Online Graduate Programs in Behavioral Intervention in Autism

Early behavioral intervention is the key to successful treatment of autism. Currently, there is a critical shortage of skilled early intervention professionals in the United States. UMass Lowell's Department of Psychology in collaboration with the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center has introduced five new online courses that deal with behavioral intervention in autism. Completion of two required courses plus two elective courses enables the student to complete the graduate certificate. Completion of all five of the online autism courses enables the student to pursue certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Both options are described in greater detail below.

Now you can count these autism courses towards UMass Lowell's Online Master's Degree in Curriculum & Instruction (M.Ed.) - visit the M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction: Autism Studies Option page for details...

The Online Graduate Certificate Program in
Behavioral Intervention in Autism

Frequently Asked Questions about the Graduate Certificate Program

This four-course graduate certificate program is designed to provide professionals in psychology, education, child care, speech and language disorders, mental health and human services with an understanding of autism and related developmental disorders as well as an introduction to behavioral methods and how and where such methods can be used and evaluated. With prior departmental approval, students may apply one of the courses from this certificate towards UMass Lowell's Master's Degree in Community Social Psychology (offered on campus).

Required Courses:

1. 47.561 Introduction to Behavioral Intervention in Autism - Available Spring 2012!
2. 47.562 Teaching and Positive Behavioral Support in Autism - Available Spring 2012!

Group I Elective Courses (Choose one):

1. 47.565 Measurement and Experimental Design in Behavioral Autism - Available Spring 2012!
2. 47.566 Functional Analysis and Treatment of Challenging Behavior - Available Spring 2012!
3. 47.568 Behavioral Intervention Program Models in Autism - Available Spring 2012!

Group II Elective Courses (Choose one):

Select one of the courses from Group I not already taken, OR select one course from the following list...

1. 01.610 Theories of Learning
2. 05.502 Issues, Mandates and Ethics in Special Education
3. 47.501 Applied Developmental Psychology(Not Available Online)
4. 47.504 The Family System - Available Spring 2012!
5. 47.508 The Child in the Community(Not Available Online)
6. 47.509 Psychological Approaches to Child Maltreatment

Or other electives in Psychology or from the Graduate School of Education (some of which are available online), subject to approval by the Graduate Coordinator.

Board Certified Behavior Analyst Program Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions about the BACB Approved Program

The following five courses must be completed by students wishing to pursue certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Required Courses:

1. 47.561 Introduction to Behavioral Intervention in Autism - Available Spring 2012!
2. 47.562 Teaching and Positive Behavioral Support in Autism - Available Spring 2012!
3. 47.565 Measurement and Experimental Design in Behavioral Autism - Available Spring 2012!
4. 47.566 Functional Analysis and Treatment of Challenging Behavior - Available Spring 2012!
5. 47.568 Behavioral Intervention Program Models in Autism - Available Spring 2012!

This sequence of courses has been approved by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB) to meet their coursework requirement for certification. Please note that for full BACB certification, students also have to complete the "mentored or supervised experience" requirement (for which they must make their own arrangements), PLUS students must pass a certification exam administered by BACB. For additional information, please visit http://www.bacb.com

Note that 47.561 is a prerequisite for 47.562 and 47.565, and 47.562 is a prerequisite for 47.566 and 47.568. For students who have completed the relevant prerequisite, 47.562 and 47.565 may be taken concurrently, and 47.566 and 47.568 may be taken concurrently. Thus, completion of all 5 courses will require at least three semesters of coursework.

For More Information

For more information on the Graduate Certificate Program in Behavioral Intervention in Autism, call 978-934-3961 or email AutismCertificate@uml.edu

For more information on the Board Certified Behavior Analyst Program, call 978-934-3954 or email Charlotte_Mandell@uml.edu

To Apply into the Certificate Program

To apply into this certificate program, download the Application Form in .pdf file format. You do not have to be accepted into the program prior to registering for your first course.

For questions regarding your application status, contact Graduate Admissions at (800) 656-GRAD.

Note: Students pursuing BACB certification also need to apply for the certificate before taking their 3rd course.

Please note: Graduate students will be assessed a "First Year Student Services Fee" upon matriculation into a graduate degree or certificate program. Please see the Accounts Receivable website

To Register for Courses

Call UMass Lowell Continuing Studies at 1 (800) 480-3190 or online using your student account (for current students) at http://isis.uml.edu

Course Descriptions

01.610 Theories of Learning

This course offers a detailed analysis of the major contemporary learning theories, both behavioral and cognitive. 3 credits.

05.502 Issues, Mandates and Ethics in Special Education

This course will examine special education laws and ethical practices in K-12 settings. 3 credits.

47.501 Applied Developmental Psychology

Provides a life span developmental perspective on individual and social adaptation and change. Examines appropriate theory and research, and illustrates the influences of environmental, social and cultural factors. 3 credits.

47.504 The Family System

Studies family processes and the interplay between the family and other social, cultural, and socio-economic systems. Topics include parental roles, changing family structures, racial and ethnic factors, and interactions between family, work, and community. 3 credits.

47.508 The Child in the Community

This course is designed to provide a perspective on the role of the community in the lives of children and adolescents, and the influences of youth on the dynamics of the community.  The changing developmental needs of children and adolescents will be explored in the context of interrelated community social institutions including family, school and employment settings, child welfare, and law enforcement.  Topics discussed will include socialization, education, socioeconomic status, childcare and safety. Prerequisite: undergraduate coursework in developmental psychology, or 47.501 3 credits.

47.509 Psychological Approaches to Child Maltreatment

The course addresses the painful topic of Child Maltreatment in the context of research on optimal, typical, and unacceptable treatment of children, as maltreatment cannot be considered apart from acceptable and even optimal treatment. The impact of maltreatment on the development of the child from the first growth of physical organs in the prenatal infant through the development of moral reasoning in the adolescent is addressed. Both theories and research will be discussed. 3 credits.

47.561 Introduction to Behavioral Intervention in Autism

This course provides an introduction to the causes and diagnosis of autism, scientific validation, applied behavior analysis, and ethical treatment. Students also learn to write functional objectives, plan positive reinforcement, and design an applied measurement system in the context of developing Individualized Family Service Plans and Individualized Eduction plans. The isse of culturally appropriate interventions is addressed Prerequisite: coursework in the psychology of child development, or permission. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Coursework in the psychology of child development, or related experience.

47.562 Teaching and Positive Behavioral Support in Autism

This course covers the application of specific behavioral teaching procedures, including prompting, reinforcement, shaping, chaining, error correction and generalization methods, and the development of instructional plans. Emphasis is placed on procedures and plans to teach communication, social, self-help and pre-academic skills. Application of such methods in inclusive clasroom settings is also considered. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 47.561

47.565 Measurement and Experimental Design in Behavioral Autism

This course provides advanced coverage of measurement methods used in behavioral intervention. It also offers in-depth coverage of the "within-subject" experimental designs commonly used in behavioral research and practice. Component analysis and parametric analysis methods, and ethical considerations in research, are also covered. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 47.561

47.566 Functional Analysis and Treatment of Challenging Behavior

This course covers the purpose, rationale and methods used in conducting and interpreting functional analyses of challenging, or "maladaptive", behaviors (self-injury, stereotypy, agression). It also describes the full range of behavioral procedures used to decrease or eliminate these behaviors, with emphasis placed on ethical interventions and the desirability of least restrictive and non-aversive strategies. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 47.562

47.568 Behavioral Intervention Program Models in Autism

This course explores how educational environments can be designed to maximize learning. Different models of effective, evidence-based behavioral interventions are analyzed. The use of teaching activity schedules and staff training to build supportive educational settings is also covered. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 47.562

About the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center has been a pioneer in research, education, and service for people with developmental disabilities and their families for over three decades. In 2001, the Shriver Center became a part of the University of Massachusetts Medical School and was designated as one of its Centers of Excellence.

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