Master's and PhD in Behavior Analysis

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

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.

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

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.

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 5^th 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

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

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 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

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. 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