Postgraduate Qualifications in Behaviour Analysis

Behaviour Analysis

Behaviour Analysis is a scientific approach to understanding why people and animals do what they do. Studying Behaviour Analysis will teach you how both animal and human behaviour is affected by events in the social and physical environment and what you can do to help produce behaviour change to help improve lives.  Knowledge of this science of behaviour and its behaviour-change technology will assist you in a variety of careers.

As a field, Behaviour Analysis consists of concepts, principles and techniques. As a student of Behaviour Analysis, you will learn the basic skills by which behaviour can be understood and changed. These skills include techniques to define and measure behaviour, create behaviour change programs and evaluate their effectiveness. Many of these techniques and strategies are taught in the courses that combine theoretical and practical learning to produce marketable skills. 

Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is the application of behaviour-analytic principles to helping with socially important behaviours.  ABA is used in many settings and with a wide range of problems, it is one the evidence-based interventions for many challenging behaviour problems.

Clinical Behaviour Analysis (CBA) is an approach to cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) that involves the application of behaviour-analytic principles through verbal strategies to help people with problems. These strategies, include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Careers in Behaviour Analysis

Some students study Behaviour Analysis in order to work with animal behaviour, as they are interested in researching animal behaviour or dealing with animal welfare issues and animal problem behaviours.  Others study it to apply their knowledge and skills to human problems, and to work using ABA or to undertake research in this area. Some wish to combine both of these.

For whatever reason you are considering taking courses in this area the behavioural programmes and courses will provide you with the knowledge which you can use to understand, study and work practically with behaviour. An understanding of how and why behaviour occurs and how it can be changed for the better is of fundamental value to almost all professions.

Depending on your specialty, you may work in a range of settings (including research institutions, private practice, education, universities, health services, business and industry, governmental agencies and zoos), and with a range of populations (including pets, agricultural species, individuals with special needs, teachers, families, and any others seeking positive behaviour change (including entire companies that have difficulties with employee performance)).

Students who specialised in Applied Behaviour Analysis are working in the community, in mental health, and in educational settings with a wide with individuals with a wide range of problems, including Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Conduct Disorder, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.     

However, it doesn’t matter what type of psychology you choose to practice, or whether you end up in a field orientated to people or animals. What is important is that you gain an understanding of how and why organisms behave (i.e., what maintains and/or influences behaviour (whether it be private or public)). 

The Postgraduate Diploma in the Practice of Psychology in Applied Behaviour Analysis (information on this is given later in this document) is a post-masters or post-doctorate qualification that is designed to provide the requirements for registration as a psychologist in New Zealand, specializing in the application of Behaviour Analysis, and to provide some of the course work hours and the supervised practical experience required for certification as a Behaviour Analysts by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (information on this is given later).

Practical Experience in ABA

Many students intending careers involving application of behaviour analysis (for example, those who intend to work with children or with people with an intellectual disability) gain practical experience alongside their undergraduate and graduate studies. This can be voluntary work or paid work as a support worker.  In addition, experience can be gained though working for parents who employ students specialising in ABA to work with their children, helping implement programmes for them.

Undergraduate Courses

Students want to study behaviour analysis at the University of Waikato should complete a BA, BSc or BSocSc with a major in Psychology and should include PSYC103 General and Experimental Psychology, PSYC225 Behavioural Psychology and Learning and PSYC314 Behaviour Analysis in their degree.

Depending on the area of interest, students should consider including PSYC337 Psychological Measurement and PSYC338 Abnormal Psychology in their degree. If interested in working in educational settings then they should consider including courses related to education in their degree and if interested in animal behaviour they should consider including Biological Science courses in their degree.

A double major in Psychology and Education could be considered by students wishing to work in special education or in other educational settings. 

A double major in Psychology and Biological Sciences could be considered by students wishing to work in animal behaviour and/or animal welfare.

Graduate Qualification in Behaviour Analysis

Students who already hold a bachelors degree in a subject other than psychology may include the behaviour analysis undergraduate courses outlined above as part of a Diploma in Social Sciences, Dip(SocSc), in Psychology (http://calendar.waikato.ac.nz/regulations/diplomas/dip.html) to gain entry into any of the postgraduate qualification.

Postgraduate Qualifications in Behaviour Analysis

Graduate courses in behaviour analysis can be taken separately or as part of a specialist qualification.  Students wishing to include some behaviour analysis in their postgraduate qualification may take the courses as part of one of the one year postgraduate programmes:

• Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology, PGDip(Psych), (http://calendar.waikato.ac.nz/regulations/diplomas/pgdip.html)

• Bachelors of Social Sciences with Honours, BSocSc(Hons), (http://calendar.waikato.ac.nz/regulations/graduate/bsocschons.html)

• Masters in Social Sciences, MSocSc, (http://calendar.waikato.ac.nz/regulations/graduate/msocsc.html).

 There are two specialist qualifications in Behaviour Analysis:

• Masters of Applied Psychology in Behaviour Analysis, MAppPsy(BA), can be a two year post-bachelors or a one year post-honours or post-PGDip(Psych) qualification. 

(see http://calendar.waikato.ac.nz/regulations/graduate/mapppsy.html).

• Postgraduate Diploma in the Practise of Psychology in Applied Behaviour Analysis, PGDipPracPsych(ABA), a one year post-masters qualification

(see http://calendar.waikato.ac.nz/regulations/diplomas/pgdippracpsych.html).

Doctoral Programme.  The University of Waikato also offers a research-only doctoral programme leading to a Doctorate in Philosophy (PhD) degree.  Students with the appropriate level of honours in their Masters degree may enrol in this degree and undertake a behavioural research topic (see http://calendar.waikato.ac.nz/regulations/graduate/phd.html).

Master of Applied Psychology in Behaviour Analysis (MAppPsy(BA))
 

The Master of Applied Psychology in Behaviour Analysis at the University of Waikato provides students with:

• a sound understanding of the underlying concepts and principles associated with Behaviour Analysis, and of the applications of these concepts and principles.
• a knowledge of the research skills required for Behaviour Analysis, including the ability to read, interpret and appraise published behavioural research critically, and the ability to conduct fundamental and, where appropriate, applied research in Behaviour Analysis.
• an understanding of functional analyses of problem behaviour and of how to develop an appropriate programme for behaviour change in their area of specialty.
• analytic and library research skills, and skills in presenting proposals and reports in both written and oral format.

The behaviour analysis courses available for this degree are approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.® (BACB®) as providing some of the course work hours required before candidates can apply to sit the BACB certification examination.

The MAppPsy in Behaviour Analysis can be taken as a two year (full time) degree.  Candidates must pass the equivalent of 240 points.  120 of the required points are taken in the first year from the core courses in Behaviour Analysis, a directed study and from elective courses outlined below.  The remaining points are completed in the second year and will typically come from a 120-point thesis.  However, if it is decided that the student requires further academic background, they may be required to complete a 90-point thesis or 60-point dissertation and the remaining 30 or 60 points from the Year 1 corses.  Papers should be selected in consultation with the Behaviour Analysis Programme Staff.

Year 1 of the programme normally comprises 120 points of courses made up of the core and elective courses.

All candidates must take the four core behavioural courses (15 pt each) together with  PSYC587 Behaviour Analysis Practicum (15 pt) or PSYC588 or PSYC589 Directed Study (15 pt) (or PSYC590 Directed Study (30 pt)) in a relevant area. These give 75 (or 90) points. Candidates select their remaining 30 - 45 points, in discussion with the Programme staff, from the elective courses.

Core Courses

PSYC538 (15 pt)       Applications of Behaviour Analysis
PSYC560 (15 pt)       Applied Behaviour Analysis: Theory and Issues  
PSYC561 (15 pt)       Behaviour Analysis Research and Theory.
PSYC577 (15 pt)       Recent Research in Behaviour Analysis 

Elective Courses

Candidates select their remaining 30 - 45 points in discussion with the Programme staff, elective papers are:

    PSYC540 (15 pt)            Behavioural and Perceptual Development
    PSYC559 (15 pt)            Animal Behaviour and Welfare
    PSYC564 (15 pt)            Child Psychopathology
    PSYC575 (15 pt)            Psychological applications & the Treaty of Waitangi
    PSYC581 (15 pt)            Psychological Assessment

Other psychology graduate courses relevant to the student’s specialty (such as PSYC574 - Principles and Theories of Cognitive/Behavioural Therapies and PSYC556 - Advanced Topics in Abnormal Adult Psychology) may be included with approval from the Programme staff. 

Students with biology in their undergraduate degree, in addition to their psychology major, and with an interest in applications of Behaviour Analysis to animal behaviour may consider taking:

    BIOL533 (30 pt)            Advanced Animal Behaviour

Students with education in their undergraduate degree, in addition to their psychology major, may include an appropriate education 500-level paper.

MAppPsy Thesis or Dissertation

Year 2 of the Programme normally comprises 120 points from:

        PSYC594 Thesis (120 pt)

or, if the student requires further academic background, they may be required to take:

PSYC593 Thesis (90 pt) and 30 points from Year 1 papers

or

PSYC592 Dissertation (60 pt) and 60 points from Year 1 papers

Theses and dissertations must be on an approved behavioural topic. Papers should also be selected in consultation with the Behaviour Analysis Programme Staff.

MAppPsy(BA) Degree Structure

MAppPsy (BA) Entry Requirements

Applications will be considered from students with all of the following:

• a Bachelor's Degree with a major in Psychology,
• an average grade of at least B+ in Psychology undergraduate papers,
• a pass in PSYC307 Research Methods (or an equivalent paper), and
• a pass in PSYC314 Behaviour Analysis (or equivalent paper).

Some of the elective courses have pre-requisite requirements over and above those required for the core courses and for entry into the programme. When possible, students should check these when selecting their third year undergraduate papers.  Which courses are recommended will depend on the area the student wishes to specialise in.  Programme staff are available for consultation on this.  It is possible to complete some of the prerequisites papers concurrently with MAppPsy(BA) programme.   

Students who have already completed PGDip(Psych) or a Bachelor’s with Honours degree in Psychology, or who have completed some or all of the core 500-level courses for the programme and who have achieved at least a B+ average over their honours courses may be accepted for enrolment in the MAppPsy(BA) for one year of study (Year 2 of the programme). Such students may be required to take specific courses alongside their thesis depending on the content of their PGDip(Psych) (or Honours degree) courses.

PGDip(Psych) and BSocSc(Hons)

Students whose grades do not meet the grade requirement or who have high enough grade average but would prefer to do a BSocSc(Hons) degree may take the MAppPsy(BA) courses as part of a PGDip(Psych) or a BSocSc(Hons).  Provided they obtain a grade of B+ or more over the 120 points of the qualifications they can then apply for entry to the MAppPsy(BA) and take Year 2 of this as a one-year degree.    

Applying for entry to the MAppPsy

Applications for this programme should contain the applicant's full name and contact details. Students who are not graduates of Waikato should also include their academic record. Details of the each student's course of study must be approved by the programme staff once the student has been accepted into the programme.

Applications can be made electronically (through e-mail: Psychology@waikato.ac.nz) or by letter or using an application form (available from the Department) sent to:  Administration Manager, Department of Psychology, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton 3240, NZ.

Postgraduate Diploma in the Practice of Psychology (Applied Behaviour Analysis) - PGDipPracPsych(ABA)

The goals of the PGDipPracPsych(ABA) are to provide Masters and Doctorate graduates in Behaviour Analysis with:

1. a quality learning experience for making the transition from academic knowledge to professional practice; 
2. a means of achieving a postgraduate qualification recognized in both New Zealand and Australia; and
3. a pathway for registration as a psychologist under the Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act.

Graduates of the PGDipPracPsych(ABA) will have developed practical skills in applying behavioural principles to a range of behaviour problems in their area of specialty, including experience with functional analyses of problem behaviour, with developing and applying appropriate programmes for behaviour change, with the design of techniques for assessment and data collection, with implementing behaviour change programmes and adjusting them in the light of any problems that arise, and of addressing ethical issues while abiding by the guidelines for responsible conduct of Behaviour Analysts.

Candidates for this qualification must enrol and follow an approved programme of study in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences for at least one year of full time study, or not more than three years of part-time study.

ThePGDipPracPsych(ABA) is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time diploma worth 120 points.  The programme includes three papers that are taken simultaneously to complete the diploma. The three papers are integrated with the practical work and the content is covered during the regular meetings but there are occasional extra meetings if required to assure all students cover all of the material. Undertaking these papers requires regular attendance at supervision meetings, course work meetings, the completion of six project reports in the practice of Applied Behaviour Analysis, regular maintenance of a professional practice log, and the submission of a work folio. There is a final examination. 

PGDipPracPsych(ABA) Courses

PSYC543C  The Practice of Psychology (ABA) (60 pts)
PSYC541C  Case Study Analysis in Applied Psychology (ABA) (40 pts).
PSYC542C  Professional Issues in Psychology (ABA) (20 pts)

PGDipPracPsych(ABA) and Registration as a Psychologist in NZ

This programme is designed to provide supervision for 1500 hours of professional experience for those wishing to register as Psychologists under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (http://www.moh.govt.nz/hpca) in NZ.  

Once accepted into the programme students apply to the NZ Psychologists Board to register as intern psychologist. For the application form and fees see http://www.psychologistsboard.org.nz/.  Once registered they then apply to the same Board for an interim practising certificate (IPC). There is a fee for the IPC and the IPC must be renewed at the end of March each year of the internship until the programme is completed (renewals of IPCs will not incur further costs).

PGDipPracPsych(ABA) and BACB Certification

PSYC541 and PSYC542 provide some of the coursework hours for the BACB approved course work sequence (see the later section on BACA certification). 

Provided 1000 hours of the candidate practice are in applied behaviour analysis the course PSYC543 provides the supervised practical experience required to apply to sit the BACB certification examination (see later).

PGDipPracPsych(ABA) Entry Requirements

Students must, in addition to fulfilling the requirements set out in the appropriate regulations, meet the Departmental requirements for entry into the programme.  Entry requires:

• a Masters or Doctoral degree specialising in Behaviour Analysis,
• ongoing, full-time employment (either paid or unpaid) in an organisation which provides the opportunity to practice in Applied Behaviour Analysis. The programme requires the student completes 1500 hours of professional practice over a year if taken full-time (at least half-time employment is required for part-time enrolment), and
• the availability of a suitable academic supervisor.

Entry is subject to the approval of the Chairperson of Psychology.  In cases where a candidate has not completed a named degree in Behaviour Analysis, the Chairperson of Psychology will assess whether sufficient graduate-level papers and a thesis/dissertation in the specialisation have been taken. Whether the employment requirement is met will be determined by the Psychology Department from the candidate's job description, and a signed letter of agreement from the candidate's manager.

Applying for entry to the PGDipPracPsych(ABA)

Before applying formally for entry into this programme please contact Assoc. Prof. Mary Foster to discuss the suitability of your employment and the availability of appropriate supervision. 

Applications for entry into should include details of employment to confirm the employment is appropriate for this programme. Students who have not graduated through the University of Waikato should include a detailed academic record and the names of two referees.

Applications should be made to the Department of Psychology

The Administration Manager,
Department of Psychology
Re: PGDipPracPsych(ABA),
University of Waikato,
Private Bag 3105,
Hamilton, 3240,
New Zealand  
Ph. +64 7 838 4032

Certification under the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.® (BACB®)

There are two levels of certification offered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board -

• Board Certified Associate Behavior Analyst (BACB®) and
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®).

Both require the candidate to complete a specified number of hours in academic course work covering specific areas, a specified number of hours of supervised and appropriate practical experience and an examination run by the BACB (see http://www.bacb.com/).

BACB Courentry to the PGDipPracPsych(ABA)e Work Hours

The Department of Psychology at the University of Waikato has course sequences approved by the BACB as providing the academic course work hours required for a student to apply sit the certification examination for both BCBA and BCaBA.

The BACB specifies the course work hours required in a range of content areas.  Course work hours for the BCaBA can be both undergraduate and postgraduate; those for BCBA must all be postgraduate.  

The content areas, the course work hours required in each, the courses for the BACB approved course sequences and the hours in each area obtained by completing each course are given below. Completing any of the courses given here gives a credit of the number of course work hours shown for the content areas indicated.

Approved Course Sequence for a Board Certified Associate Behaviour Analyst

 Content areas and hours required by the BACB for certification as a BCaBA. 

a.       Ethical considerations - 10 hours

b.      Definition & characteristics and Principles, processes & concepts - 40 hours

c.       Behavioral assessment and Selecting intervention outcomes & strategies – 25 hours

d.      Experimental evaluation of interventions, & Measurement of behavior and Displaying & interpreting behavioral data - 20 hours

e.       Behavioral change procedures and Systems support - 40 hours

Coursework hours pre-approved towards the requirements for certification as a BCaBA at the University of Waikato (March 2009).

 Approved Course Sequence for a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst

Content areas and hours required by the BACB for certification as a BCBA.

 a.       Ethical considerations - 15 hours

b.      Definition & characteristics and Principles, processes & concepts - 45 hours

c.       Behavioral assessment and Selecting intervention outcomes & strategies - 35 hours

d.      Experimental evaluation of interventions - 20 hours

e.       Measurement of behavior and Displaying & interpreting behavioral data - 20 hours

f.       Behavioral change procedures and Systems support - 45 hours

g.      Discretionary - 45 hours

Coursework hours pre-approved towards the requirements for certification as a BCBA at the University of Waikato (March 2009).

BACB practicum hours

The Postgraduate Diploma in the Practice of Psychology in Applied Behaviour Analysis course PSYC720 (PSYC543) - The Practice of Psychology (ABA) - is approved by the BACB as meeting the university practicum requirements provided 1000 of the 1500 hours of practise fits the BACB description of appropriate activities.

From the BACB web site these are:

“Appropriate Applicant Activities: 

The applicant’s primary focus should be on learning new behavior analytic skills related to the BACB Third Edition Task List.  Activities must adhere to the dimensions of applied behavior analysis identified by Baer, Wolf, and Risley (1968) in the article Some Current Dimensions of Applied Behavior Analysis published in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.  Applicants are encouraged to have experiences in multiple sites and with multiple supervisors. 

Appropriate experience activities include:

1.            Conducting assessment activities related to the need for behavioral interventions,

2.            Designing, implementing, and monitoring behavior analysis programs for clients,

3.            Overseeing the implementation of behavior analysis programs by others,

4.            Other activities normally performed by a behavior analyst that are directly related to behavior analysis such as attending planning meetings regarding the behavior analysis program, researching the literature related to the program, talking to individuals about the program; plus any additional activities related to oversight of behavioral programming such as behavior analyst supervision issues, or evaluation of behavior analysts' performance.  The supervisor will determine if activities qualify.

Examples of activities that are not appropriate as experience activities include: attending meetings with little or no behavior analytic content, providing interventions that are not based in behavior analysis, doing non-behavior analytic administrative activities, or any other activities that are not directly related to behavior analysis.”

BACB examination

 Students who complete the MAppPsy(BA) core papers and PSYC540 and who then complete the PGDipPracPsych(ABA) while in employment that provided appropriate applied behavioural experience will meet the course work and practical experience requirements so they can then apply to the BACB to sit the BACB examination to be certified.

Doctorate in Philosophy Programme (PhD)

The University of Waikato offers a research-only PhD programme.  Students with a background in any area of Behaviour Analysis are welcome to apply.  Staff in the Department of Psychology can support behaviour analysis research with either human or animal subjects and over a range of experimental and applied topics.  The Department of Psychology web site contains some information on past and ongoing research topics.

If you are interested in this programme, first contact any of the behavioural staff to discuss potential topics and supervision.

Details of the degree requirements can be found at: http://calendar.waikato.ac.nz/regulations/graduate/phd.html

For further information on any of the above contact:

The Administration Manager,
Department of Psychology,
The University of Waikato,
Private Bag 3105,
Hamilton, New Zealand

Email: psychology@waikato.ac.nz
Tel: +64 7 838 4032
Fax: +64 7 856 2158

International students should also contact:
International Centre
The University of Waikato
Private Bag 3105,
Hamilton, New Zealand
Telephone: +64 7 838 4439
Facsimile: +64 7 838 4269
Email: intlc@waikato.ac.nz