Training Director: Joseph N. Ricciardi, Psy.D., BCBA-D, CBIST

Website: www.mayinstitute.org

Fellowship Term: Begins on or after August 4, 2025

Training Leadership:

Willow Hozella, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Divisional Director of Clinical Services and Training, Children’s Services, whozella@mayinstitute.org

Erik Maki, Ph.D., LP, NCSP, Clinical Consultant, PBIS, emaki@mayinstitute.org

Lauren Meyers, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Clinical Director, Adult Services Division, lmeyers@mayinstitute.org

Robert Putnam, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LABA, Executive VP of PBIS, bputnam@mayinstitute.org

Joseph Ricciardi, Psy.D., BCBA-D, CBIST, Director of Training / Vice President of Professional Development and Training, jricciardi@mayinstitute.org

Lauren Solotar, Ph.D., ABPP, President and CEO, lsolotar@mayinstitute.org

Lisa Thomas, Ph.D., NCSP, LP, BCBA, Director of School Consultation for Philadelphia and Surrounding Areas, lthomas1@mayinstitute.org

Melissa Theodore, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Senior Clinical Director, Randolph School, mtheodore@mayinstitute.org

Sarah Weddle, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Divisional Director of Adult Clinical Services and Training, sweddle@mayinstitute.org

Training Philosophy

Postdoctoral fellowships in applied behavior analysis at May Institute provide advanced training in the science and practice of behavior analysis and prepare fellows to function independently in their profession (psychology, behavior analysis, special education). The goals of fellowship training include: advanced training in assessment, treatment, case management, research, supervision, and ethical and professional behavior.

Fellows will be able to accrue supervision hours towards Board Licensure in Psychology and/or practicum hours towards certification as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst.

Training Opportunities

Fellowships provide specialized training in one or more of the following areas: applied verbal behavior, severe problem behavior, school consultation, parent training, and systems-change. Fellows complete their fellowships (1-2 years) in one or more of the following programs: May Center Schools; PBIS and School Consultation; or Adult Services. (Not all sites will have Fellowship slots each year. Contact Training Director for more information.)

May Center Schools for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Fellows in these locations provide advanced assessment and intervention for autistic children and adolescents and those with related developmental disabilities, participate in research projects, and learn program leadership skills.

A video overview of the May Center School for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Randolph, Mass.
 

Adult Services

Fellows in this location provide assessment intervention design for challenging behaviors, engagement in life activities, and skill acquisition for adults ages 22 and up, with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and related developmental disorders. A specific focus is improvement of quality of life through meaningful home and community engagement. Fellows carry a caseload across service settings (day and residential), consult to staff, and participate in research, supervision, and training projects with the clinical teams.

A video from the May Center for Adult Services: Meet Nancy 

Positive Behavior Interventions and Support

Fellows in this location provide technical assistance to public, private schools and agencies around improving behavior support practices using applied behavior analysis and positive behavior interventions and supports around individuals, classrooms, schools, districts, and states. Fellows apply a multi-tiered framework focusing on systems, data, and practices to produce meaningful student outcomes cost-effectively. A fellow in this program would support districts and schools and classrooms in the implementation of PBIS as well as participate in ongoing research and dissemination projects of PBIS in a variety of settings. 

May Institute is one of 12 national partners of the National Technical Assistance Center for PBIS funded by the Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Program for research and dissemination of PBIS. Our program currently supports over 30 districts and over 100 schools in implementing PBIS across Massachusetts.

Supervision and Training Activities

Each postdoctoral fellow will work with their supervisor to develop an individualized training plan that is aligned with the fellow’s goals for training. Depending on interests, these experiences could include opportunities for direct clinical work, consultation, supervision of others, the conduct of research, providing workshops or other trainings, and administrative activities. Fellows are required to complete a minimum of 2000 hours of fellowship. Supervision occurs during individual supervision for at least two hours per week in addition to at least 2 hours of group supervision. Postdoctoral fellows have funding to attend national conferences and professional development activities within the May Institute through our Continuing Education series.

Application Guidelines

Qualifications for Fellowship in Applied Behavior Analysis include:

• Completed all requirements for a doctoral degree in psychology, behavior analysis, or special education from a regionally accredited institute of higher education.
• Prior supervised experience working in schools, residential services, or clinical settings individuals with autism spectrum disorder or related disorders.
• You must be a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) or at least have taken the exam by the time of fellowship to provide services in the School Consultation program.

To apply for a Fellowship in Applied Behavior Analysis, please submit:

• Cover letter describing the fellowship program(s) you are applying for, the reasons why the fellowship is of interest to you, and a summary of your academic preparation and professional experiences that are related to the fellowship.
• Curriculum vita
• Letters of recommendation from two professors or professional supervisors (sent directly to Dr. Ricciardi, Training Director)

Before beginning the fellowship, you will also need to submit:

• Official transcripts from your graduate program(s)
• Verification letter that you have completed all requirements for your Ph.D. (to be completed by your dissertation chair or the director of your training program), if your transcripts do not reflect that your degree has been awarded.

Deadline for applications is December 20, 2024 but applications will continue to be accepted after that date, and applicants will be notified of acceptance by the APPIC common hold date (2/24/25), if desired.

Please direct all questions to Dr. Joseph Ricciardi or any of the faculty listed above.

Please send inquiries or application materials to Dr. Joseph Ricciardi at jricciardi@mayinstitute.org.

Fellowship term begins on or after August 4, 2025.

“Completing a post-doctoral fellowship at May Institute allowed me to hone my clinical skills in Applied Behavior Analysis, introduce me to new and current trends in research, and learn from some incredible psychologists who are leaders in the field.”

─ Dan Clark