Rowan University Specialization in Behavioral Services for Children and Their Families

Rowan University

Specialization in Behavioral Services for Children and Their Families

Background | Program Goals | Eligibility & Application | Coursework | Resources | FAQs | Program Advisor

Background:

There is a national trend to provide cost effective services for children with behavior problems and/or developmental disabilities. Part of this trend includes the direct delivery of services by individuals with a bachelor’s degree. Each state has begun to delineate the necessary training and experience required of the bachelor level individual. While the degree requirements for the Psychology major provide a broad overview of the science of psychology, the graduate who wishes to obtain an entry level position working with children and their families requires more knowledge and experience. The specialization curriculum emphasizes learning theory, the application of behavioral principles, knowledge of the types of problems and issues that for which children may need services, learning how to interview and interact with children and their families, and supervised experience working with children and their families in the community.

Program Goal:

To prepare students with the coursework necessary to be eligible to apply to become a Board Certified Associate Behavior Analyst (BCABA). The BCABA certification requires a bachelor's degree whereas the higher level certification (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) is a post-baccalaureate certification. Individuals with BCABA cannot practice independently whereas individuals with BCBA can. The certification board requires coursework, a specified number of hours of clinical experience supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCAB) and passing a test. The Specialization in Behavioral Services at Rowan University is approved to provide students with the necessary coursework only. Although every attempt will be made to help each student acquire the necessary number of supervised hours, the university does not guarantee this experience as part of the program. For more information about this certification, please consult requirements of Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.

Eligibility and Application Procedures

There are three types of students eligible to take the coursework in the Specialization in Behavioral Services.

Students who are matriculated at Rowan University as Psychology majors and are in good standing with the Department of Psychology (i.e., are not on probation) are eligible to apply for this specialization. These students can get the appropriate application form for the Specialization in Behavioral Services from the secretaries in the Psychology Department. The completed application forms should be returned to one of the secretaries. If you are accepted into the Specialization, you will receive a letter welcoming you to the Specialization. Students considering this option should apply by the end of the first semester of their Junior year at the latest to allow sufficient time to complete all the coursework.

Rowan University students who are not psychology majors may enroll to take the coursework required by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. without applying for or being accepted into the Specialization (see second column in courses table below).

Individuals who are not Rowan University students may enroll to take the coursework required by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. without applying for or being accepted into the Specialization (see second column in courses table below). These individuals should register for the required courses as nonmatriculated students.

Coursework

Rowan University Matriculated Psychology Majors Accepted into Specialization	Nonmatriculated Students or Rowan University Students in Other Majors
Research in Learning & Behaviorism (4 credits) OR Learning & Behavior** (3 credits)	Learning & Behavior** (3 credits)
Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credits)	Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credits)
Behavioral Assessment and Measurement (3 credits)	Behavioral Assessment and Measurement (3 credits)
Developmental Psychopathology (3 credits)
Field Experience (3 credits)*
Total: 16 credits	Total: 9 credits

* Students need to apply for Field Experience at the beginning of the semester before they are interested in taking this course (e.g., If you are interested in taking this course in the Fall, you need to apply for it at the beginning of the Spring semester). You apply by completing the application outside the door of Dr. Valerie Davis-LaMastro in the Psychology office in Robinson Hall. PLEASE BE SURE TO INDICATE THAT YOU ARE A STUDENT IN THE SPECIALIZATION ON THIS FORM.

**Learning & Behavior will be offered Spring 2007.

Resources

Students should consider becoming student members of the following organizations:

Association for Behavior Analysis

New Jersey Chapter of Association for Behavior Analysis

Other resources in the field of behavior analysis are:

                                    Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies
                                    Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy
                                    BehaviorAnalysis.com (Searchable Database of Behavior Analysis and Related Events)
                                    Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
                                    Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior