MSc Behaviour Analysis and Therapy

Overview:

Behaviour analysts focus on understanding how a person’s interactions with the environment influence behaviour. They use this information to design effective interventions that will help people learn more appropriate behaviours, as well as reducing challenging behaviour.

Approved by the Behaviour Analysis Certification Board (BACB), the international regulatory body for the practice of behaviour analysis, the MSc Behaviour Analysis and Therapy equips students with skills in behaviour analysis and therapy relevant to a range of educational and clinical settings.

It provides a solid understanding of the scientific principles that underpin behaviour analysis, and the therapeutic techniques derived from those principles. You will be taught by a team of Board Certified Behaviour Analysts who are internationally-recognised for their research and clinical work in the field.

Entry Requirements

Applicants typically will have a minimum of a 2:1 Honours degree in Psychology or Education, or a related subject (e.g., Social Work, Nursing). Lower degree classifications (and other subject areas) may be considered for applicants with substantial experience in behaviour analysis.

The course welcomes international applicants and requires an English level of IELTS 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component or equivalent.

Please note that whilst this course does not require a DBS Check for entry, some professions will not consider candidates who have certain types of criminal convictions. Therefore, if you have a criminal conviction and you are considering a particular career path we would recommend that you check with the relevant professional body or refer to their recruitment policy to make sure that your conviction will not disadvantage you.

An Enhanced DBS check may be required depending on your placement and will be arranged by your faculty team.

WHAT YOU WILL STUDY

You will study the following modules:

Principles and Concepts in Behaviour Analysis (20 credits)
This module will teach students the basic underlying principles, processes and concepts of the science and technology of behaviour analysis.
Philosophy of Behaviour Analysis (20 credits)
This module grounds students in the philosophical underpinnings of the science of behaviour analysis. It helps them understand the branches of behaviour analysis, as well as how behaviour analysis fits into contemporary psychology.
Research Methods in Behaviour Analysis (20 credits)
Students will learn various direct and indirect methods for collecting reliable behavioural data, as well as methods for evaluating the effects of independent variables through the use of single case designs.
Behavioural Assessment (20 credits)
This module will teach students how to assess and analyse the variables that contribute to behaviour using a range of empirically-based methods. The module helps student master strategies for analysing challenging behaviour, as well as skill deficits.
Behavioural Intervention (20 credits)
This module will teach students a range of ethical, effective strategies for facilitating the acquisition and maintenance of socially important behaviour, as well as strategies for addressing challenging behaviour.
Supporting Behaviour Change in Complex Systems (20 credits)
This module will demonstrate the range of settings in which behaviour analysis can be applied, as well as helping students develop skills for effectively supporting behaviour change.
Ethical and Professional Issues in Behaviour Analysis (20 credits)
This module is aligned with Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) guidance for the professional and ethical conduct of behaviour analysts. Students will problem solve ethical dilemmas across a range of populations and settings.
Dissertation (60 credits)
Completion of the MSc course includes an empirical dissertation addressing a substantive issue in behaviour analysis.

Please note there are changes to BACB certification which could affect both UK and international applicants. You can read about these changes and how they could affect you on the BACB website – 2023 International Changes FAQs (Opens in a new tab)or on the UK-SBA website FAQs: BACB Decision on UK Certifications Post-2022 – UK Society for Behaviour Analysis.(Opens in a new tab)

Certification also requires supervised practice and a passing score on the international certification exam.

Students may complete our Postgraduate Diploma in Behaviour Analysis Supervised Practice, which allows students to accrue the supervised practice hours required for certification. Students may apply for the course after completion of the MSc or may apply for entry during the second term of the MSc.

Teaching

The programme may be taken through full or part-time modes of study. Full-time study requires completing 140 course credits and 60 dissertation credits within one year. Part-time study requires taking 140 course credits and 60 dissertation credits across two years. There is no provision for part-time study across more than two years.

You will be taught through face-to-face delivery in the form of lectures, seminars and practical workshops, although e-learning activities might be occasionally used to supplement class sessions. Students should expect to spend up to three hours outside of class preparing for every hour spent in class.

Additionally, you will develop your research skills through the completion of a supervised dissertation. The teaching team has well established links with schools, social care settings and healthcare providers, which provide ideal locations for dissertation research. You may also have opportunities to assist with ongoing research or clinical work in the field, as well as volunteering in the College’s Behaviour Analysis Clinic.

The teaching delivery will be blocked into 2.5 days per week for full-time students.

Assessment

Assessments include examinations, practical assignments, and essays. You will also complete a dissertation, which allows you to analyse behaviour systematically and evaluate the success of treatment under the close supervision of a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst.

COURSE DETAILS

Accreditations
Please note there are changes to BACB certification which could affect both UK and international applicants. You can read about these changes and how they could affect you on the BACB website – 2023 International Changes FAQs or on the UK-SBA website FAQs: BACB Decision on UK Certifications Post-2022 – UK Society for Behaviour Analysis.

NB: Certification also requires 1500-2000 hours of supervised practice, as well as passing the international certification exam. Please see the Behaviour Analyst Certification Board website for additional information on certification.

Facilities
Facilities include observation and interview rooms equipped with a two-way mirror, CCTV and audio, which allows research and interview practice sessions to be conducted and recorded. We also have a custom-built air conditioned PC laboratory which provides access to specialist software for running psychology experiments and conducting careers guidance interviews.

The Cognitive Neuropsychology Suite houses specialist psychology equipment such as eye tracking equipment, EEG (electroencephalogram) and ECG (electrocardiogram) facilities for recording electrical activity in the heart and scalp and a driving simulator.

The College offers a wide range of psychological services to the public through our Behaviour Analysis Clinic facility and include play therapy, behaviour analysis, health, and sport psychology interventions.

If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.

Additional Costs

As a student of WFC, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.

CAREERS

Professionals trained in behaviour analysis are in increasing demand in the UK, particularly those who are BACB-certified. Behaviour analysts are employed in a variety of contexts, including service providers for people with autism and/or learning disabilities, the NHS, schools, and residential treatment facilities for people with challenging behaviour. Some behaviour analysts also work as independent consultants in their areas of expertise.

Fees

Full time

Complete your degree in the shortest possible time and study flexibly – when and where suits you!

£7,250

You’ll study 9 modules in total (approx. 37 hrs/week).

Part time option one

Study for a degree whilst fitting it around your work, care and other life commitments.

£4,250

You’ll study 6 modules per year (approx. 25 hrs/week).

Part time option two

Take time to study and spread the tuition fees over a longer period – at no extra cost.

£5,500

You’ll study 4–5 modules per year (approx. 19 hrs/week).

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