Coursework in Applied Behavior Analysis (BCBA)

Behavior analysis is a scientific approach to analyzing behavior and how the environment affects it. "Behavior" refers to all kinds of actions and skills (not just misbehavior), and "environment" includes all sorts of physical and social events that might change or be changed by one's behavior. The science of behavior analysis focuses on principles (that is, general laws) about how behavior works, or how learning takes place. For example, one principle of behavior analysis is positive reinforcement: When a behavior is followed by something that is valued, that behavior is likely to be repeated. Through decades of research, the field of behavior analysis has developed many techniques for increasing useful behaviors and reducing those that may be harmful or that interfere with learning. Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the use of those tactics and principles to address socially important problems, and to bring about meaningful behavior change.

The classes offered within the Applied Behavior Analysis course sequence are approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) under the 4th Edition Standards and satisfy the coursework requirements to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).