Why This Program?

Hands-on practicum experience.

Are you a kind and patient person who loves working with children and adults, particularly those with special needs? Behavior Analysis is a rapidly growing field that teaches the best methods to empower those with challenging behaviors to adjust, learn, and become successful in everyday life.

Outcomes Focused: Our Behavior Analysis program is designed with a course sequence that has been verified by the Association of Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). This means our program provides students with the required coursework experience to qualify for credentialing at the Assistant Behavior Analysis (BCBA). Explore more about Briar Cliff University Professional Licensure. In the state of Iowa, certification as a BCaBA meets the state licensure requirements to obtain an Assistant Behavior Analyst License. However, licensure requirements do vary by state, so students wishing to practice Behavior Analysis outside of the state of Iowa should research the state-specific licensure requirements.
Designed for Outcomes: With hands-on practicum experience, students get the chance to work with people with special needs. Working side-by-side with caring professors and professionals in the field, you'll help create plans to meet the needs of individual children and adults. This program is built to be provide you hands-on practicum experience.
Hands-on Experience: Our own Behavior Analysis Clinic partners with several community schools and organizations. We'll ensure you get the chance to work with those with autism, social disabilities, drug and alcohol addiction and other behaviors within the curriculum, so that you graduate ready to hit the ground running.

The Behavior Analysis program is a Verified Course Sequence (VCS) program.

Practicum Sites

Briar Cliff Behavior Analysis Clinic

The Briar Cliff University Behavior Analysis Clinic provides a variety of behavior analytic services to underserved populations. Individuals will qualify for services regardless of diagnosis or medical insurance.

*In order obtain practicum experience, students must first complete a mandatory supervision contract with our Behavior Analysis Program Director.*

Learn More

Pier Center for Autism

Located in Sioux City, Iowa, the Pier Center for Autism delivers a comprehensive approach focusing on individuals, caregivers, siblings and the community. The Pier Center also provides a network of support for individuals with autism while connecting the spans of life.

*In order obtain practicum experience, students must first complete a mandatory supervision contract with our Behavior Analysis Program Director.*

South Sioux City Community Schools

South Sioux City Community Schools is located in South Sioux City, Nebraska, approximately 15 minutes from campus. South Sioux City Community Schools serves about 1,800 Preschool to K-5 students, 850 middle school students, and 1,200 high school students.

*In order obtain practicum experience, students must first complete a mandatory supervision contract with our Behavior Analysis Program Director.*

More About the Program

The behavior analysis program provides students an opportunity to investigate the science of human behavior from a behavior analytic perspective.

Through your experiences in this major, you will learn to assess and design behavior interventions intended to influence socially significant human behavior. There is a strong hands-on component to this coursework via practicum, where you will apply concepts from the classroom and develop clinical skills. Briar Cliff intentionally made this major's requirements reflect those of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board to prepare to sit for the exam to become a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA). Individuals receiving a BCaBA most often provide direct applied behavior analytic services to clients (e.g, intellectual and developmental disabilities, education, higher education, parent and caregiver training, behavioral pediatrics, child welfare, brain injury rehabilitation, corrections and delinquency, and behavioral gerontology), but they also find employment in administering such services, consulting with agencies, and in K-12 education settings.

Minor

Students can choose one of two “routes” per the Behavior Analysis minor. The Basic Behavior Analysis route emphasized the basic theoretical mechanisms and interventions responsible for behavior change. Accordingly, the Basic Behavior Analysis Minor is primarily comprised of in-class learning and evaluation. The Applied Behavior Analysis route emphasized the application of behavioral principles to address clinically significant behavioral problems. Accordingly, the Applied behavior Analysis Minor is primarily comprise of service-based learning and evaluation in the Behavior Analysis Clinic. Both minors are 21 credits.

Basic Behavior Analysis Minor
Applied Behavior Analysis Minor

Career & Graduate Options

As a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA), you'll be able to work with special needs individuals in settings across the country including: