Adult Education

Applied Behavior Analysis Programs FAQs

General
  1. What is a Behavior Analyst?
    An Applied Behavior Analyst is someone who has in-depth knowledge of the field and methods of the study of the science of behavior. Behavior analysis services help people learn new behaviors, increase or reduce existing behaviors, and teach individuals when to use specific behaviors in specific instances. The scope of these services ranges from addressing challenging behaviors of an individual person to changing the behavior of an entire organization or community.
  2. Where Do Behavior Analysts Work?
    Behavior analysts provide services to individuals, families, group homes, schools, mental health agencies, hospitals, industrial and business settings, and other agencies working with individuals who require intensive behavioral training and / or consultation. Training and consultation are performed in the areas of educational and adaptive living strategies, challenging behaviors, and staff management.
  3. Are Behavior Analysts Certified?
    The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) has outlined 3 levels of certification. The Board Certified Behavior Analyst has a master’s degree or higher and can work as an independent practitioner but may also work as an employee or independent contractor for an organization. They assess behavior, evaluate the results, and develop and implement strategies for making behavior changes across a wide variety of settings. They have completed at least 15 credit hours of graduate level courses and have had extensive supervision in the application of ABA services. The Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) typically has a bachelor’s or a master’s degree and works under the supervision of a BCBA. The BCaBA is able to provide services in assessing and modifying behaviors across a more limited scope of settings.

    The BCaBA has completed 9 credit hours in applied behavior analysis and has less supervised experience than the BCBA. The Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D) is a relatively new designation that currently requires that the applicant have a doctoral degree in ABA, psychology, education, social work or a related field and qualified for their BCBA using their doctoral coursework. The BCBA, the BCaBA, and the BCBA-D all must pass the certification exam developed and administered by the BACB. For more specific and in-depth information about the certification process and specific skills of certified individuals, please see www.bacb.com.
  4. Do I have to take the bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral program to take the courses to meet the certification requirements for the BCBA or BCABA?
    No. Students are able to take the ABA concentrations alone without completing the degree programs in which they are housed. Note that a bachelor’s degree in psychology, education, counseling or a related field is required for the BCaBA certification and a master’s degree in one of these fields is required for the BCBA certification.
  5. If I complete the certificate courses, will I be a certified behavior analyst?
    No. Completing the certificate program in ABA or Advanced ABA does NOT indicate certification in ABA. Certification can only be obtained by completing the necessary coursework and supervised experience as well as passing the certification exam. These certificate programs are designed to meet the academic coursework for the certification process, but are only 1 step in the process of becoming certified. For more information about behavior analysis certification, please refer to www.bacb.com. 
  6. Are the courses offered approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board?
    The courses may be taken for credit by non-degree seekers.  They may be used for teacher re-certification.
  7. Do the courses meet the requirements for licensing of behavior analysts in my state?
    A number of states have begun to pass licensing laws governing the credentialing and practice of behavior analysts within their states. At this time, the majority of the programs rely on the requirements for the national certification as outlined by the BACB. However, future licensing laws may have more extensive requirements. The courses in our programs are not designed to meet the requirements for any specific licenses in behavior analysis, but do meet the requirements for the national certification. Students are advised to investigate the rules and regulations in their state governing their practice.
  8. Are all the courses online?
    Yes. At this time, all courses are offered online with regular interaction with instructors. Online technology allows us to lecture and lead discussions online just as we would in a classroom. These online sessions are typically scheduled in the evenings and last approximately 90 minutes. There is additional information to review on the class site prior to these meetings as well as assignments due at specific deadlines. Please see the computer requirements for more information about the technology that is required. Help is provided through the NSU help desk 24/7. In the master’s program, practicum courses are provided as electives to help students meet their supervision requirements for certification and will require face-to-face supervision by a BCBA.
  9. How do you assure that students meet the contact hours specified in the syllabus for the BACB?
    Course participation online can be tracked by the instructor allowing the instructor to track not only the amount of time spent on the course site but also the amount of time spent on specific areas of the course site (e.g., the amount of time spent on a specific lecture). In addition, weekly chats contribute to the course participation segment of the grades in all the courses and allow student-instructor interaction through the presentation of lectures and questions and answer via voice and written chat. Finally, course assignments are designed to assure mastery of the materials outlined by the learning objectives and tasks from the BACB task list. Without mastery of the material from the course, students will be unable to pass the exams, quizzes, or demonstrate the proficiency required in the written assignments.
  10. How do online courses work?
    Upon registration, you will be given access to a course site in Blackboard. This site will contain your reading assignments, lecture materials and resources for each week. Each week you will also be required to participate in an online Elive or Live Classroom session with the class. At the beginning of class, your instructor will email you with directions on how to access Elive or Live Classroom. This technology allows the class to meet, talk to each other and the instructor, and participate in lectures and discussions. Online sessions typically occur in the evening to accommodate working professionals. Instructors will work with students to try to establish a meeting time that can accommodate everyone. For more information about the computer requirements and online environment, the reader is referred to information about the individual programs.
  11. Are there set semesters or are there specific times of the year I can start?
    Yes there are set semesters for each program. Refer to FAQs about each program for specifics.
  12. Do you limit the number of students who can enroll in the program?
    We do not limit the number of qualified students who can enroll in any of the programs. Class size, however, is limited.
  13. Can I transfer previously taken ABA courses and receive the concentration in ABA or Advanced ABA?
    No. Although you may be able to use previous coursework to meet the requirements for certification set by the BACB, NSU cannot assure that the coursework completed elsewhere will meet the requirements of the BACB for certification or that it will not overlap with the contact hour distribution offered in the courses taken at NSU. Course verification forms submitted to the BACB indicating the distribution of contact hours by subject area are available upon request, however, to assist students who have taken previous coursework in assessing the availability of courses in our program that will fulfill the BACB requirements for certification.
B.S. in Education with a Concentration in Child Development
  1. What courses make up this concentration?
    • UABA 3010: Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
    • UABA 3020: Assessment in Applied Behavior Analysis
    • UABA 3030: Interventions in Applied Behavior Analysis
    • UABA 3040: Positive Behavioral Support with Children with Challenging Behaviors
  2. Why are there 4 courses when only 9 credits are required for the certification?
    Because the semesters are only 8 weeks long, and because a concentration in the B.S. program is 4 courses, we felt it was prudent to develop the program with additional content, outside the requirements of the certification. We feel that creates a better learning environment for the students and prepares them to use their behavior analytic skills in the classroom more effectively.
  3. Do I have to take the bachelor’s program to take the courses to meet the certification requirements for the BCaBA?

    No. Students are able to take the ABA concentrations alone without completing the degree programs in which they are housed. Note that a bachelor’s degree in psychology, education, counseling or a related field is required for the BCaBA certification.
  4. If I complete the certificate courses, will I be a certified behavior analyst?
    No. Completing the certificate program in ABA or Advanced ABA does NOT indicate certification in ABA. Certification can only be obtained by completing the necessary coursework and supervised experience as well as passing the certification exam. These course series are designed to meet the academic coursework for the certification process, but are only 1 step in the process of becoming certified. For more information about behavior analysis certification, please refer to www.bacb.com.
  5. Are the Courses Offered Approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board?
    The Behavior Analyst Certification Board® has approved the bachelor’s course sequence as meeting the eligibility requirements for the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (9 credit series).
  6. Is practicum or supervised experience offered in this program?
    No, you will need to pursue the supervised independent fieldwork option outlined at www.bacb.com in order to complete the supervised experience portion of the requirements for certification.
  7. How often are the courses offered?
    Semesters in the B.S. program are 8 weeks long, dividing the fall and winter semesters into 2 8-week semesters. The summer session generally includes 1 8-week course. Courses are offered so that students can complete the program in 4 8-week semesters over the course of an academic year.
  8. What is the cost of tuition?
    More information about tuition and fees is available at www.fcas.nova.edu/programs/undergraduate/
  9. What type of financial aid is available to students?
    For information about financial aid and qualifications, please contact the office of Student Financial Assistance (800) 541-6682, ext. 3380 or visit the web site at http://www.nova.edu/financialaid/.
  10. What are the Admissions Requirements?
    Admissions requirements and application processes for the Bachelor’s program can be found at http://fischlerschool.nova.edu/programs/bs/degreeonly/childdevelopment.htm
Masters of Science in Counseling with a Concentration Applied Behavior Analysis or Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis
  1. What courses make up these concentrations?
    The first concentration, Applied Behavior Analysis, consists of 9 hours of academic coursework (3 courses) and meets the academic requirements for the certification as a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst. The second concentration, Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis, comprised of 15 hours of academic coursework (5 courses) meets the academic requirements for certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board® has approved these course sequences as meeting the eligibility requirements for either the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (9 credit series) or the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (15 credit series). This approval is based on the new standards implemented in Fall 2005. Completion of this certificate or concentration program does not result in certification in ABA. Further supervision and passing the exam are required to be certified. Course verification forms indicating the distribution of required hours from the BACB’s task list are available upon request. Additional hours practicing with supervision are required for both certifications. These hours can be pursued as part of the graduate program as elective practicum or can be gained independently. The required coursework and elective practicums required are listed below.
    Concentration/Certificate in ABA/ BCABA Certificate Program
    • ABA 710 Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
    • ABA 720 Applications of Applied Behavior Analysis
    • ABA 740 Evaluating Interventions in Applied Behavior Analysis
    • ABA 760 Practicum in ABA I (elective)
    • ABA 770 Practicum in ABA II (elective)
    Concentration/Certificate in Advanced ABA / BCBA Program Curriculum
    • ABA 710 Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
    • ABA 720 Applications of Applied Behavior Analysis
    • ABA 740 Evaluation of Interventions in Applied Behavior Analysis
    • ABA 750 Professional Issues in ABA
    • ABA 730 Models of Behavioral Assessment and Intervention
    • ABA 760 Practicum in ABA I (elective)
    • ABA 770 Practicum in ABA II (elective)
    • ABA 780 Advanced Practicum in ABA I (elective)
  2. Do I have to take the master’s program to take the courses to meet the certification requirements for the BCBA or BCABA?
    No. Students are able to take the ABA concentrations alone without completing the degree programs in which they are housed. Note that a bachelor’s degree in psychology, education, counseling or a related field is required for the BCaBA certification and a master’s degree in one of these fields is required for the BCBA certification. A bachelor’s degree is required for admission to the program.
  3. If I complete the certificate courses, will I be a certified behavior analyst?

    4. No. Completing the course series in ABA or Advanced ABA does NOT indicate certification in ABA. Certification can only be obtained by completing the necessary coursework and supervised experience as well as passing the certification exam. These certificate programs are designed to meet the academic coursework for the certification process, but are only 1 step in the process of becoming certified. For more information about behavior analysis certification, please refer to www.bacb.com.
  4. Are the Courses Offered Approved by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board?
    The Behavior Analyst Certification Board® has approved the bachelor’s and master’s course sequences as meeting the eligibility requirements for either the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (9 credit series) or the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (15 credit series). The doctoral minor will be submitted for approval before beginning in the Winter 2010 semester. Completion of this concentration program does not result in certification in ABA.

    The practicum courses have also been approved by the BACB but will require approval of distance sites before approval can be assured. Practicum are offered as electives and more answers about practicum can be found below. Students will need to complete the supervised experience and to pass the exam to be eligible for certification.
  5. Are all the courses online?
    Yes. At this time, all courses are offered online with weekly interaction with instructors. Online technology allows us to lecture and lead discussions online just as we would in a classroom. These online sessions are typically scheduled in the evenings and last approximately 90 minutes. There is additional information to review on the class site prior to these meetings as well as assignments due at specific deadlines. Please see the computer requirements for more information about the technology that is required. Help is provided through the NSU help desk 24/7. Practicum courses are provided as electives to help students meet their supervision requirements for certification and will require face-to-face supervision by a BCBA.
  6. Are there set semesters or are there specific times of the year I can start?
    Students may take 1 or 2 courses as electives in other doctoral programs (e.g., Speech and Language).  However, students wishing to receive a minor in autism will need to complete 5 doctoral autism courses.  Students who are interested in taking 1 class in autism are encouraged to take the EDD 8802: Seminar in the Nature of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders course as an entry level course.

    Yes there are set semesters. For the master’s program, there are 3 15-week semesters per year and students can start the ABA series in any of the 3 semesters—the entry course is offered each semester. Other courses are alternated each semester so that students can complete the 3 course series in 2 semesters and the 5 course series in 3 taking 2 courses in a semester.
  7. Do you limit the number of students who can enroll in the program?
    We do not limit the number of qualified students who can enroll in the master’s of science program. Class size, however, is limited.
  8. How many classes can I transfer towards the master’s or doctoral degree?
    Students may transfer a maximum of six equivalent graduate level credits taken in the past five years in which grades of A or B were received.
  9. Can I transfer previously taken ABA courses and receive the concentration in ABA or Advanced ABA?
    No. Although you may be able to use previous coursework to meet the requirements for certification set by the BACB, NSU cannot assure that the coursework completed elsewhere will meet the requirements of the BACB for certification or that it will not overlap with the contact hour distribution offered in the courses taken at NSU. Course verification forms submitted to the BACB indicating the distribution of contact hours by subject area are available upon request, however, to assist students who have taken previous coursework in assessing the availability of courses in our program that will fulfill the BACB requirements for certification.
  10. What is the cost of tuition?
    More information about tuition and fees is available at http://cps.nova.edu/admissions/tuition.html
  11. What type of financial aid is available to students?
    For information about financial aid options, please contact the office of Student Financial Assistance (800) 541-6682, ext. 3380 or visit the web site at http://www.nova.edu/financialaid/.
  12. What are the Admissions Requirements?
    Admissions requirements for the master’s program can be found at http://cps.nova.edu/admissions/requirements.html#csi
  13. Do I have to come to campus for the interview?
    No, if an interview is required, it will be scheduled after review of your application and can take place on the phone. If students are in the area of the main campus, they may interview in person if they wish.
  14. Can students take the master’s courses as a nonmatriculated student for CEUs or to complete course requirements begun at another university?
    Yes. You must still meet the admissions requirements above and apply for admission to the program. Please indicate the courses you wish to take in your statement of interest.
  15. If I take an ABA concentration in the master’s program will I be able to be licensed as a counselor?
    If you take an ABA concentration, you will be eligible (with supervised experience or practicum) to take the exam for certification as a behavior analyst. Licensing for counselors will be determined by your state. You will not be able to be licensed as a Mental Health Counselor in the state of Florida without taking the Mental Health Counseling concentration as well.

PRACTICUM / SUPERVISED EXPERIENCE QUESTIONS
Applied ONLY to the MS Counseling Program

  1. What are the requirements for supervised experience to qualify for certification?
    The BCBA requires completion of supervised fieldwork (1500 hours), practicum (1000 hours) or intensive practicum (750 hours) using the principles of applied behavior analysis with supervision from a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). The BCaBA requires completion of supervised fieldwork (1000 hours), practicum (670 hours) or intensive practicum (500 hours) using the principles of applied behavior analysis with supervision from a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). The practicum and intensive practicum options can only be met through university coursework approved by the BACB. Supervised Fieldwork can be completed anywhere involving the practice of ABA. The number of hours of supervision is the primary differing factor between the options. For more details about the options for supervised experience, please review the guidelines in the application section of www.bacb.com.
  2. Do I need to complete all 3 of the BACB options for supervised experience?
    No, you only need to complete 1 of the options.
  3. Do the practicum in the master’s program meet the requirements for the BACB for supervision?
    Yes, NSU’s practicum in ABA have been approved by the BACB as meeting the requirements of a university-approved practicum. However, distance sites will need additional approval (see below for more information about this process). Please note that the Intensive Practicum is not available through NSU.
  4. If I am a local student (in the master’s program), are there practicum sites available to me?
    Yes, if you live in the South Florida area there are several sites approved by the BACB in the area of main campus. You will need to complete a practicum application and the practicum supervisor will provide you with information about these sites after you have been accepted.
  5. If I am a distance student in the master’s program, how does the practicum work?
    If you are a distance student, you will be responsible for identifying appropriate site options in your area. Practicum supervisors may be able to assist with this process dependent upon their knowledge of your region. During the semester you take your first ABA course, you will complete a practicum application. After approval to start practicum, you will be required to provide the program with a list of choices for a practicum site in your area. You will not make contact directly with the site. The practicum supervisor will then make contact with the site by phone and possibly visit the site; he or she will then work with the site to become a practicum site and submit their information to the BACB for approval as needed. The practicum supervisor will then notify you of possible sites and you may be asked by the site to interview with them before being accepted. NSU cannot guarantee that appropriate practicum sites will be available in your area.
  6. Can I take practicum simultaneously with my coursework?
    You must complete ABA 710 as a prerequisite to beginning practicum. Then you can choose to take your practicum courses simultaneously with your academic courses or you can choose to complete your academic requirements and then take the practicum.
  7. Do I have to take practicum?
    No, the master’s practicum are designed to be electives. If you do not take them, you do not need to take other courses in their place—even if you are completing the master’s program. You can get your supervised hours through supervised fieldwork privately, outside the university.
  8. How many hours do I have to commit to practicum?
    Practicums require a commitment of at least 20 hours per week the first semester and 25 hours per week the second semester.
  9. Can I do my practicum at my job or get paid for practicum?
    No, you cannot complete practicum as part of paid employment. If you choose to do a practicum at your site of employment it must involve duties outside your job and be approved by NSU staff. If you work at a site practicing ABA as part of your job, you would be advised to complete the supervised fieldwork option for the BACB outside the university. If you choose this option, you will be responsible for finding your own supervisor and assuring that your supervision meets the requirements of the BACB.
  10. If I choose to complete supervised fieldwork, how does that work?
    If you choose to complete supervised fieldwork through private supervision, you will not be completing practicum through the university. You will need to arrange for a BCBA supervisor to provide your supervision in accordance with the requirements set forth by the BACB. You may use the certificant registry found at www.bacb.com to assist in locating a supervisor. Internet searches may be helpful in locating a supervisor as well. University staff will not be able to assist you with your supervised fieldwork or locating a supervisor. You will not enroll in the practicum courses and you will not be required to take other courses to complete those hours.
  11. Where can I find more information?
    More information about the master’s in counseling and other specialties can be found at http://cps.nova.edu/programs/csi/ More information about the certification process can be found at www.bacb.com.
Minor in Applied Behavior Analysis in the Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) Program
  1. What courses make up this concentration?
    • EDD 9650: Behavioral Principles and Concepts (3 credits)
    • EDD 9655: Functional Behavior Assessment (3 credits)
    • ARC 8919 Single Subject Research (3 credits) --This course must be taken with an instructor who is a BCBA
    • EDD 9660: Applications of ABA in Education and Human Services (3 credits)
    • EDD 9665: Leadership and Ethical Issues in Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credits)
  2. Do I have to take the doctoral program to take the courses to meet the certification requirements for the BCABA?
    Students wishing to pursue the ABA courses alone can apply to the doctoral program for the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS). The application process and admissions requirements are the same for entry to the CAGS as for the Ed.D. program. Students would then complete 18 to 24 credits in the minor or concentration of their choice rather than taking the full doctoral program. Students should indicate their interest in taking the CAGS only in the admission process.
  3. If I complete the courses in the minor or CAGS, will I be a certified behavior analyst?
    No. Completing the minor or CAGS program in ABA does NOT indicate certification in ABA. Certification can only be obtained by completing the necessary coursework and supervised experience as well as passing the certification exam. These certificate programs are designed to meet the academic coursework for the certification process, but are only 1 step in the process of becoming certified. For more information about behavior analysis certification, please refer to www.bacb.com.
  4. Are the courses offered approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board?
    The Behavior Analyst Certification Board® has approved the doctoral minor as meeting the eligibility requirements for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst.
  5. Is practicum or supervised experience offered in this program?
    No, you will need to pursue the supervised independent fieldwork option outlined at www.bacb.com in order to complete the supervised experience portion of the requirements for certification.
  6. How often are the courses offered?
    The courses are offered in 15-week semesters and at least 1 course is offered per semester. Students should take EDD 9650 first as it is a prerequisite for the other classes. It is offered in the fall semester every year.
  7. What is the cost of tuition?
    More information about tuition and fees is available at http://www.schoolofed.nova.edu/doctoral/program.htm
  8. What type of financial aid is available to students?
    There are a number of student loans available for students. Financial aid is available in the form of guaranteed low interest loans through the federal government. For additional information, please contact the office of Student Financial Assistance (800) 541-6682, ext. 3380 or visit the web site at http://www.nova.edu/financialaid/.
  9. What are the Admissions Requirements?
    Admissions requirements and application processes for the doctoral program can be found at http://www.schoolofed.nova.edu/doctoral/admissions.htm