Demand for behavior analysts is increasing: Over the past 11 years, demand for behavior analysts holding BCBA or BCBA-D certification has increased by 4,209%.
Program Options
Daemen University offers programs that make you eligible to become certified and licensed in behavior analysis.
31 credit program can be completed in two years with on-campus, or 18 months online.
Successful completion of this program is designed to fulfill the educational requirement to sit for the board certification exam and fulfill eligibility for licensure. For more information visit Behavior Analyst Certification Board, New York State Education Board, or your state licensure website.
21 credit program can be completed in approximately 15-months on-campus, or 12-months online.
Successful completion of this program is designed to fulfill the educational requirement to sit for the board certification exam and fulfill eligibility for licensure. For more information visit Behavior Analyst Certification Board, New York State Education Board, or your state licensure website.
Students planning to apply for BACB® certification who have gaps in their coursework can register for needed courses and individualized asynchronous bridge coursework. Prospective students must have a Master’s Degree. There is no degree or certificate from Daemen University at completion of this course sequence.
On-Campus and Online Options
We offer a flexible, hyflex, synchronous program. Students can choose to attend synchronous class meetings on campus or online. On campus/synchronous online courses are offered on Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6-9pm. A fully online, asynchronous program is also available
On-Campus Program Start Date
- September 2nd, 2025
(Application Deadline: August 8th, Deposit Deadline: August 15th)
Online Program Start Dates
- January 22nd, 2025
(Application Deadline: December 2nd, Deposit Deadline: December 16th) - June 2nd, 2025
(Application Deadline: April 21st, Deposit Deadline: May 5th)
Program Benefits
- Daemen’s reputable ABA program holds the highest standards of both New York State licensure and the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc®.
- Program was one of the first in New York State to be approved for licensure in ABA.
- On-campus evening courses or distance education asynchronous courses accommodate the working professional.
- Faculty have been instrumental in working with professional associations and NYSED to update the laws, rules, and regulations related to ABA and behavioral science.
- Faculty studied with the founders and leaders of the field. They have diverse and extensive experience and pass along exceptional opportunities to students.
- Students practice the development and evaluation of assessment and intervention, including behavior measurement, assessment, change elements, procedures, and systems.
- Students learn ethical and professional practice in working with families, members of the community, and other practitioners.
- Amherst campus and distance education programs have partnerships with service agencies across many areas of New York, nationally, and internationally for students to gain valuable experience.
- Faculty provide interactive educational opportunities in a student-focused environment and are committed to fostering each student’s academic and professional goals.
- Students have opportunities to develop scientific and professional writing, collaboration, and oral presentation skills necessary to become well-rounded scientist practitioners.
Program Specifics
The practice of designing, implementing and evaluating environmental modifications using behavioral stimuli and consequences to produce socially significant improvement in human behavior, including the use of direct observation, measurement, and functional analysis of the relationship between environment and behavior.
Visit the NYSED website.
Students interested in applying to the ABA program should submit an application to the graduate admissions office which will be evaluated on the basis of:
Master’s Degree Program
- Possess a Bachelor’s degree (from an accredited college or university) in a related field related to learning or behavioral changes.
Advanced Certificate Program
- Possess a Master's degree (from an accredited college or university) in a related field related to learning or behavioral changes.
ABA Course Sequence and Behavioral Science Bridge Coursework
- Possess a Master’s degree or Advanced Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis.
- Please provide a personal statement (up to 300 words) discussing your background and why you want to enroll into the specific graduate program.
All Candidates
- Provide official transcript(s) from all accredited colleges or universities attended indicating the award of a graduate degree.
- Provide evidence of a cumulative graduate grade point average of at least 3.00.
- Provide a copy of a current resume, including all certifications and licensures.
- Provide two letters of reference: 1 from an academic source and 1 from a volunteer experience/internship/employer. Personal references, including those from clients and their families, will not be accepted.
- Complete and submit an original, well written, 3-4 page typed personal statement that focuses on the following points: (Master’s and Advanced Certificate)
- Your experiences that influenced your interest in the field of applied behavior analysis.
- Your personal qualities that will be useful in working with other professionals and potential clients providing behavior analytic services.
- Your career goals and how an education in applied behavior analysis will help you achieve these goals. Be specific with regard to how you see yourself applying the skills and knowledge you will gain to a specific career and characteristics of clients.
- Describe how your undergraduate/graduate education has prepared you to succeed in a fast-paced, intensive graduate program. Include a description of specific courses that have provided you with the background to apply scientific principles to the study of human behavior
- Discuss why you think it is important to study human behavior from a scientific/behavioral perspective as opposed to a psychoanalytic or cognitive perspective
- Participate in a personal interview with a member of the ABA program faculty
- Please note: To become licensed and certified candidates need to be 21 years old
- US Licensure of Behavior Analysts
- Global Certification of Behavior Analysts
- VCS directory
- New York State registered programs
- Search for programs leading to a professional license
- Scroll to behavior analyst
Scholarships may not be combined; students may only receive one scholarship.
Graduate Merit Scholarship
30% off the graduate per credit hour tuition rate will be awarded to students upon acceptance. No application or additional information is required to receive this scholarship. For more information about the current per credit hour graduate tuition go to our Tuition and Fees page.
Graduate Alumni Scholarship
Additional scholarships may be available for alumni, please contact your admissions counselor for more information.
Americorps Matching Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to accepted students who have completed an Americorps service commitment. Daemen University will match the 100 percent of the Segal Americorps Education Award or provide a 30 percent tuition scholarship discount for Americorps alumni enrolling in our program.
Beginning in March, 2024 all new students (except students in the ABA Bridge Coursework Sequence) will be billed $480 annually for access to supplemental curricular materials which are used throughout the entire program and threaded in multiple courses. This cost will be added to tuition and financial aid can be used.
Career Outlook
Graduates work in many settings, including schools, clinics, homes, community organizations, vocational programs, and hospitals.
Popular careers include:
- Licensed behavior analyst
- Board certified behavior analyst®
- Behavior analyst
- Behavior consultant
- Clinical specialist
- Behavior specialist
- Behavior intervention specialist
- Behavioral health specialist
Other professionals who can benefit from an ABA license include:
- Educators
- School administrators
- Psychologists
Francesca D’Arrigo, ’20
ABA, M.S.
Behavior intervention specialist, Junior Consultant, Parent Trainer, Blue Sea Educational Consulting
Sean Lehane, ’19
ABA, M.S.
Program coordinator, Newmeadow Inc., an integrated ABA-focused preschool in upstate, NY