Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Program

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.

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.

Are Behavior Analysts Certified?
The Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB) has outlined 2 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 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. Both the BCBA and the BCABA 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.

How Can I Become Certified?
The Mailman Segal Institute offers a program in applied behavior analysis in collaboration with the Counseling Studies Institute at NSU. Students can enroll in the program for a master’s in counseling with a specialty in ABA or can take the certification courses alone as a certificate program. Students can take 9 credits to complete the academic course work for the BCABA certification or they can complete the 15 credit course series to meet the academic requirements for the BCBA certification. In addition to completing the academic requirements, students will need to complete specified hours of supervised experience. Supervision may be available through their current work site or is offered as elective practica within the ABA program. Finally, students will need to take and pass the certification examination given by the BACB.

Are the Courses Offered Approved by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board?
The Behavior Analyst Certification Board® has approved these course sequences as meeting the eligibility requirements for either the Board Certified Associate 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.

Click here for BCBA content verification form.
Click here for BCABA content verification form.

Format of the Program
The academic coursework is provided in an online format to provide access to students across the country. On-site or compressed video formats may be provided based on interest. Practicum courses are provided as an elective to help students meet their supervision requirements for certification and will require face-to-face supervision in person or by compressed video.

• Distance-learning, Web-based format including email, online forums, live chats, bulletin boards, and provision of lectures via audio over the internet.
• Full access to NSU’s Electronic Library resources
• Option to complete the clinical components on-site or independently through the student’s place of employment
• Faculty support and advisement
• Technical support, including help-desk and NSU email account

Program Curriculum:

Students wishing to receive a master’s in counseling with a specialty in applied behavior analysis will complete the core counseling curriculum (33 credit hours) and the courses listed below for the concentrations. Students can complete the master’s program in 2-3 years depending on the specialty. Students wishing to meet the academic requirements for the concentration program for the BCBA or BCABA will complete only the courses listed below. The concentration program can be completed in 1-2 years depending upon the supervision/practicum options chosen.

Specialty in ABA/ BCABA Certificate Program:

• Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
• Application of Applied Behavior Analysis
• Models of Behavioral Assessment and Intervention
• Practicum in ABA I (elective)
• Practicum in ABA II (elective)
• Advanced Practicum in ABA I (elective)
• Advanced Practicum in ABA II (elective)

Specialty in Advanced ABA / BCBA Program Curriculum:

• Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
• Application of Applied Behavior Analysis
• Evaluation of Interventions
• Issues in Clinical Applications of ABA
• Models of Behavioral Assessment and Intervention
• Practicum in ABA I (elective)
• Practicum in ABA II (elective)
• Advanced Practicum in ABA I (elective)
• Advanced Practicum in ABA II (elective)
• Advanced Practicum in ABA III (elective)

Computer Requirements:

• Pentium (or Celeron) 266mhz
• 64MB
• 56K Modem or Broadband Connection (cable, DSL)
• CD ROM
• Sound card and Speakers
• Microphone
• Internet Explorer 5.0 or Netscape Navigator 4.5 or higher*
• Windows 95, 98, 2000, NT, Me, XP (or Mac equivalent)
• Office 97, 2000, XP including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Current Version of Virus Protection Software (Dr. Solomon, McAfee, Norton AntiVirus, etc.)
• Nova e-mail account (provided upon admission)
• Internet Service Provider

Admission Requirements:

• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• An undergraduate or masters degree in psychology, education, behavioral science, social work, or related field with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate coursework, or a master’s degree with an overall GPA of 3.0 or better or a total score of 950 or higher on the combined verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) taken within the past five years, or other similar measures. Students wishing to pursue the BCBA certification through the certificate program must have a master’s in a field of study related to ABA
• A two page typed statement of interest articulating career plans, capabilities, special achievements, etc.
• Two professional letters of recommendation.
• Applicants who do not meet the academic and GRE criteria indicated above may be considered on the basis of relevant, professional, or exceptional experience or accomplishment.

Students will be admitted to graduate study and accepted for degree candidacy for the master’s in counseling after successful completion of the core with a GPA of 3.0 or better.

More information about the master’s in counseling and other specialities can be found at http://cps.nova.edu/CSI/index.htm. More information about the certification process can be found at http://www.bacb.com.