Applied Behavior Analysis, B.A./M.S. 4+1 Program

The mission of the Graduate Program in Applied Behavior Analysis is to cultivate a community of compassionate and competent behavioral practitioners. Through hands-on instruction, mentoring, and supervision, we empower our students to integrate the principles of behavior into both practice and research, while prioritizing the well-being of professionals. Our goal is to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary to design behavioral programs that affect positive, socially significant outcomes in the world.

In fulfillment of this mission the program objectives include:

1. Fostering a Culture of Compassion and Competence: Create a supportive environment where students develop empathy and understanding alongside technical proficiency, ensuring they become compassionate and competent behavioral practitioners that recognize the importance of professional well-being as crucial for maintaining productivity and overall satisfaction in the profession.
2. Providing Experiential Learning Opportunities: Offer hands-on mentoring and supervision to facilitate practical application of behavior analysis principles in real-world settings, enabling students to seamlessly integrate theory with practice.
3. Promoting Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Encourage collaboration between students, faculty, and professionals from diverse fields to enrich perspectives and approaches, preparing graduates to address complex societal issues through interdisciplinary solutions.
4. Empowering Agents of Change: Equip graduates with the critical thinking skills and ethical framework necessary to identify and implement behavioral interventions that lead to positive, socially significant outcomes for those in need, and to help students become contributors and leaders in behavior analysis thereby empowering them to effect meaningful change in the profession and communities worldwide.

Consistent with Holy Family’s tradition of Teneor Votis ("I am bound by my responsibilities") students are inspired to advocate for social justice, shape public policy and witness to the dignity of each person and the oneness of the human family.

Program Details

With a degree in Applied Behavior students can help to better the lives of individuals with communication, academic, social, and functional skill challenges to gain a better quality of life by applying an effective systematic, scientific approach to Applied Behavior Analysis.

The program prepare professions to understand behavioral patterns in relation to the environment that will  increase prosocial behavior.

ABA can be utilized to improve communication, social, and academic skills as well as promote functional adaptive behaviors. Behavior Analyst may go on to support all students in schools, patients in hospital settings, work in early intervention, criminal justice, environmental sciences, or organizational behavior management, just to name a few.

Through class discussions, thesis projects, and experiential learning, students gain the knowledge and skills needed to effectively apply the science of behavior to understand and work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and settings.

Meets National and Local Certification Standards:  Our program was designed to meet the requirements for both sets of academic standards of Behavior Analyst Certification Board and the Association for Behavior Analysis International for candidates to be eligible to become a Behavior Certified Behavior Analyst, a national certification, upon graduation and completion of the required supervision hours. As well as eligibility to become a Licensed Behavior Analyst in NJ and Licensed Behavior Specialist PA.

*This program is not yet accredited but meets all eligibility requirements for ABAI®

Flexible Instruction

Our program’s learning environment blends the best of in-person instruction with all the flexibility of online learning. Our early evening Live synchronous instruction is designed for the real-life challenges our students face. We understand that many are balancing full-time jobs and family responsibilities, in addition to their graduate studies, so we offer a structure that reduces burnout, promotes well-being, without sacrificing high quality instruction. By allowing students to engage with face-to-face instruction in real time but with the flexibility of attending from the comfort of their own home, we support their ability to stay connected, manage their commitments, and successfully complete the program without sacrificing their personal or professional lives.

Program Offerings

Holy Family University offers 2 ways to complete the course work towards becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst®

1. Dual Degree (4+1) Bachelor of Art/Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis
2. Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis

Small Class Size

With our small class sizes (15-20), students benefit from more personalized instruction and greater opportunities for in-depth discussions, creating a close-knit, supportive learning environment where each student's voice is heard and valued.

Students
 

We have a diverse mix of full-time students to full-time workers, to students who are just entering the field, to those who are seasoned behavior therapists. 

This program is tailored to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills in behavior analysis for board certification, enabling them to effectively apply these skills across diverse settings. The program highlights the importance of looking after yourself to better care for others and enhance professional satisfaction within the field.

Students in our program receive individualized attention, working closely with professors who actively engage with them in both coursework, research, and career exploration. This personalized mentorship helps students grow both academically and professionally.

We foster a unique mentoring culture where students are seen as emerging professionals and eventually colleagues. Faculty work alongside students, empowering them to take leadership roles in their learning and preparing them for successful careers in behavior analysis. 

Our faculty view mentorship as a lifelong commitment that extends well beyond graduation. We are dedicated to supporting our students throughout their careers, offering guidance and collaboration as they grow and succeed in the field.
 

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Career Paths

Applied Behavior Analysis is the science of behavior, with a history extending back to the early 20th century. Its guiding philosophy is behaviorism, which is based on the premise that attempts to improve the human condition through behavior change (e.g., education, behavioral health treatment) will be most effective if behavior itself is the primary focus.

What is a BCBA®?

The Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) is a graduate-level certification in behavior analysis. Professionals certified at the BCBA level are independent practitioners who provide behavior-analytic services.

BCBAs may supervise the work of Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts® (BCaBAs®), Registered Behavior Technicians® (RBTs®), and other professionals who implement behavior-analytic interventions.

Why Become a BCBA®?

There are many benefits to obtaining BCBA® certification, including:

• BCBA® certifications are National and can be used across State lines
• BCBA® certifications are the leading behavior analyst credential and is required by many funders and licensure boards
• BCBA® certifications are offered by the first certifying entity in behavior analysis, the BACB, which has been certifying behavior analysts for over 20 years
• BCBA® certifications shows that you have met certain requirements that are critical in providing and overseeing behavior-analytic services
• BCBA® certifications provides increased consumer protection since you must meet certain eligibility and maintenance requirements to obtain and maintain certification

What Can a BCBA® Do Upon Graduation?

Though behavior analysts are often best known for advances in autism treatment and support, the field offers a variety of options for graduates. Behavior analysts work around the world, working in businesses, schools, clinics, residential treatment centers, group homes, and private practice, working with children, individuals with autism, and people with schizophrenia or intellectual disabilities. Behavior Analysts also work with employees in both for-profit and nonprofit organizations in business, industry, speech-language pathology, animal behavior and training, and special education.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), provides detailed information about hundreds of occupations, including, entry-level education, overall working environment, and employment prospects. According to the Bureau, overall employment in behavioral psychology careers such as applied behavior analysis jobs are projected to grow 19% through 2033. This includes a higher demand to work with students, particularly those with special needs, learning disabilities, and behavioral issues.

Annual nationwide demand for individuals holding BCBA or BCBA-D certification has increased each year since 2010, with a 14% increase from 2022 to 2023. Pennsylvania and New Jersey were in the top 10 highest in states in 2023, with Maryland immediately following. 

According to ZipRecruiter.com, Board Certified Behavior Analyst in PA make an average of $89,289 a year.

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Course Requirements

Tuition & Fees

Faculty & Administration

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