MSc (Applied Behaviour Analysis)

Program Overview

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Course Overview

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This Master of Science (MSc) programme provides you with the theoretical and practical knowledge to kick-start your career as a practitioner. The MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis was established in 2006 in the School of Psychology and is designed to meet the demand for graduates with expertise in behavioural psychology. It is a two year full-time programme of academic study with an intake of 20 students annually and is one of only two Masters programmes in the Republic of Ireland.

Students on this MSc will learn about the principles of behaviour analysis and how these are applied in the real world to support learning and improve quality of life for a range of people including children and adults with developmental disabilities, students who may be struggling in mainstream education, older adults, those who have an acquired brain injury. The science of ABA has broad applications and this is reflected in the MSc programme and in the diverse career paths of our graduates.

The course meets international standards with regard to coursework requirements, content hours, and faculty standards necessary to become a Behaviour Analyst. The MSc is a Verified Course Sequence (VCS) approved by the Association of Behaviour Analysis International, a standard recognised in the field of behaviour analysis around the world: https://www.abainternational.org/vcs.aspx

The course is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland as a postgraduate professional programme in behavioural psychology fulfilling the postgraduate course requirements to become a Chartered Behavioural Psychologist: https://www.psychologicalsociety.ie/accredited-courses/PSI-Accredited-Postgraduate-Courses

Our graduates work as Behaviour Analysts in practice once they have met the necessary training requirements. Graduates can register as a Behaviour Analyst with the Irish Society for Behaviour Analysis: https://isba.ie/membership-account-2/membership-levels/

The course also meets the requirements to allow graduates to apply to the Behaviour Analyst Certification Board in the United States to become a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst. This only applies to applicants residing and working in North America.

Course Affiliated Placements

The MSc in ABA provides course affiliated clinical placements to students offering the opportunity to apply theory to practice under supervision in services and schools across Ireland. Intensive supervision is provided by the programme team as well as Behaviour Analysts in course affiliated placement settings. The programme team work in partnership with schools and services in the community to support a high standard of supervised experience for trainees on the programme. Throughout the two year programme, an emphasis is placed on linking the course content to its relevant applications in practice ensuring that graduates acquire the practical skills necessary to work as a Behaviour Analyst in practice.

Further Training

The MSc also offers an excellent foundation for those pursuing further clinical training or for those who wish to pursue a PhD in a related area. Graduates are equipped with a skill set which can be applied in most clinical settings to enhance quality of life for the people they work alongside (for example within a Positive Behaviour Support framework), as well as a set of research competencies developed throughout the course.

Please watch course video here.

Program Outline

Course Outline

Programme aims and objectives:

To provide professional post-graduate training in behavioural psychology which will prepare students to provide effective services in a professional and ethical manner.

To teach specialist knowledge in behavioural psychology, from history and basic concepts to specific behavioural assessment and intervention strategies.

To train students as scientist-practitioners, competent in applied research methods and whose practice is guided by scientific knowledge and the scientific underpinnings of their practice.

To equip students with competencies to practice effectively, competent in behavioural assessment and intervention strategies, data-based decision-making, and behaviour change systems.

To equip students with the skills required to work successfully within both autonomous and collaborative roles, and with professionals from other disciplines.

To train students to appraise the quality of scientific evidence and apply this understanding and critical thinking within both research and practice.

To teach students to conduct high quality empirical behavioural psychology research.

Philosophy and Orientation of the Programme

Within psychology, the field of behavioural psychology or behaviour analysis focuses on the application of the principles of behaviour and learning to support success, alleviate behavioural difficulties, and enhance quality of life across a variety of contexts. The MSc in ABA programme instils in trainees the values and skills necessary to do so. Core values outlined by Baer, Wolf, and Risley (1968; 1987) in defining the field of applied behaviour analysis are upheld.

The central foundation of this programme is the scientist-practitioner model, the concept and application of which is weaved through academic content and supervised experience. Trainees learn about the core principles of behaviour, the science of behaviour, experimentation and evidence-based practice, as well as attain competence in the implementation and evaluation of specific assessment methods and intervention strategies. Reliance on evidence and scientific knowledge is a core value of the programme.

Also a core value emphasised throughout the programme, is the provision of only those services which are socially significant to each individual that we work alongside. The selection of goals and assessment and intervention strategies must be in accordance with our charge as a field to only provide services that are ethical, contextually appropriate, have high acceptability, represent the least-intrusive approach, and are worthwhile for each individual. Students will graduate from this programme with extensive knowledge and experience of ethical and appropriate professional.

Year 1

PS6155 Behaviour Assessment (10 ECTs)

PS512 Principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (10 ECTs)

PS511 Behaviour Change Procedures (10 ECTs)

PS513 Research Methods (10 ECTs)

PS508 Applied Project I (10 ECTs)

PS6121 Ethics and Professional Practice (10 ECTs)

*Note: Clinical placements begin in January until the end of May in Year 1.

Year 2

PS6123 Advanced Behavior Systems (10 ECTs)

PS518 Advanced Research Methods (10 ECTs)

PS 519 Developmental Disabilities (10 ECTs)

PS516 Clinical Behaviour Interventions (10 ECTs)

PS520 Research Dissertation (30 ECTs)

PS509 Applied Project II (10 ECTs)

PS6154 Personnel Supervision and Management (10 ECTs)

*Note: Clinical placements begin in September until the end of May in Year 2.

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Why Choose This Course?

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Career Opportunities

The MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis prepares graduates for the role of a Behavioural Psychologist/Behaviour Analyst, with extensive opportunities for employment, research, and further training. Through the emphasis on the scientist-practitioner model, students receive thorough and integrated training in the academic, practical, and research aspects of behavioural science. The skills and competencies in behavioural psychology acquired through the programme prepare graduates for a range of autonomous and collaborative professional goals both nationally and internationally.

Given the evidence base and support for behavioural psychology in the fields of intellectual and developmental disability, education, and rehabilitation, graduates of the course predominantly obtain employment in disability services, education, and early intervention services. Within Ireland, graduates are employed by the HSE, HSE funded charities, the Department of Education and Skills, or work in private consultancy. Graduates of this course have been highly successful in the roles that they have achieved internationally (e.g., Canada, Australia, and the UK) with such roles as Clinical Director of Education, Senior Centre Clinicians, and Programme Supervisors being obtained by graduates of the MSc ABA at UoG in early intervention and behaviour support services.

Increasingly, the utility and value of behavioural psychology in broader contexts is recognised and graduates can seek opportunities for roles, for example, within mental health services, gerontology, sports psychology and organisational behaviour management. Both nationally and internationally, demand for competent Behavioural Psychologists / Behaviour Analysts exceeds current supply and employment opportunities for graduates continue to grow.

The advanced research skills and experience acquired on the programme also provide opportunities for graduates to work in research posts or to continue with further postgraduate study such as the Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Behaviour Analysis (PhD) https://www.universityofgalway.ie/colleges-and-schools/arts-social-sciences-and-celtic-studies/psychology/postgraduate-programmes/phd/phd-apb/.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Behaviour Analysis is a structured four-year (full time) PhD programme of study and provides graduates with high level research skills and competencies in applications of behavioural psychology, as well as a range of transferable skills. Students are assisted to design research that will make valuable contributions behavioural psychology. They conduct research that further advances an integrated, scientific understanding of the complexities of human behaviour.

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