Institute for Behavioral Studies
The Institute for Behavioral Studies was established in 2007 to afford students the opportunity to focus on academic curricula related to the study of the Applied Behavior Analysis. Applied Behavior Analysis is the process of systematically applying interventions based upon the principles of learning theory to improve socially significant behaviors to a meaningful degree, and to demonstrate that the interventions employed are responsible for the improvement in behavior (Baer, Wolf & Risley, 1968; Sulzer-Azaroff & Mayer, 1991).
Applied Behavior Analysis is based on the belief that an individual's behavior is determined by past and current environmental events in conjunction with organic variables such as genetics. Thus, it focuses on explaining behavior in terms of external events that can be manipulated rather than internal constructs that are beyond our control. Over the past 60 years, literally thousands of published research studies have documented the effectiveness of Applied Behavior Analysis across a wide range of:
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Populations (children and adults with mental illness, developmental disabilities and learning disorders);
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Interventionists (parents, teachers and staff);
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Settings (schools, homes, institutions, group homes, and hospitals);
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Behaviors (language, social, academic, leisure, functional life skills, challenging behaviors and self-stimulatory behavior);
The Endicott College Institute for Behavioral Studies offers several unique Programs in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) leading to graduate degrees and certificates, including:
The Institute for Behavioral Studies offers several Master of Education programs that combine programs of study in Special Needs and Applied Behavior Analysis. Students may choose programs that lead to Initial and/or Professional Massachusetts educator licensure. Completion of this program meets the academic requirements to sit for the BCBA examination. Students seeking a BCBA credential must also fulfill experiential requirements identified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) and must take and pass the qualifying examination administered by the BACB.
The Institute for Behavioral Studies offers a non-licensure program focused on the unique educational needs of children diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. This program is designed to provide graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively serve students diagnosed with Autism and work cooperatively within an interdisciplinary treatment team. Completion of this program meets the academic requirements to sit for the BCBA examination. Students seeking a BCBA credential must also fulfill experiential requirements identified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) and must take and pass the qualifying examination administered by the BACB.
Students who hold a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university that is not considered “Appropriate” for Massachusetts’s educator licensure may enroll in a 21-credit non-degree course sequence for licensure eligibility. Students electing this option will need to work with their program advisor to design an individual coursework plan.
Students who do not seek teacher licensure may opt for a non-licensure M.Ed. program. Degree candidates not seeking licensure will not be eligible for the practicum and seminar experience. Two alternative courses will be substituted into the candidates’ program of studies to meet the minimum 42 credits. Completion of this program can meet the academic requirements to sit for the BCBA examination. Students seeking a BCBA credential must also fulfill experiential requirements identified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) and must take and pass the qualifying examination administered by the BACB.
Students who hold a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university “that was conferred in behavior analysis or other natural science, education, human services, engineering, medicine or a field related to behavior analysis and approved by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board” are eligible to take the five-course Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) sequence as a non-degree program option. Completion of this certificate program meets the academic requirements to sit for the BCBA examination. Students seeking a BCBA credential must also fulfill experiential requirements identified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) and must take and pass the qualifying examination administered by the BACB.
Gainful Employment Disclosure
Students who already possess a Master’s degree and who are interested in courses specifically focused on the unique educational needs of children diagnosed on the autism spectrum may elect our 21-credit Certificate in Autism. This program is designed to provide graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively serve students diagnosed with Autism and work cooperatively within an interdisciplinary treatment team.
This is a non-credit certificate program that prepares classroom teacher assistants, paraprofessionals, and/or parents of children with special needs to implement applied behavior analysis interventions. The CABA–Tech® training program is a skills-based curriculum of five units designed to ensure that each graduate has the skills necessary to serve in the capacity of an ABA Trained Teaching Assistant.
For more information:
Endicott College
School of Graduate and Professional Studies
Institute for Behavioral Studies
376 Hale Street
Beverly, MA 01915
Dr. Malcom L. Patterson Ed.D
email: mpatterson@endicott.edu
phone: 978-232-2935