A practical guide to choosing a graduate program
A Practical Guide to Choosing a Graduate Program in Applied Behavior Analysis
Dr. Amanda Philp (PhD, BCBA-D)
So you have decided to take the leap and are interested in becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) but now you ask yourself – how does one become certified to practice behavior analysis? You begin your search online and quickly discover that this task is daunting and overwhelming. The internet is full of information and you are left to decide which program and route is best for you. This guide is intended as one of several resources you may find helpful in guiding you to make an informed decision.
To begin you need to know that there are two key components to becoming a practicing behavior analyst: earning a master’s degree in ABA from a higher institution and then getting board certified. The second component, board certification, involves becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and this is obtained by completing the first component (obtaining a graduate degree) and then sitting for, and passing, the associated exam.
So now we know the first step is getting a master’s degree in ABA. Many higher institutions offer ABA programs; however, they are not all the same. You need to make sure you do your research and make sure that the ABA program meets one of the following three requirements:
· Be a master’s or doctoral program that includes a BACB-Verified Course Sequence (VCS); OR,
· Be accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) [note: all ABAI-accredited programs include a pre-verified course sequence); OR,
· Meet BACB course content allocation requirements and receive approval by the BACB (i.e., syllabus must be submitted to the board for evaluation).
Type of Graduate Program
The type of graduate program you choose will largely depend on your profession, area of study, and/or future career plans. If you already have a master’s degree in a related field (e.g., psychology, education, etc.) you can apply for a Post-Master’s Certificate Program. If you do not hold a master’s degree in any field or an unrelated field you will need to complete a master’s program in either Applied Behavioral Sciences, Education/Special Education, or Psychology.
Post-Master’s Certificate Program: for those that have earned their graduate degree in a related subject and want to focus on specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis this program would best suit your needs. You will only complete the courses related to the hour-requirements set forth by the BACB which is fewer courses than a typical master’s program.
ABA Graduate Programs in Applied Behavioral Science: programs that are located in Applied Behavioral Science departments are designed for a wide range of professionals with broad knowledge in ABA, including special education, developmental services, and mental health. The programs within this category often focus on using ABA to support a wide range of settings (e.g., educational and human service settings including institutional settings, home, schools and communities).
ABA Graduate Programs in Education/Special Education: programs that have a focus on education or special education may be designed for individuals with no previous teaching experience (e.g., you may obtain your initial teaching certification) or for those seeking to advance their career in the educational field. Typically, ABA programs with an emphasis on education/special education focus on effective instruction and classroom management, teaching pedagogy, designing and improving performance and productivity of schools/teachers/students, measuring student progress effectively and analyzing student learning problems and implementing teaching strategies for struggling students.
ABA Graduate Programs in Psychology: programs in psychology offer a wide range of topics (e.g., MA in counseling with a focus on ABA, MS in psychology with a focus on ABA, etc.). Psychology programs with an ABA component include courses that are both experimental analysis and applied behavior analysis and can include experience in animal and human research. Some topics of specialty you may find in a ABA graduate program in psychology may include: behavioral pharmacology, behavioral gerontology, developmental disabilities, organizational behavior management, and behavioral medicine.
Program Delivery: Campus versus Online Instruction
The next step after you determine the type of program (e.g., certificate, psychology or special education) is determining the mode of instruction and delivery of the program. Campus vs online learning. You already know the benefits of campus based learning so let’s focus on the remote online learning. There are two methods of instruction for online learning: synchronous and asynchronous.
Synchronous learning refers to learning in “real time”. This means that you, your classmates, and your instructor meet all at the same time in a virtual learning place (through a specific online medium). Typically, this is one through video conferencing or live-streaming lectures. If you are a student that learns through interactions, through immediate questions/answers, and enjoy the social aspect of classes, you may want to look into a program that has their courses offered as synchronous. There are some disadvantages to synchronous learning, such as: rigid schedule (e.g., lectures and classes may be held during a time where you are working and/or different time zone so you are up late), technology issues (e.g., internet connections, etc.).
Asynchronous learning on the other hand occurs at your own pace/schedule given a time frame. You will be given materials, assignments for completing, webinars to watch for lectures, and due dates and you are responsible to watch and complete all required tasks at your own pace. So if you have a busy schedule this option allows for flexibility, pacing, and affordability. However, the downsides include isolation (e.g., lack of class and instructor contact), and risk of apathy.
Once you have decided your program and your method of instruction (e.g., campus vs online) you are now ready to start the search for schools that offer the programs you are seeking. Thankfully, there is a website that has been complied for you by 2U, Inc (2020). The link can be found in the reference section.
Your final consideration after you have narrowed down your search to your top schools is to look at their pass rates on the BACB exam. Each year the BACB releases the pass rates for those schools that have Verified Course Sequences. The document provides the mode of instruction (e.g., campus) and the number of people who took the exam and the pass rate. For example, in 2018 Florida State University had 21 students take the exam with a pass rate of 100% (BACB, 2019). Looking at your top school’s data and their pass rate will help you see how well programs may prepare students for the exam (note: there are other contributing factors to passing including studying that may impact pass scores so this should be taken as one point of consideration but not a determining factor).
References
Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2019). BCBA examination pass rates for verified course sequences. Retrieved 7/10/2020 from https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/BCBA-Pass-Rates-Percent_190813.pdf
2U Inc. (2020). The 2020 guide to online masters in applied behavior analysis (ABA). Retrieved 7/10/2020 from https://teach.com/online-ed/psychology-degrees/online-masters-applied-behavior-analysis/
Study Resources 2.0
Safmeds, Quizlet, Pass the Big ABA, BDS Mods and reviewing coursework/book materials. All are fantastic ways of studying. The #1 method is the BEST method for you! Delve deep and consider your most effective way to study.
What worked for me?
Creating outlines!!! I took materials from courses, notes from textbooks, reviewed resources provided by my supervisor, and then created my own little study guide by outlining the task list.
A downloadable resource for you
If you think this would benefit your studying, click here for the editable study guide for the 4th edition of the task list!!!
A quick video to explore other studying tips and tricks
Supervision Academy, LLC also has a youtube channel! View our first video that reviews studying tips. More content-specific videos are coming soon! The next video will be on Experimental Design.
Whichever method(s) you use, do what works for you!!!
Happy studying!
Rachel Avner Torrance, M.Ed, BCBA
Co-Founder and Supervisor
Supervision Academy, LLC
Accruing Independent Supervision Hours During COVID-10
If you are currently accruing supervision hours as part of your path towards BCBA certification, your hours may look quite different than they have in the past, due to COVD-19.
Our team of supervisors have compiled ideas regarding unrestricted activities and video observations in light of the current situation.
Unrestricted Activities
Literature Review
Research and read a journal article and fill out the Article Summary Form
Data Analysis and Graphing
Complete the data analysis and graphing activity. Link to TA On Line Graphing and sample graphs.
Observation and Data Collection
Watch a video from youtube on a child that is engaging in behaviors that are interfering. Develop a summary observation of that simulated observation and send it to the supervisor, along with the link to the video. You can use this Observation Summary Report to complete the task.
Conducting Behavior Analytic Assessments and Developing Corresponding Plans
Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA), Behavior Intervention Plan, (BIP), and Functional Assessment (FA) development. Interview a parent and complete Dr. Greg Hanley’s Open Ended FAI Interview as part of an assessment.
Writing or Revising Client Programming
Analyze data, update or create targets and programs, update or create curriculum libraries, update or create maintenance systems
Task Analysis for activities such as: Mand Training, Tact Training, Intraverbal Training, Preference Assessments
Staff and Parent Training
Create staff and parent training presentations and materials
Task List Content
Task List Template: Find a related article, make a video, list exemplars and non-exemplars.
Note: If you haven’t completed the Pre-Assessment you can do this and send to your supervisor. This will assist the team in guiding you on specific skills to target during your training.
Video Observations
Training Videos
a. Create a training videos for your staff
b. Create a training videos for parents
Recorded or Live Stream Trainings or client sessions
a. Record remote or live stream (w/ BCBA present) parent training sessions
b. Record remote or live stream (w/ BCBA present) working with client (direct 1:1, groups)
ACE the BCBA Exam! Treasured Tips for Success
It all begins with an idea.
Courses are complete (or you can see the finish line), and you’ve signed your last Fieldwork Verification Form. Now it’s time to get to the heart of studying for what feels like the exam of a lifetime! Here are some study tips we have learned along the way, to consider before you start diving in.
Know your ideal learning style. There’s a lot of great research showing the efficacy of SAFMEDS but that’s not the only option for learning the content to fluency. We all learn differently; some people are visual learners and some auditory. Consider all the options and use the mode that works best for you!
Other ways to master the content include:
Outline the content
Pictures and diagrams
Listen to the latest podcasts
Make your own audio recordings
Create or using already-made game-based materials
Behavior Development Solutions has a subscription to purchase of online learning modules that use active student responding and integrate fluency trials to master the content.
Put aside the outdated resources and spring for most up-to-date versions. Research is ever-changing and it’s critical to use the most contemporary literature. Applied Behavior Analysis, 3rd edition (Cooper et al, 2020) has been a difficult to obtain in traditional print format. If the printed text is unavailable, consider purchasing the ebook until more copies are released. Click this link for purchasing options from Pearson, the publisher’s website.
Other publications to explore:
Pass The Big ABA Exam - BCBA Exam Prep has a well-written study manual to purchase and use as a review; or you can enroll in one of their courses, which are highly valuable.
Review the most recent research in the ABA-based journals such as Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Analysis in Practice and The Analysis of Verbal Behavior.
Re-read articles and texts from your coursework
Ask your supervisor what their top articles are
Review the top texts at Amazon or through social networking
Think of ABA concepts and principles within the context of everyday occurrences. Behavior analysts need to know the concepts, principles and how to apply them in everyday life. Oftentimes we think of interfering behaviors when considering the function of behavior. Although those socially significant behaviors warrant ABA assessment, other operant behaviors exist, too. Learned behaviors happen when the 3 or 4-term contingency is in effect, which includes the behavior(s) being reinforced by something happening after the behavior occurs, then resulting in an increase of likelihood those behaviors will be valuable again when those antecedent and/or consequence conditions are in place.
When studying the material for mastery, it often helps to consider how both desirable and interfering behaviors are reinforced, while using the operant contingencies, in the real world.
Things to consider include:
Your own morning or ritualistic behaviors, situations with your own peers or even past occurrences when you were younger. What behaviors were reinforced in the past? Map out that 3-term contingency. Hypothesize the function of your own behaviors in a behavior analytic way.
Re-watch your favorite TV show or movie. Which ABA principles are in place there?
Look around you! ABA is all around. When we were at a pool recently on vacation, for instance, the lifeguard was walking around with a sign saying, “no hanging on the rope”. Can you name the behavioral term in effect?
Master the task-list and ethical code inside and out. The task list published by the BACB is a valuable resource for studying.
Don’t just know the definitions; be able to:
List examples and non-examples
Explain the rationale to support reasonings
Cite the research behind the concepts
Be able to apply the concepts to everyday practice of ABA
Be sure to keep a healthy balance while sticking your commitments. Studying is an important element in being prepared for the exam; but don’t get burned out while doing it! Maintain a healthy life balance by setting aside time to be with loved ones and doing what you enjoy too. Include regular exercise and healthy eating habits to maintain a beneficial mind/body regimen to keep up with your studying. Treat yourself to the things you love to do, to keep your momentum going.
Strategies For SLP And BCBA Collaboration
It all begins with an idea.
Working together with a variety of professionals can be a challenge! We know that when we work together, we can help our clients in a very specific way. With being a speech language pathologist and a board certified behavior analyst, I have tips and strategies that have helped me with this collaboration along the way.
Check out my webinar below all about collaborative services for students with autism and other complex disorders.