BACB Course Sequence

Pre-Approved Behavior Analyst Certification Board Course Sequence

AASU is First in Georgia to Offer Training for Board Examination (January 12, 2009) Area professionals working with the special needs population now have an opportunity to train for a board certified examination at Armstrong Atlantic State University (AASU). The Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. (BACB) has granted AASU approval to offer a three-course sequence that will serve as a prerequisite for taking the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) Examination. Armstrong Atlantic is the first university in the state of Georgia to receive such approval, and one of only 22 universities in the Southeast to offer the approved training.

BACB certification grants professionals in the fields of education, psychology, and special education an additional level of certification to work with special needs children and adults. The graduate and undergraduate level courses are:

PSYC 5060 Basic Behavior Principles and Behavior Change
PSYC 5061 Advanced Behavioral Assessment
PSYC 5062 Advanced Behavior Change Techniques

"We are very excited that ours is the first and only program in the State of Georgia to be granted this pre-approval from BACB. Certification at the BCaBA level would open many career opportunities for professionals working with a variety of individuals with special needs," said Jane Wong, AASU professor and head of the Department of Psychology.

For information about enrollment in the courses, call the AASU Department of Psychology at 912.344.2762.

The Behavior Analysis Certification Board, Inc.® has approved the following course sequence as meeting the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst Examination®. Applicants will have to meet additional requirements to qualify (see below).

PSYC 5060U/G BASIC BEHAVIOR PRINCIPLES AND BEHAVIOR CHANGE
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101
Basic principles of behavior analysis, the definition and characteristics of applied behavior analysis, and behavior change procedures, including positive and negative reinforcement, schedules of reinforcement, punishment, imitation, shaping and chaining, extinction, differential reinforcement, and antecedent interventions.

PSYC 5061U/G ADVANCED BEHAVIOR ASSESSMENT
Prerequisite: PSYC 5060U/G
Measurement of behavior, displaying and interpreting behavioral data, experimental evaluation of interventions, selecting intervention outcomes and strategies, behavioral assessment, and ethical considerations. Includes selecting and defining target behaviors, examination of single-subject experimental designs, planning and evaluating behavior analysis research, and functional behavior assessment, and a practicum experience.

PSYC 5062U/G ADVANCED BEHAVIOR CHANGE TECHNIQUES
Prerequisite: PSYC 5061U/G
Seminar course in which students design, implement, and evaluate behavior change programs to practice selection of intervention outcomes and strategies, behavioral measurement and assessment, use behavior change procedures and systems support.

• Completion of the course sequence, a bachelor's degree, and supervised experience qualifies the student to apply for the national exam to be certified as a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA).
• Students may begin accumulating supervised experience after coursework is started. Armstrong students presently fall under the Supervised Independent Fieldwork, 1000 hours (10-25 hr/wk, 3wk/mo); 50 hours supervised (25 of which must be one-to-one with supervisor).
• The department will provide assistance in helping the students find appropriate supervised experience at appropriate sites.
• Interested students should contact Dr. Jane Wong, AASU Psychology Department (912.344.2762).
• Additional information regarding degree requirement, coursework requirements, experience requirements, and the Behavior Analyst Certification Board exam application process may be found at Behavior Analyst Certification Board.

Helpful Links

• Model Me Kids
• Kennedy Krieger Institute
• Shaping Behavior
• Room to Grow
• OBM Network
• Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (Social Validity)

Suggested Readings

Downloads

• Functional Assessment 1
• Functional Assessment 2
• Lattal & Neef (1996)
• Lavie & Sturmey(2002)
• Mand Training
• Matching Law
• Treatment Efficacy
• Forced Choice Inventory