University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Three UMassD Programs for Future Behavior Analysts

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth appears in our ranking of the 10 Best ABA Master’s Degree Programs.

At the Liberal Arts Building, the College of Arts & Sciences provides a 120-credit, four-year Psychology BA where University of Massachusetts Dartmouth undergrads can receive BCaBA certification after courses like Biological Bases of Behavior and Child Clinical Psychology plus supervised practicum. Chaired by Dr. Gary Pace, the Psychology MA: Applied Behavior Analysis builds a 36-credit, ABAI-approved curriculum of part-time hybrid online classes from Behavioral Assessment to Cognitive Neuroscience for a 57 percent first-time BCBA exam pass rate.

Since Fall 2014, the Post-Master’s Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate has produced certified BCBAs in a 24-credit, 60-week VCS sequence of blended courses, such as Positive Behavior Supports and Philosophical Underpinnings of ABA. Corsairs might also engage in the Dartmouth Autism Research Initiative, intern in Dartmouth Public Schools, join Psi Chi, study abroad from Sevilla to Kyoto, utilize the SOCO Lab, and become Shriver Center PIHC Scholars.

About the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth originated in 1895 when the Commonwealth chartered the New Bedford Textile School and Bradford Durfee Textile School to train for manufacturing jobs. After World War II, both fast-growing schools diversified into four-year colleges of technology. In 1960, they merged into one entity called the Southeastern Massachusetts Technological Institute. In 1964, it was moved midway between New Bedford and Fall River to North Dartmouth. In 1969, SMTI was renamed Southeastern Massachusetts University for broad arts and sciences education. By 1989, the Saxon Commission was demanding a public statewide system of higher learning. In 1991, Governor William Weld chose Southeastern Massachusetts University to join the five-site UMass System. In 1994, UMass Dartmouth was authorized for its first doctorate. In 2002, UMassD launched the Professional & Continuing Education Center for adults. In 2007, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth built the cutting-edge, 22,000-square-foot Research Building.

Endowed for $54.8 million, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth now employs 587 faculty teaching 6,841 undergrad and 1,672 post-grad Corsairs from 53 countries online, on its 710-acre South Coast campus, or at three satellites with 170+ organizations like Psychology Club. In 2017, UMassD won the Compass Group 5 Jewel Award for Inclusion Excellence. In 2019, Dartmouth had a Manning Prize for Excellence in Teaching Award recipient. The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth accepted a 2019 CASE District I Circle of Excellence Award too. The U.S. News & World Report ranked UMass Dartmouth the 105th top public school and 84th best social mobility performer. On Niche, UMassD boasts America’s 422nd most diversity and 439th most liberal academics. College Gazette named the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth the seventh best-hidden gem. Washington Monthly picked UMassD 120th overall. The Center for World University Rankings placed UMass Dartmouth 354th nationally.

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Accreditation Details

On November 2, 2010, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) reaffirmed the Level VI accreditation status at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth through the next Spring 2020 visit under Chancellor Robert E. Johnson, Ph.D. Located 74 miles north via Route 24 in Burlington, Massachusetts, this superb six-state New England Region accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to review Dartmouth’s 78 baccalaureate, 39 master’s, and 12 doctoral degrees. Further, the Psychology Department is approved as a Verified Course Sequence (VCS) by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI).

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Application Requirements

Admission to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is classified as “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s since 6,744 of the 8,697 Fall 2018 applicants were chosen for 78 percent acceptance. First-year Corsairs seeking the Psychology BA must complete 17 or more college-prep high school courses, including four English and math units. Non-graduates with GED scores above 450 might be eligible. The Class of 2022 reported an average GPA of 3.35. Mid-range admitted SAT scores were 990-1190. The middle 50th percentile had ACT scores of 20-26. Psychology Department transfers must have at least 45 credits remaining. Only non-remedial courses with regional accreditation and grades above C- will transfer. International students are welcome with at least 533 TOEFL pBT, 6.0 IELTS, or 53 PTE scores. The Combined Psychology BA/MA is reserved for juniors with 3.25 or better GPAs. Entering the Psychology MA: Applied Behavior Analysis requires bachelor’s degrees in human services majors. Post-grads must show strong academic promise with GPAs above 3.0.

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth has a November 15th Early Action deadline for freshmen. Prospective Psychology BA majors can apply until August 15th for Fall or January 15th for Spring. Note the priority deadline for financial aid is March 1st. Psychology MA: Applied Behavior Analysis cohorts must file before August 15th. The Post-Master’s Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate has rolling admission anytime. Accordingly, submit the UMass Application online with $30 ($60 if graduate) by MasterCard or Visa. Forward official transcripts to 285 Old Westport Road in Dartmouth, MA 02747. Send standardized tests using ACT code 1906 or SAT/TOEFL code 3786. Attach supplemental materials, such as the 300-word statement of purpose, 2-3 recommendation letters, signed self-disclosure form, resume, and GED certificate. Contact (508) 999-9202 or admissions@umassd.edu with questions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is charging in-state Psychology BA majors $14,358 annually. Non-resident bachelor’s tuition is $30,103 per year. International students pay $30,623 each year. The New England rate drops yearly pricing to $19,506. The College of Arts & Sciences has individual program fees of $426 to $928. Freshmen cover a one-time $270 orientation fee. Optional health insurance premiums cost $2,512. Living at the South Coast campus dorms like Pine Dale Hall adds $8,819 to $11,555 for yearly housing. Platinum meal plans for The Marketplace are $5,034 extra. Annual undergrad attendance equals about $30,275 in-state and $45,495 out-of-state. The Psychology Department bills post-grad Massachusetts residents $12,686 and non-residents $22,577 each year full-time. Studying part-time incurs $682 to $1,232 per credit. Online master’s courses range from $1,230 to $2,250.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Financial Aid in Foster Administration Building Room 105 helps 93 percent of new full-time UMassD Corsairs enroll with assistance averaging $8,951 each for $9.86 million combined. University funds include the Dr. Teal Donabella-Pedlow Scholarship, Edward Ryan Scholarship, Anthony Felix Scholarship, Shaukat Ali Memorial Scholarship, Centennial Arts & Sciences Scholarship, Samuel Stone Scholarship, Tacy Liberal Arts Scholarship, John Werly Memorial Scholarship, Leonard & Hilda Kaplan Scholarship, Myra Kraft Presidential Scholarship, Michael MacFarlane Jr. Study Abroad Scholarship, Paste Family Scholarship, and Stebenne Scholarship. The Chancellor’s Merit Scholarship assists in-state freshmen with minimum 25 ACT or 1200 SAT scores. The Community Living Award supports out-of-state entrants taking 24+ credits per year with 3.0 or better GPAs. Federal resources, such as the Pell Grant or Direct Unsubsidized Loan, require FAFSA applications coded 002210. Bay Staters also pursue the MASS Grant, Massachusetts Access Grant, Christian Herter Memorial Scholarship, John & Abigail Adams Scholarship, Agnes Lindsay Scholarship, and others.

Learn more about the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth at the Psychology Department website.