Behaviour Analysis - Applied Behaviour Analysis

Overview
Behaviour analysis has been recognised as the basis for medically necessary intervention and educational provision for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. With the growing prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (now estimated to be 1:54) behaviour analysis has experienced a significant rise in popularity.

There are over 46,000 certified behaviour analysts worldwide and this number is predicted to rise given that professional approval is seen as the key to delivering high quality services to individuals, families, in schools and in related settings. Furthermore, behaviour analysis is increasingly being applied to general education, special education, health and social care settings and organisational leadership settings.

This programme is a highly interactive blended learning programme (mostly online with some face-to-face workshops) providing professionals from a wide range of backgrounds with scientifically validated expertise that is applicable to mainstream and special needs education, inclusion, curriculum, learning, and pedagogy. It should be of interest to professionals wishing to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA®)*, to those in the 'helping' professions (e.g. teachers, speech/language therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists) and students preparing for PhD studies.

Please note that unfortunately this course is not eligible for a Tier 4 visa.

* Recently, the BACB announced impactful changes related to international focus. Anyone who wishes to pursue BACB certification should familiarise themselves with these changes to see if they may be affected. You can read about these changes here: https://www.bacb.com/global-certification/

Learning and Teaching
Learning opportunities available with this course are outlined below:

Online Learning

The programme content is delivered online with multiple focused weekly virtual interactions that include peer and tutor feedback. This structure allows for acquisition of knowledge, information sharing, development of critical thinking skills, and giving and receiving immediate feedback.

An intensive, on-campus, one-day or half-day consolidation workshop takes place once during each module to give students the opportunity to meet each other and course tutors face-to-face.

Students can study at the time of their convenience within pre-determined weekly periods.

Contact Teaching Hours per Week
Typically, 4-6 hours per week per module.

Course Structure
Students may enrol on a full-time (1 year) or part-time (2**-3 years) basis. Part-time students typically complete one or two modules per semester. Full-time students typically complete three modules per
semester.

The MSc is awarded to students who successfully complete six taught modules (120 CATS) and a 15,000-20,000-word dissertation (60 CATS) or ABA Portfolio (60 CATS), as well as audit 'An Introduction to Research Methods: Children, Young People and Education' online module in Semester 2.

** the 2-year part-time study route is subject to specific University regulations.

Course Details
Students may enrol on a full-time (1 year) or part-time (2 or 3 years) basis. Individual modules may be studied as a short course. Part-time students typically complete one or two modules per semester. Full-time students typically complete three modules per semester. The MSc is awarded to students who successfully complete six taught modules (120 CATS) and a 15,000-20,000-word dissertation (60 CATS) or ABA Portfolio (60 CATS), as well as audit 'An Introduction to Research Methods: Children, Young People and Education' online module in Semester 2.

Students may exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Behaviour Analysis by successfully completing 120 CATS points from taught pathway modules.

Please note that unfortunately this course is not eligible for a Tier 4 visa.

Indicative Number of Modules per Semester
Part-time students typically complete one or two modules per semester. Full-time students typically complete three modules per semester.

Modules (all 20 CATS points) - with assessment method in brackets:

Assessment in Behaviour Analysis (weekly multiple-choice tests and final essay)

Behaviour Change and Education and Supervising Others (weekly multiple-choice tests and final essay)

Concepts and Principles of Behaviour Analysis (weekly discussion forum posts and summative multiple-choice exam)

Ethical and Professional Conduct (weekly discussion forum posts and final essay)

Evaluation in Behaviour Analysis (weekly discussion forum posts and final essay)

Fundamental Elements of Behaviour Change (weekly discussion forum posts and summative multiple-choice exam)

Students are expected to audit 'An introduction to Research Methods: Children, Young People and Education' online module in Semester 2.

Indicative Proportional Mix of Time in Classes, Tutorials/Seminars/Labs, and Private Study in a Teaching Semester
15- or 17.5-hours online delivery, 5- or 2.5-hours face-to-face seminar per 20 CATS point module.

Graduate
A 2.1 Honours degree or above or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any subject discipline plus one year of experience in an Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) or related context and access to an ABA related working environment.

Applicants with a 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University may also be considered if they have at least two years of experience in an ABA related context and access to an ABA related working environment.

Applicants with a lower level of performance in an Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University may also be considered if they have at least three years of experience in an ABA related context and access to an ABA related working environment.

Applicants with a sub-honours degree level qualification or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University may also be considered if they have at least five years of experience in an ABA related context and access to an ABA related working environment.

Applicants who do not satisfy the above but who are holders of an equivalent approved professional qualification or work experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Closing date for applications: Monday 31st May 2021 at 4.00pm.

International Students
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level

Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal go.qub.ac.uk/pgapply and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Closing date for applications: Tuesday 31st May 2022 at 4.00pm.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal prior to the deadline stated on course finder. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

Modules are assessed by a variety of methods, eg multiple choice tests, essays, project reports, and contributions to an online discussion forum.

1 academic year full-time or 3 academic years part-time.

Teaching Times
Online content is available on a weekly basis and students can flexibly choose when to complete tasks within weekly deadlines specific to each module. Half or full-day on-campus workshops take place once per semester for each module.

Entry year 2020

Career Prospects
Introduction
Most students are already in relevant jobs and the job market is healthy for behaviour analysts at present. Professionals behaviour analysts have the skills and knowledge to develop, implement and evaluate quality interventions that help to produce positive behavioural changes in a range of settings.

Typically, behaviour analysts work in the 'helping' professions (psychologists, teachers, speech/language therapists, occupational therapists). Increasingly, jobs advertised for behaviour managers or specialists require BCBA status and there is a demand for BCBAs in Europe and worldwide, especially in North America.

Teachers as well as allied health professionals should find this degree beneficial for their workplace.

Employment after the Course
There is a shortage of professional Behaviour Analysts worldwide. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to work in educational and clinical settings serving diverse populations, such as individuals with developmental disorders, students with learning difficulties, children/adults with behaviour problems and related difficulties.

An analysis of the demand for BCBAs in the USA provided details on the most frequent job roles. For information, visit:
https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/151009-burning-glass-report.pdf