Applied Behavior Analysis - Online Education

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A NYS Licensed Behavior Analyst helps people with Autism Spectrum Disorders learn new skills and improve challenging behavior.

The Daemen College ABA Program advances the field of behavior analysis to improve lives through education, research, and promotion of ethical, evidence-based practices.

Degree Programs

ABA Master's Degree for NYS Licensure and Certification
ABA Advanced Certificate for NYS Licensure and Certification

Non-degree Programs

BCBA Eligibility Program
BCBA® to NYS-LBA Eligibility Program

Program Highlights

A Licensed Behavior Analyst designs, implements and evaluates environmental modifications using behavioral stimuli and consequences to produce socially significant improvement in human behavior.
Courses are formatted for the working professional.
Experienced faculty to provide real-life examples and opportunities to learn.
Opportunities to practice the development and evaluation of assessment and intervention, including behavior measurement, assessment, change elements, procedures, and systems.
Learn ethical and professional practice in working with families, members of the community, and other practitioners.
Includes a Practicum Course where students will obtain the required 150 hours of supervised clinical work.
Following completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to apply for licensure in New York State as a Licensed Behavior Analyst.

Tuition Costs:

NY TTI: $650 per credit.
International TTI: $1000/course.

For information please contact Graduate Admissions at admissions@daemen.edu or (716) 839-8225

"Increasingly, there is a need for well-trained behavior analysts. Having a NYS License in Behavior Analysis will give students a distinct advantage in the job market.”
- Vicki Madaus Knapp, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA

Program Information

Master's Degree Distance Ed Program

31 credit program can be completed in approximately 18 months
The Master’s Degree Program is identical to the Advanced Certificate Program, with the addition of the 3 credit Research Capstone Course (SED 722)

Advanced Certificate Distance Ed Program

This post-Master’s Degree program is 28 credits and can be completed in approximately one year
Candidates must possess a Master's degree (from an accredited college or university) in: Education; Special Education; Psychology; or Applied Behavior Analysis

BCBA® Eligibility Program

Successful completion of this program is designed to fulfill the educational requirement to sit for the board certification exam. For more information visit https://www.bacb.com/. There is no degree or certificate from Daemen College at completion of this program.

Requirements

SED700 Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
SED702 Behavior Measurement and Assessment (3)
SED704 Functional Assessment (3)
SED706 Research Methods and Experimental Design (3)
SED708 Ethics and Professional Conduct (3)
SED710 Behavior Change Procedures (3)
SED716 Maintenance of Client Records (2)

Total program requirements = 20 credits

Course Repeats

It may be necessary for a student to repeat a course to achieve a satisfactory grade. Students are encouraged to discuss the matter with their Graduate Faculty Advisor. Students must earn a minimum grade of B when repeating a course.

Requirements for Course Completion

Completion of all course work as defined on the student’s recommended plan of study
A minimum grade of B earned in all courses, thereby resulting in a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00

Additional Requirements for Certification

See www.bacb.com for more information.

Time Limitation

All requirements must be completed within a period of five years from the student’s enrollment for graduate study.

BCBA® to NYS-LBA Eligibility Program

This program is designed for prospective students who hold board certification and seek the additional educational requirements needed to apply for NYS licensure. For more information visit: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/aba/. There is no degree or certificate from Daemen College at completion of this program.

Requirements

SED712 Autism Spectrum Disorders (3)
SED714 Supervised Practicum and Seminar in Applied Behavior Analysis (2)
SED716 Maintenance of Client Records (2)
SED718 Issues of Cultural and Ethnic persity (3)

Total Program Requirements = 10 CREDITS

Course Repeats

Requirements for Completion

Completion of all course work as defined on the student’s recommended plan of study;
A minimum grade of B earned in all courses, thereby resulting in a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00;

Additional Requirements for Licensure

See http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/aba/ for more information.

Time Limitation

It is recommended that requirements be completed within a period of five years from the student’s enrollment for graduate study.

Admission Requirements

Students interested in applying to the ABA program should submit an application to the graduate admissions office through our online application

Applications are evaluated on the following:

Master's Degree Program

Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree (from an accredited college or university) in Education; Special Education; Psychology; Applied Behavior Analysis; or a related field that specifically addresses learning or behavioral changes.
Provide official transcript(s) from all accredited colleges or universities attended indicating the award of an undergraduate degree.
Provide evidence of a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.00.
Submit scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).

Advanced Certificate Program

Candidates must possess a Master’s degree (from an accredited college or university) in Education; Special Education; Psychology; or Applied Behavior Analysis.
Provide official transcript(s) from all accredited colleges or universities attended indicating the award of a graduate degree.
Provide evidence of a cumulative graduate grade point average of at least 3.00.

All Candidates

Provide a copy of a current resume, including all certifications and licenses.
Provide a written statement describing personal and educational goals and objectives.
Provide two letters of recommendation- preferably including one professional reference and one character reference.
Participate in a personal interview with the ABA Program Director, Vicki Madaus Knapp; Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA.

Suggested Course Sequence and Descriptions

SED 700- Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
SED 702- Behavioral Measurement and Assessment (3)
SED 704- Functional Assessment (3)
SED 706- Research Methods and Experimental Design (3)
SED 708- Ethics and Professional Conduct (3)
SED 710- Behavior Change Procedures (3)
SED 712- Autism Spectrum Disorders (3)
SED 714- Supervised Practicum and Seminar in Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
SED 716- Maintenance of Client Records (3)
SED 718- Issues of Cultural and Ethnic Diversity (3)
SED 722- Applied Behavior Analysis Capstone Research Project * (3)

*Master's Degree Only

ABA Program: Course Descriptions

SED 700 Applied Behavior Analysis

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a course designed to provide the student with an understanding of the Concepts and Principles that underlie the science of ABA. The historical and philosophical background of ABA will be covered and students will learn about the essential elements of ABA. An introduction to behavioral measurement will be provided in the context of some basic behavior change methods. Additionally, students will be introduced to the Laws, Rules, and Regulations regarding the practice of ABA.

SED 702 Behavioral Measurement and Assessment

Behavioral Measurement and Assessment is a course designed to provide the student with experience in careful measurement and assessment of behavior. Methods for obtaining specific types of behavioral data, graphing and analyzing data, making recommendations and terminating services will be covered. Additionally, some behavior change procedures will be introduced for students to learn, measure, and evaluate.

SED 704 Functional Assessment

Functional Assessment is a course designed to provide the student with the history and hands on experience in fundamental elements of direct observation, functional behavioral assessment, functional analysis methodology, function-based intervention, and function-based behavior change intervention procedures.

SED 706 Research Methods and Experimental Design

Research Methods and Experimental Design is a course designed to provide the student an understanding of the importance of Single Case Research Designs (SCRDs) and the ability to evaluate and implement them. Students will design evaluations of the influence of independent variables on dependent variables in representative SCRDs. Students will also conduct component and parametric analyses. Additionally, students will design ethical evaluations of the effectiveness of interventions, state and plan for the unwanted effects of independent variables, and assess and interpret the threats to internal and external validity in experimental designs, including interobserver agreement, and reliability of the independent variable.

SED 708 Ethics and Professional Conduct

Ethics and Professional Conduct is a course designed to provide the student with a background in fundamental elements of ethical and professional behavioral practice. Students will learn to apply the “Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts” to ethical and professional conflicts.

SED 710 Behavior Change Procedures

Behavior Change Procedures is a course designed to provide the student with a comprehensive experience in the fundamental elements of behavior change and specific behavior change procedures. This will also cover the design and implementation of behavioral interventions, including environmental modification and generalization. Students will learn general concepts and principles, including matching law, behavioral cusps, verbal behavior, and derived stimulus relations. Students will also learn specific techniques that include shaping, chaining, punishment, extinction, and generalization.

SED 712 Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a course designed to provide the student with an overview of the history and current considerations related to the diagnosis of autism across the lifespan. The biological bases and behavioral phenotype of autism will be taught within the framework of child development and transition to adulthood to geriatric. Students will learn to plan and evaluate treatments for people with ASD and will write and communicate to the audience of the consumer. The New York State regulations on ABA will be reviewed and the students will take and pass a state mandated course on Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse.

SED 714 Supervised Practicum and Seminar in Applied Behavior Analysis

This course is the introduction to a Supervised Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis, and consists of a 150 clock hour supervised placement (10 hours per week at site), along with a weekly class Seminar. (Students are not permitted to work less than 10 hours for their practicum hours).

SED 716 Maintenance of Client Records

Maintenance of Client Records is a course designed to provide the student with an ability to identify and apply federal, state, and professional standards for maintenance of client records, including specific state agency standards while in practice, in the office, and while working remotely. Students will also learn about best practice for maintenance of client records while file-sharing, using telepractice, professional social media and advertising, and conducting research with consented participants. Students will also identify and apply best practice for maintenance of client records while saving, archiving, and destroying records.

SED 718 Issues of Cultural and Ethnic Diversity

Issues in Cultural and Ethnic Diversity in ABA is a course designed to provide the student with an overview of the history and current considerations related to providing ABA services to individuals with autism who are members of diverse populations. Aspects of cultural and ethnic diversity will be covered and the students will apply behavioral assessments and interventions with modifications based on needs from the individuals served.

SED 722 Applied Behavior Analysis Capstone Research Project

The ABA Capstone Research Project will provide the structure and guidance for students to create a Master’s-level thesis based on a research project of the student’s area of interest in ABA and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Students will be engaged in a systematic process of research which is expected to be genuine, of high quality, and maintains a level of rigor and integrity. Students will also follow the formal process for developing a research idea, securing appropriate research approvals, conducting the research, and writing the Master’s thesis.

Additional Information

Definition of Applied Behavior Analysis

A Licensed Behavior Analysts designs, implements and evaluates environmental modifications, using behavioral stimuli and consequences, to produce socially significant improvement in human behavior, including the use of direct observation, measurement, and functional analysis of the relationship between environment and behavior.

Visit the NYSED website

Applied Behavior Analysis Careers

According to an analysis conducted by Burning Glass, 85% of job postings fall into Health Care, Educational Services, or Social Assistance industries. Throughout these industries, Behavior Analysts in the United States make an average of $54,000.
Behavior Analysts made U.S. News and World Report's Top 100 Best Jobs of 2017
Behavior Analysts made Business Insider's 10 Best Jobs for People who want to Change the World

Career Options

Other professionals who may want to add the ABA license

Educator
School Administrator
School Psychologist
Psychologist

Student Information