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Applied Behavior Analysis Opportunities

Undergraduate Student Resources

Are you interested in a career in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)?

Whether you want to pursue graduate school in this field, or credentialing options as an undergraduate, UNCW Psychology has a range of opportunities available!

ABA in North Carolina

There are several unique needs and programs in place to support Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) training and practice in North Carolina. North Carolina’s children with disabilities require 300% more Behavior Analysts in the state to meet their needs.

The Behavior Analysis Certification Board credentials Behavior Analysts at the Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral levels, as well as a Registered Behavior Technician credential undergraduate students may obtain while still in school.

The North Carolina Behavior Analysis Licensure Board (NCBALB) credentials BCaBAs to work in North Carolina.

Opportunities for Undergraduate Students

Students may obtain their Registered Behavior Technician credential during and after their undergraduate education and work in local clinics with children with disabilities. The Psychology Department offers PSY 316: Applied Behavior Analysis for Behavior Technicians course, which meets the 40-hour course requirement for the RBT credential.

Students may also pursue an undergraduate course sequence that meets the coursework requirements for the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA).

Students can pursue DIS or Honors Thesis opportunities with Behavior Analysis Faculty, and gain a variety of experience in basic, translational, and applied topics. Such experiences are invaluable should the student choose to pursue graduate studies in behavior analysis. Behavior Analysis faculty include Drs. Galizio, Bruce, Hughes, Pitts, Donlin, Van Camp, Cariveau, Baxter, and Williams. Faculty contacts can be found here.

Students wishing to work more independently in applied behavior analysis pursue their Masters or Doctoral degrees. As Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), former students coordinate and provide services in ABA clinics across the state and country. Those with Doctoral degrees may also pursue a career in research and academia.

BCaBA Course Sequence

ABAI Verified Course Sequence Logo
“The association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the following courses toward the coursework requirement for eligibility to take the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysis examination. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.”

Required Courses

The Psychology Department currently offers a 5th edition ABAI Verified Course Sequence. Students must take the following courses: 

  • PSY 217 – Learning and Behavior Change
  • PSY 316 – Applied Behavior Analysis for Behavior Technicians
  • PST 317 – Applied Behavior Analysis
  • PST 318 – Developmental Disabilities and Behavior Analysis
  • PSY 319 – Ethical Issues in Applied Behavior Analysis
  • PSY 417 – Advanced Learning and Behavior Analysis

Important Information

  • This course sequence is only one part of the requirements for the BCaBA credential. Students are responsible for meeting all other requirements, including practical fieldwork in applied behavior analysis, degree requirements, and passing the BCaBA certification exam. Students should review the latest BCaBA handbook to familiarize themselves with these requirements.
  • Students wishing to practice in North Carolina will also need to apply for licensure through the North Carolina Behavior Analysis Licensure Board (NCBALB) (note that the BCaBA credential is required for licensure)
  • These courses are offered as part of the undergraduate psychology major and is not a stand-alone certification program. There is no online-only version of this course sequence.
  • Note that PSY 417 is a capstone course available only to psychology majors (with PSY 225 and PSY 355 as prerequisites).

course sequence Coordinators

Carole Van Camp and Tom Cariveau

 

Graduate Programs to Consider Next

UNCW provides both a Master's and PhD program in Applied Behavior Analysis.

LEARN MORE ABOUT A MASTER'S IN ABA

LEARN MORE ABOUT A PHD IN ABA