Applied Behavior Analysis












ABA Degree Types @ ABA Degree Programs

What is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)?

A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is a person with a certification in applied behavior analysis which is critical for professional caregiving for ASD. BCBAs receive this certification through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.

Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) uses scientific and systematic processes to help influence an individual’s behavior. Behavior analysts can work in schools, classrooms, hospitals, clinics, and nonprofits; many analysts specialize in certain areas like autism, developmental disabilities, or mental health issues.

How does BCBA certification work?

To receive BCBA certification, there are four main requirements every applicant must meet:

What is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a type of therapeutic intervention that can improve social, communication, and learning skills through reinforcement techniques. In addition to improving general adaptive behaviours, such as social skills, learning skills, it can focus on specific skill learning such as fine motor dexterity, hygiene, grooming, etc. Some also call it Autism Behavioural Therapy but it’s just one of ABA’s applications. ABA is effective for both children and adults with psychological conditions in a variety of settings, including schools, homes, and clinics. It has also been shown that consistent ABA therapy can significantly improve positive skills and behaviours and decrease the need for special services in the future

ABA therapy programs can help:

ABA is a type of therapy based on the psychology of learning and behavioural trades. ABA therapy applies the understanding of how behaviour works in real-life situations, to increase behaviours that are helpful and decrease behaviours that are harmful or affect learning. Applied Behavior Analysis involves several techniques for understanding and changing behaviour. ABA is a form of flexible treatment that can be adapted to meet the needs of each unique person. It can also be provided in many different locations – at home, at school, and in the community. ABA therapy can involve one-to-one teaching or group instruction ABA therapy programs can help:

A qualified behavioural psychologist designs and directly oversees the program. They customize the ABA program to the child’s skills, needs, interests, preferences, and family circumstances. The ABA program is started with a detailed assessment of the child’s existing skills and preferences in order to formulate specific treatment goals. Treatment goals are decided after taking into consideration the age and ability level of the child with autism. Goals can include different skill areas, such as:

The instruction plan breaks down each of these skills into small, concrete steps. The therapist teaches each step one by one, from simple (e.g. imitating single sounds) to more complex (e.g. carrying on a conversation). Progress is measured by collecting data in each therapy session. Data helps to monitor the child’s progress toward goals on an ongoing basis.

The therapist egularly meets with family members to review information about progress in order to plan ahead and adjust teaching plans and goals accordingly.

5 Techniques Used in Applied Behaviour Analysis

Applied Behavior Analysis involves several techniques to produce desired results in children who can benefit from behaviour modification. Here are five of those valuable techniques:

Once the therapist has analysed how the child performs tasks, this information is used to make other tasks easier for the particular child by breaking them down into steps that will be easily understood by the child.

Children with special needs benefit the most from personalized and special assistance. Therapists who use applied behaviour analysis use these particular techniques and others that help make children who need a little more help independent, well adjusted and happy adults.


Sources:

Further reading:

Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB)

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.® (BACB®) has been the leader in behavior analyst certification for over two decades. The BACB is a nonprofit corporation that was established in 1998 to meet professional certification needs identified by behavior analysts, governments, and consumers of behavior-analytic services. The BACB’s mission is to protect consumers of behavior-analytic services by systematically establishing, promoting, and disseminating professional standards of practice.

Accreditation

The BCBA®, BCaBA®, and RBT® certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the accreditation body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE). NCCA’s Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs were the first standards developed for professional certification programs to help ensure the health, welfare, and safety of the public. NCCA standards articulate the essential elements of a high-quality certification program. Consistent with these standards, the BACB’s certification requirements, examination content, and procedures undergo regular review by subject matter experts in the discipline. 

To learn more about accreditation, see ICE’s video, Value of Accreditation: Why it Matters.

The Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) is a graduate-level certification in behavior analysis. Professionals certified at the BCBA level are independent practitioners who provide behavior-analytic services.

BCBAs may supervise the work of Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts® (BCaBAs®), Registered Behavior Technicians® (RBTs®), and other professionals who implement behavior-analytic interventions.

Role in the Profession

In the profession of applied behavior analysis, the BACB’s primary role is to operate certification programs, which involves responsibilities similar to regulatory boards.. In this role, the BACB establishes practice standards, administers examinations, and provides ethics requirements and a disciplinary system for each of its certification programs. Due to the BACB’s 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, regulatory-like function, and NCCA accreditation, certain activities are limited, such as engaging in political activity. To learn more about our role and limitations, read our blog post, The BACB: What it is, What it Does, and Why, and listen to Episode 11 of our podcast, Inside the BACB.

Episode 14: Introducing the BCBA and BCaBA Handbooks

The BCBA Handbook describes the requirements for obtaining and maintaining BCBA certification.

In this episode 11 of Inside the BACB, CEO Jim Carr and Deputy CEO Melissa Nosik explore the BACB’s role in the profession of behavior analysis and discuss diversity policies, processes, programs, and other developments. 

ABA Degree Programs

ABA was established in the 1970s at the University of California-Los Angeles by researchers Ivan Lovaas and Robert Koegel. Applied behavior analysis is an increasingly popular therapeutic approach for intervening when socially unacceptable behaviors start negatively affecting one’s life. ABA therapy involves modifying and reinforcing proper behaviors, from good hygiene to social interaction, to improve daily functioning. 

Behavior analysts now use ABA methods for several disabilities, including autism, oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety, bulimia, cerebral palsy, and manic depression, with great success. A study from the Center for Evidence-Based Policy found that 92.9 percent of special needs children treated with ABA displayed positive progress. Delivering applied behavior analysis services in 1:1 settings requires becoming certified after ABA training. 

What is an ABA Degree? What are types of ABA Degrees?

Applied behavior analysis degrees are post-secondary, vocational training programs often housed in universities’ education departments to prepare therapeutic practitioners for correcting unfit behaviors. Getting an ABA degree online, on-campus, or in a hybrid format is extremely valuable for entering Forbes magazine’s #6 most meaningful job. ABA students learn the latest techniques like discrete trial training or naturalistic teaching to model and reinforce appropriate social interactions. Applied behavior analysis programs are suitable for any patient, open-minded, and compassionate professionals who wish to specialize in treating neurodevelopmental disabilities in today’s growing special education field.

Applied Behavior Analysis Bachelor’s

Undergraduate ABA majors introduce baccalaureate learners to the basics of behavioral assessment and intervention plans for entry-level positions. Investing four to five years on bachelor’s curricula would qualify individuals for the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCABA) credential. This ABA training traditionally consists of 120-130 semester hours by blending liberal arts classes like English composition with foundational courses in child psychology, special education, neuroscience, sociology, and more. The Behavior Analyst  Certification Board (BACB) requires that bachelor’s students complete 500+ intensive practicum hours during their degree to satisfy licensing. 

Applied Behavior Analysis Master’s

Graduate students who’ve culminated bachelor’s study would enter ABA master’s programs to develop the advanced skills and authority to address autism symptoms independently. This is the most streamlined licensing pathway for becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) within two to three years full-time. Master’s degrees in ABA build atop undergrad education for 36-54 additional credits of graduate courses, such as quantitative design, psychometrics, intervention support, and ethics, with integrated practicum. Master of Arts or Science degrees typically require thesis research or applied projects for capstone competency evaluation too. 

Applied Behavior Analysis Certificates

The Chronicle of Higher Education reported that graduate certificates are America’s fastest-growing college credential held by around 4 million adults. ABA certificates are designed for post-bachelor’s students with education, human services, and social sciences backgrounds to become BCBAs. Quicker than master’s degrees, certificates require 12-24 semester credits focused solely on special needs behavioral changes. Completing the four to eight courses frequently involves some level of practicum, but theses and capstones aren’t requisite. If desired, accredited graduate certificate credits could be transferred into master’s or doctoral programs later. 

Applied Behavior Analysis Doctorates

Earning a PhD lets ABA professionals reach the highest academic echelon with terminal training devoted to acquiring new empirical knowledge on special needs treatment. Generally requiring GPAs above 3.5, doctorates are challenging journeys for ambitious analysts to conduct behavioral science studies. The PhD will take three to seven years full-time for 60 credits beyond a master’s or 90 credits after a bachelor’s, including an intensive dissertation paper of 100-200 pages. Reaching the Board Certified Behavior Analyst Doctoral (BCBA-D) distinction is helpful for supervisory, faculty, and research careers.

Top ABA Degree Programs

One of the most important factors when selecting applied behavior analysis programs is accreditation, especially if ABA certification is one’s goal. Regional accreditation is an essential, third-party review process from CHEA-recognized bodies to ensure quality standards for credit transfers and financial aid. The best ABA degrees are often specifically accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International. Headquartered in Portage, Michigan, the ABAI ascertains whether training has the curriculum, commitment, equipment, faculty, and connections for launching applied behavior analysis careers.

Our Rankings

Getting BCBA/BCaBA Certification in India

Behavior Momentum India (BMI) is the only organization to open doors for students in India and the region, to have the best career opportunities in the field of Behavior Analysts. BMI is the first to be approved by BACB in 2014, the only body which internationally certifies students of applied behavior analysis as Behavior Analysts & Assistant Behavior Analysts. It runs courses under BMI School to prepare students for BCBA / BCaBA Certification.

Dr. Neil Martin had been the visionary to start the ABA course in India. He was initially the program director of BMI-ABA courses, but now being in a senior position in BACB board, has had to discontinue, and Mrs. Smita Awasthi is now the program director of ABA course of BMI.

The BACB approved BMI's course sequence, which is the only non-University ABA Course Work to provide face to face online education in ABA, for students living in India and the region. Apart from India, BMI has students from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Tanzania, Nepal, Dubai, Philippines etc., and is involved with creating a behavior analytic community in the region.

Process

The process required to be BACB certified (Behavior Analyst Certification Board) includes:

Course Details

BCaBA (VCS #4071)

BCBA (VCS #4067)

If you compete all the above requirements within the stipulated time, you are eligible to apply for the BCaBA/ BCBA examination directly through the BACB

Faculty

The following faculty teach the courses at BMI School:

Eligibility

The study of Applied Behavior Analysis is at 2 levels

ABA COURSE for BCABA Certification

Bachelors degree or equivalent in any field (U.S. Equivalent)

ABA COURSE for BCBA Certification

Masters in Psychology/ Masters in Education/ Masters in Special Education

It is the students responsibility enrolling for the above courses at BMI to ensure that their degree is equivalent to a Masters or Bachelors degree of a University in USA. The student can get their transcripts / degrees approved by World Education Service or National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.

Smita Awasthi was an NRI and frequently visited India for consultations to assist parents in Kolkata, Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai, Bangalore and hold workshops on invitations from various NGO’s. ABA intervention was being understood as a positive intervention to train children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. 

She was the first person in India with all professional qualifications having studied ABA, and immense practical experience in the application of ABA. She finally shifted her base to India and formed BMI. 

Over 35 years ago, Dr. Smita Awasthi encountered a child who had a textbook case of autism in India, but she didn’t actually know how to help him. There were no resources in India to rely on, and Dr. Smita felt a great deal of guilt for not being able to help this child. That’s when she applied to the online ABA program through the University of North Texas. From this correspondence course, Dr. Awasthi was able to begin her journey learning how to help children and adults with autism in India.

Behavior Momentum India (BMI)

At Behavior Momentum India (BMI) we provide intervention services for children with Autism, Asperger, ADHD etc based on the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). For us, the most important thing is individualized attention to each child’s needs. Our teams work under strict supervision with compassion & dedication, creating a positive learning environment while practicing the science of ABA. 

Who is an ABA therapist?

At BMI we started intensive ABA training in 2010, to develop a resource pool of trainers in India. So far BMI has trained nearly 180 graduates, post graduates from various fields including special education & psychology. Training provided included basic knowledge in running programs designed by BCBA under the direct supervision of ABA educated supervisors or BCBA’s.

Anyone who is not studying “ABA” as a subject, can be called an ABA therapist only if they continue to work under the supervision of a Behavior Analyst certified by BACB Board. As we at BMI follow science (ABA) based interventions to design programs for our clients, and BACB regulates that all board certified individuals study 35 Continuing Education Units before they re-certify every 3 years. 

VCS #4071 @ BMI

Behavior Momentum India (BMI) is the only organization to open doors for students in India and the region, to have the best career opportunities in the field of Behavior Analysts. BMI is the first to be approved by BACB in 2014, to run Verified Course Sequence (VCS #4071) under BMI School to prepare students for BCBA / BCaBA Certification.

Dr. Smita Awasthi is the program director of ABA course of BMI.

Prominent BCBA's Working for the Autistic in India

Dr. Smita Awasthi, BCBA-D: Behavior Analyst

Smita Awasthi, Ph.D., BCBA-D holds a Doctorate in Behavior Analysis and has 36 years of clinical experience. During this period, Smita has worked on capacity building, skilling therapists, parent training, advocacy, education, and mentoring students in the latest technologies in autism intervention. She wears many hats and has many Firsts to her credit. She started the first BACB approved behavior analysis consequence in India in 2014 of which she is the Program Director. She formed Behavior Momentum India Foundation, a non-gov’t not for profit organization which is currently working towards building a large residential community for adults with autism.

Major affiliations of Smita include:

Sridhar Mudhan, BCBA: Behavior Analyst

Sridhar (Arava) Mudhan is a 2013 BCBA, in-charge of Behavior Momentum Center in Jaynagar, Bangalore and a faculty for the Board Approved ABA Course sequence run by BMI. Sridhar started his career with Applied Behavior Analysis as trainee in 2011 with Behavior Momentum India.


As a senior trainer, Sridhar went on to specialize with pre-adolescent children with autism training teaching them to acquire language , communication , play, leisure and academic skills using proven Behavior Analytic procedures such as errorless teaching, shaping, chaining, antecedent management procedures etc. Sridhar also worked extensively in understanding challenging Behaviors and helping parents implement Behavior Management Procedures based on the evidence based methods guided by the Boards ethical standards.


An alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad, in the prior 20 years, Sridhar has been head of Business Development and Operations with several leading global corporations such as Pepsico, British Petroleum and Tech Mahindra. 


Sridhar is the President of ABA India and has presented papers at ABA India Conferences, and the 2014 ABA International Conference at Chicago. He also represented BMI at the booth at ABAI Chicago.

Santoshi Halder, BCBA: Professor, Dept. of Education, Univ. of Calcutta

The primary focus of Prof. Santoshi Halder is Inclusive Education, Disability studies and Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has been actively involved internationally and nationally in multifarious ways for the inclusion of people with diversities primarily through various academic and research endeavors since 2000. She has been international fellow and recipient of various prestigious International awards. She teaches BACB approved behaviour analysis courses to students from various countries and provides behaviour intervention services especially to people with autism spectrum disorder including training the parents and practitioners. 

She has published two important books dealing with disability:

Swati Narayan, BCBA: Clinical Director, WeCAN India

Swati has been the Clinical Director at WeCan since 2020. Ober the past five years she has presented research in USA, Germany, Japan and India and trained professionals in Chennai, Bangalore, Kochi, Kozhikode, Thrissur and Tokyo. In 2021 Swati co-Authored India's first book on Autism written by BCBAs, A world of Difference: The Ultimate Autism Handbook for Mindful Parenting, selling world over on amazon and kindle. 

Maithri Sivaraman, BCBA: ABA Consultant based in Chennai

An engineer-turned-behavior analyst, Maithri is an alumnus of the NIT, Tiruchirapalli. After having worked for a year in the automotive industry, she decided to go where her heart lay – bringing children with autism and other developmental disabilities into mainstream society. She then completed her Masters in Psychology and obtained a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis at the University of North Texas, USA. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.


Maithri is involved in conceptualizing, designing and implementing ABA programs for children with Autism, ADHD and developmental delays and takes a keen interest in handling deficits in communication, play and social skills. She conducts parent training sessions and workshops at her office in Mogappair, Chennai. In addition she conducts behavioral assessments and offers consultation to schools and therapy centres. She also provides clinical supervision to ABA students pursuing their certification.

 

Maithri firmly believes that the success of any intervention program lies in the child’s motivation to learn. 

Sanjukta B Mukherji, BCBA: Behavioral Consultant - Autism Spectrum | Bestselling Author | Educator | Abilities Advocate | Forever Learner

Sanjukta Mukherji is a Special Education teacher based out of Houston, Texas. She specializes in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and works with clients across a wide age range in clinical, educational, and vocational settings. She is the co-founder of Special Aspirations, imparting functional academics, life skills and vocational training using ABA strategies. Above all, she is a proud mother of a young adult son with autism and a neurotypical teen daughter.

Email: sanjukta@specialaspirations.com or sbm.bcba@gmail.com