About Arcadia’s M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
The M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a 36 credit program which will provide students with specialized knowledge of the application of behavioral principles. The program is designed to develop and enhance the comprehension and use of effective evidence-based practices to support professionals who require expertise in the understanding and modification of behavior.
What is Behavior Analysis?
Behavior analysis is a specific approach to the understanding of human behavior. An applied behavior analyst is someone who has in-depth knowledge of the field and methods of the study of the science of behavior and technology of behavior derived from this science.
Behavior analysts use environmental change procedures to improve the lives of people.
Behavior analysis services help people to learn new behaviors and to increase or reduce existing behaviors. The scope of these services ranges from addressing challenging behaviors of an individual person to changing the behavior of an entire organization or community.
Behavior analysis has many applications, such as developing training procedures that build verbal skills in children with autism, helping teachers to work with students in inclusive settings, and preventing delinquency.
What Core Skills Will I Acquire in Behavior Analysis?
In this program, students develop solid skills in the basic principles of behavior analysis and the skills to transfer basic principles into comprehensive functional behavioral assessments, behavioral interventions, and program evaluation. This program offers training in a breath of assessment and intervention techniques with a positive behavioral support and behavioral treatment focus. Additionally, Arcadia’s program stresses the consultative skills that graduates will need to work effectively with educators and parents.
Why Study at Arcadia?
All of Arcadia’s instructors have extensive experience working as certified behavior analysts in the field as well as teaching at the university level. Arcadia’s program is designed to develop professional expertise in behavior analysis and the consultative skills necessary to affect real change in schools, homes, and community settings. All instructors are Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA).
Are Courses Taught Online?
The M.Ed. and the Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis are fully online programs.
Are Courses Approved by the BACB?
The Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. has approved the six-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. The BACB requires that a master’s degree in a related field be obtained prior to applying for board certification.
Students who will take the Board Certification exam in 2015 or later, must complete the six-course sequence to qualify.
Credit toward a graduate degree in Education: The 18 credits earned in this certificate program may be applied to a M.Ed. in Special Education or a M.Ed. in ABA These courses can also be used as concentration courses in the masters of Counseling degree program with departmental approval and advising.
Transfer Credit: Students will be allowed to transfer six credits for the foundation courses and they can take elective courses instead. Transfer credits are not permitted in the Certificate program.
Why Study Behavior Analysis?
Applied behavior analysis provides the most evidenced-based intervention within all of psychology and education. Behavior analytic procedures have been coded into educational law. For example, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act calls for a functional behavioral assessment (FBA) to be conducted prior to suspension of students with disabilities. ABA has helped to support youth and adults with autism, conduct disorders, oppositional defiant disorders, and depression, as well as couples needing therapy. It has served as the basis for educational procedures such as direct instruction and assessment procedures such as curriculum-based measurement. It is essential for professionals functioning within a Response to Intervention Model.
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