The goal of this program is to provide teachers and related-service providers with instruction in applied behavior analysis that will broaden the range of empirically-supported instructional methodologies used to meet the academic, social, and behavioral needs of a diverse student or client population. It also meets the educational and supervised-fieldwork standards needed to sit for the national Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)® examination.
Program Highlights
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The Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Certificate program has been designed to meet the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Graduate Level Certification Pathway 2 coursework requirements derived from the standards of the BACB. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements (i.e., graduate degree and fieldwork experience) to qualify for the BACB Graduate Level Certification. The program consists of a seven-course sequence (21 graduate-level credits) and an optional supervised-fieldwork experience. Students have the option to complete the supervised-fieldwork experience through the university or independently. The program is based on a cohort model and is offered to students through distance learning on a predetermined schedule over two years: one course per semester during fall, spring, and summer.
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What is a Behavior Analyst? A behavior analyst is an expert in the science of behavior and learning. Behavior analysts conduct assessments to identify one’s abilities and areas of improvement and design instructional programs using evidence-based strategies to promote skills acquisition and generalization and decrease challenging behaviors to promote independence and effective functioning in the natural environment.
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Where do Behavior Analysts Work? Behavior analysis can work in a variety of settings including homes, schools, clinics, residential programs, and the community. Our program will prepare you to work with individuals with disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities, and emotional and behavioral disorders across various environments.
Careers
Check out these ideas from ODU's Center for Career & Leadership Development and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
Teach secondary school subjects to educationally and physically handicapped students. Includes teachers who specialize and work with audibly and visually handicapped students and those who teach basic academic and life processes skills to the mentally impaired.
Speech-Language Pathologists
Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. May select alternative communication systems and teach their use. May perform research related to speech and language problems.
Mental Health Counselors
Counsel with emphasis on prevention. Work with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health. May help individuals deal with issues associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; and aging.
Counseling Psychologists
Assess and evaluate individuals' problems through the use of case history, interview, and observation and provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment.
Alumni Careers
Requirements
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Have a master's degree from an accredited university or the equivalent from a foreign institution in any field of study OR be accepted into and currently pursuing a master's degree offered by an accredited university in any field of study
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Prospective students must first apply to the program directly by completing an application and sending it to the program coordinator, Laura Chezan. The applicants are notified by the program coordinator whether or not they are accepted to the program after the application was reviewed. If accepted to the program, the applicants will then apply to the university.
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Applications are accepted only one time per year to begin the program in the fall. Apply by May 15th to begin in the fall semester.
Featured Courses
State licensure, national certification, disciplinary systems, and professional conduct for behavior analysts. Prerequisites: SPED 640 or permission of the instructor.
The intent of this course is to provide pre-service and currently licensed teachers with(a) knowledge of the characteristics of students with disabilities who are accessing the general curriculum, K-12, including, but not limited to learning disabilities, emotional disabilities, and intellectual disabilities; (b) the ability to recognize etiologies, underlying factors, and contributing conditions that impact student learning, and (c) the cultural impact of disabling conditions. Prerequisites: SPED 400/SPED 500.
This course emphasizes effective research-based instructional strategies for teaching students with mild/moderate disabilities in grades K-12 who are accessing the general education curriculum. Practicum of 45 hours in middle/secondary-level setting is required. Prerequisites: SPED 400/SPED 500, SPED 415/SPED 515, SPED 610 and passing scores on Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educator Tests or equivalent as prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education.
Cost of Attendance
We believe in providing students with transparent and accessible information about the cost of attendance.
Review the estimated tuition rates for the 2024-25 academic year (subject to change). Other fees are assessed for special services and certain academic programs. Non-resident rates are charged for anyone who is not a current Virginia resident, including international students.
Ways to Fund Your Degree
There are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending Old Dominion University, including scholarships, assistantships, and student loans. For more details about financial aid at Old Dominion, visit the Financial Aid Office page.
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