Northern Illinois University’s College of Education, through its Department of Special and Early Education (SEED), is adding a new graduate program that will allow individuals to meet the coursework requirements for becoming board-certified behavior analysts as part of a master’s degree or a stand-alone course sequence.
NIU’s College of Education was recently awarded approval from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) to offer a sequence of courses that meets the national organization’s coursework requirements for eligibility to sit for the board certified behavior analyst examination.
Courses for this new program will first be offered in the spring of 2015 with SESE 554, Behavior Management and Positive Behavior Support and SESE 560, Functional Behavior Assessment, the first two courses of a six-course sequence.
The graduate study program in behavior analysis explores the application of the science of learning to the solution of problems of social significance. Behavior analysts work in schools, homes, businesses and community settings. They often consult in the assessment, design, implementation, and evaluation of behavioral interventions for a variety of learners across a variety of skills.
Jesse (Woody) Johnson
“This certification has the potential to greatly increase the marketability and employability of our students after graduation,” said program coordinator Woody Johnson, associate professor in SEED. “There is an increasing number of job opportunities for behavior analysts in schools as well as a variety of public, nonprofit and private sector applications for this type of certification.”
Course work in behavior analysis may be completed as part of a Master of Science degree in Special Education or as a stand-alone course sequence. The Master of Science degree in Special Education will allow a student to earn a graduate degree in advanced special education practices. This option is available for students with a bachelor’s degree or those who wish to complete this course sequence as part of a master’s degree.
Students interested in meeting the BCBA coursework requirements as part of a stand-alone course sequence must already have a master’s degree or be currently enrolled in a master’s degree program, in education, special education or psychology.
For additional information regarding this new program, including courses and other program details, email jwjohnson@niu.edu.
