Masters Degrees in Developmental Psychology, Ireland

The Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is a one-year full-time course. The aim of this course is to ensure that students become proficient to a high degree in the understanding and practical application of the principles of applied behaviour analysis with particular regard to persons with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injury, children and adolescents in care or special programmes, and persons presenting learning and/or behavioural challenges in school. This intense course provides training in ABA for a yearly intake of up to 30 students. The course provides a route for securing Assistant level certification status from the Behaviour Analysis Certification Board (BACB), an international body which sets standards for training in behaviour analysis. See http://www.bacb.com for more details. Classes are normally conducted one week-day every two weeks and on one Saturday per month. Individual supervision sessions occur at times outside the teaching schedule and are arranged with an individual board certified behaviour analyst supervisor. Taught modules run from the end of September to the end of June. Students who wish to apply to the course must secure a practical placement prior to applying. Please refer to the course website for further information in this respect.

Course Content:

Graduates of this course are skilled to conduct functional behavioural assessments, to implement and design behaviour support plans or learning/skill acquisition programmes, and to analyse and display data to make informed decisions regarding intervention and learning methods. Topics covered on the course include:

Definitions, Characteristics and Basic Principles
Ethics in ABA
Selection, Defining and Measuring Behaviour
Behavioural Assessment
Behavioural Intervention, Measurement and Evaluation
Supervised Practice

Admission Requirements

The Diploma in Applied Behaviour Analysis is open to those with an honors undergraduate degree in Psychology or a related human service field such as education/teaching, nursing, speech and language and social care. - Applicants from Ireland or EU and non-EU countries who meet entry criteria and are employed by or volunteer in an educational or human service setting are welcome to apply. - Please refer to the website for more detailed information. Please note that students must complete the Postgraduate Diploma course or equivalent behaviour analytic coursework prior to completing the one-year M.Sc. Psychology (ABA) or M.Sc. ABA. Please refer to http://www.psychology.tcd.ie/postgraduate/applied-behaviour-analysis for further details about this course. - Applicants with good written and spoken English (due to the nature of this profession) from other EU and non-EU countries are very welcome to apply.

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The aim of this course is to ensure that students become proficient to a high degree in the understanding and practical application of the principles of applied behaviour analysis with particular regard to persons with autism and other developmental disabilities, and/or children and adolescents in care or special programmes, and/or those students presenting learning and/or behavioural challenges in school - The content of this course focuses upon clinical application. This intensive course provides professional training in applied behaviour analysis (ABA) for a yearly intake of up to 8 students. Classes are normally arranged to take place on one weekday with additional classes taking place on occasional weekends as required. Placement practice in behaviour analysis must be supervised by a privately engaged, but course approved supervisor - Students receive continuous assessment and feedback through their regular supervision sessions and participation in class activities. Placement practice in ABA is also formally assessed in the middle and at the end of the course. Students must maintain a portfolio of their work throughout the course.

Course Content and Structure:

Graduates of this course are skilled to engage in the ethical practice and research of ABA, to conduct functional behavioural assessments, implement and design behaviour support plans or learning/skill acquisition programmes, and analyse and display data to make informed decisions around intervention and learning needs.

Modules include:

Advanced research - data analysis methods in ABA;
Conceptual Issues in ABA
Research Dissertation Proposal
Special Topics in ABA
Supervised Research - Practice
Research Dissertation

Special Topics may include such issues as Precision Teaching, ABA in Multidisciplinary teams, Theoretical Approaches in Behaviour Analysis. These topics may vary according to staff availability.

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