In this certificate, you will learn the foundations and applications of applied behaviour analysis (or ABA), including how people learn and unlearn behaviours and skills, how to determine why someone engages in inappropriate behaviour, how to set up a behaviour intervention plan and how to continuously manage behaviour change programs in ethical ways.

You will be able to apply the skills you learn in this certificate program in different ways and settings, including:

• Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Classroom management and education
• In-home care for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and the elderly
• Common parenting concerns including but not limited to bedtime struggles, "potty" training, and feeding problems
• Training and supervision of human services staff

This certificate program is the first program of its kind in Atlantic Canada that meets the coursework requirements needed to apply for the BACB®'s Board Certified Assistant Behaviour Analyst® (BCaBA®) examination.

People who hold BCaBA^® Certification are highly sought after by employers.

The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) has verified that the curriculum used in the Certificate in Applied Behavioural Analysis courses covers all required content areas for eligibility to take the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst^® examination.

Note: you will need to meet additional requirements before you can be deemed eligible to take the examination.

Not only that, but our certificate program meets or exceeds international certification requirements for mid-level behaviour analysts.

• Undergraduates studying psychology or a related human services field (e.g. education, kinesiology)
• Individuals who have a Bachelor’s degree and want to enrich their skillsets in behaviour assessment and intervention
• Those seeking to understand complex behaviours in a variety of settings and populations
• Support service workers (e.g. judicial, social work, law, teaching) looking to add to their current expertise by understanding and using applied behaviour analysis

All applicants must:

• Meet UNB admission requirements
• Provide a resume that outlines academic and relevant work/volunteer experience
• Submit a statement of interest outlining:
  • Whether you want to complete the program online or on-campus
  • Your goals and objectives in pursuing training in Applied Behaviour Analysis, including professional or career goals
  • Any relevant experience or interests related to applied behaviour analysis or any helping profession
• Have two letters of recommendation:
  • Academic referee: a professional individual who is aware of the applicant's scholastic ability within a post-secondary setting
  • Supervisor referee: an individual who has supervised the applicant in a clinical or applied setting
• Have completed, or be in the process of completing, a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, or a related field
• Have completed 6 credit hours of Introductory Psychology with a grade of at least a B within the previous seven years
• Have a minimum of a B average in all coursework

• Online program: Applications are reviewed as they are received.
• On-campus: March 31 for admission for the fall semester.

Successful completion of all courses and practical experience is required to receive the certificate. Coursework can be completed in as little as two years if you enrol in the program full-time, or up to five years for part-time learners.

• PSYC 2203 (3 CH) - Foundations of Developmental Psychology
• PSYC 2515 (3 CH) - Foundations of Learning
• PSYC 3515 (3 CH) - Introduction to Applied Behaviour Analysis
• PSYC 3525 (3 CH) - Topics in Behaviour Analysis: Ethical Considerations (online only)
• PSYC 3535 (1 CH) - Topics in Behaviour Assessment (online only)
• PSYC 3545 (1 CH) - Topics in Behaviour Intervention (online only)
• PSYC 3555 (1 CH) - Skills in Applied Behaviour Analysis (online only)
• PSYC 3565 (3 CH) – Clinical and Organizational Applications of Behaviour Science
• PSYC 4515 (3 CH) - Advanced Applied Behaviour Analysis

To meet the diverse needs of students, the program provides two separate routes for accruing practical experience:

Practicum (1000-1300 hrs practicum):

• Designed for campus-based students
• Three intensive placements at approved local agencies
• Individualized supervision with an approved BCBA supervisor
• Group supervision with peers overseen by the C-ABA Program Coordinator
• Courses:
  • PSYC 4525 - Applied Behaviour Analysis Practicum I (6 CH)
  • PSYC 4535 - Applied Behaviour Analysis Practicum II (6 CH)
  • PSYC 4565 - Applied Behaviour Analysis Practicum III (6 CH)

Supervised Independent Fieldwork (1300 hrs fieldwork):

• Designed for students studying online
• Fieldwork site and BCBA supervisors to be approved by the C-ABA Program Coordinator
• Prior Learning Assessment (up to 18 CH)

Upon successful completion, you will:

• Understand the causes of behaviour and the theory behind ABA
• Be able to work with diverse populations and settings including neurotypical populations, those with intellectual or developmental disabilities, those on the autism spectrum, education systems, management and training of those in the human services workforce, and parents
• Know how to use a variety of assessment tools, create and implement individualized treatment protocols, and evaluate the effectiveness of behaviour analytic interventions
• Become a professional assistant-level behaviour analyst who can evaluate your practice from legal, human rights, and ethical standpoints

The ABA Certificate Program provides students with highly specialized education and applied knowledge in conducting behavioural assessments and developing and implementing behaviour change programs.

As a student, you gain a solid understanding of the theory and principles underlying ABA, and training in the application of behavioural principles in diverse settings and situations.

The Certificate Program has been verified to provide the coursework requirements needed to sit for the BCaBA^® exam by the Association for Behavior Analysis International.

Those who want to sit for the BCaBA^® exam will also need a bachelor’s degree and will need to accrue the required experience hours in addition to the coursework provided by this program.

To complete the program and become certified through the BACB, students must meet three requirements and then pass the BCaBA^® exam.

These students may also request a certificate of completion for the ABA Certificate program from UNB CEL. Some students may not desire to become certified through the BACB^®.

In these cases, students would request a certificate of completion for the ABA Certificate program from the UNB Registrar's Office. These processes are summarized in this figure:

Learn more about additional BCaBA exam requirements.

The on-campus program begins each fall.

The application deadline for students who want to enrol in the on-campus program is March 31.

Online program applications are reviewed as they are received.

Students may submit their referee's letter in their application. If referees would prefer to send the letters separately, they can email the letter to admissions@unb.ca.

The program recognizes that students may not have a clinical supervisor or academic that they can ask for a letter. In these cases, we ask students to find someone who can clearly attest to the students ability to learn new content and skills as a student (as would be the case for the academic letter) or their ability to work with others in a professional manner and their skills as an employee (as would be the case for the supervisor letter).

VCS pass-rate information is published annually.

Pass-rate data are not published for sequences with fewer than six first-time candidates in a single year or for sequences within their first four years of operation.

UNB is committed to protecting the personal information of all individuals and any information being collected is under the authority provided for in the New Brunswick Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

For more information consult:

UNB Policy for the Protection of Personal Information and Privacy and the University Secretariat
University of New Brunswick
PO Box 4400
Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3
(506) 453-4613