Admission Overview

BEHAVIORANALYSIS@SIMMONS

When selecting students, Simmons seeks candidates who are passionate about their work and committed to professional and clinical excellence in behavior analysis.

The BehaviorAnalysis@Simmons Admission Committee reviews applications holistically, striving to evaluate a candidate’s ability, aptitude, and promise for academic success in the program and professional success upon graduation. We strongly recommend that applicants with an undergraduate GPA below a 3.0 reflect upon their academic experience in their application essay.

View Application Requirements

Start Dates

Students who submit their applications by the priority application deadline will receive a $30 discount on their application fee. Early applications are encouraged, as admission is granted on a rolling basis. Students may begin the BehaviorAnalysis@Simmons program in January, May, or September. We are currently accepting applications to begin classes for the following terms.

January

May

September

Application Deadlines

May 2026

Early Action Application Deadline:
January 16, 2026

Priority Application Deadline:
February 13, 2026

Final Application Deadline:
March 24, 2026

Classes Begin:
May 11, 2026

Transfer Credit Policy and Process

Students seeking transfer course credit from another institution must submit a Transfer Credit Interest form for consideration during the application process. At the BehaviorAnaylsis@Simmons Program’s Discretion, up to two courses (or 8 credits) may be accepted for transfer credit, provided the coursework was completed at an ABAI-accredited program and/or under an ABAI-recognized or verified course sequence, and the course content is comparable to content addressed in courses offered by the BehaviorAnaylsis@Simmons program. If transfer credit is approved, it is the student’s responsibility to review BACB® standards for course transfer credit. Note: Acceptance by the Department of Behavior Analysis of coursework for transfer credit does not guarantee that the BACB® will accept the transferred content.

Requests are approved only if the coursework meets the current curricular requirements of the program, and submitting a request does not guarantee the credits will be accepted for transfer.

Transfer Credit Policies:

  1. Credit is not granted for more than the face-value credit assigned by the host institution. 
  2. Quarter-hour credits transfer at two-thirds of a semester hour.
  3. No credit is given for courses completed toward another degree.
  4. Students must have received a B (84%) or better in the course to receive transfer credit. 
  5. An official transcript must accompany the transfer credit form. 
  6. A copy of the syllabus must accompany the transfer credit form. 
  7. No credit is given for courses taken more than 5 years before the date of the application for transfer credit. 
  8. Students may not replace core curriculum with alternative electives taken at other institutions. 
  9. Transfer credit requests must be made prior to registration for the student’s first term.

Department of Behavior Analysis Mission Statement

  1. To make the philosophy, theory, and science of behavior analysis  explicable and accessible to individuals in an optimal position to affect meaningful educational, social, and behavioral changes.
  2. To generate and publish innovative research by fusing behavior analysis with relevant findings from other scientific discipline.
  3. To include, whenever possible, students as authors on presentations and publications.
  4. To demonstrate how behavior analysis can influence the breadth and depth of issues centered on the human condition.
  5. To prepare students to pass the Behavior Analysis Certification Board’s examination to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.