Applied Behaviour Analysis

The MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is the first course of its kind in the UK. It has been developed to provide training that aims to establish therapeutic competence in the use of the principles of behaviour analysis. This is a 1 year full-time or part-time programme aimed at those wishing to specialise in applied behaviour analysis. The course is focused on developing advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of the principles of behaviour analysis and the application of the principles within both clinical and research settings.

Behaviour Analysis in the UK and Internationally

Applied Behaviour Analysis has been recognised as the treatment of choice for a broad range of clinical problems (e.g., early intervention for autism, responding to challenging behaviour, classroom management, effective instructional practices). This recognition has created a need for developing training courses that establish therapeutic competence in the basic principles of the science. There is now an international movement to create a register of behaviour analysts who have been able to develop key competencies. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (www.bacb.org), supported by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (www.abainternational.org), have defined two levels of accreditation for postgraduate and masters candidates: Board Certified Associate Behavior Analysts (BCABA) and the full Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA). For the full BCBA exam, the Behavior Analysts Certification Board requires that students possess at least a Masters degree plus comprehensive coursework and suprevision requirements (The Task List topics covered in the full BCBA exam can be viewed and downloaded from www.bacb.com). These are currently the only internationally recognised qualifications in behaviour analysis. Both in the UK and internationally employers are increasingly looking to recruit trained staff who have gained BCBA certification.

The MSc in ABA at Bangor has been developed by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) in collaboration with the Behavior Analysts Certification Board (BACB). It covers their entire Task List specifications and is recognised by the BACB as providing the content eligibility criteria necessary to sit the full BCBA exam.

ABA at Bangor

Understanding human behaviour presents some of the greatest challenges and prospects for science in the years ahead. During the past few years the School of Psychology at Bangor has grown remarkably recruiting internationally recognised scientists from across the UK and around the globe. Currently we have 90 members of teaching and research staff, 45 support staff, and over 80 (full-time equivalent) research students. In the most recent UK-wide Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), we were among only six other psychology departments in the UK awarded both a top rating of 5*A (on a scale of 1-5*) and the highest "Excellent" rating in the Government's Teaching Quality Assessment.

The School of Psychology at Bangor is ideally placed to deliver the MSC in ABA training programme. Since its inception, the Psychology department at Bangor has been recognised as a UK centre for the study of behaviour analysis; the School currently has the largest team of behaviour analysts in any University or centre in the UK, with four Board Certified Behavior Analysts contributing to the MSc course. The research interests of the staff span both basic and applied issues including: staff training, investigating and understanding the application of behaviour analysis to education, developmental disabilities, challenging behaviour, ADHD, food preferences, health related behaviours, exercise, early imitation, and language development.

In addition to a strong academic staff base, many of the behavioural staff hold joint positions in local Health Service. These clinical connections afford excellent opportunities for applied research, as well as adding considerable clinical and applied experience to our teaching and supervisory team. The newly established Bangor Centre for Developmental Disabilities, affiliated to the School and run on an ABA system, also adds to our potential to provide clinical experience and clinical projects for students.

General course information

The programme operates on a full-time or part-time basis and runs on one day per week during term time (2004-05 academic year: Wednesday for Year 1 students, Monday for Year 2 students).

The candidate's employer often provides partial or full funding; however, self-funding is also an option.

The programme leads to one of three levels of qualification: a Postgraduate Certificate (Year 1), a Postgraduate Diploma (Year 2: non-research option), or a Master's degree (Year 2 or 3: research option). However, parts of the programme can be taken over a shorter period for CPD purposes.

Modules and programme content

Six modules have been designed specifically for the Applied Behaviour Analysis course content reflecting the BACB Task List. The remaining research specific modules overlap with those taken by mainstream post-graduate students in the School of Psychology. In this way, candidates will gain from the excellent teaching in research design and analysis that already exists in the School whilst also having specialised research supervision and training delivered in a small group teaching context. A first and second supervisor will supervise all students undertaking research; both supervisors will be BCBA certified (see links for more detail).

The course consists of two parts. Part One comprises taught modules designed around the BACB Task List. The first year modules introduce the basic theory and practice of the science and the second year modules offer more detailed analysis of both applied and research procedures.

PART 1 - Year 1

PART 1 - Year 2

PART 2 - Year 2 or 3

Research Thesis

Candidates may take:

Single modules (CPD). Several modules can be taken on their own. It may also be possible to register for some modules on an attendance only basis.

Postgraduate Certificate in ABA. For the PG Certificate students complete the first four modules comprising the first year of the course. The Certificate can be completed in two semesters. This level may be ideal for Continuing Personal Development and for those wishing to increase their theoretical and practical knowledge of the science of behaviour change in applied settings.

Postgraduate Diploma in ABA (non-research option). For the PG Diploma students complete all eight of the taught modules over two years. Students who choose to exit the programme at PG Diploma level are not required to undertake a research project. At this level of the course, and with additional supervision and mentoring, students could apply for eligibility to sit the BCABA exam (NB: students will also require a first degree to gain eligibility for the BCABA exam).

Master's degree in ABA. For the Masters students complete all eight of the taught modules and complete a research study and dissertation. The research project and dissertation required for a Master's degree can be conducted either in the second year (fast track route) or the third year of the programme. This fulfils the full BCBA taught component, and along with supervision/mentoring experience, students would be eligible to sit the BCBA exam.

Entry Requirements

UK applicants should normally have a single or joint honours degree in Psychology, usually with a 2:1 or equivalent. Mature candidates with relevant experience who are not graduates may also gain entry to the certificate level of the course. On successful completion of the certificate course, such candidates would be eligible to progress to the diploma and master’s levels. International applicants will be given individual consideration.

In Conclusion

The School of Psychology, UWB has an excellent and growing reputation and is one of the leading academic departments in UK Psychology. We have achieved the highest possible awards for both our research excellence and teaching quality and have had considerable success in attracting research and related external income. The team of behaviour analysts is the largest in any UK University or centre.

The programme provides a detailed theoretical and practical grounding in ABA, including theoretical and philosophical foundations, and a concentration on clinical and research knowledge. Board Certified Behavior Analysts are involved in the design, teaching, and supervision of all student research. Many of the team also work in the health service and have specialist interests in clinical behaviour analysis, developmental disabilities, and challenging behaviour. This course provides students with content eligibility to sit the full BCBA examination: a recognised international certification, increasingly desired and accepted by employers both in the UK and internationally.

For further information and an informal discussion of how the course might meet your individual training needs and fit with your existing professional commitments please contact:

Dr Carl Hughes,
Programme Co-Director
on 01248 383278
Email:c.hughes@bangor.ac.uk