Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Applied Behavior Analysis
Description and Outcomes
The Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) degree provides you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to prepare for graduate study or to work effectively with individuals in a variety of settings. This program provides an examination of the design, analysis, and application of learning theories and behavioral principles. It is designed to prepare you to pursue careers working with children and adults struggling with behaviors ranging from difficulty with everyday social interactions to various disorders including autism spectrum disorders, and other mental health challenges.
If you have already completed an associate’s or bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, you may be eligible for degree requirements to be waived and replaced with advanced start credit. Refer to Advanced Start Credit in Bachelor’s Degrees for details.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Applied Behavior Analysis is to prepare graduates to apply the science of behavior to improve lives, strengthen communities, and promote ethical, evidence-based practice. Through a flexible, learner-centered curriculum, the program develops professionals who think critically, communicate effectively, and create meaningful change in diverse settings.
Concentration
You can personalize your degree with a concentration in business foundations. The business foundations concentration will allow you to gain competencies in the fundamental concepts of business administration. You will develop an understanding of the four functions of management, the components of a marketing strategy, and the financial performance of an organization.
Graduate Program Pathways
If you are interested in earning both a bachelor's and master's degree, consider a graduate program pathway.
Program Length
The Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Applied Behavior Analysis program consists of a minimum of 180 quarter credit hours. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a bachelor of science degree.
Program Outcomes
Discipline-Specific Outcomes
- Disciplinary Knowledge and Skills: Draw upon foundational principles in the field of psychology, including applied behavior analysis, including historical considerations, fundamental principles, and current trends in the field to design effective treatment.
- Research and Analysis: Utilize basic methodology in psychology including research design, data analysis, and the interpretation and evaluation of findings to determine effective client services.
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Use analytical thinking, skeptical inquiry, and the scientific approach in solving problems related to behavior and mental health as they relate to the current diagnostic categories to design individualized treatment plans.
- Disciplinary Knowledge and Skills: Apply principles of applied behavior analysis that reflect everyday problems within individuals, families, and organizations regarding functional assessments, behavior intervention plans, and the evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment.
- Professionalism and Ethics: Demonstrate competent and ethical practice in the field of applied behavior analysis through the conduct of functional behavior assessments that inform function-based behavior intervention plans that address socially significant behaviors.
- Communication: Explain treatment approaches in terms that clients, their families, and organizations can understand to gain informed consent.
General Education Literacies and Professional Competencies
In addition to the discipline-specific outcomes, general education literacies and professional competencies are integrated throughout your academic program. You can review the general education literacies and professional competencies associated with your academic program in the General Education and Professional Competency Requirements section of this Catalog.
Program Availability
For program availability, please refer to the U.S. State and Other Approvals section and Program Availability Information.
Policies
Admissions Requirements
You must pass a criminal background check.
You are required to take practicum hours in order to meet requirements in BA435 Supervised Experiential Learning. If you are an international applicant, you must obtain approval from the Office of the Dean, as your ability to secure a qualified supervisor as required by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®) may be limited.
Progression Requirements
You may not use credit for prior learning to fulfill the following courses; you must complete these courses at Purdue Global. In addition, to be eligible to satisfy certification requirements and ensure your knowledge is current, you may be required to retake the following courses if you are a returning student and completed them more than 5 years prior to your re-enrollment. You may request exceptions, based on relevant coursework and professional experience, from the Dean or a designee.
- BA200 Conceptual Foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis
- BA285 Ethics in Behavior Analysis
- BA400 Foundations of Behavior Analysis
- BA410 Introduction to Experimental Analysis of Behavior
- BA420 Methods of Behavior Analysis
- BA430 Behavior Assessment
- BA435 Supervised Experiential Learning
- BA440 Behavior Intervention
- BA450 Organizational Behavior Management
Practicum Requirements
You must provide notice of intent to enroll in BA435 Supervised Experiential Learning at least 3 months prior to the beginning of the term in which you wish to enroll. Notification must be submitted to the Clinical Placement Team using the appropriate application form. Applications that are not complete will not be accepted.
You are responsible for locating a site in which to complete practicum hours. You are also required to complete a practicum placement orientation. You must complete all prepracticum placement requirements and have permission from the Clinical Placement Team in order to enroll in a course that includes completion of practicum or field placement hours. A list of requirements is available from the Clinical Placement Team. In addition, you may not start a practicum course if you have a grade of "F" for any major course, unless your academic record reflects that the course has been satisfactorily repeated.
You should be aware that health care organizations may have specific requirements regarding vaccination against communicable diseases, including COVID and Influenza. Failure to comply with requirements could interfere with the opportunity to complete a required practicum, may delay graduation or lead to an inability to complete your program, and could impact future employment opportunities.
While completing BA435 Supervised Experiential Learning, if you feel that you may not be able to complete the prescribed requirements in 10 weeks, you must contact the Clinical Placement Team in order to receive an extension. If an extension is granted, you will enroll in an extension course which will allow you up to 10 extra weeks to complete the requirements of BA435 Supervised Experiential Learning. Enrollment in the extension course will only be granted at the discretion of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Certification, State Board, and National Board Exams
Certification and licensure boards have state-specific educational requirements for programs that lead to a license or certification that is a precondition for employment. Prospective and current students must review Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications site to view program and state-specific licensure information.
Licensure-track programs may limit enrollment to students in certain states; please see Purdue Global’s Program Availability Information to determine enrollment eligibility.
The Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Applied Behavior Analysis is pursuing recognition through the Association for Behavior Analysis International’s (ABAI’s) Tiered Model of Education. Pursuit of recognition does not denote recognition status.
The Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Applied Behavior Analysis courses have been designed to meet the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® (BCaBA®) Pathway 2 coursework requirements. Applicants will need to meet additional BACB® eligibility requirements, including evidence of residency in an authorized country, before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination. It is important to note that students seeking BCaBA certification can only begin accruing supervision hours once they begin taking a qualifying ABA course. Qualifying ABA courses include:
- BA200 Conceptual Foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis
- BA285 Ethics in Behavior Analysis
- BA400 Foundations of Behavior Analysis
- BA410 Introduction to Experimental Analysis of Behavior
- BA420 Methods of Behavior Analysis
- BA430 Behavior Assessment
- BA435 Supervised Experiential Learning
- BA440 Behavior Intervention
- BA450 Organizational Behavior Management
Any supervision hours documented prior to taking the first qualifying course will not be recognized by the BACB.
Please refer to the BACB’s website for full eligibility requirements (www.bacb.com).
The Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Applied Behavior Analysis meets educational requirements for the BCaBA examination in all states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the territory of Guam. Prospective and current students must review Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications site to view program and state-specific licensure information.
It is important to understand that the requirements for behavior analysts vary by state and can change with little to no warning. Students seeking employment as a behavior analyst should inquire directly to the jurisdiction where employment is desired, as some states require additional licensure or certification. The BACB U.S. state licensure requirements may be viewed at the following link: https://www.bacb.com/u-s-licensure-of-behavior-analysts/.
Applications for BCaBA or BCBA certification from candidates who live outside of the United States and other designated countries are not accepted, per the BACB's Global Certification policies. Specific information regarding this policy can be found on the BACB’s website at https://www.bacb.com/global-certification/.
The BACB can be contacted at:
Behavior Analyst Certification Board
8051 Shaffer Parkway
Littleton, CO 80127
Tel: 720-438-4321