Master's and PhD in Behavior Analysis

Become a behavior analyst. Watch lives change and grow. 

Behavior analysis is an area of psychology that focuses on environmental influences on behavior. Marquette’s program provides exemplary training in both research and practice with a focus on serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

 

2

Years to Complete*

FT

Full-Time Program

30

Total Credit Hours*

 

 

 

 

 

*MS program

Meet Marisa | Marquette University Graduate School from Marquette University on Vimeo.

Expect Excellence

Expand all   |   Collapse all  

Program Highlights

In both MS and PhD programs, students will complete intensive course work, receive research mentorship, develop an area of specialization and complete rigorous practicum training. The goals of this program will be to train behavior analysts to:

  • Implement state-of-the-art behavior analytic assessments and interventions
  • Consume, evaluate and translate basic and applied research into effective practice
  • Make contributions to their field through scholarly writing and presenting
  • Become leaders and innovators in their field
  • Promote the ideals of social justice and equality as professionals

Mentorship 

Marquette students will have the opportunity to study under world-renowned experts in behavior analysis including Drs. Stephanie Hood, Tiffany Kodak, Jeffrey Tiger and Douglas Woods. Students will not only take classes from these faculty, but will have the opportunity to receive practicum training and research mentorship as well. Students are admitted to the MS and PhD program directly by one of these faculty mentors who will serve as the academic adviser for each admitted student. These programs adopt a junior-colleague training model that ensures small cohorts of students with frequent, high-quality mentorship directed toward helping students achieve their professional goals. Our recent graduates have attained positions as university faculty members, clinical program directors, postdoctoral fellows and practicing behavior analysts.

Tailored Specialization 

Marquette students will be able to tailor their educational experience to match their professional goals and the opportunity to direct their education more heavily toward research careers or toward more direct professional practice.

Students may choose to be trained to guide intervention programs with:

  • children and adults with social skill deficits
  • young children with autism spectrum disorders
  • children displaying vocal or motor tics associated with Tourette syndrome
  • individuals displaying more significant self-injurious behavior or aggressive behavior

State-of-the-Art Facilities

Marquette students will have the opportunity to train in the new Behavior Analysis Program Building. This newly renovated building will house faculty and student offices, academic classrooms and state-of-the-art clinic space to house students' practicum training with clients drawn from the community.

BCBA Certification

Marquette students will complete the course work and practicum experience required to sit for examination to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA); these courses have been verified as meeting the requirements of the Behavior Analysis Certification Board’s 5th Edition Task List. Students who successfully pass their BCBA examination will then be eligible for licensure as a behavior analyst in Wisconsin. Students mentored by Drs. Hood, Kodak and Tiger have a 100% passing rate as first-time test takers for the BCBA examination.

Note: Pass-rate data are not published for sequences with fewer than six first-time candidates in a single year or for sequences in their first four years of operation.

View BCBA Examination Pass Rates for Verified Course Sequences

State Licensure

MS in Psychology with Behavioral Analysis Specialization

Satisfies Educational Requirements: WI

Does Not Satisfy Educational Requirements: None

No Determination Made: AL, AK, AS, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, GU, HI, ID, IN, IA, IL, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MP, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, VI, WA, WV, WY

PhD in Psychology with Behavioral Analysis Specialization

Satisfies Educational Requirements: WI

Does Not Satisfy Educational Requirements: None

No Determination Made: AL, AK, AS, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, GU, HI, ID, IN, IA, IL, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MP, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, VI, WA, WV, WY

KEIL Lab Tiffany KodakKodak Early Intervention Laboratory (KEIL)

KEIL's research examines efficacious and efficient behavioral interventions to teach verbal behavior and academic, social and daily living skills to children with autism spectrum disorder.

Lab Research | Practicum Training

 

The Tiger Lab at Marquette UniversityThe Tiger Lab at Marquette

The Tiger Lab specializes in clinical care to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities presenting with significant behavioral challenges, training compassionate behavior analysts to serve their community, and advancing research to better address the complex needs of the families served. New website coming soon.

Lab Research |  Practicum Training 

SSAIL LABDr. Hood’s Research Lab (SSAIL LAB)

The SSAIL Lab is leading the development of new interventions to promote independence and increase our participants' overall well-being and quality of life through increased participation in the community, workforce and interpersonal relationships. In addition, the SSAIL Lab provides a high-quality educational training environment for the next generation of scientist-practitioners.

 

Study under experts in the field

Expand all   |   Collapse all  

Dr. Stephanie Hood, PhD, BCBA-D

Stephanie Hood, PhD

Dr. Stephanie Hood, PhD, BCBA-D

Stephanie Hood is originally from La Crosse, Wisconsin. She earned a bachelor’s of applied science in psychology and special education at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. She earned a master’s of science in behavior analysis and therapy from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. She received her PhD in behavior analysis from the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Munroe-Meyer Institute. She was a professor at Briar Cliff University and California State University-Northridge before joining Marquette in 2020. She currently serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. Dr. Hood received CSUN’s outstanding service to students’ award in 2019.

Read Dr. Hood's full biography and research 

Dr. Tiffany Kodak, PhD, BCBA-D

Tiffany Kodak PhD Behavior Analysis at Marquette UniversityDr. Tiffany Kodak, PhD, BCBA-D

Tiffany Kodak is a licensed psychologist, licensed behavior analyst and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She started working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder more than 25 years ago while earning her bachelor’s degree in San Diego, California. Dr. Kodak obtained a master’s degree in clinical psychology at North Dakota State University and her PhD in school psychology from Louisiana State University. 

Read Dr. Kodak's full biography and research 

Dr. Jeffrey Tiger, PhD, BCBA-D

Dr. Jeffrey Tiger PhD, BCBA-DDr. Jeffrey Tiger, PhD, BCBA-D

Jeffrey Tiger completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of Florida, his master’s and PhD degrees at the University of Kansas, and his postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He was a professor of psychology at Louisiana State University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee before joining Marquette in 2018. 

Read Dr. Tiger's full biography and research 

Dr. Douglas Woods, PhD

Dr. Douglas Woods PhDDr. Douglas Woods, PhD

Dr. Woods is currently professor of psychology and dean of the Graduate School at Marquette University.  Prior to that, he was head of psychology at Texas A&M University from 2013-2015, and a faculty member, chair of psychology and associate dean of the Graduate School at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee from 1999-2013.  Dr. Woods received his PhD in clinical psychology from Western Michigan University in 1999. He has authored or co-authored more than 260 papers or chapters, and authored or co-authored nine books on tic disorders, trichotillomania and other repetitive behavior problems. Dr. Woods is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. 

Read Dr. Wood's research and teaching interests

 

Take the next step toward your future

Learn more about Marquette University's behavior analysis graduate program.

I'M READY TO APPLY
BOOK A TOUR

  • Contact Us
  • Application Details
  • Financial Aid
  • Department Recognitions

Submit the form below and our admissions expert will respond to you shortly.

*required field

Loading...

Application Deadline

For the master's program all application requirements must be completed and received in the Graduate School by December 15. For the Fall 2023 admission cycle only. Future cycles will utilize a December 1st priority deadline.

For the PhD program, all application requirements must be completed and received in the Graduate School by December 1.

Application Requirements

Read all application instructions prior to beginning an application.

  • A completed online application form and fee.
  • Transcripts:
  • Minimum 3.00 GPA
  • Compose a personal statement of 1,000 words or less including explaining your academic and professional experiences and goals. The statement should explain how your experiences and/or interests would contribute to fostering diversity in the behavior analysis program. An individual’s ability to enrich diversity to the program, in addition to his/her very presence, can involve, but is not limited to, personal identity (e.g., ethnic identity, religious identity, national origin), intellectual contributions (typically in the form of research interests), and/or personal history or experiences that allow the applicant to bring a unique perspective/worldview (e.g., history of overcoming significant disadvantage, first in family to go to college).
  • Three letters of reference from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic work and/or research experience.
  • GRE test scores (general test only, optional).
  • For international applicants only: a TOEFL score or other acceptable proof of English proficiency.
  • The highest-ranking applicants will be invited to an interview.

1Upon admission, final official transcripts from all previously attended colleges/universities, with certified English translations if original language is not English, must be submitted to the Graduate School within the first five weeks of the term of admission or a hold preventing registration for future terms will be placed on the student’s record. 

2Upon admission, an official course-by-course transcript/academic record evaluation must be submitted to the Graduate School within the first five weeks of the term of admission or a hold preventing registration for future terms will be placed on the student’s record. 

 

Teaching and research assistantships (TAs and RAs) are awarded to full-time students in the doctoral program.

Partial merit-based scholarships may be available for students in the master’s program.

Private scholarships may also be available. U.S. citizens and permanent residents may be eligible to apply for need-based federal aid (loans) to help fund their educational expenses as well.

 

Dr. Doug Woods receives the 2019 WisABA Award

Dr. Douglas Woods PhDThe Wisconsin Association for Behavior Analysis (WisABA) presented Dr. Doug Woods an award for “Significant Contributions to the Practice of Behavior Analysis.”  This award was given for his work in both supporting behavior analysis program development at both UWM and Marquette, as well as for his research work in using behavioral treatments for children with Tourette syndrome.

 

Dr. Jeffrey Tiger receives the 2018 WisABA Award

Dr. Jeffrey Tiger Marquette UniversityDr. Jeffrey Tiger, ABA program director, is the recipient of the annual WisABA Award for "Significant Contributions to the Practice of Behavior Analysis" in the state of Wisconsin for his continued efforts to train highly qualified behavior analysts in our state. Through his work in the university systems and his center, budding behavior analysts are receiving training and experiences that further the science of ABA in Wisconsin.