There’s a growing need for qualified professionals in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). ABA therapy is a leading treatment option for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which affects 1 in 68 children. For those interested in pursuing a career as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) or a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), below are some of the best undergraduate and graduate or autism-related programs in the United States (in no particular order). Trinity Christian College’s Behavior Intervention Specialist Master’s program includes a BACB pre-approved Verified Course Sequence that prepares students for the BCBA exam. In fact, it’s the only master’s program in Illinois that offers this BACB-approved course sequence as well as the Behavior Intervention Specialist endorsement. Wayne State University solidified a place on the list with its BCBA and BCaBA (Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst) training programs.
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The school offers course sequences with seminar and practicum experience to train students in ABA with a focus on treating autism. The graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis, offered by Mercyhurst’s Special Education and Applied Disability Studies graduate program, helps students develop the skills needed to be successful in the world of ABA. The program provides students with opportunities for graduate assistantships through service contracts with organizations like the Erie School District Autism Program.
Fresno State University’s M.A. In Psychology gives students the opportunity for an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis. The program trains students to provide high-quality therapeutic intervention with ABA for both kid and adults on the autism spectrum.
Further, students learn about behavioral management consultancy in business. The University of North Alabama offers a BACB-approved 12-credit Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis. The university also offers support to help students in the program find potential locations to earn the required supervision hours to be eligible to sit for the BCaBA exam. Central Michigan University’s College of Humanities and Social and Behavior Sciences offers an 18-credit BACB-approved course sequence for students pursuing a career as either a BCaBA or a BCBA.
The school also requires 2 of the following 3 categories for practical experience: 1500 hours of Supervised Independent Fieldwork, 1000 hours of Practicum, or 750 hours of Intensive Practicum. The Psychology Department at Rowan University has its very own Center for Behavior Analysis, Research & Services. Students are able to choose from a variety of coursework options: the Concentration Program in ABA for Psychology Majors, the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Applied Behavior Analysis, Master of Art in ABA, or the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in ABA. McNeese State University offers a graduate training program – approved by the BACB and accredited by the ABAI – in Applied Behavior Analysis. The Department of Psychology also has the McNeese Autism Program, which provides early intervention services for children with autism. The Autism Program’s team of BCBAs also conduct social skills groups, language training, feeding interventions, and family training.
Williams College’s undergraduate psychology program comprehensively covers Developmental Psychology, which is a major part of ABA. The college specifies that its psychology degree will prepare students with the skills need for many mental health professions, including a behavior analyst. Bay Path University has 3 program options for students interested in practicing ABA: a 39-credit MS in Applied Behavior Analysis, a 45-credit MS in ABA/Autism Spectrum Disorders, or a 39-credit EdS in ABA/Applied Research Focus. Bay Path faculty members oversee 1,500 hours of supervised fieldwork for students, and the course sequence is verified by the BACB. Texas State University offers a top-notch Master’s of Special Education with a Concentration in Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) approved the concentration as meeting the eligibility requirements for taking the BCBA exam.
The university landed a high BCBA exam pass rate in 2016 at 83 percent. The University of West Florida offers quality online ABA course sequences for undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students. The program allows for a more flexible schedule, with start dates in January, March, May, August and October. The course keeps students engaged with weekly virtual class meetings with instructors and peers.
Baylor University’s ABA program offers hands-on learning experience in its own Clinic for Assessment, Research, and Education (CARE) – part of the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities. With excellent funding opportunities that award students with free tuition, Baylor is an ideal choice for a 15-month ABA Master’s program. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Kaplan University offers a postgraduate certificate in ABA that meets the BACB requirements to sit for the BCBA exam. Both on-campus and online students are eligible for the program. The University of Nevada-Reno provides options for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students to receive specializations in ABA. Their programs are accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), and in 2016, 100 percent of University of Nevada-Reno students passed the BCBA exam on their first attempt.
Accredited by the ABAI, Saint Cloud State University’s MS program in ABA is the only accredited online ABA program in the world. The university also offers an on-campus cohort. The university boasts a 96 percent first-time BCBA exam pass rate. The Florida State University (FSU) Applied Behavior Analysis program is accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International, making it one of just 24 universities with this distinction.
FSU boasts a high of 88 percent. There are a number of ABA program options for both undergraduate and graduate students at Nova Southeastern University. Undergrads pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in education or psychology can complete ABA minor programs. Graduate students pursuing a Master’s degree in Counseling have the option to specialize in ABA or Advanced ABA. Winthrop University’s College of Education has a well-rounded program with special education classes specializing in ABA and how to effectively deliver one-on-one instruction to children on the autism spectrum. In fact, Winthrop University’s Education professors have published books on how to bring ABA into inclusive classrooms and working with students with behavior problems and learning disabilities. With an 82 percent first-time BCBA exam pass rate, the University of Texas Austin offers M.Ed and M.A.
Programs with concentrations in Autism and Developmental Disabilities. The program is approved by the BACB and many students who complete the program go on to become BCBAs or BCBA-Ds. Not too far from UT Austin, the University of San Antonio also has educational opportunities for those hoping to become RBTs or BCBAs. In addition to strong undergraduate and graduate programs for students interested in working with special needs children, the University of Texas San Antonio also has the option of a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis.
Remarkably, the University of Nebraska has locked down a 100 percent BCBA exam pass rate for two years in a row. The Department of Psychology’s MA program typically takes about two years to complete and equips students with the necessary skills to become a BCBA. California State University Northridge surpasses the national average with a 94 percent first-time pass rate for the BCBA exam.
The rigorous program teaches students how to conduct behavioral assessments and how to implement outcome-based behavioral interventions. The University of the Pacific was the only other university on this list to secure a 100 percent BCBA exam pass rate two years in a row. The Department of Psychology places ABA track students in internship sites to learn how to design treatment plans and implement behavioral interventions.
The majority of ABA track students work 20 hours per week in one of the community settings. Austin University has a number of programs – both campus-based and online – to help undergraduate and graduate students build a solid foundation for working with children with autism, including programs that focus on special education, speech-language pathology, school psychology, and visual and hearing impairments. In 2016, 100 percent of the students from the University of Maryland Baltimore County who took the BCBA exam passed on their first attempt. The UMBC Department of Psychology has an ABAI-accredited M.A. In Applied Behavior Analysis program which thoroughly prepares students for success as professionals in the industry. UC Santa Barbara has a great Developmental and Evolutionary Psychology program for undergraduates interested in the ABA field, as well as a Professional Certificate in ABA for those already enrolled in master’s or doctorate programs.
The University of North Texas’ Department of Behavior Analysis was the first to earn the highly-esteemed ABAI accreditation, and has since attracted talented ABA professionals from around the world. UNT students are given a wealth of research opportunities, including the Behavior Analysis Resource Center, the Easter Seals North Texas Autism Treatment Program Research Group, the Behavior Analysis Online Research Group, and more. For undergraduate students with an interest in later pursuing an MS in ABA or a career as an RBT, Whitter College’s Department of Psychological Sciences offers a solid foundation on the social, developmental, emotional, and biological bases of behavior. Texas Tech University offers a variety of undergraduate majors in its Psychological Sciences department for those interested in becoming an ABA professional. Texas Tech graduates then have the option to pursue a Master of Education in Special Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis or an online.
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With an impressive 100% BCBA exam pass rate, James Madison University easily solidified its spot on this list. The program involves a mix of coursework, research, and practicum experience for those students interested in becoming a BCBA or doctorate level behavior analyst. For undergraduate students looking for a college experience at a smaller school, St.
Edward’s University has a comprehensive psychology degree with a capstone project that completes a two-semester research/experiential course sequence. This gives students the opportunity to work with current professionals and develop the skills to become professionals themselves. Abilene Christian University, conveniently located by the West Texas Autism Center, is a prime location for undergraduates interested in getting involved with the autism community while earning their degree. ACU’s Psychology Clinic acts as a training facility for Master’s-seeking students and professionals administer tests to test for autism. Arizona State University offers an online Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Instruction (Applied Behavior Analysis) through its Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College. The graduate education program was ranked 11 th in the nation in U.S.
News & World Report’s 2018 rankings. Texas A&M’s Department of Educational Psychology offers both the coursework and the fieldwork supervision needed to be eligible to take the BCBA exam. The course allows students to hit the required 1500 hours of field experience in 4-6 semesters, which is 50-67% faster than hiring an independent supervisor, A&M reports.
For students pursuing a degree in ABA or autism-related studies, Action Behavior Centers awards a bi-annual scholarship. Details can be seen. October 17, 2017 / by Tags:,.
University of Dayton's - No GRE required. Regis College -.
Capella University -. George Mason University - Like many states, the impetus in New York for passing a law regulating the licensing of ABAs was the tremendous rise in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnoses. But unlike most other states, the focus of the New York legislation remains on ASD treatment rather than general applied behavior analysis practice.
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) handles professional regulation and licensure for behavior analysts, administering the licensing process through the Board of Regents under the umbrella of the. Though the Regents has appointed a subsidiary board of experts known as the State Board for Applied Behavior Analysis, the Board’s duties are strictly advisory when it comes to licensing. Rather than being responsible for issuing licenses, the Board serves to hear complaints and adjudicate regulatory violations. The licensing law in New York was passed on January 10, 2014 and took effect on July 1, 2014. It outlines the scope of practice for behavior analysts and created two credentials to be issued by the Office of the Professions:. Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) – Licensure for full-authority applied behavior analysts.
Certified Behavior Analyst Assistant (CBAA) – Certification for supervised assistant applied behavior analysts The legislation offers relatively few specifics and instead delegates most of the. New Behavior Analyst Licensing Requirements Effective January 2016 Initially, applicants were able to qualify for licensure in the state by holding the nationally-recognized Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) certification (or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA®) from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), a national non profit that serves as the primary credentialing and professional standards organization for behavior analysts throughout the nation. This path was offered only temporarily to help grandfather in existing practitioners in the state, but has been unavailable since January of 2016. Effective January of 2016 certification through the BACB no longer meets state licensing requirements for behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts.
All applicants must follow the same steps and meet the same requirements as described below to become licensed or certified in New York. Temporary or reciprocal licenses are not offered in New York state. Some exemptions are made for specific practices, such as for individuals employed by federal or state agencies or in school systems, but those individuals are not allowed to describe themselves as applied behavior analysts or advertise ABA services. Steps To Becoming a Licensed ABA in New York Step 1. Earn a Master’s or Higher Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis From an Approved Program New York State has very strict educational requirements for all behavior analysts. You must earn a master’s degree or higher either specifically in applied behavior analysis, or in a related field with subject matter including learning and behavior analysis. Only programs that are acceptable to NYSED are recognized as offering qualifying degrees.
The Office of Professions maintains a list of acceptable programs There are six colleges in New York registered on the approved list, although many of them offer more than one qualified program or offer the program from multiple campuses. Because so few programs have been registered, through 2019 NYSED offers an expedited path for graduates from other New York state universities that have submitted applications for inclusion on the approved list of schools or schools that have been approved for other similarly licensed professions in the state like, psychology and counseling.
It is possible for graduates from out-of-state or unregistered programs to meet the educational standards, but their program must:. Be accredited by a. Determined to be substantially equivalent to registered programs.
Meet the curricular requirements for registered programs as determined by state regulations Applicants from these programs must undergo an individual review by the department before their license application can be approved. Many students today opt for online master’s programs, which allow more flexibility and, frequently, lower costs than traditional campus-based programs. Assistant Applied Behavior Analysts Education Requirements for Certification Assistant applied behavior analysts can meet the education requirements to become a Certified Behavior Analyst Assistant (CBAA) with a bachelor’s degree or higher in behavior analysts or a closely related field that involved learning foundational topics in applied behavior analysis. The same accreditation standards apply. Complete a Period of Supervised Practice You will have to complete one year (1500 hours) of supervised practice in applied behavior analysis before you can apply for a license from the Office of Professions. All of those hours must involve working with patients with autism, ASD, or ASD-related diagnosis. Any clock hours accumulated working with other types of patients may not be counted against the experience requirement in New York.
At least 150 hours of that experience must have been attained while in your master’s degree program as part of an internship or supervised practicum. There are strict requirements for the structure and content of the experience as laid out in the. Some of the highlights of the experience requirements include:. Must be part of a planned program sequence of supervised experience. Must take place in a legally authorized setting with an approved supervisor. Must be conducted in continuous segments of not less than four months Supervision must be provided by a current LBA or another authorized health care provider who works with ASD patients. At the discretion of the Office of Professions, up to one year of experience in an internship, supervised practicum, or field experience, or as a teacher of applied behavior analysis, may also be accepted as meeting the practice requirements.
Assistant Applied Behavior Analyst Experience Requirements for Certification Assistant applied behavior analysts can meet the experience requirements to become Certified Behavior Analyst Assistants (CBAA) buy gaining 1000 hours of qualifying experience. All other requirements described above apply. Apply for a License with the New York Office of Professions Once you have met the educational and experience requirements, you may file an application with the Office of Professions. The application form is available from the website, together with forms for documenting your experience and education.
The fee for LBA applications is $300, due at time of filing. Professional licenses in New York are granted for life, unless revoked—no renewals are necessary.