University rolls out new behavior analyst credential program as need surges

  School of Education  

The field of behavioral analysis is surging and demand for certification on the upswing in keeping with industry standards, and due to an overall increase in behavioral diagnoses. 

Keith Drieberg, a La Sierra University alum and coordinator of special education for the Redlands Unified School District, enrolled in the new Board Certified Behavior Analyst program in La Sierra's School of Education.
Keith Drieberg, a La Sierra University alum and coordinator of special education for the Redlands Unified School District, enrolled in the new Board Certified Behavior Analyst program in La Sierra's School of Education.

In response to the interest, La Sierra University’s School of Education, through its Department of School Psychology and Counseling last fall quarter began offering a Board Certified Behavior Analyst credential approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. The credential certifies individuals to provide behavioral intervention services internationally to students and people of varying ages and occupations who have exhibited behavioral problems, including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder and pervasive developmental disorders such as autism.

“We have started this program with an understanding of the growing interest and in fulfillment of our strategic plan,” said Chang-ho Ji, education professor and chair of the school psychology and counseling department. “We have been considering this area for years with preparation.”

The BCBA certification requires a Master of Arts in counseling, education or related areas, or other types of graduate degrees such as an Ed.S. or Ed.D. It is offered in a block hybrid course schedule of one or two classes per quarter to better accommodate the needs of working professionals. To qualify for the BCBA certificate, students must take six consecutive required behavior analysis courses, sit for an oral examination, and either already hold a graduate degree, or take the certificate program along with a graduate degree program. The certificate also requires ongoing education.

BCBA certificate classes include courses in the foundation of applied behavior analysis, assessment of applied behavior analysis, applications of applied behavior and ethics in applied behavior. Four highly qualified board certified behavior analysts teach La Sierra’s classes.

Keith Drieberg, a La Sierra University alum and coordinator of special education for the Redlands Unified School District, enrolled in the BCBA program at La Sierra for the purposes of earning a certificate. He previously earned bachelor and master’s degrees at La Sierra. He currently works with 15 psychologists and 15 interns in the 20,000-student district.

“It will give me a stronger focus for working with teachers and administrators to help change behaviors that are interfering with learning,” for instance students’ autism spectrum disorders and developmental delays, Drieberg said. “Very often when we’re called into classroom settings we look at how to change maladaptive behaviors. What [behaviors] do you reinforce or not reinforce?” In analyzing a situation involving such behaviors, educators perform functional assessments and must consider environmental variables and whether consequences need to be administered, among other things. They look at such issues as the frequency of the behavior and the precursors of the behavior and make recommendations.

“Attention to task,” or the inability to complete work is among the most common interfering behaviors among students, followed by disruptive behaviors ranging from such activity as sharpening pencils for extended periods of time, to walking out of the classroom, said Drieberg.

“Our role is to try to figure that out, to shape those behaviors to become more social,” he said. The BCBA training is helping Drieberg better conceptualize such situations, he said. “The overriding goal of behavior analysis is to improve pro-social behavior and social functioning in schools in a learning context, in the community in a social context.”

In addition to the education field, behavior analysts are also in demand in corporate settings or in sports to determine ways of improving employees’ and players’ performances, Drieberg said.

Sharon Zhao, a native of China and first year doctoral student in La Sierra’s School of Education also enrolled in the BCBA program. She discovered the high demand for certified behavior analysts while looking for a job following her graduation from the University of Southern California with a Master of Arts in Teaching in 2012. “There are two things driving me to choose this credential. First, I'm really interested in this area and I'm planning to focus my study on the behavior field, which is getting more and more important worldwide,” she said. “Second, since BCBA is approved as an internationally recognized credential and the practicum hours are much less than the [Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor] credential, it’s practical and attractive for me as an international student to obtain.” 

Zhao is interested in working in K-12 education, but hasn’t ruled out other areas. She plans to return to China following her completion of the Ed.D. program at La Sierra.

Each BCBA program class meets for 10 weeks, one night per week. For further information call 951-785-2269 or email cji@lasierra.edu.