Graduate Programs in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Studies

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.”

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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 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.

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

Graduate Course 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/

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

Graduate Course 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/

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

Graduate Course 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/