The Postgraduate Diploma in Behaviour Analysis offers a unique opportunity to gain experience in behaviour analysis under the close supervision of a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA). This course is approved by the Behaviour Analysis Certification Board (BACB), which is the international regulatory body for the practice of behaviour analysis.
The Behaviour Analysis course is designed to provide you with experience in the ethical application of behaviour analytic assessment and intervention strategies across a range of settings and populations. You will be taught and supervised by a team of Board Certified Behaviour Analysts who are internationally recognised for their research and clinical work in the field. They also have a wealth of experience in teaching and supervising students.
2021/22 update: Blended learning approach for USW courses.
[Update excludes online-only courses].
The wellbeing and health and safety of our students and staff is paramount to us. We are committed to delivering all of our courses and services as safely as possible. Due to the pandemic, the methods and activities adopted for the coming year may differ from those previously published and may be subject to further change through the course of your study if such change is necessary due to public health concerns, health and safety guidance or in response to Government Guidelines. USW is committed to providing you with a fantastic student experience and a wealth of support, and you can hear how students have benefitted from this approach here: Learn more about blended learning.
What you will study?
- Supervised Practice in Behaviour Analysis – 40 credits
This module aims to assist students in developing foundational assessment and intervention strategies based on the science of behaviour analysis. Students will learn to ethically apply these strategies with various individuals with challenging behaviour. They also will learn to effectively communicate strategies and outcomes to both professionals and consumers.
- Behaviour Analysis in Practice – 40 credits
This module aims to assist students in applying core behaviour analytic strategies (identified by the BACB Task List) across a range of settings, populations, and behaviour problems.
- Advanced Experience in Behaviour Analysis – 40 credits
This module aims to assist students in developing advanced competencies in behaviour analysis, including those assessment and intervention strategies that might be highly specialised to particular populations, settings, or behaviours. The module also will facilitate students’ skills of managing behaviour change programmes and providing systems support. Students will access recent literature to inform assessment and treatment practices and demonstrate how current scientific findings inform practice. They also will learn to synthesise scientific findings as rationale for clinical recommendations and effectively present those findings to consumers and professionals.
Teaching
You will rotate placements approximately every six months, which will allow you to support people with a range of challenging behaviours with behaviour analytic assessment and intervention strategies.
Clients may include individuals with various disorders or difficulties, including autism, learning disabilities, social and emotional difficulties, ADHD, and antisocial behaviour. Placements with children, adolescents, or adults are available.
Settings may include, but are not limited to, schools, the NHS Learning Disability Service, and residential treatment centres. You also will have the opportunity to work in the University’s Psychology and Well-Being Clinic Wales (PAWB Wales), where you will assist in providing early intervention therapy to young children with autism. We are the only University in the UK to have an on-campus behaviour analysis clinic.
