“We operate like committed scientists part of the time and like caring clinicians the rest of the time.”

- Jon Bailey and Mary Burch on How to Think Like a Behavior Analyst

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is a Behavior Analyst?

A behavior analyst is concerned with improving and understanding human behavior (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007). A behavior analyst uses direct observation and experimentation to find causes for desired and undesired behaviors before offering any clinical interventions. Behavior analysts design strategies to alter socially significant behavior by changing existing behaviors, teaching new behaviors, teaching what behaviors are appropriate to use in different situations, and consistently evaluating the effectiveness of their behavioral interventions.

 

“...behavior analysts are primarily interested in making clinically significant changes in socially important, observable behaviors of individuals who need assistance with behavior problems.”

-Jon Bailey and Mary Burch on How to Think Like a Behavior Analyst

 

 What is a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® (BCaBA®)?

“According to the BACB® a BCaBA:

¨ Conducts descriptive behavioral assessments and is able to interpret the results and design ethical and effective behavior analytic interventions for clients.

¨ Designs and oversees interventions in familiar cases (e.g., similar to those encountered during their training) that are consistent with the dimensions of applied behavior analysis.

¨ Obtains technical direction from a BCBA for unfamiliar situations

¨ Teaches and supervises the work of Registered Behavior Technicians and others who implement behavior analytic interventions once the BCaBA has demonstrated competency with the procedures involved under the direct supervision of a BCBA.

¨ Assists a BCBA with the design and delivery of introductory level instruction in behavior analysis.

¨ It is mandatory that each BCaBA practice under the supervision of a BCBA. Governmental entities, third-party insurance plans, and others utilizing BCaBAs must require this supervision.”

 

To become Board Certified at the BCaBA Level:

Þ Read through the BACB® website http://bacb.com/bcaba/

· BACB® requires completion of 180 hours of classroom instruction in the specified content areas (see table)

· Currently, CSUN provides 165 hours of classroom instruction in the specified content areas in accordance with the 3rd edition Task List

· Due to the high student demand for behavior analytic coursework and limited resources at CSUN, the CSUN Psychology Department has not been able to increase the coursework hours to meet the new BACB® requirements.

· There are 3 undergraduate-level courses offered at the CSUN campus (please see below for a detailed description of courses). Special emphasis in these courses is placed on assessment, measurement, experimentation, and intervention.

· 1000 Supervised Experience hours are required by the BACB®. These experience hours would be completed using the Independent Supervision option.

Þ Apply to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®)

Þ Pass the BCaBA exam

CSUN’s BCaBA Coursework

PSY 351 - Behavioral Psychology & Therapy (3 units)

Prerequisites: PSY 150, PSY 250, completion of the lower division writing requirement. Recommended Preparation: PSY 301. The focus of this course is on how we learn certain behaviors, why we behave as we do, and how human behavior can be modified. Topics include basic concepts, research methods used to study adaptive and maladaptive behaviors, assessment procedures, intervention strategies and outcomes, self-management, and ethical considerations in practice. This course may be used to fulfill the 300-level Clinical/Personality Psychology Cluster Requirement for psychology majors.

 

PSY 406 - Developmental Psychopathology (3 units)

Prerequisites: PSY 313 and completion of the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam with a score of 8 or higher; Recommended Preparation: PSY 301. Study of disorders diagnosed in infancy, childhood, or adolescence (e.g., autism, mental retardation, communication disorders) and the empirically validated interventions appropriate for each population.

 

PSY 471AB - Advanced Inquiry in Clinical Psychology: Applied Behavior Analysis (5 units)

Prerequisites: PSY 301, PSY 320/L, PSY 321/L, any course from required Clinical Cluster (PSY 310 or PSY 351 or PSY 353 or PSY 370 or PSY 380), and a score of 8 or better on the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam. Co-requisite: PSY 471 ABS. The focus of this course is on the science of behavior analysis and its application to improve problems of social significance. Available for graduate credit with consent of student's graduate advisor.

 

Is practicum or supervised experience offered at CSUN for the BCaBA?

The CSUN Psychology Department may offer various high quality experience and research opportunities that may count for some of your supervised experience hours. These activities will be supervised by BCBA faculty, highly encouraged, but not required, for students looking for behavior analytic experiences under faculty supervision. If you are seeking such experience, be sure to contact one of the ABA Faculty, Dr. Tara Fahmie, Dr. Ellie Kazemi, and Dr. Debra Berry Malmberg. Please read the Certification Board’s standards for appropriate supervised experience, amount of supervision required, appropriate clients & activities, supervisor qualifications, and more.

 

What do BCaBA®s do & what are their employment opportunities?

Assistant behavior analysts work with people of all ages, from early childhood to geriatrics, and in multiple settings such as homes, schools, hospitals, residential facilities, rehabilitation centers, research labs, and places of business. The scope of Applied Behavior Analysis includes, but is not limited to: developmental disabilities (e.g. Autism, Mental Retardation), severe problems (e.g. Schizophrenia), anxiety, parenting, marital conflict, gerontology, behavioral medicine, sexual dysfunction, addiction, crime and delinquency, school, classroom and organizational management (see www.abainternational.org for various special interests such as Behavioral Medicine, Organizational Behavior Management).

For information on job postings or local employment opportunities, check out the “Employment Board” in Sierra Hall outside of SH304, or visit http://www.calaba.org/ employment.asp, www.autismspeaks.org, www.abainternational.org

 

Click here for a PDF file released by the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts for information on salary and job demand

 

 What does CSUN offer in regards to Behavioral Training?

Undergraduate students in Psychology have access to coursework they can complete while obtaining their bachelor’s degree at CSUN. The CSUN Psychology department, in collaboration with the Tseng College of Extended Learning, offers anMasters of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis 

 

Who should pursue certification in Behavior Analysis and why?

Individuals who are interested in and enjoy working directly with clients and organizations should pursue this certification. Given the growing demand for well-trained board certified professionals in behavior analysis and the limitless career opportunities – becoming a certified professional can ensure job growth and security but most of all it will make you a more competitive and marketable candidate.

 

For a fun, easy, cheap but informative read on this topic we suggest you obtain “How to think like a behavior analyst” by John Bailey and Mary Burch (2006)

 

 

 

 

BCaBA, Undergraduate