Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a profession that focuses on improving the human condition. ABA is a well-developed discipline among the helping professions, with a strong research foundation, established standards for practice, distinct methods of service, and recognized experience and educational requirements for practice. ABA entails the comprehensive use of principles of learning theory and operant psychology to enhance the abilities of children and adults in human services and other areas, including education, human factors, business, medicine, and rehabilitation.

Applied Behavior Analysis professionals will have bachelor's or master's degrees in applied behavior analysis or related fields such as health services, human services, education, occupational therapy, psychology, etc. In addition to licensing and other required credentials for their specific field, professionals can enhance their credibility and job opportunities by earning a certification by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB). The BACB's certifications include Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA).

>> Applied Behavior Analysis Overview & Applications
>> What Applied Behavior Analysts Do
>> Preparing for A Career in Applied Behavior Analysis
>> Applied Behavior Analysis Salary
>> Applied Behavior Analysis and Professional Certification

To be eligible for the BCBA or BCaBA certifications, candidates must have earned a bachelor's (for a BCaBA) or master's degree (for BCBA) in ABA or a related field, completed a BACB approved sequence of coursework, performed a required number of hours of supervised fieldwork, and pass the certification exam.

Behavioral Intervention in Autism
Graduate Certificate

Choose from Two Tracks:
Behavioral Intervention in Autism Track
BCBA Certification Preparation Track
BACB Approved Coursework

Developed in collaboration with the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, this award-winning BACB approved program is one of the very few in the country available entirely online for individuals interested in expanding their knowledge of behavioral intervention for autism. With a critical shortage of skilled early intervention professionals in the United States, UMass Lowell's autism program is meeting the growing demand for specialists is this field. This online Autism Certificate program offers two track options.

The BIA Certificate track is the 4-course Graduate Certificate Program in Behavioral Intervention in Autism, designed to provide professionals working in education, child care, speech and language disorders, and mental health and human services with an understanding of autism and related development disorders, as well as an introduction to behavioral methods and how and where such methods can be used. This track has also attracted a large number of parents of autistic children. Applicants for this track must have a bachelor's degree.

The BCBA Certification Preparation track is the 5-course Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA) preparation program, which involves a sequence of online autism courses approved by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB) to meet coursework requirements towards national certification as a Behavior Analyst. Applicants for this track must have a master's degree in ABA or a related field.

• Curriculum and Instruction / Autism Studies - MEd
• Psychology - BA
• Children's Learning & Development - BA

The "America's Best Colleges" 2011 edition of U.S. News & World Report has ranked Saint Joseph's University among the top 15 master's universities in the north for the 13th consecutive year.

Behavior Analysis
Graduate Certificate

Qualify for BCBA Certification
BACB Approved Coursework

The BACB approved post-graduate Certificate in Behavior Analysis online program is designed for professionals pursuing careers as a behavior analyst, behavior manager or consultant in the justice system, school system, or community services. This program focuses on developing new and innovative investigative approaches and techniques to the study of behavior and motivation. Graduates of this program will be trained to effectively work with behavioral problems and disorders in children, adolescents, and adults. This program provides the BACB approved sequence of coursework toward BCBA certification eligibility.

Special Education / Autism - Master of Science
SJU’s online Autism Spectrum Disorder Specialization — available as part of our online Master’s in Special Education degree— gives students the advanced education to provide early intervention, special education, and habilitation services to children and adults with  ASD.

• Criminal Justice / Behavior Analysis - MS
• Business Intelligence / Behavior Analysis - MS

Applied Behavior Analysis
Graduate Certificate Plus Field Experience

BCBA Certification Preparation
BACB Approved Coursework
Supervised Field Experience Included

This BACB approved post graduate certificate program is designed to assist behavior analysts and those working in related fields with updating their licensure and further expanding their expertise related to developmental disabilities, geriatric conditions, behavioral and learning difficulties, and mental illness. This certificate prepares students to sit for the examination to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Applicants must have a master's degree in a related field and five years' experience. The program can be completed in under a year, depending on field supervision availability.

• Behavior Analytic Theory
• Measurement, Evaluation, and Ethics
• Human Performance Engineering I & II
• Intervention Design
• Intervention Evaluation
• BCBA Supervised Practicum*

*Completing supervised practical work experience required by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board while enrolled in an approved program, such as this one, can lead to a significant reduction of required field experience hours (1,000 versus 1,500).

• Child & Adolescent Psychology - Graduate Certificate
• School Psychology - EdS

Psychology / Applied Behavioral Analysis
Master of Science

Qualify for BCBA Certification
BACB Approved Coursework

Pursuing a Master of Science in Psychology from Kaplan University offers students a unique opportunity to blend the rich, academic tradition of psychology with exciting, contemporary applications of the science. The BACB approved program will focus on the processes that underlie the individual human experience and behavior, as well as core knowledge, theories, and research in the field. Students of the Applied Behavioral Analysis specialization will focus on the developmentally disabled, the autistic, and individuals with traumatic brain injuries. Students will utilize behavioral concepts and theories, and develop assessment and intervention skills.

Psychology / Applied Behavioral Analysis - Bachelor of Science
The BACB approved Applied Behavioral Analysis specialization will explore behavioral development from birth to adolescence. Students will extensively examine design, analysis, and application of learning theories and behavioral principles to understand what motivates human behavior. They will learn the skills required for a myriad of jobs, including working with autistic children and adults with special needs and assisting certified behavioral analysts who conduct research or create behavior modification programs.

The BS in Psychology program offers an Advanced Start option. If you earned an associate's or bachelor's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college, and you are interested in a career that focuses on human behavior and development, the Advanced Start Bachelor of Science in Psychology is for you. The degree is also designed to prepare you to pursue graduate studies in psychology. Full-time students can complete this program in as little as 2 years.

• Psychology / Child Development - BS
• Early Childhood Development - BS

Play Therapy - Graduate Certificate
Help your youngest, most vulnerable clients improve their mental well being with a therapeutic approach that's entirely natural to them - play. Capella's five-course graduate Play Therapy certificate, one of few available online, addresses the core academic content areas required by the Association for Play Therapy to earn its Registered Play Therapist (RPT) and Supervisor (RPT-S) credentials. You will learn play therapy theory, methodology, and applications with expert faculty who live (and love) what they teach. The faculty leaders who created the courses - and all instructors in the program — are registered play therapists or registered play therapist supervisors. Whether you're in psychology, counseling, social work, speech therapy, or a related discipline, this Play Therapy certificate can help you deepen your therapeutic connection with the kids you serve.

Child and Adolescent Development - Master of Science
The Child and Adolescent Development curriculum is designed to provide you with the knowledge, theory, and best practices needed to promote and support the development of children and adolescents. Courses cover such topics as prenatal, child, and adolescent development; familial, societal, and cultural influences; psychological and educational measurement theory; and research methodology. People likely to be interested in this specialization include professionals working in social services, health care, government, and education who wish to pursue leadership positions in organizations that serve children and adolescents.

• Addiction Counseling - MS
• Counseling Psychology - MS
• Studies in Human Behavior - MS

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

What is Behavior Analysis?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a profession that focuses on improving the human condition. ABA is a well-developed discipline among the helping professions, with a strong research foundation, established standards for practice, distinct methods of service, and recognized experience and educational requirements for practice. ABA entails the comprehensive use of principles of learning theory and operant psychology to enhance the abilities of children and adults in human services and other areas, including education, human factors, business, medicine, and rehabilitation.

The application of applied behavior analysis is very broad, ranging from assisting individuals in overcoming drug addiction to studying criminal behavior to improving workplace organizations. Behavior analysis has been applied to programs related to diet, exercise, juvenile delinquency, toilet training, education, organizational structures, and more. Over the past 60 years, applied behavior analysis has become recognized as the treatment of choice for behavior problems associated with mental retardation, autism spectrum disorders, brain injury, and other disorders. Many people also recognize that applied behavior analysis is capable of producing remarkable results in classroom learning.

What do Applied Behavior Analysts do?

Behavior analysts function as individual clinicians or are employed in organizations in numerous fields. These include education, behavioral medicine, mental health, disability, and children's services, business, and institutions of higher learning. Behavior analysts often supervise associates or other personnel in the implementation of intervention services, or consult to other personnel. Behavior analysts possess a wide range of knowledge about human behavior, and demonstrate competence in helping people meet personal goals. Typically, behavior analysts define intervention so that the changes to be achieved are measurable; analyze personal, social, and environmental conditions to better understand the variables that are influencing behavior; recommend and develop the goals of behavior change; implement agreed-upon solutions; and monitor progress. National certification in applied behavior analysis exists to standardize qualifications of anyone practicing as a behavior analyst.

Preparing for a Career in Behavior Analysis

Applied Behavior Analysis professionals will have bachelor's or master's degrees in applied behavior analysis or related fields such as health services, human services, education, occupational therapy, psychology, etc. In addition to licensing and other required credentials for their specific field, professionals can enhance their credibility and job opportunities by earning a certification by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB). The BACB's certifications include Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA).
>> FAQs about ABA and Certification

Applied Behavior Analysis Salary

Salary for Applied Behavior Analysis professionals can vary greatly because there is such a wide range of occupations that integrate ABA.

To be eligible for the BCBA or BCaBA certifications, candidates must have earned a bachelor's (for a BCaBA) or master's degree (for BCBA) in ABA or a related field, completed a BACB approved sequence of coursework, performed a required number of hours of supervised fieldwork, and pass the certification exam.

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