For Fall 2025 Admissions:

June 1, 2025

All application materials need to be submitted for Priority Review by: February 15, 2025

Behavior Analysis Studies, MS

Behavior Analysts can make a difference in the lives of their patients and their patients' families. Today, the demand for Behavior Analysts continues to grow at an ever-increasing pace across the United States and in the state of New York.

Behavior Analysis Studies is a Master of Science program at Upstate Medical University College of Health Professions. Students in this program learn to collect and analyze data to implement evidence-based treatments for individuals with autism or other developmental disabilities.

A student or technician teaching a child how to label pictures of items with a case manager observing

Two students or technicians interacting with a child while feeding and collecting behavioral data during a feeding therapy session

A student or technician giving a child a high five

A student or technician sitting on the ground with a child while laughing and interacting

Two students or technicians smiling while a child swings on a swing

A student or technician and case manager smiling as a child jumps on a trampoline

What Does a Behavior Analyst Do?

Some examples of the work that Behavior Analysts do, include:

Assessing challenging behavior or language deficits
Developing treatments to decrease challenging behavior and increase pro-social behavior
Caregiver training
Working with clients to develop life skills

Behavior Analysts work in settings such as clinical settings, schools, and within the community (e.g., in an individual’s home or workplace). The exceptional quality of this training also prepares graduates for many other areas of specialization.

Program Details

Why Choose the Behavior Analysis Program at SUNY Upstate?

5 reasons to choose the Behavior Analysis Studies program at SUNY Upstate Medical University:

Exceptional training quality which prepares our graduates for many other areas of specialization.
Leadership experience in creating evidence-based plans for the care, treatment, and measurable improvement of those with autism and autism-related disorders.
Small cohorts, with approximately seven students to be accepted.
An academic medical center setting that allows students to learn alongside other graduate-level disciplines. This includes Medicine, Physical Therapy, and Nursing.
Students have a variety of backgrounds and experiences with the special needs community.

Degree Outcomes

Graduates of this program will receive a Master of Science in Behavior Analysis Studies and are eligible to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst^® or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst^®examination (via Pathway 2). Applicants will need to meet additional BACB^® eligibility requirements, including evidence of residency in an authorized country before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.

This program has a 93% student success rate with 14 out of 15 students enrolled thus far having either graduated or making solid progress toward graduating. Our program also has a 100% exam pass rate for those graduates who have taken the national certification (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) or state licensure (Licensed Behavior Analyst) exams.

Career Opportunities

After graduating, behavior analysts work in medical settings, schools, community-based programs, or private practices. Because this profession offers a range of flexibility in work hours and work locations, it can fit any lifestyle.

Certification & Licensure

The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the following courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® examination (via Pathway 2). Applicants will need to meet additional BACB® eligibility requirements, including evidence of residency in an authorized country, before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.