
Honors Bachelor of Behavior Analysis
Toronto, Canada
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2025
TUITION FEES
CAD 20,923 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
Leadership Claims
George Brown College was the first college in Toronto to offer the Behavioral Science Technology Advanced Diploma and spearheaded the development of the provincial Autism and behavioral Science programs. This honours degree program is the latest evolution reflecting our leadership in the field.
The Honours Bachelor of behavior Analysis is a four-year degree program that takes an in-depth look at Applied behavior Analysis (ABA) – a field of study that uses a systematic and analytical approach to modify behavior in a desirable way.
We have been providing training and education in applied behavior analysis in Toronto for more than 15 years. Our graduates are leaders of behavioral treatment in fields as varied as forensic mental health, autism spectrum disorder, and acquired brain injury.
ABA is an effective practice that is often used with populations who have:
- autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- brain injury
- dementia
- developmental disabilities
- addiction
- mental health disorders
What you Will Be Studying
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a scientific approach to the treatment and understanding of human behavior. This approach can be applied to the entire range of human behavior (i.e., thoughts, feelings, and actions). Research has shown that an evidence-based approach such as ABA is most effective at decreasing problem behavior and developing a variety of skills.
The ABA approach involves three main components:
Component 1: A complete behavioral assessment is conducted. A variety of interview and observational techniques are used to gain an understanding of the behavior to be changed. Students learn how to observe and analyze behavior in a variety of situations in order to develop an effective treatment strategy.
Component 2: The next step is to use the results of the behavioral assessment to develop an effective plan that will reduce specific problem behaviors and develop or strengthen cognitive and behavioral skills. Students will learn a variety of behavioral and cognitive-behavioral techniques that can be used to change behavior.
Component 3: The final phase is an ongoing evaluation of components one and two. Students will learn how to measure the effectiveness of their interventions and continue to refine and revise their interventions based on the results of these measures.
Research Component
A foundational aspect of this degree lies with the research component of the program. Students will begin preparing for this capstone project in years 1 and 2 through research preparatory courses. During the fall and winter semesters of year 3, students will learn how to prepare an applied research proposal. The actual research will be conducted during the fall semester of the fourth year. Students will receive faculty support throughout the entire process.
ABAI Verified course sequence
The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the following courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® examination. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination. View ABAI approved course sequence.
The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) has published Verified Course Sequence pass rate data for 2020. This provides information on the percentage of first-time candidates who sat and passed the exam to become Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBAs) from each Verified Course Sequence this year.
Preparing future leaders
In addition to preparing students to be practicing behaviorists, the degree program helps prepare them to become leaders in this emerging field. Not only will students be supported in becoming client-centered clinicians, but they will also have the opportunity to learn the skills to advance behavior analysis from a system-wide perspective, to support large-scale changes in agencies, organizations, and government.
This intensive program, delivered on-site at George Brown’s state-of-the-art Daphne Cockwell Centre for Health Sciences located at the Waterfront Campus, is suitable for students who are data-driven, enjoy analyzing patterns, and like to work with challenging behaviors.
The program’s core courses are focused on five areas of learning:
- behavioral science theories, principles, and methods
- special populations
- psychology
- research methods/statistics
- ethics, professionalism, and leadership
Advanced-entry options
Students with a 3.0 GPA or higher, who meet one of the following requirements, are eligible to enter a summer (May-August) bridging pathway that leads into the third year (Semester 5) of the Honours Bachelors of behavior Analysis (S303) degree program.
- any approved Ontario college behavioral science technician diploma program, OR
- George Brown students who have successfully completed two years of the behavioral Science Technology advanced diploma (C116) program, OR
- graduates of George Brown’s behavior Science Technician (C146) diploma program
Starting in January 2020, graduates of any approved Ontario college behavioral science technology advanced diploma program who earned a 3.0 GPA or higher are eligible to enter a bridging pathway that leads to the fourth year (semester 7) of the Honours Bachelors of behavior Analysis (S304) degree program.
For more details, please contact Program Coordinator, Don Togade.
External applicants from other institutions will be assessed for advanced standing on a case-by-case basis.
Your Field Education Options
While classroom theory is a very important part of your learning experience, we believe that field placement plays a critical role in solidifying that experience by letting you apply classroom theory to a real-world environment.
You can expect to participate in field placement one day (eight hours) per week in semesters 3, 4, 5, and 6. Between semesters 6 and 7 (between years three and four), you will complete one 14-week field experience term (unpaid) during which you will be expected to conduct a research thesis.
Prior to starting the field experience term, a field coordinator will help students:
- explore their interests
- prepare for interviews
- facilitate interview meetings by providing feedback
Once students are in their placement settings, they will obtain support from the agency's on-site supervisor as well as support from a college faculty field liaison.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarships for international students at George Brown College are generally in-program awards based on students’ academic performance (and other criteria) at George Brown College after the beginning of the academic program.
Curriculum
Required Courses
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 |
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Semester 4 | Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
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Semester 7 | Fall | Semester 8 |
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Note: This program will be going through degree renewal process with the curriculum under review and development.
Program Outcome
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Learn about psychological theory, research, and practices.
- Design and conduct various assessments across a variety of settings and populations.
- Design and implement research-based programs in applied behavior analysis and evaluate their effectiveness.
- Practice behavioral consulting skills with different populations.
- Demonstrate appropriate social, professional, and clinical skills in the context of an interdisciplinary setting with a variety of clients, their support networks, professionals, and the community.
- Maintain a high degree of professionalism and ethical standards.
- Communicate, orally and in written form, results of behavioral assessments and treatment programs.
- Understand, critically evaluate and synthesize issues in society.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Career Options
ABA practitioners may find themselves in roles that include the following responsibilities:
- assessment of a client’s skills
- the development and implementation of skill acquisition programs
- functional assessment of challenging behaviors
- behavior management plans
- data collection and analysis
- case management
Their knowledge and skills are applicable to numerous opportunities, which may include such job titles as:
- autism spectrum disorders consultant
- behavior technician
- behavior therapist
- behavioral consultant
- behavioral specialist
- instructor therapist
- recreational therapist
- residential support worker
- transition co-ordinator
- vocational support worker
Future Study Options
Graduates of this program have gone on to earn a master’s degree at the following institutions in these related areas: applied behavior analysis, applied disability studies, counseling psychology.
- Brock University – Applied Disability Studies
- The Chicago School of Professional Psychology – Applied Behavior Analysis
- Missouri State University – Applied Behavior Analysis
- Western University – Applied Behavior Analysis
- University of British Columbia - Special Education
- Yorkville University – Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology
Graduates of a health sciences program who have an interest in working in long-term care facilities should consider applying to our Interprofessional Complex and Long-Term Care postgraduate certificate. This two-semester program will teach you to coordinate and manage a healthcare team of interprofessional complex and long-term care professionals. The courses are delivered online and on-demand to accommodate working professionals. This program includes a clinical field placement component.