Special Education Professor Kim Killu has seen the difference therapy based upon the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) can make in someone’s life.
“Everything I have ever done using ABA works,” she said. “With autism and many other educational and clinical domains, such as clinical psychology, special education, or speech-language pathology, ABA applications can result in improved functioning in daily living skills, social skills, communication skills, academic performance and behavior.”
Now Killu looks forward to seeing how an education in ABA—a scientifically validated approach to the study of understanding and improving behavior—will affect both the lives of UM-Dearborn students interested in the behavioral therapy and the communities in which they will later serve.
The College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS) offers new ABA programs at various levels, from a paraprofessional-level Registered Behavioral Technician certification to a graduate-level Master of Science in Applied Behavioral Analysis.
These programs—which were created by CEHHS as a response to State of Michigan officials expressing a need to increase the number of individuals trained in ABA to meet the increased demand for services for individuals diagnosed with autism and other developmental disabilities—prepare UM-Dearborn students to work in hospitals, schools, law enforcement agencies, private clinics and more.
“There is a high demand for ABA services, and these programs provide a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about behavioral issues and how ABA therapy can improve lives,” said Killu, noting that CEHHS syllabi for all ABA-focused courses were reviewed and approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). “The development of these programs allows CEHHS to continue to address needs in the community. It’s an active part of advancing the university’s mission of Metropolitan Impact.”
Entry-level option: Become a Registered Behavior Technician
The six-session RBT training program provides skill acquisition and preparation for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board RBT examination. Passing the exam and 45 contact hours of instruction are required to earn the RBT credential.
Bachelor-level option: Become a Board Certified Assistant Behavioral Analyst
The Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) undergraduate-level certification (19 credit hours) program is for students currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree at UM-Dearborn or for individuals who have already completed a bachelor’s degree in any field and would like to continue their learning.
Coursework will prepare students for supervised clinical experience and the BCaBA national examination administered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, which is required to work as a BCaBA.
Graduate-level options: Become a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst
• Master of Science in ABA degree program (30 credit hours)
This masters degree provides students with a graduate degree in Applied Behavior Analysis and also prepares them for their supervised clinical experience and the BCBA national examination, in preparation for certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.
• BCBA certificate (21 credit hours, for individuals who already have a graduate degree in education or psychology)
Coursework will prepare students for supervised clinical experience and the BCBA national examination administered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, which is required to work as a BCBA.
If you have program questions, please contact Kim Killu.
