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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.
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)
or towards a Master’s Degree from UMass Lowell’s
Graduate School of
Education.
Required Courses:
47.561 Introduction to Behavioral Intervention in Autism (online)
47.562 Teaching and Positive Behavioral Support in Autism (online)
Group I Elective Courses (Choose one):
47.565 Measurement and Experimental Design (online)
47.566 Functional Analysis and Treatment of Challenging Behavior
(online)
47.568 Behavioral Intervention Program Models in Autism (online)
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...
44.623 Child Maltreatment (online)
47.501 Applied Developmental Psychology
47.504 The Family System (online)
47.508 The Child in the Community,
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:
47.561 Introduction to Behavioral Intervention in Autism (online)
47.562 Teaching and Positive Behavioral Support in Autism (online)
47.565 Measurement and Experimental Design (online)
47.566 Functional Analysis and Treatment of Challenging Behavior
(online)
47.568 Behavioral Intervention Program Models in Autism (online)
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.
For questions regarding your
application status, contact the Graduate School at (800) 656-GRAD.
Note: Students pursuing BACB Certification do not need to apply for the
certificate.
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
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 Education Plans. The issue of culturally appropriate
interventions is addressed. Prerequisite: coursework in the psychology
of child development, or related experience.
Credits: 3.0
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 classroom settings is also considered.
Prerequisite: 47.561
Credits: 3.0
47.565 Measurement and Experimental Design in
Behavioral Intervention
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.
Prerequisite: 47.561
Credits: 3.0
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, aggression). 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.
Prerequisite: 47.562.
Credits: 3.0
47.568 Behavioral Intervention Program Models in Autism
This course 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.
Prerequisite: 47.562
Credits: 3.0
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.
Credits: 3.0
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.
Credits: 3.0
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
Credits: 3.0
44.623 Child Maltreatment
Introduction to empirical findings and theoretical perspectives
concerned with the maltreatment of children and youth. Includes an
examination of prevalence rates, risk factors, consequences, and system
responses.
Credits: 3.0
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.
Visitors since July 11,
2005
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