Concentration in Child Behavioral Services
Concentration in Child Behavioral Services
Concentration in Child Behavioral Services
There is a national trend to provide cost effective services for children with behavior challenges and/or developmental disabilities. Part of this trend includes the direct delivery of services by individuals with a bachelor's degree. Each state has begun to delineate the necessary training and experience required of the bachelor-level individual. Although the degree requirements for the Psychology major provide a broad overview of the science of psychology, the graduate who wishes to obtain an entry level position working with children and their families requires more knowledge and experience. The concentration curriculum emphasizes learning theory, the application of behavioral principles, knowledge of the types of challenges for which children may need services, instruction on how to interview and interact with children and their families, and supervised experience working with children and their families in the community.
Program Goal
This concentration was designed to prepare students with the coursework necessary to be eligible to apply to become a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst™ (BCaBA®). Individuals with BCaBA® cannot practice independently whereas individuals with a graduate degree and BCBA® can. Certification requires coursework, a specified number of hours of clinical experience supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) and a certification test.
The Concentration in Behavioral Services at Rowan University is approved to provide students with the necessary coursework only. The final determination of acceptability of coursework for this certification is made by the Association for Behavior Analysis, International. Although every attempt will be made to help each student acquire the necessary number of supervised hours, the university does not guarantee this experience as part of the program. For more information about this certification, please consult the requirements of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.
BACB Course Content Verification Form for BCaBA 5th edition Task List (Fall 2017 and on)Eligibility & Application
There are two types of students eligible to take the coursework in the Concentration in Behavioral Services.
- Students who are matriculated at Rowan University as Psychology majors and are in good standing with the Department of Psychology (i.e., are not on probation), who have received a B- or better in the Learning & Behavior course, have received a letter of recommendation from their Learning & Behavior Instructor, and who have a committed interest in becoming a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) are eligible to apply for this concentration. These students can get the appropriate application form for the Concentration in Behavioral Services from Bethany Raiff, PhD in the Psychology Department. The completed application forms should be returned to her directly. If you are accepted into the Concentration, you will receive a letter welcoming you to the Concentration. Students considering this option should apply by the end of the first semester of their Junior year at the latest to allow sufficient time to complete all the coursework.
- Students who are interested in the Applied Behavior Analysis Post-Baccalaureate Certificate program will apply through Rowan Global and, if qualified, will be admitted on a probationary status until they have completed the first required course (Learning & Behaviorism) with a grade of a B- or better. This can be a good option for students who are interested in completing the Concentration but are already close to graduation. Students in this situation could start the course requirements for the Concentration without officially enrolling and once they graduate they can apply for the Post-Bacc certificate to complete the remaining courses. Prospective students should contact Bethany Raiff, Ph.D. at raiff@rowan.edu with questions regarding this pathway.
Coursework
PROGRAM GUIDE: Concentration/Post-Bac in ABA
Fall Year 1*
PSY 02325: Functional Behavior Assessment
PSY 02305: Applied Behavior Analysis
Spring Year 1*
PSY 01423: Single-Subject Methodology
PSY 01424: Professional Issues in ABA
PSY 01425: Fieldwork in in ABA (students can also take this in Fall if they want as it is offered every semester)
*Assumes students have taken L&B (although concentration students could take all 3 courses in Year 1, they can not officially get admitted until after Learning & Behaviorism with a B- or higher grade. Students in the post-bacc would need to take Learning & Behaviorism before taking the other required courses in the concentration).
Rowan University Matriculated Psychology Majors Accepted into Concentration
- Learning & Behavior (3 credits)
- Single Subject Design (3 credits)
- Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credits)
- Functional Behavior Assessment (3 credits)
- Professional Issues in ABA (3 credits)
- Fieldwork in Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credits)
For advising questions, please email psychadvising@rowan.edu
Resources
Students should consider becoming student members of the following organizations:
Association for Behavior Analysis, International
New Jersey Chapter of Association for Behavior Analysis
Other resources in the field of behavior analysis are:
Association for the Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
Behavior Development Solutions
Frequently Asked Questions
If I pursue this coursework, does that mean that I will only be certified to work with children and their families?
No. Although the coursework concentrates on providing you the skills necessary to serve children and their families, you will learn basic behavioral theory and practice that can be applied to many different populations. For more information about the diverse activities of behavior analysts, see Association for Behavior Analysis, International and Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies.
If I take the courses, will I be automatically certified as a Board Certified Associate Behavior Analyst (BCaBA)?
No. You need to successfully pass the courses that fulfill the coursework requirements for the certification . In addition, the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. also requires a specified number of clinical hours supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or be approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. as eligible to take the BCBA examination under the current eligibility standards. Once you complete the coursework and the supervised hours, you then apply to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. to take the certification test.
Does the Field Placement course fulfill the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc requirement for supervised experience?
Not necessarily. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. requires a specified number of clinical hours supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. It is possible that some of your hours from the Field Experience course will count for your supervised hours if the individual supervising you meets the Board's requirements as a supervisor AND they provide you with the level of supervision required by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. Many students work in the field and acquire the remaining hours through their place of employment.
How do I apply to become certified as a Board Certified Associate Behavior Analyst (BCABA)?
Once you complete the coursework and the supervised hours, you then apply to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. to take the certification test. You will need to submit the Course Content Verification Form for your application. We strongly encourage you to contact us as soon as possible after you decide that you are interested in pursuing board certification. The requirements for coursework and supervision have changed several times in the past and will continue to change in the future. Depending on when you took courses, they may not be approved by the BACB, Inc.
What is on the certification exam?
The exam covers a delineated task list upon which you will be tested. There are several test preparation materials available (see Behavior Development Solutions for one example).
Contact Us
Program Advisor:
Bethany Raiff, Ph.D, BCBA-D.
856-256-4500 x53782
raiff@rowan.edu
