Graduate Programs in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Studies

Transforming lives The Felician Way.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the United states, and New Jersey happens to have the highest rate of autism in the nation. Because of this, compassionate and caring individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to support those with autism are highly sought after. This program will prepare you to become a Board Certified assistant Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to improve the livelihoods of uniquely-abled individuals across the world.

The Behavior and Autism Studies Program emanates the Felician mission as practitioners of behavior analysis is not that different than the values of the Felician Sisters and Franciscan values that are grounded in the fundamental beliefs of respect for human dignity, compassion, transformation, solidarity with the poor, justice and peace, reverence, diversity, service, and joy. The Felician Sisters and Franciscan ideals couldn’t be more perfect of a landscape to lay the foundation for a successful ABA program built on the right to effective treatment, treatments that are of social value to the clients, treatment of the most vulnerable and desperate cases, all with professionalism and integrity.

The School of Education, in light of the Franciscan mission, seeks to foster collaborative, competent, caring, and compassionate behavior analysts to serve a diverse population by promoting a shared spirit, encouraging self-reflection, and emphasizing life-long learning.

Felician University’s Behavior and Autism Studies Program seeks to develop behavior-analytic practitioners and consultants who understand the basic principles of behavior analysis, contribute to behavioral research, and attain BCBA certification, to enter the field prepared to fulfill the mission of the Felician Sisters.

Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Studies Graduate Program

What is Applied Behavior Analysis?

Applied Behavior analysis is the science of behavior, with a history extending back to the early 20th century. Its guiding philosophy is behaviorism, which is based on the premise that attempts to improve the human condition through behavior change (e.g., education, behavioral health treatment) will be most effective if behavior itself is the primary focus.

What is a BCBA®?

BCBA® is a graduate-level certification in behavior analysis. Professionals certified at the BCBA level are independent practitioners who provide behavior-analytic services.

BCBAs may supervise the work of Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts®(BCaBAs®), Registered Behavior Technicians® (RBTs®), and other professionals who implement behavior-analytic interventions.”

Why become a BCBA®?

There are many benefits to obtaining BCBA® certification, including:

  • BCBA® certifications are National and can be used across State lines.
  • BCBA® certifications are the leading behavior analyst credential and is required by many funders and licensure boards.
  • BCBA® certifications are offered by the first certifying entity in behavior analysis, the BACB, which has been certifying behavior analysts for over 20 years.
  • BCBA® certifications shows that you have met certain requirements that are critical in providing and overseeing behavior-analytic services.
  • BCBA ®certifications provides increased consumer protection since you must meet certain eligibility and maintenance requirements to obtain and maintain certification.

What can a BCBA® do upon graduation?

Though behavior analysts are often best known for advances in autism treatment and support, the field offers a variety of options for graduates. Behavior analysts work around the world, working in businesses, schools, clinics, residential treatment centers, group homes, and private practice, working with children, individuals with autism, and people with schizophrenia or intellectual disabilities. Behavior Analysts also work with employees in both for-profit and nonprofit organizations in business, industry, speech-language pathology, animal behavior and training, and special education.

Applied behavior analysis jobs include:

  • Private practice as a BCBA® providing early intervention services to children with autism
  • BCBA® in a school district assisting teachers to manage students with problem behavior
  • BCBA® in a group home
  • BCBA® consultant to companies focusing on improving employee performance
  • BCBA® internal consultant to improve employee performance
  • Program manager or director of specialized school
  • BCBA® for state or federal government
  • Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), projected BCBA jobs to grow 19% through 2024
  • Annual demand for individuals holding BCaBA/BCBA/BCBA-D certification has increased a 127% increase from 2017 to 2018
  • Burning Glass Technologies, found over 16,000 job postings for BCaBA/BCBAs in in 2018
  • According to payscale.com BCaBA/ BCBA’s in NJ average $65k with a range of $43-$113k per year.

Program Overview

Felician University offers 3 ways to complete the course work towards becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® at the Graduate Level

With a degree in Behavior and Autism Studies from Felician University, you can help to better the lives of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Developmental Disabilities that are impacted by behaviors ranging from difficulty with communication, academic, social, and functional skills to gain a better quality of life by applying an effective systematic, scientific approach, Applied Behavior Analysis.

These programs offer you the chance to study how uniquely-abled individuals can learn. Preparing professions to understand behavioral patterns in relation to the environment will help you teach students how to increase positive behavior.

ABA therapy helps to improve communication, social, and academic skills as well as promote attention and community. But that is just the tip of the iceberg, many will go on to support all students in schools, patients in hospital settings, work in early intervention, or organizational behavior management, just to name a few.

Through class discussions of case studies, applied field experience at a variety of practicum sites in the area, students gain the knowledge and skills needed to understand and work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and settings.

*Must maintain a B- average or higher and pass 2 competency exams to stay in the program.

Requirements to apply for the graduate MA in Behavior and Autism Studies program:

  • 3.0 GPA from undergrade
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Letter of Intent/Essay addressing why you would like to pursue a career in ABA
  • Teaching license is required.

Requirements to apply for the graduate MA in Behavior and Autism Studies program:

  • 3.0 GPA from undergrade
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Letter of Intent/Essay addressing why you would like to pursue a career in ABA
  • Teaching license is not required.

Requirements to apply for the Post-graduate Certificate in Behavior and Autism Studies program:

  • 3.0 GPA from graduate program in related field (Psychology/Education)
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Letter of Intent/Essay addressing why you would like to pursue a career in ABA

Flexible Instruction

Individuals seeking a degree Behavior and Autism Studies can choose to attend Felician University’s campus, or access class sessions via synchronous technology.

The program offers evening class schedules, and works closely with local educational agencies, exceptional private schools and clinics utilizing behavior analysis, and the International Center for Autism and Disabilities Research (I-CADRE) that provide practicum, employment, and applied learning opportunities for students.

Students

Felician University students include:

  • Diverse mix of full-time students to full-time workers in the local area, to students are just entering the field, to those who are seasoned behavior therapists.
  • Students who choose one of Felician University’s applied behavior analysis programs build the foundation necessary to become a well-respected professional in the behavior analytic community.

Faculty

Professors in the ABA programs are dedicated, collaborative, and student focused practitioners with a commitment to developing and mentoring the next generation of behavior analysts and contributing to the research on effective interventions for the most vulnerable populations. Training the next generation of behavior analytic researchers and practitioners, all courses are taught by Board-Certified Behavior Analysts® or Board Certified Behavior Analysts-Doctorate®

Students receive one-on-one attention from professors who work alongside them in coursework and research.

A close student-professor culture in the applied behavior analysis programs creates a professional environment where students are viewed as professionals and colleagues.

Course Offerings

Verified Course Sequence (VCS)

Felician University’s Graduate Courses in Behavior and Autism Studies is a Verified Course Sequences (VCS) by the Association for Behavior Analysis International,  and the core course sequence is approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®). The BACB is the only credentialing organization for professionals within the discipline.

The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the following courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® examination. Applicants will need to meet additional eligibility requirements and demonstrate they reside in an authorized country before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.

For more information about Felician University’s programs in Behavior and Autism Studies contact the VCS Coordinator Dr. Katie Croce at crocek@felician.edu

Program Offerings

EDU 800: Assessment Methods with Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other Developmental Disabilities (3 Credits) 

Behavioral observational methods and functional assessment procedures are reviewed for individuals with ASD and other developmental disabilities for the purpose of planning positive behavioral supports and developing educational programs.

EDU 801: Educational Programming for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other Developmental Disabilities (3 Credits)

Evidenced based educational practices for students with ASD and other developmental disabilities are explored. Students examine research based Positive Behavioral Supports for increasing academics, communication, and social skills, and for decreasing disruptive behaviors.

EDU 802: Basic Applied Behavior Analysis for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other Developmental Disabilities (3 Credits)

The application of Applied Behavior Analysis with students with ASD and other developmental disabilities will be emphasized. Participants will explore strategies to conduct functional behavioral assessments and provide positive behavioral supports.

EDU 803: Single Subject Assessment Methodology (3 Credits)

This course will focus on the fundamentals of behavior-analytic evaluation single-case time series methods used within clinical and research settings. Participants will learn to apply these designs while assessing intervention programs for individuals with ASD and other disabilities.

EDU 804: Autism: Collaborative ABA Transdisciplinary Intervention (3 Credits)

Students examine evidenced based approaches used with students with ASD to increase attention, communication, social, academic skills and involvement in group activities.  Emphasis will be on methods for promoting both acquisition and generalization across disciplines.

EDU 805: Ethics and Professional Standards in ABA (3 Credits)

During this course, students will acquire an in-depth understanding of ethical and professional conduct standards for behavior therapists based on the BACB’ s Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts (the “Code”). This course is consistent with BACB requirement for meeting course content in BACB Compliance Code and Disciplinary Systems; Professionalism.

EDU 809: Advanced Concepts and Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (3 Credits)  

The application of Applied Behavior Analysis with students with ASD and other developmental disabilities will be emphasized. Participants will explore strategies to conduct functional behavioral assessments and provide positive behavioral supports.

EDU 810: Behavioral Assessment & Team Based Programming (2 Credits)

Evidenced based educational practices for students with ASD and other developmental disabilities are explored. Students examine research based methods and key issues in the identification and assessment of behaviors to be targeted. Fundamental elements of behavior change and specific behavior change procedures are covered.

EDU 625 (3 Credits) *Only for Masters of Arts in Education: Special Education and Behavior and Autism Studies

EDU 656 (3 Credits) *Only for Masters of Arts in Education: Special Education and Behavior and Autism Studies

EDU 667 (3 Credits) *Only for Masters of Arts in Education: Special Education and Behavior and Autism Studies

EDU 671 (3 Credits)*Only for Masters of Arts in Education: Special Education and Behavior and Autism Studies

EDU 685 (3 Credits)*Only for Masters of Arts in Education: Special Education and Behavior and Autism Studies

EDU 811 S: Seminar for Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis (1 Credit)

Students will participate in a weekly seminar group supervision experience that will follow the experience guidelines of the Behavior Analysis Certification Board.  Students must be simultaneously enrolled in the Field Experience component.

EDU 811 F: Field Experience for Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis (2 Credits)

Students will participate in approximately 10 to 20 hours per week of activities under the requirements of the BACB. Students must be simultaneously enrolled in the Seminar component.

Master of Arts in Education: Behavior and Autism Studies

  • Course Offerings- 5th Edition Task List
  • 8 Courses/ 1 Practicum/ 5 Electives

EDU800 (3 Credits) 

EDU801 (3 Credits) 

EDU802 (3 Credits 

EDU803 (3 Credits)  

EDU804 (3 Credits) 

EDU805 (3 Credits) 

EDU809 (3 Credits) 

EDU810 (2 Credits) 

EDU 811S Practicum Seminar (1 Credit) 

EDU 811F Practicum Field Experience (2 Credits) 

Elective 1 (3 Credits) 

Elective 2 (3 Credits) 

Elective 3 (3 Credits) 

Elective 4 (3 Credits) 

Elective 5 (3 Credits) 

Graduate Course Catalog:

View Graduate Catalog  
  • All Master’s students in the School of Education will complete a written comprehensive examination. The comprehensive exam covers the entirety of the student’s coursework. Students will need to demonstrate a passing rate to be able to receive approval for graduation.
  • Students are responsible for successfully completing all degree requirements.
  • To be eligible to sit for the BCBA exam, students are also responsible for accumulating 2000 supervised fieldwork hours, submit all documents that are required.
  • Completing 2000 hours is not a requirement for program completion. To become a BCBA students must pass the BACB Task List V BCBA Examination.
  • Passing the BCBA exam is not a requirement for degree completion.

Although there is overlap, the requirements for becoming and practicing as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst are different than the requirements for completing these programs. Students should familiarize themselves with all credentialing requirements before applying for board certification. For more information please visit https://www.bacb.com/

Though we are striving to find placements and BCaBA/BCBA fieldwork supervisors for all students, Felician University cannot guarantee practicum placement. We are striving to assist each student by organizing a list of potential supervisors and sites. To find a qualified supervisor, check out the BACB’s registry of BCBA’s willing to supervise candidates pursuing BCBA or BCaBA certification. If you are interested in obtaining BCBA or BCaBA certification, please ensure you are aware of all eligibility requirements at https://www.bacb.com/

Masters of Arts in Education: Special Education and Behavior and Autism Studies

  • Course Offerings- 5th Edition Task List
  • 8 Courses/ 1 Practicum/ 5 Electives

EDU800 (3 Credits) 

EDU801 (3 Credits) 

EDU802 (3 Credits 

EDU803 (3 Credits)  

EDU804 (3 Credits) 

EDU805 (3 Credits) 

EDU809 (3 Credits) 

EDU810 (2 Credits) 

EDU 811S Practicum Seminar (1 Credit) 

EDU 811F Practicum Field Experience (2 Credits) 

EDU 625 (3 Credits) 

EDU 656 (3 Credits) 

EDU 667 (3 Credits) 

EDU 671 (3 Credits)

EDU 685 (3 Credits) 

Graduate Course Catalog

View Graduate Catalog  
  • All Master’s students in the School of Education will complete a written comprehensive examination. The comprehensive exam covers the entirety of the student’s coursework. Students will need to demonstrate a passing rate to be able to receive approval for graduation.
  • Students are responsible for successfully completing all degree requirements.
  • To be eligible to sit for the BCBA exam, students are also responsible for accumulating 2000 supervised fieldwork hours, submit all documents that are required.
  •  Completing 2000 hours is not a requirement for program completion. To become a BCBA students must pass the BACB Task List V BCBA Examination.
  • Passing the BCBA exam is not a requirement for degree completion.

Although there is overlap, the requirements for becoming and practicing as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst  are different than the requirements for completing these programs. Students should familiarize themselves with all credentialing requirements before applying for board certification. For more information please visit https://www.bacb.com/

Though we are striving to find placements and BCaBA/BCBA fieldwork supervisors for all students, Felician University cannot guarantee practicum placement. We are striving to assist each student by organizing a list of potential supervisors and sites. To find a qualified supervisor, check out the BACB’s registry of BCBA’s willing to supervise candidates pursuing BCBA or BCaBA certification. If you are interested in obtaining BCBA or BCaBA certification, please ensure you are aware of all eligibility requirements at https://www.bacb.com/

Post-Master’s Certificate in Behavior and Autism Studies

  •  Course Offerings- 5th Edition Task List
  • 8 Courses/ 1 Practicum

EDU800 (3 Credits) 

EDU801 (3 Credits) 

EDU802 (3 Credits 

EDU803 (3 Credits)  

EDU804 (3 Credits) 

EDU805 (3 Credits) 

EDU809 (3 Credits) 

EDU810 (2 Credits) 

EDU 811S Practicum Seminar (1 Credit) 

EDU 811F Practicum Field Experience (2 Credits) 

Graduate Course Catalog

View Graduate Catalog  
  • Students are responsible for successfully completing all degree requirements.
  • To be eligible to sit for the BCBA exam, students are also responsible for accumulating 2000 supervised fieldwork hours, submit all documents that are required.
  •  Completing 2000 hours is not a requirement for program completion. To become a BCBA students must pass the BACB Task List V BCBA Examination.
  • Passing the BCBA exam is not a requirement for degree completion.

Although there is overlap, the requirements for becoming and practicing as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst  are different than the requirements for completing these programs. Students should familiarize themselves with all credentialing requirements before applying for board certification. For more information please visit https://www.bacb.com/

Course Sequence Information

Felician University

51279 BCBA 5th Edition
(BACB – Fifth Edition)

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