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

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This 10-course online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum and Instruction: Applied Behavior Analysis and Education Option program is designed for those who would like to integrate knowledge of autism studies with graduate courses in education.

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Students who successfully complete the Graduate Certificate Program in Applied Behavior Analysis are allowed to count up to five certificate courses towards their master's degree, with the balance of their required courses focusing on curriculum development and instruction in a K-12 setting.

Best Online Education Program in the Nation by U.S. News & World Report Ranked as One of the Best Online Graduate Education Programs in the Nation by U.S. News & World Report

Have Questions?

For questions about the Online M.Ed. Program in Curriculum and Instruction: Applied Behavior Analysis and Education Option or any of the online education courses in this program, please contact:
Lizzie Linn Casanave at lizzie_casanave@uml.edu
For questions about the online applied behavior analysis courses and graduate certificate program, please contact:
Dr. Richard Siegel at Richard_Siegel@uml.edu or 978-934-3961.

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 (4 Courses / 12cr)

Specialization - Choose (5 Courses / 15cr)

Capstone (1 Course / 3cr)

*This course is taken as the last course or in conjunction with the one other course in the final semester. It is offered only in Fall & Spring Terms.

**This course is taken as the last course or in conjunction with the one other course in the final semester. It is offered only in the summer Trimester Terms.

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.

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 he or she is 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 the Registrar's Office.

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.

Course Descriptions

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 considers alternative perspectives of curriculum and explores issues and strategies involved in the process of changing the curricular visions and practices of schools. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

This course focuses on developing a knowledge base of historical and contemporary perspectives on curriculum and schooling as they evolved in American society. The first part of the course addresses three concepts as they relate to curriculum. They are: 1.) School, literacy and society. 2.) Movements in schooling and 3.) Dimensions of diversity. The second part of the course addresses an examination of conflicting views on selected issues, identifying related underlying problems, and then developing feasible resolutions. The assignments consist of textbook and library readings as well as the writing of 5 reflection papers during the 10 week course. Students' final work will be submitted in a portfolio at the end of the semester for faculty evaluation and grading. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

A review of state mandates which, by law, shape the curriculum of the school. Examination of "new" curricula and their sources, as well as the development of a rationale for curriculum design and an evaluation of the personnel and techniques by which these curricula can be developed. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

Students will have the opportunity to develop a teacher work sample consisting of work in six major areas: (1) contextual factors, (2) learning goals, (3) assessment plan, (4) design for instruction, (5) analysis of student learning, and (6) reflection. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

M.Ed. matriculated only

This Capstone Alternative is the culminating course for students who are not in regular PK-12 classroom settings, particularly those who are in the Autism Studies program. Candidates in this course will apply information that they have learned during their coursework to an action research project in a classroom or small group setting. In addition, candidates will develop a professional portfolio with products developed during coursework. 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.

Tuition & Fees

At UMass Lowell, we believe that students should have as much information as possible up front so they can make informed decisions before enrolling in a degree program or signing up for a course.

Tuition for all undergraduate courses offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies is the same for both in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition for all online graduate courses is also the same for both in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition is priced per credit. To calculate the tuition for a course, simply multiply the per-credit tuition by the total number of credits per course. Exception: If the total number of course contact hours is greater than the total number of credits, the per-credit tuition is instead multiplied by the total number of contact hours.

Summer 2021 Tuition

 Per Credit / Contact Hour
Graduate Online Courses
(Except Graduate Online Business*, IT, Engineering and Education Courses)
 $575.00
Graduate Online Business* Courses $655.00
Graduate Online IT and Engineering Courses** $590.00
Graduate Online Education Courses $470.00

*Applies to courses with the following prefixes: ACCT, BUSI, ENTR, FINA, MGMT, MKTG, MIST, POMS offered through the Manning School of Business

**Applies to courses with the following prefixes: CHEN, CIVE, EECE, ENGN, MECH, PLAS offered through the Francis College of Engineering. Applies also to MSIT courses in the Master's in Information Technology, Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity and the Graduate Certificate in Systems Models and Management.

The cost to audit a course will be charged the rates listed above.

Additional Fees
Registration Fee per Term $30.00
Late Fee for Nonpayment $50.00
Fee for Graduate Degree and Certificate Applications $50.00

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Registration

Current students can register using SiS Self-Service. New students who have not already applied and been accepted to a program must use the Non-Degree Registration Form.

You can take courses without being officially enrolled in a certificate or degree program, but you must meet course prerequisites. Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Class size is limited. We recommend that you register early to reserve your place in class.

For more information, please visit our Registration Page.

New Students

If you have not already applied and been accepted to a program.
Register with Non-Degree Reg. Form

Current Students

If you have applied, been accepted to and are currently enrolled in a program.
Register with SIS Self-Service

Questions?

Email our Advising Center for assistance, or call 800-480-3190 to speak with an advisor.

Please Note: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented within this website, the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies reserves the right to implement new rules and regulations and to make changes of any nature in its program, calendar, locations, tuition and fees. Whenever possible, appropriate notice of such changes will be given before they become effective. 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.

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
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Application fee
  • Proof of valid teaching license in their state OR successful completion of the Applied Behavior Analysis: BCBA Coursework Preparation Certificate Program
  • Resume or CV
  • No GRE required

For specific information regarding any of the above application materials (which may vary for some programs), please see UMass Lowell's Graduate Application Requirements at https://www.uml.edu/Grad/Process/.

Applications can be completed and submitted at any time during the year. Each application is processed — and each applicant notified — as soon as all admissions materials have been received and reviewed. For additional details, please visit https://www.uml.edu/grad/.

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 they have formally applied into 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.

Please Note: Test requirements for graduate applications have been temporarily waived. Learn more.
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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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