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Salem State University recently became the only public institution in Massachusetts with a Master of Science (MS) in Behavior Analysis program that is accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) Accreditation Board. Following a rigorous self-study and review, the hybrid, in-person program was granted full accreditation until the end of 2026.
Salem State is now one of only three ABAI-accredited MS in Behavior Analysis programs in Massachusetts and is the only public university in the Commonwealth with such recognition.
“Accreditation is the highest standard in our field for ensuring quality, rigor and transparency,” said Professor Darlene Crone-Todd, coordinator and founder of the program. “As the need for professionals in this field increases, so does the importance that practitioners have the highest standards of preparation to deliver quality care that honors each individual. Further, our program has been successful in preparing graduates for further study at the doctoral level.”
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 22 percent increase between 2021 and 2031 in the hiring of counselors for behavioral disorders, substance abuse and mental health, noting in its occupational outlook that this growth rate is above average.
The MS in Behavior Analysis prepares students for professional roles in experimental and applied behavior analysis with a curriculum that also meets the course content requirements for eligibility for both certification and licensure as a behavior analyst.
Alumni of the program frequently go on to serve in public schools and non-profit organizations on the North Shore, some of which include public schools in Salem, Lynn, Canton and Methuen, Autism 360, Children’s Center for Communication/Beverly School for Deaf, Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), Futures Behavior Therapy Center, Hopeful Journeys, the May Institute, Melmark New England, Northeast ARC, SEEM Collaborative, and Veterans Northeast Outreach Center. Recently, graduates have also entered doctoral programs at the University of West Virginia and the University of New Hampshire.
“Salem State strives to be responsive to the needs of the North Shore and beyond,” said Dean of Graduate Studies Stephanie Bellar. “We are proud to welcome students with a passion and talent for professions in behavior analysis, prepare them to the highest standards, and see this work help others through partnerships with schools and organizations across the region. This accreditation speaks to the quality of that work and strengthens what we will be able to offer the communities we serve.”
“I want to thank Dean Bellar, Professor Crone-Todd and their colleagues for the years of dedication to academic rigor and student success that made this accreditation possible,” said Provost David Silva. “Their forward-looking focus on continuous improvement helps us to ensure that Salem State students graduate having met the industry’s most up-to-date standards and requirements.”
Crone-Todd, who designed and coordinates the MS in Behavior Analysis, also oversees a research laboratory aimed at understanding complex human behavior in the context of gradual change procedures and interactions with technology to create a more humane world. She has presented at over 60 symposia at conferences worldwide and has published in numerous peer-reviewed journals.
For more information, visit salemstate.edu/behavior-analysis.