Opening ceremony for the Behavior Education Assessment and Research Center on November 2nd, 2023.
Students in the Behavior Analysis track often have opportunities to attend and present studies at professional conferences (pictured: Nicole Markofski, Toegel Laboratory)
Experimental behavior analytic research in the Toegel Laboratory, directed by Drs. Cory Toegel and Forrest Toegel. Other research includes human operant studies and clinical applications.
Behavior analytic therapy in the Behavior Education Assessment and Research Center.
The Behavior Education Assessment and Research (BEAR) Center was the result of $2 million renovation of the two-story building that features modern and extensive space to accommodate treatment, observation, workroom and classroom functions. The BEAR Center serves an average of 1,450 service hours per month across clients ranging in age from 2 to 16, and provides comprehensive practicum experiences for students.
Program faculty present scholarly work at professional conferences (Dr. Cory Toegel presenting at the annual UPABA conference)
Students conduct research on gambling behavior in the Gambling and Gaming Laboratory directed by Dr. Jacob Daar
Behavior analysis faculty have been professionally recognized by their peers (Pictured: Dr. Forrest Toegel receiving the 2025 American Psychological Association's B.F. Skinner Foundation New Basic Researcher Award)
Behavior Analysis Track for the MS Psychology Degree
The Behavior Analysis Track for the MS Psychology degree provides comprehensive coursework and applied experiences in the field of behavior analysis, the scientific study of behavior. The track consists of seven graduate-level courses in addition to credits earned through research or practicum experiences. Courses in the track cover the concepts and principles of field behavior analysis, the process of conducting research in this field, approaches for assessing and modifying behavior, ethical practices, and how to supervise personnel in clinical settings. The coursework and experiential learning opportunities also meet professional educational standards for Board Certified Behavior Analysts.
Graduates with an MS Psychology - Behavior Analysis track may go on to doctorate programs, master's-level careers in research, or complete certification and licensing requirements to practice as a BCBA.
Course Sequence of MS Psychology - Behavior Analysis Track
The MS Psychology - Behavior Analysis Track requires 34 - 38 credits to complete and includes supervised research or practicum experiences. A typical course sequence for full-time students is shown below.
| MS Psychology Behavior Analysis Track Course Sequence | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall (Year 1) | Credits | Course Name | Winter (Year 1) | Credits | Course Name |
| ABA501 | 3 | Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis | ABA503 | 3 | Behavior Assessment |
| LIB535 | 2 | Using Scholarly Library Resources in Support of Graduate Research | ABA504 | 3 | Behavior-Change Procedures |
| PSY505 | 3 | Advanced Research Methods in Behavioral Sciences | PSY506 | 3 | Advanced Statistics in the Behavioral Sciences |
| PSY589 OR PSY592 | 1 | Advanced Research OR Psychology Practicum | PSY589 OR PSY592 | 1 | Advanced Research OR Psychology Practicum |
| Fall (Year 2) | Credits | Course Name | Winter (Year 2) | Credits | Course Name |
| ABA505 | 3 | Conceptual Analysis of Behavior | ABA506 | 3 | Practice and Ethics in Behavior Analysis |
| ABA508 | 3 | Experimental Analysis of Behavior | ABA507 | 3 | Personnel Supervision and Management in Behavior Services |
| PSY593 OR PSY592 | 3 OR 1 | Research Development OR Psychology Practicum | PSY590 OR PSY599 | 3 | Capstone OR Thesis |
Applied Experiences
Through participation in the department's centers and laboratories, graduate students engage in supervised practicum and professional research experiences.
BEAR Center
The Behavior Education Assessment and Research (BEAR) Center serves an average of 1,450 service hours per month across clients ranging in age from 2 to 16, and provides comprehensive practicum experiences for students.
Toegel Laboratory
Research in the Toegel Lab advances the science of behavior to drive meaningful, lasting change and improve the human condition. The lab strives to publish impactful research while providing hands-on, high-quality training for students pursuing careers in Psychology and Behavior Analysis.
Gambling and Gaming Lab
The Gambling and Gaming lab conducts research on gambling, impulsivity, and risk-taking behaviors.
Northern Center for Learning and Health
The NCLH center seeks to advance the understanding and application of behavioral principles to address the complex challenges of substance abuse, unemployment, and poverty, and develop and evaluate interventions to reduce these societal problems and train the next generation of researchers and practitioners. Contact Dr. Forrest Toegel (ftoegel@nmu.edu) for more information.
Neuropsychopharmacology Lab
Research in the Neuropsychopharmacology Lab is dedicated to analyzing the neurological and behavioral effects of psychoactive drugs, particularly those used to treat illness such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia.
Behavioral Analysis Faculty and Staff
Jacob Daar, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Associate Professor
jdaar@nmu.edu (906) 227-2992Office Location:
1123 Weston Hall, 208 BEAR Center
Office Hours:
Mondays 12 pm - 1 pm at BEAR office, Wednesdays 2 pm - 3 pm at Weston Hall office
Research Areas: Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Assessment and Behavior-Change Procedures, Treatment for Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Acquired Brain Injuries, Public Health Policy, Gambling, impulsivity, and risk-taking behaviors.
Research Webpage: BEAR Center
Cory Toegel, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Assistant Professor
ctoegel@nmu.edu (906) 227-2982Office Location:
1127 Weston Hall
Office Hours:
Mondays 1 pm - 2 pm and Tuesdays 2 pm - 3 pm
Research Areas: Experimental Analysis of Behavior and Applied Behavior Analysis
Lab Webpage: ToegelLaboratory
Forrest Toegel, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Assistant Professor
ftoegel@nmu.edu (906) 227-2919Office Location:
1119 Weston Hall
Office Hours:
Wednesdays from 2:30-3:30pm and by appointment
Research Interests: Addiction, Self-Control, Incentive Shifts, Stimulus Control, Relapse
Lab Webpage: ToegelLaboratory
Kara Shawbitz, Ph.D., LBA, BCBA-D
Contingent Assistant Professor; Behavior Analyst
kshawbit@nmu.edu (906) 227-2994Office Location:
BEAR Center
Victoria Mattson, M.S., BCBA, LBA
Clinic Supervisor
vmattson@nmu.edu (906) 227-2994Office Location:
BEAR Center
Jeremy Andrzejewski, M.S.
Research Program Coordinator
jandrzej@nmu.eduOffice Location:
1109 Weston Hall
Board Certified Behavior Analysts
Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) seek to increase, decrease, modify, or maintain socially significant behaviors by studying how behaviors interact with the environment. BCBAs work in many settings including mental health, schools, hospitals, residence facilities, and other human service settings. Students in the Behavior Analysis track are taught, trained, and advised by licensed doctorate level BCBAs.
Individuals professionally certified as BCBAs at the master's level are in demand nationwide, including Michigan. Michigan's Autism Insurance Reform legislation went into effect in 2012 and requires health insurance carriers to provide coverage for diagnoses and treatments related to autism spectrum disorders. However, Michigan lacks enough providers to immediately serve the needs of all of the children in the state with autism. According to the Autism Alliance of Michigan, there are over 15,000 kids in Michigan and not enough Board Certified Behavior Analysts in Michigan to help those families. This program is the only one of its kind in the Upper Peninsula, where demand is especially high for behavior analysts.
Where you might work as a BCBA:
- Schools
- Outpatient mental health facilities
- Rehabilitation centers
- Clinics
- In an industry trying to improve worker efficiency
Salary range: Typically, applied behavior analysts earn between $60,000-80,000 a year.
Certification and Licensing
Students pursuing the MS Psychology degree may pursue coursework and training experiences for certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Additionally, most U.S. States require a license to practice as an Applied Behavior Analyst. The information below provides detailed information on these licensing requirements. Coursework may be offered that fulfill part of the requirements for either a Master’s Limited Psychologist License in the State of Michigan, but students are not being accepted to the program sequence at this time (updated on 1/24/25).
Licensing
In U.S. states (including districts and territories) that have licensing for behavior analysts, a BCBA is required. The NMU degree meets this educational requirement. States that currently require licensure for behavior analysts are listed below (3/11/25). Licensing fees will vary across states. In Michigan, the total fee (license fee for 4 years + application fee) for a BCBA is $452.40 for 2025.
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Connecticut
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming
More information on state licensure requirements, including links to state licensing information, can be found here.