Program Overview

Introduction to the Behavioural Science Program

The Behavioural Science program is the most established program of its kind in Canada, with a history dating back to 1971. This program provides students with 875 hours of training across four placements in the diploma program and over 600 hours of training across three placements in the fast track program. All faculty members have extensive clinical experience in a broad range of sectors, ensuring that students receive comprehensive training.

Program Overview

• The program is consistently rated as one of the top college programs in the province.
• It trains students to work with individuals who display interfering or challenging behaviors or need to learn new skills by applying evidence-based techniques to change behavior and environment.
• The program focuses on applied behavior analysis (ABA) and clinical behavioral science, making it a specialized field in psychology.
• Students learn counseling techniques to work effectively with clients, but the program does not train students to become generalist counselors or therapists.

Admission Requirements

• Applicants must meet specific admission requirements to apply to either the diploma or fast track program.
• Advanced level entry applications are not considered due to the foundational courses delivered in the first level of the program.
• Students with previous post-secondary credits can request transfer credits, but this does not shorten the program's duration.

Program Structure and Duration

• The diploma program requires strong organizational, time management, writing, and analytical skills.
• The fast track program is challenging and intensive, with students taking a combination of second and third-year coursework and being in class for a minimum of 35 hours per week.
• It is recommended that students in the fast track program do not work during academic terms.

Placement Opportunities

• Students in the diploma program complete the first two of four placements in an educational setting.
• Students in the fast track program complete the first two of three placements in an educational setting.
• Program faculty assign students to specific placement sites to ensure optimal success.

Career Opportunities

• Graduates can work in various fields, including education, developmental disabilities, autism, acquired brain injury, mental health, vocational training, addictions, geriatrics, and forensics.
• The program has strong graduate employment rates, with many students obtaining work post-graduation.
• Starting salaries in most fields are between $30,000 and $35,000 per year for full-time positions.

Advanced Standing and Further Education

• Graduates can pursue advanced standing in the Honours Bachelor Degree in Behavioural Psychology after completing the Behavioural Science program in its entirety.
• Many graduates also successfully complete their degree in psychology or sociology at university, with most institutions providing credit for the first year of a three or four-year undergraduate degree.

Certification and Accreditation

• The program does not have a verified course sequence approval through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), but it provides sound training in ABA.
• Many graduates are employed in sectors without board certification, but there is an increased demand for Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) and Board-Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBA) in fields like autism and developmental disabilities.