Applied Behaviour Analysis (Intellectual and Developmental Disability) - PCert, PDip, MSc

University of Kent

Our Applied Behaviour Analysis Master’s aims to develop your critical understanding of concepts and principles of applied behaviour analysis. You’ll gain a detailed knowledge of intellectual and developmental disabilities and experience of practice or conducting research in this field.

As a recent graduate or experienced practitioner, this postgraduate qualification opens up a range of career opportunities. It also provides the necessary coursework for you to apply to sit the international examination and become a certified behaviour analyst.

What you’ll learn

Our course is designed to support the development of practitioners who can work effectively, including using an applied behaviour analytic approach, both with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (including people with autism) and with organisations that provide or arrange support for individuals. It may be taken either by practice or research routes.

The PCert cannot be studied on a part-time basis but the PDip and MSc can be studied either full-time or part-time.

Careers

Our postgraduate courses improve employability prospects for both those with established careers and new entrants to the field. Many of our students already work with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in professional, management or supporting capacities. Our programmes support their continuing professional development and enhance their opportunities for career advancement. Other students, who are at the beginning of their careers, move on to a range of professional roles in health and social care including working as psychologists in learning disability or behavioural specialists in community learning disability teams; service management of development roles; clinical psychology training or a PhD.

Our Applied Behaviour Analysis programme includes a course sequence approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. Its completion, therefore, meets two of the requirements for certification as a Behaviour Analyst. Successful students will need to obtain appropriate supervised experience and pass the BACB exam. Many of our ABA students hope to take this career path, applying their skills either in work with children or adults with autism (ie early intervention programmes or in schools using an ABA approach) or with children/adults with learning disabilities whose behaviour is described as challenging. Every week we are asked to notify our students of opportunities in these fields. Our ABA programme is also suitable for parents of children/adults with autism or learning disability, who are looking to increase their own understanding of ABA.