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Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction: Applied Behavior Analysis and Education Option, M.Ed.

Broaden your knowledge of education with UMass Lowell's top-ranked, online Master's in Curriculum and Instruction, Applied Behavior Analysis and Education option.

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Next Start Date: May 15

Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, Applied Behavior Analysis and Education Option

Integrate your knowledge of autism studies and curriculum development with UMass Lowell’s Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction, Applied Behavior Analysis and Education option. This 10-course M.Ed. can be completed entirely online to accommodate your busy schedule.

To apply to this program, you must enroll in the Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): BCBA 5th Edition. You may apply to the M.Ed. program before completing the certificate program if you are registered for the fifth class in the ABA certificate and maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. Five courses from the certificate program will count toward the completion of the master’s degree. The remainder of your required courses will focus on curriculum development and instruction in a K-12 setting.

Please note: This is a non-licensure program.

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No GRE/MTEL Required

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One of the Most Affordable Tuitions in the Nation

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Variety of Financial Aid and Scholarships Available

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Earn a Top-Ranked Master's for Under $15k

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Occupations

  • Curriculum Developers
  • Education Coordinators
  • E-Learning Instructional Designers
  • Instructional Coaches
  • Instructional Coordinators
  • Instructional Designers
  • Learning Specialists
  • Special Education Coordinators
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Graduate Certificate Program in Applied Behavior Analysis
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Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction: Applied Behavior Analysis and Education Option

Learn more about UMass Lowell's online graduate education programs or applied behavioral analysis programs.

Curriculum Outline

- Total Number of Courses : 10 (30 credits)
- Includes courses taken as part of the Graduate Certificate Program in Applied Behavior Analysis

Core Courses (5 Courses / 15cr)

Candidates who are enrolled in the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction general program of study may take some of the Applied Behavior Analysis and Education Option courses as electives with prior permission of the program advisor, but unless they officially apply to and complete the Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis program, the option will not be recorded on their transcript.

Specialization - Choose (5 Courses / 15cr)

Course Descriptions

Examines the methods of teaching students with moderate disabilities at the secondary level. Topics include curriculum (including the Massachusetts frameworks), IEPs, and instructional modifications appropriate for students with special needs. 3 credits.

This course provides an introduction to the principles of social justice education, by examining and applying theories and methods of curriculum design, classroom teaching, and social emotional learning and development. This course will prepare educators to foster equity in classroom practice and pedagogy for racially, culturally, socioeconomically, and linguistically diverse learners. 3 credits.

This course will address thinking, writing and talking about texts. It will examine the range of literacies including critical, print, technology, visual, media and informational. A special focus will be on anti-racist literature and texts of social justice. 3 credits.

Students examine various approaches to the formative and summative assessment of learning. This course examines the importance of assessment in planning curricula and individual lessons. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

As the world becomes increasingly diverse, educators must be prepared to examine, confront, and manage the factors that affect the education of all children. This course addresses several central issues focusing on how teachers address the problems that confront students who differ from the majority population in language, ethnicity, culture, gender, and sexual orientation. Ensuring that their families and communities are actively involved in the educational process is also an important component of the course. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

This course is designed to provide students with foundational knowledge regarding the basic concepts and principles of behavior analysis. Students will gain an introduction to what behavior analysis is and how it differs from other approaches that study behavior. Students will be asked to define and identify examples of the basic principles, then apply that knowledge to describe and diagram original, real-world examples. Students will look at how the environment promotes the development of both adaptive and maladaptive behaviors, shapes behavior over time, and how the environment can be modified to help change behavior. 3 credits.

This course provides advanced coverage of the measurement methods that are important to the effective use of applied behavior analysis. It also offers in-depth coverage of the "within-subject: experimental designs commonly used in behavioral research and practice. Component analysis and parametric analysis methods, and social validity and generalization considerations in research, are also covered. 3 credits.

This course will focus on the scientific and philosophical underpinnings of behavior analysis. In this course, students will review basic assumptions about the nature of behavior, including comparison of the philosophical positions of free will and determinism. Emphasis will be placed on verbal behavior and the problems that can arise when practitioners are confronted wit mentalistic explanations of behavior. Students also will explore complex conceptual issues, such as knowledge and understanding, purpose and intention, problem-solving, reasoning, creativity, culture, ethics, and rights and values, in ways that illustrate how they are important to everyday life. The historical perspective of how radical behaviorism evolved, and how it compare to other conceptual systems will be reviewed. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

PSYC.5810 Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis.

This course covers the assessment of behaviors and skills. We will review many types of assessments used in applied behavior analysis and the reliability of these common assessments. Specific topics to be covered include functional behavior assessments, functional analysis, preference and reinforcement assessments, skill assessments, identification of goals, how to write goals, and the development of a treatment plan. Emphasis will be placed on the use of assessments to inform treatment. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

PSYC.5810 Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis, and PSYC.5820 Measurement and Experimental Design.

This course will explore the legal and ethical issues facing professionals working with individuals diagnosed with disabilities, particularly those on the autism spectrum. The goal is to provide behavior analysts and other professionals the opportunity to develop skills in dealing with the complex legal and ethical issues that arise when working in human service fields. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

PSYC.5810 Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis.

This course covers the design and application of behavior change procedures commonly used by behavior analysts. We will review the importance of cultural considerations and ongoing monitoring of progress. Specific topics to be covered include reinforcement, antecedent manipulations, transfer of stimulus control, and programming for maintenance and generalization. Emphasis will be placed on procedures used for skill acquisition including social, communication, self-help, and academic skills. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

PSYC.5810 Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis, and PSYC.5820 Measurement and Experimental Design, and PSYC.5840 Behavioral Assessment.

This course covers implementation of simpler to more complex behavior change procedures and the management and supervision of the staff who implement those procedures. We will review the importance of ethical and safety considerations, data analysis to monitor progress and problem-solve any lack of progress, and initial staff training and ongoing supervision of staff. Specific topics to be covered include reinforcement procedures to impact behavior, positive and negative punishment, group contingencies and programming for maintenance and generalization of behavior changes, staff training and supervision effectiveness. Emphasis will be placed on procedures used for behavior reduction and socially-valid replacement behaviors as well as best practices in personnel management and supervision. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

PSYC.5810 Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis, and PSYC.5820 Measurement and Experimental Design, and PSYC.5840 Behavioral Assessment.

Program Requirements

To be recommended for a University of Massachusetts Lowell master's degree, candidates must satisfy all of the general requirements below, plus any additional requirements that may be required by the department through which the program is offered. Any additional requirements for this program are either listed below or may be found in the University's Graduate Program Catalog.

General Requirements:

  • Students must complete the program of study designed by the Department in which they are enrolled and approved by the University.
  • Satisfactory grades in all subjects offered for the degree must be earned. See Academic Standing.
  • All financial obligations, including tuition, fees and expenses, must be satisfied as evidenced by completion.
  • Upon completion of all their courses, graduate degree candidates must submit a signed Declaration of Intent to Graduate (DIG) form to their coordinator. The coordinator will apply them in SIS, Graduation Tracking.

Graduate Program Policies

In applying for a degree program or registering for courses, each student assumes full responsibility for knowledge of and compliance with the definitions, regulations and procedures of UMass Lowell as set forth on our website. For additional information, please refer to the Graduate Program Policies found within the UMass Lowell Graduate Catalog.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition at UMass Lowell is typically half the cost of private colleges, and our online tuition is among the lowest in the nation. Tuition for online programs offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies is the same whether you live in-state, out-of-state or outside of the U.S.

Summer 2023 Tuition

 Cost Per Credit Cost Per 3-Credit Course*

Graduate
Online Education $470 $1,410
Online Education for Ed.D. and Ph.D.† $495 $1,485
*If the number of contact hours exceeds the number of credits, tuition is calculated by multiplying by the total number of contact hours.
†Rate will increase slightly in Fall 2023

Additional Costs
Term Registration Fee $30
Late Fee $50
Graduate Degree and Certificate Application $50

Please note: Tuition and fees are subject to change.

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Applying into a Graduate Degree Program

Candidates interested in pursuing this master's degree option must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.

All applicants must submit:
  • Statement of purpose (1–2 pages in length)
  • All official transcripts
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Application fee
  • Successful completion of the Applied Behavior Analysis: BCBA Coursework Preparation Certificate Program
  • Resume or CV
  • No GRE required

Graduate Program Admissions Requirements

Admission to all graduate programs at UMass Lowell is contingent upon successful completion of a bachelor's degree. In many cases, applicants may register for a course before formally applying to the program; however, students requiring financial aid may want to wait until they have been formally accepted into the program to ensure that their course(s) will be covered. Contact UMass Lowell's Office of Graduate Admissions , or edoffice@uml.edu if you have questions about the application process.

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Questions Regarding Your Graduate Application?

Email Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu or call 800-656-4723 (for U.S. students) or 978-934-2390 (for international students).

For General Assistance:

For general questions about registering for courses or to find out who the advisor is for your graduate program, call 800-480-3190. Our admissions and advising teams are here to help!

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