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Behavior Analysis Program

Program Overview/Mission

The goal of this program is to provide students with a foundation in behavior analysis through an integrated sequence of coursework, practicum and research activities. The program's course sequence and supervised experience have been verified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc®

  • Students obtain competency in the basic principles of learning and the application of these principles with particular emphasis on interventions for individuals with developmental disabilities.
  • Practicum and research experiences are provided in home, school, and clinic settings, including at UHCL's Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities.
  • All students complete a major research project prior to graduation.

Students completing the coursework and practicum requirements of the program will be eligible to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam and to become Licensed Behavior Analysts in Texas.

Graduation, Enrollment, Retention, and Admissions Information

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

For more information about the M.A. degree, please review our information and admissions packet.


Program Degrees

Accreditation Information

abai The Behavior Analysis program is accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International Accreditation Board.

Admission Requirements

  • Behavior Analysis M.A.
  • Admission Deadline
    • Fall Only
      • Deadline: January 15*

    *Applications received after this date will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. If you submit an application after the January 15 deadline, please contact behavioranalysis@uhcl.edu to confirm that your application was received.

  • Application
    • Apply online through Apply Texas for admission to the University of Houston-Clear Lake as a graduate student.
      • Select Four-year College/University and Graduate School.
      • Program application is only available within the selected Fall semester
      • Select "HSH-Behavior Analysis" as your first choice major only
    • Documents for admission are submitted after completion of the Apply Texas application. All required documents are due by the program application deadline.
  • Requirements
    • GRE Scores Not Required: The GRE requirement will automatically be removed after successful submission of the admission application.

    • Official Transcripts: Students should submit official transcripts from every college or university attended to the University of Houston-Clear Lake, Office of Admissions or International Admissions.
      • Please review New Student Admissions in the Graduate Catalog under Transcripts and Records Information to learn how to submit an official college transcript to UHCL.
    • Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree or higher, preferably in a related field such as psychology, education, or special education. In addition, applicants should identify coursework or practical experience associated with Behavior Analysis.

    Required Supplemental Documents:

    • The following two documents must be uploaded to your UHCL E-Services account (assigned after you have completed the ApplyTexas online application):
      1. Curriculum Vitae: An expanded résumé describing previous education; all work experience; relevant course work and relevant volunteer activities; any honors, presentations, papers, avocations or other relevant life experiences.
      2. Statement of purpose and goals, not to exceed 1,000 words, describing your reasons for wanting this degree and how it fits into career goals
    • Two letters of recommendation, preferably at least one from an academic source, should be submitted directly by the recommenders to behavioranalysis@uhcl.edu. No form is required. Recommendations from academic faculty and/or work supervisors who know you well are especially appreciated.

    Application Packet

  • Admissions Review Process

    After initial review of the application materials (application, recommendations, and supplemental material) an admissions committee will invite selected applicants to campus for an interview. Interviews will typically be scheduled in February. Applicants will be notified of their program admission status by April 15.


Additional Admission Information

Students wishing to enroll in this program must formally apply. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the faculty coordinator. Prerequisites include a Bachelor's degree or higher, preferably in a related field such as psychology, education, or special education. In addition, applicants should identify coursework or practical experience associated with Behavior Analysis.

Program Faculty

Jennifer N. Fritz
Jennifer Fritz

Jennifer Fritz

Professor of Behavior Analysis,
Human Sciences and Humanities

Contact number: 281-283-3427
Email: Fritzj@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou 1508.20

Jennifer Fritz Faculty Bio

Sarah A. Lechago
Sarah Lechago

Sarah Lechago

Associate Professor of Behavior Analysis,
Human Sciences and Humanities

Contact number: 281-283-3331
Email: Lechago@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou 2529.07

Sarah Lechago Faculty Bio

Dorothea C. Lerman
Dorothea Lerman

Dorothea Lerman

Professor of Psychology and Director, Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities,
Human Sciences and Humanities

Contact number: 281-283-3437
Email: lerman@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou 1508.23

Dorothea Lerman Faculty Bio

Curriculum and Instruction

Undergraduate Minor and Coursework for the BCaBA®

Coursework is offered to fulfill the requirements of the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) exam and has been approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc®.

Coursework for the BCaBA®

We offer a coursework sequence to partially prepare students to sit for the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA®) exam. The certification board requires coursework AND supervised work experience. Supervised experience can begin as soon as you begin taking the classes.

Be sure to carefully review the BCaBA requirements to sit for the BCaBA® exam.

All of the following courses must be completed to meet the coursework requirement for the BCaBA exam:

  • PSYC 3321 Learning - offered online and in-person
  • PSYC 4321 Applied Behavior Analysis I (pre-req PSYC3321) - offered in-person or online
  • PSYC 4322 Applied Behavior Analysis II (pre-req PSYC4321) - offered online
  • PSYC 4323 Research and Practice in Behavior Analysis (pre-req or co-req PSYC3321) - offered online
  • PSYC 4327 Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis (pre-req or co-req PSYC3321) – offered in-person or online

In order to take the courses with University of Houston-Clear Lake, you must meet one of the following two stipulations:

  1. If you have already earned a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree, you will need to register as a non-degree seeking student.
  2. If you have not already earned a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree, you will need to register as a degree-seeking student with a major in Psychology or related field.

Information about applying, all UHCL requirements (including GPA, etc.), and cost of attendance can be found at the following websites:

How To Apply for Admission

Tuition, Costs and Aid

Minor in Behavior Analysis

We also offer a minor in Behavior Analysis that is designed for students who wish to better understand the principles and processes underlying the behavior of humans and non-humans, as well as for students who would like to complete the coursework required to sit for the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) examination. To qualify to sit for the examination, students must also fulfill a supervised experience requirement. Be sure to carefully review the BCaBA requirements to sit for the BCaBA® exam.

A minor in Behavior Analysis will require a student to take 15 hours from the Psychology program. The specific courses for the Behavior Analysis Minor are listed below, and courses that satisfy the coursework requirements for the BCaBA exam are so noted. Students must earn a grade of "B-" or better in 5 of the following courses for the minor.

  • PSYC 3321 Learning 
  • PSYC 4321 Applied Behavior Analysis I (pre-req PSYC3321)
  • PSYC 4322 Applied Behavior Analysis II (pre-req PSYC4321)
  • PSYC 4323 Research and Practice in Behavior Analysis (pre-req or co-req PSYC3321)
  • PSYC 4327 Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis (pre-req or co-req PSYC3321)

Student Resources

Information for Current Students

Additional Information

For additional information, please contact:

Dorothea C. Lerman
Coordinator, Behavior Analysis Program
behavioranalysis@uhcl.edu