Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
What is Applied Behavior Analysis?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) involves the application of basic behavioral principles and procedures to problems of social importance. Behavior analysts are concerned with describing, explaining, predicting, and changing behavior through the use of empirically supported practices. These practices often involve the direct observation, measurement, and functional analysis of the relations between environmental variables and behavior.
Description of Program
The formalization of graduate training in Applied Behavior Analysis is a result of increased demand for professionals trained to work effectively with autism and developmental disabilities. Applied Behavior Analysis provides an approach for developing, implementing and evaluating practical strategies to produce changes in socially significant behaviors of individuals in a variety of contexts. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board set the professional credential for the post-master’s certification in behavior analysis. Upon completion of a master’s degree, including the five courses in the program, the student is qualified to take the BCBA exam and become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. The Board Certified Behavior Analyst is an independent practitioner who also may work as an employee or independent contractor for an organization. The BCBA conducts descriptive and systematic behavioral assessments and provides behavior analytic interpretations of the results. The BCBA designs and supervises behavior analytic interventions and is able to effectively develop and implement appropriate assessment and intervention methods for use in a range of cases. The BCBA may teach and supervise others in carrying out ethical and effective behavior analytic interventions based on published research and designs.
Admission Requirements to the Certificate
1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
2. An undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 2.7 and a grade point average of 3.0 in prerequisite psychology courses.
3. Successful completion of the following four (4) undergraduate prerequisites:
- Introduction to Psychology
- Theories of Personality
- Developmental Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
4. Other graduate admissions tests such as the GRE or Millers Analogy Test will not be required for the certificate program; however, should a student wish to apply to a degree program (e.g., M.A. Psychology), tests such as those aforementioned may be a pre-requisite prior to enrollment.
To be eligible for the BCBA examination, applicants must also possess a Master’s degree from an accredited institution.
Applicants who want to be considered for the Graduate Certificate in Behavior Analysis must submit to the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education:
1. An application for admission
2. Application fee
3. Undergraduate transcripts
4. Two letters of recommendation describing the individual's potential to complete the program.
Admission requirements for the Certificate program in Applied Behavior Analysis are competitive, with a limited number of students admitted for September of each year. Prospective students should access the application online at www.westfield.ma.edu and send it to the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education (DGCE). All material should be received by DGCE by February 1st to be considered for September admission.
Required Courses
- PSYC 0646 Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
- PSYC 0647 Autism and Developmental Disabilities
- PSYC 0648 Behavior Analysis Applications: Ethics, Assessment, and Intervention Decisions
- PSYC 0649 Behavioral Interventions
- PSYC 0651 Single Subject Research Methodology & Design
Certificate Completion Requirements
Students must complete the five courses (15 credit hours) with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 to earn the certificate. A student who receives a grade of F or two grades below B- may be barred from further enrollment in graduate courses.
Students must complete the Graduate Certificate Program within six years; certificate students may move toward completion at their own pace within this time period. In order to remain a certificate student, the student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.
FACULTY
Program Director:
Jorge Reyes, Ph.D.
Program Office:
333 Western Avenue
Program Telephone:
(413) 572-5376
Program Advisor:
Jorge Reyes, Ph.D.
Graduate Faculty:
Claudia Ciano-Boyce, Ed.D.
Patrick Heick, Ph.D.
Shannon Kay, Ph.D.
Jorge Reyes, Ph.D.
Roger Tudor, Ph.D.