THE MASTERS OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED BEHAVIOUR ANALYSIS

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Kathryn O'Mahony - Graduation 2010

MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis

The School of Psychology launched the MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis in September 2006. This is a taught programme that provides professional training in Applied Behaviour Analysis. This course is accredited by the internationally-recognised Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB®). This certification allows graduates to work as practitioners in organisations or as independent contractors. The programme subscribes to the scientist-practitioner model, and provides students with thorough and integrated training in academic, practical, and research aspects of Applied Behaviour Analysis.

The MSc degree program is designed to meet the growing need for practitioners who can work effectively within systems to improve the quality of services in the fields of intellectual and developmental disabilities, education, rehabilitation, and mental health. The principles and strategies of ABA can be used to alter a wide range of human behaviour and are often recommended as the best-practice approach for working with people with intellectual disabilities and/or pervasive developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder. Worldwide demand for competent behaviour analysts exceeds current supply; a similar shortage of appropriately trained professionals is evident in Ireland.

Course Objectives:

The programme features thorough training in a wide variety of techniques in Applied Behaviour Analysis. Students are given training in the theoretical foundations of behaviour analysis as well a multitude of skills to train as practitioners in a real-world setting. There is a strong emphasis placed on the ability to work with, and provide treatment for, diverse and complex populations. Students learn to demonstrate competence in the design of educational and rehabilitative programmes in an applied environment.

Examples of skills taught:

• Design of individualised educational programmes from numerous behavioural curricula for individuals with complex learning difficulties
• Conduct functional assessments and functional analysis to determine the maintaining variables of problem behaviour.
• Develop ethical and effective interventions and continually assess outcomes
• Implement appropriate measurement systems in order to validate their individualised approach to each client
• Use of numerous measures to assess social skills and adaptive behaviour, co-occurring psychopathology, challenging behaviors, psychotropic medication side effects, feeding disorders, intellectual functioning and autism spectrum disorders.
• A strong emphasis is placed on ABA research methodologies and the ability to critically evaluate research as it relates to behavioural interventions.
• Students will learn the ethical and professional guidelines of Applied Behaviour Analysis

Anna Newell, Cormac Duffy and Karen Talty - Graduation 2010

Programme Information

The MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis is a taught programme that provides professional training in ABA. The programme involves full-time study for two calendar years. The course sequence has been approved by The Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.® (see http://www.bacb.com/).

The MSc will prepare graduates for careers in clinical and educational settings as applied behaviour analysts, and will also provide an excellent foundation for further postgraduate study (e.g., clinical and educational psychology) and postgraduate research (e.g., PhD).

Programme Duration

The MS. involves full-time study for two-years. Lectures are scheduled one day per week as students are encouraged to seek employment in a clinical/educational setting to facilitate the integration of the practical and academic elements of the course.

Entry Requirements

Candidates must hold a degree to a second-class honours degree in any relevant discipline.

Programme Content

Students who successfully complete Year 1 will be permitted to progress to Year 2 of the programme.

How Does the Course Supplement the BACB® Certification?

The course is accredited by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® ( http://www.bacb.com/). This allows students to apply for certification as a BCBA on completion of their Masters Programme. Students who wish to apply for this exam are required to complete field work in an applied setting and receive ongoing supervision of this field work in tandem with their M.Sc. course work. In order to facilitate this, students are encouraged to obtain work in a setting that will supplement their fieldwork and supervision requirements. Students are required to maintain a log book of all fieldwork and supervision that is reviewed annually by course staff.

Useful Links:

http://www.bfskinner.org/home.html 

http://www.asatonline.org/  

http://www.behavior.org/

http://www.psihq.ie/members_BADIV.asp

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