Applied Behavior Analysis Program Sees 70 Percent Growth; New Classes Start in July
New courses in Florida Institute of Technology’s rapidly growing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program begin this July.
The online professional development program, launched two years ago, expanded quickly in the past year with 70 percent growth. Now more than 700 students are enrolled in 30 countries and 47 states.
For individuals to qualify to take the BACB(R) Board Exam at the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) level, they need three courses, 1,000 hours of supervised experience, and a bachelor’s degree. To qualify to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam, they need five courses, 1,500 hours of supervision and a master’s degree.
“The courses are very interactive. Students meet online for one hour each week and can see and hear their instructor and ask questions,” said Clifford Bragdon, vice president for strategic initiatives and dean for continuing education.
Applied behavior analysis is data-based and has the best scientifically demonstrated track record for teaching skills and replacing problem behavior with appropriate social skills. The ABA approach achieves results and focuses on behavior in its own right as a target for change. The target behavior is directly observed and measured in real-life environments and focuses on outcome rather than process. Behavior analysts measure behavior frequently to determine if progress is being made.
Courses meet the instructional requirements for certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. (BACB) and the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) examinations. Recently, they have been approved for veteran’s training.
The BACB’s mission is to develop, promote, and implement a national and international certification program for behavior analyst practitioners.
For more information about the ABA programs go to http://uc.fit.edu/pdp/programs/aba/ or http://aba.fit.edu, or call (321) 674-8382.
