Behaviour Analysis - Applied

This course is designed for professionals who work (or intend to work) in the caring professions. You will develop your theoretical and conceptual knowledge in behaviour analysis, develop skills in behavioural assessment, and acquire the ability to work in partnership with clients where they plan and implement programmes that are aimed at establishing, strengthening and/or weakening targeted behaviours.



It aims to provide a foundation to prepare those interested in applying for the internationally-recognised examination leading to Board Certification in Behaviour Analysis (BCBA). This course will normally be completed over two calendar years to allow time to obtain relevant work experience, which is a requirement for future certification. Part-time students will study for two years at Ulster. There is also the possibility of a placement year at the New England Centre for Children in Boston.



Graduates have successful careers in education and health authorities and charities as behaviour specialists, or have gone to work privately by providing home and school-based behavioural interventions for families.



Work placement / study abroad

Students are responsible for sourcing their own suitable placement opportunities which will allow them to complete a minimum 250 hours of work based practice using the principles of behaviour analysis. We anticipate the use of a variety of types of placement. These will include those where the student is an employee of an organisation that regularly employs ABA, or is a full-time employee of an organisation that employs a range of approaches in working with clients (e.g. a learning disability service), or is a part-time employee involved in delivering a behavioural programme at the home of a child. Where none of these conditions are possible we will endeavour to help students identify a community-based activity which could form the basis of a suitable placement. In every case, there will be active negotiation with the agency to ensure that suitable opportunities for the placement student can be made available, that adequate health safety standards will be met, and that adequate supervision arrangements can be established.



Those students interested in carrying out a placement in the New England Center for Children (NECC) should be aware that the Ulster University cannot guarantee any student a placement position or the number of placements available. These decisions are at the discretion of NECC. Please also note that Ulster University cannot guarantee any student a work visa for the US, thus any student applying for a visa should not give up employment or book flights until the visa application has been successful.



For further course details please see "Course Web Page".

Year one

• Introduction: Theories and Application of Applied Behaviour Analysis

• Scientific Principles of Behaviour Analysis

• Ethical and legal considerations in applied behaviour analysis

• Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Applied Behaviour Analysis

• Assessment and Intervention techniques in Applied Behaviour Analysis



Year two

• Placement with work experience in applied behaviour analysis

• Research Methods and Advanced Techniques in Applied Behaviour Analysis

• Dissertation based on a research project in applied behaviour analysis

Standard entry conditions

To apply to our postgraduate taught programmes, you must meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements and any course-specific requirements.



Entry Requirements

A second class honours degree in psychology or equivalent subject (e.g., education, child development, social work) and have relevant experience. Candidates will be interviewed to assess motivation and experience.



The closing date for applications for entry is normally 31 May and interviews are held in June. Applications received after that date may be considered if all places are not filled. If all places are filled then late applications will be considered the following year.



Those with a 2:2 are welcome to apply, but preference will be given to those who have some additional relevant experience to add to their CV.

Your Application

Application is through the University's online application system (see "Application Weblink").

Start Date: September 2024

Career options

Those students who have completed the course have gone on to have successful careers in a number of areas. For example numerous students have gone on to work for local health and education authorities, and charities as behaviour specialists in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Numerous students have gone on to work privately by providing home- and school-based behavioural interventions for families. A number of students who completed their placement year with the New England Centre for Children (NECC) in Boston went on to work for NECC in London and Abu Dhabi.



As the BCBA qualification is internationally recognised a number of graduates have gone on to work as behaviour analysts in countries such as the US, Australia, and Canada.



Those students who completed the course whilst in employment have gone on to bring their new skillset to such diverse backgrounds as education (Special Needs and mainstream), social work, and mental health nursing.