catalog Summer 2022 onward
Course Catalog prior to Summer 2022
Clinical Experiences
Students in the Applied Behavior Analysis (MS) program participate in supervised practicum.
Graduation
Graduation is the official completion of your program and conferral of an academic degree. In order to graduate, students must apply for graduation using CUNYFirst the semester before the semester of their planned graduation and complete any outstanding requirements by the stated deadlines. Visit the Graduation and Commencement page for complete information.
Certification and Licensure
There are two credentials that professionals in Applied Behavior Analysis can earn: New York State Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
Students who complete the Master of Science will have the graduate training necessary to sit for the national Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA) exam. Upon passing the BCBA exam, graduates will be eligible for New York State’s new license in behavior analysis.
The Applied Behavior Analysis (MS) program is approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board for Task List 4 and also meets the current educational requirements for the New York State LBA.
Types of Certification
Behavior Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
Behavior Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is a certification provided by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. In the field of applied behavior analysis, the BCBA is considered the necessary certification to practice ABA. The BCBA credential is broad and does not limit one to working with any particular population or in any particular site. The BCBA is a nationally recognized certification and many employers in New York and in other states prefer to hire individuals who possess the BCBA credential.
The curriculum of the Applied Behavior Analysis (MS) program is approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board for Task List 4.
New York State Licensure as a behavior analyst (LBA)
New York State Licensure as a behavior analyst (LBA) is required by New York state to practice ABA with individuals with autism and related disorders outside of exempt settings in the state of New York. Most public schools (elementary, high school, colleges) are exempt settings if one is a salaried employee. This means that one does not need to have a license to practice ABA in these settings, but having a license is still preferred. Please note that the practice of ABA in New York State is limited to applications with individuals with autism and related disorders.
The curriculum of the Applied Behavior Analysis (MS) program meets the current educational requirements for the New York State LBA.
Applying to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
1. Complete a Behavior Analyst Certification Board application
Visit www.bcba.com to complete the application.
2. Order Official Transcripts
Visit One Stop to request transcripts.
3. Submit Monthly and Final Signed Experience Verification Forms
BCBA currently requires 1500 hours of experience doing relevant ABA work and has rules about the percentages of experience that can be direct implementation vs. indirect implementation and the percentages of supervision that can be done in a group vs. individually. BACB allows one to begin accruing hours once s/he has begun BACB-approved coursework. That experience must be supervised by a BCBA who has completed the supervisor training and the supervisor does not need to be affiliated with the location where the experience takes place.
Applying to become a New York State Licensed Behavior Analyst
In order to become licensed as a behavior analyst in New York State, candidates must graduate from their School of Education program, complete two New York state applications and the New York Child Abuse Identification and Reporting workshop.
- Complete the Child Abuse Identification and Reporting workshop by registering through a New York State approved provider listed on the Office of the Professions website.
- Upon graduation, complete the Office of the Professions Licensed Behavior Analyst application Form 1 and pay all required fees.
- Complete the Office of the Professions Certification of Professional Education Form 2.
- On page 2, be sure to include information about the name of your practicum site, the address of your practicum site, and the dates in which you completed practicum.
- Once page 1 is completed, upload to the School of Education NYS Licensure for Counseling & ABA Form 2 uploader.
- Once submitted, the School of Education Office of Academic & Student Affairs will review and submit to the Hunter College Registrar who will certify and submit to the Office of the Professions.
- Order official transcripts through the Hunter College Registrar’s website and have them sent directly to the Office of the Professions at DPLSEduc@nysed.gov. Prior to submission, please review the full transcript request information on the Office of the Professions website under Electronic Education Documentation.
For support on this process, please contact the Office of Academic & Student Affairs at soe.oasa@hunter.cuny.edu.