- ABA Coursework
ABA Coursework at SCSU
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The Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.® has approved the following course sequence as meeting the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst Examination®. Applicants will have to meet additional requirements to qualify. ABA COURSEWORK AT SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITYThe ABA programs prepare students to meet the coursework and supervision requirements
to sit for the exam to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), an international
certification in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Professionals with certification
in ABA are highly sought after in many fields including education, special education,
and school psychology, There are two ABA program options - a Sixth Year Diploma Program
and a Certificate Program. The programs are centered on understanding the science
of behavior analysis and how it can be used to help individuals become more successful.
Both programs prepare students to take and pass the BCBA exam and to use ABA in applied
settings, such as with individuals with or without disabilities in educational or
therapeutic environments. The ABA courses will be particularly relevant for special
educators, school psychologists, and other educational professionals. However, professionals
from other fields may also benefit from an in-depth understanding of learning and
behavior. APPLIED BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS (ABA) BACKGROUNDApplied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a science of learning and behavior. The focus of ABA is on the relation between an individual's environment and his/her behavior in real-life situations. Roughly 100 years of research has identified consistent laws of learning that form the core principles of behavior analysis. By examining and understanding these principles, changes can then be made to help individuals experience more success in their daily activities, including interpersonal, educational, vocational, and other domains. A COMMON ABA MISUNDERSTANDINGSince the 1990s, ABA has become closely linked to educational and behavioral interventions
for individuals with autism. Currently, ABA is the most well-researched intervention
paradigm for helping individuals with ASDs experience greater success. This demonstrated
effectiveness is likely due to ABA's focus on careful measurement of observable variables
and thoughtfully designed individualized assessment and intervention. Unfortunately,
ABA is often misrepresented as simply discrete-trial teaching (DTT) instead of an
extensive science of learning and behavior. ABA does not focus on any particular
intervention strategy, instead ABA uses individualized assessment to inform development
of whatever strategy a given individual needs. ABA has likely lead to consistent
success for individuals with ASDs because of the flexibility gained through a scientific
understanding of learning and behavior. In other words, ABA is not DTT, it is the
means through which to gather information and develop whatever intervention an individual
needs to succeed. WHAT IS BCBA?A BCBA is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. It is a Master's level professional who has met the requirements of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) for training in applied behavior analysis. BCBAs can be found in a variety of fields and have unique classroom and real-world training that is not found in other professions. BECOMING A BCBAProfessionals must meet several requirements to become a BCBA. First, they must complete
coursework in ABA. The courses cover 10 topic areas with specific learning standards
essential for professionals to become BCBAs. Under current requirements, coursework
must include a variety of graduate level courses in ABA, including principles of learning,
observation, measurement, data-based decision making, single-subject research, behavioral
interventions, and ethics and professional responsibilities. Second, they must be
supervised using principles and practices consistent with ABA in applied settings.
This supervised experience can begin only after the individual has started the ABA
coursework (i.e., attended their first class). Third, professionals must have obtained
a master's degree in a relevant field. Finally, after professionals have met all
other requirements, they must past the BCBA exam administered by the BACB. See the
BACB.com website for additional details on requirements. 6TH YEAR PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN SPECIAL EDUCATION: SPECIALIZATION IN ABA GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN ABA IN EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS APPLICATION INFORMATIONApplicants to the ABA programs at Southern must The following must be submitted or arranged with the Special Education and Reading
Department: COMMENTS FROM ABA STUDENTS[Strengths of Southern's program include] having classroom instruction and immediate feedback regarding newly learned content . . . Southern's education program in ABA is a balanced approach to learning all aspects of applied behavior analysis that gives individuals who have completed the program an edge over those who have completed a less challenging and comprehensive plan of study. Charles, Special Education Teacher, Master's in special education
Joanna, Special Education Teacher, Master's in special education
Sara, Lead ABA Therapist, Master's in special education
Ginny, Speech and Language Pathologist, Master's degree in hearing and speech science
Tim, Student, Master's in school psychology
Kathleen, Assistant Teacher, Master's in school psychology
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