Florida Institute of Technology
High Tech with a Human Touch
Frequently Asked Question
Questions about Certification:
- Why should you pursue certification in behavior analysis?
- Which courses do I need to take to become certified?
- When is the next certification exam?
- What is the difference between BCBA and BCaBA?
- Will I be certified in behavior analysis when I complete all the courses in one of the two professional development programs?
General Questions about Courses:
- Need flexibility in scheduling?
- Nervous about taking tests?
- Need a quick response to questions?
- Need to get the most out of study time?
- Want to interact with others in the field?
- Want to learn from the best?
- How much does it cost?
- Is there Financial Aid available?
- Where do I sign up?
- I've taken similar courses before. Do I still have to take all the courses offered by Florida Tech?
- Do I need a bachelor's or master's degree to take the courses?
- Do these courses count toward a bachelor's or master's degree?
- When and where will a three-course sequence be offered?
- What is the Refund Policy?
Questions about the Online Format:
- Nervous about taking an online course?
- What are the minimum computer requirements for the online courses?
- What are my options for proctoring on the final exam?
Questions about Supervision:
- Do these professional development courses count toward the supervised experience requirement?
- Does Florida Tech offer supervised experience?
Questions about Certification:
Why should you pursue certification in behavior analysis?
The answer is marketability. ABA practitioners know that certification is the key to job growth and security. There is a growing need for well-trained board certified professionals in behavior analysis to work or consult in schools’ early intervention programs, day programs, residential settings and home-based programs. Certification in behavior analysis will provide the opportunity to access a wide range of career options.
Florida Tech offers a comprehensive professional development program in behavior analysis in a flexible and supportive online environment. For your convenience, all courses are completely online and do not require any travel to the Florida Tech campus. With the FL Tech course series you have the opportunity to develop your knowledge in behavior analysis from the comfort of your home or work at a time that fits your schedule.
The courses meet the instructional requirements for certification as a Board Certified Analyst TM (BCBA ®) and the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst TM (BCaBA ®) defined by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. ® (BACB®).
Depending on which Certification individuals are seeking, there are either three classes required for the BCaBA level of certification or five classes required for the BCBA level. All courses are taught at the Master’s level. Individuals do need to be able to handle the coursework of a Master’s level course.
Which courses do I need to take to become certified?
If you are interested in becoming certified and have not taken any courses that meet instructional requirements for certification, you will need to take all our courses (three-course series for BCaBA ® or five-course series for BCBA ®) to qualify for certification.
When is the next certification exam?
The BACB currently offers the certification exams three times a year. All degree courses and supervised experience must be completed prior to qualifying to take an examination, though a person may apply before completing all the requirements. For more information, visit www.bacb.com.
What is the difference between BCBA and BCaBA?
The requirements to take the BCaBA certification examination are lower than the requirements to take the BCBA examination. The pay and type of positions may differ depending on the agency and the state. The BACB strongly recommends that a BCaBA work under the supervision of a BCBA and not independently. Some states adhere to this BACB recommendation while others have different stipulations depending on the type of client and/or specific practices.
Will I be certified in behavior analysis when I complete all the courses in one of the two professional development programs?
No. Only the BACB can certify behavior analysts. In order to be certified in behavior analysis, one must first meet all certification requirements, including the course work (done by completing one of the Florida Tech programs), apply to the BACB, be deemed eligible by the BACB to take one of their examinations and pass one of the examinations.
General Questions about Courses:
Need flexibility in scheduling?
Each course is three months in length, allowing you to complete up to four courses in one year if you so choose. You can also space out the classes; all five courses are offered at each January, April, July, and October session so that individuals can start when it is most convenient for them.
Each course is made up of seven instructional units. With the busy professional in mind, a unit consists of five hours of video broken into smaller sections. This allows students to fit study time into their already busy schedules.
Instructional videos are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All that is needed is a computer with better than dial-up Internet connection. These videos can be stopped, rewound, watched, and re-watched as necessary. For the student on the go, the videos are also available for viewing on a video iPod or other mobile device!
Nervous about taking tests?
There is no need to travel for unit exams. While all tests are closed note and closed book, they may be taken online in the comfort of your own home. There are two exams for each unit. The best score of these is used as the score for that unit. Students are given time to study between the two exams to further facilitate learning and student success.
Need a quick response to questions?
In addition to email access to your co-instructor, there are also easy-to-use online discussion boards that are checked at least twice daily to give students an opportunity to ask questions or discuss topics and get quick assistance, as well as collaborate with fellow students around the world.
Need to get the most out of study time?
Students are provided with an array of study materials to facilitate learning in the course and passing the BCBA or BCaBA exam. Students have the opportunity to utilize a detailed study guide while watching the videos. This is a great study aid not only for the course, but also when studying for the certification exam. Students are also provided with printable power point presentation for each lecture and other study materials. Best of all, these materials are available online 24 hours a day, whenever you need to access them.
Want to interact with others in the field?
Students meet online with an instructor and 10 to 12 other students for one hour a week. There are many different times to choose from. Because there are students all over the world, these sections are available from early in the morning to late at night, Monday through Sunday. Students access an online classroom where they will be able to see and hear their co-instructor live. Students can ask questions and take part in discussions, just like a physical classroom.
Want to learn from the best?
Dr. Martinez-Diaz is the program director and lead instructor for the ABA online courses. He has worked as an ABA practitioner, professor, and administrator. Dr. Martinez-Diaz is a respected member of the ABA community, and among his many other roles, served as the President of the Florida Association of Behavior Analysis. Dr. Martinez-Diaz is highly experienced in focusing on people with diagnoses of autism spectrum disorders, mental retardation, disruptive behavior disorders, schizophrenia and traumatic brain injury. His classes are fun and filled with stories to help make the concepts come to life for students. Most of all, Dr. Martinez-Diaz is passionate about ABA and the powerful impact it can have on the lives of clients, caregivers and the community as a whole.
In addition to lectures by Dr. Martinez-Diaz, students will be exposed to the other respected experts in the field for some units. This way, students are learning from the best of the best.
How much does it cost?
|
Course Early Registration May 6-June 1 August 1-September 1 November 1-December 1 February 1-March 1 |
Regular Registration
June 2-July 14 September 2-October 14 December 2-January 14 March 2 – April 14 |
Late Registration
July 15-July 22 October 15 – October 22 January 15-January 22 April 15 – April 22 |
|
| BEHP 5000 | $750 | $790 | $840 |
| BEHP 5001 | $750 | $790 | $840 |
| BEHP 5002 | $750 | $790 | $840 |
| BEHP 5003 (advanced series) | $950 | $995 | $1045 |
| BEHP 5004 (advanced series) | $950 | $995 | $1045 |
Is there Financial Aid available?
We do not have scholarships, grants, or government loans such as the Stafford Loan. The only aides we accept are Sallie Mae, military education aid (MyCAA), and Americore. We suggest that our students contact their local bank to request a career training loan.
Sallie Mae also offers Smart Option Student Loans® that can be used for the ABA Online courses through Florida Tech’s Professional Development Program. For those interested in requesting a Smart Option Student Loan® from Sallie Mae: Go to http://salliemae.com/smartoption
Our school code is 001469
Where do I sign up?
There is no application process for these courses, since they are offered through the Professional Development Department. To sign up for the class, use the registration page of our ABA website. The registration website contains all of the information that is required. We do not need copies of your transcripts, but you will need to send your transcripts to the certifying board BACB ® when you apply to take the exam. Register early to guarantee your seat in the course and save!
I've taken similar courses before. Do I still have to take all the courses offered by Florida Tech?
This question may be best answered by e-mailing BACB at info@bacb.com. The answer depends on which course you took, when you took it, and from whom you took it.
Do I need a bachelor's or master's degree to take the courses?
No, you do not need a bachelor's or master’s degree to enroll in Florida Tech's Behavior Analyst Certification Board course sequence for professional development credit. However, to meet certification requirements, individuals must have either a bachelor's degree or a master's degree depending on the certification they are pursuing. Visit the www.bacb.com for the current requirements.
Do these courses count toward a bachelor's or master's degree?
These courses are offered as professional development courses, not as part of Florida Tech's degree programs. However, universities and other institutions may choose to accept them if a student enrolls in a degree program, when taken for transferable credit, but are not required to do so. Students will receive a grade for each course on a university transcript and a certificate of completion, but not a degree. In order to receive a degree from Florida Tech, a student will need to apply and be accepted by the university as a degree-seeking student by the Office of Graduate Admissions and as enrolling in a degree program. Florida Tech offers three graduate degree programs in behavior analysis.
When and where will a three-course sequence be offered?
Online course sequences are offered four times a year. See “Registration, Schedule, and Fees” for exact dates and registration
For future on-site courses, Florida Tech will advertise in cities throughout the country where we have identified a qualified instructor. There may be qualified instructors in your area.
Once there are 25 students who have applied to the program for a given location, dates will be determined and students will be contacted. At the time when 25-30 students are accepted, registered, and have submitted payment by the deadline, the next three-course sequence will begin.
What is the Refund Policy?
A student who has paid for any ABA professional development course and withdraws prior to the start date of the course will receive a refund of any course fees paid, less a $150.00 cancellation fee. There are no refunds given once the course begins.
Questions about the Online Format:
Nervous about taking an online course?
While learning in an online environment may seem scary at first, there are resources to help you become accustomed to the virtual environment. Training videos on the learning management system will help you to navigate the courses and technical support is available for those who need additional assistance.
Taking an online class does not mean you are alone. Students have the opportunity to communicate with their co-instructor, ask questions, and even interact with other students using discussion boards and live chats. The ABA staff is also available to help, whatever your question may be.
Unsure if your learning style will be accommodated? Not to worry, the FL Tech ABA program has a variety of qualified, BCBA co-instructors to choose from for your online meetings. This will allow you to not only chose a time that best fits your schedule, but also to choose an online meeting that matches your particular learning needs. In addition, study materials are provided to facilitate learning.
What are the minimum computer requirements for the online courses?
Most home and office computers meet the minimum requirements.
The minimum requirements include:
- High-speed (384k) Internet connection
- Computer with:
- A sound card and speakers to hear audio broadcast;
- One of the supported operating systems listed at www.macromedia.com/go/breeze_sysreqs;
- One of the supported browsers listed at www.macromedia.com/go/breeze_sysreqs; Macromedia Flash Player 6.0.65 or later as a browser plug-in
Note: Macromedia Flash Player is standard in most browsers. You can find out what version of Flash Player you have at the Test Macromedia Web Players page at www.macromedia.com/software/flash/about
What are my options for proctoring on the final exam?
The final exam specification and proctor criteria have been drafted to ensure the integrity of the final exams and the credibility of the FL Tech ABA Online Course Series. Proctor options may require additional out of pocket expense. Students are responsible for any and all fees associated with testing. Proctor information MUST be entered by the student into the Proctor Information Survey located in the Final Exam and Proctor Instructions folder by the deadline indicated on the course calendar.
Proctor Options
1. Eligible Testing Center.
This option requires the student to locate and schedule the final exam through a testing center such as Sylvan, Huntington or others that meet the following specifications:
- Proctor should meet the Proctor criteria as an impartial third party specified above.
- Location must meet the criteria summarized below.
- Quiet, uninterrupted environment.
- All belongings removed from student prior to test, including but not limited to, purses/bags, cell phones, coats, books, and notes.
- Access to notes, books and personal belongings prohibited.
- The student must be under video surveillance or directly observed by a proctor for the duration of the test.
- Computer used for testing should be locked such that only the test can be accessed during the exam period. If the computer cannot be locked to prevent access to other web pages and/or documents during the test then the student’s computer screen must be under video surveillance or directly observed by a proctor for the duration of the test.
Please note that companies such as Sylvan and Huntington are independently owned franchises. Test proctoring services will vary by location.
2. Securexam Remote Proctor (SRP).
In an effort to give busy students greater flexibility in when and where final exams are taken, Securexam Remote Proctor (SRP) is being offered to students enrolled in the online course series. This is a software-hardware option that will allow you, the student, to take the exam much like you take the rest of the course, in the comfort of your own home or office and at a time YOU choose. SRP protects the academic integrity of your exam experience without requiring you to go to a testing center or engage a human proctor. SPR, once purchased, can also be used for multiple courses making it a convenient and cost effective option for students taking multiple courses.
SRP consists of two components:
- A small stand alone device that connects to your computer. The device will capture fingerprint information to authenticate your identity and grant you access to your exam. A web camera and microphone will record your exam environment, much like a human proctor would at a testing center or in a classroom.
- A software program that will lock down your computer during your exam, so that you have full access to the exam through Angel, but no access to unauthorized materials.
Purchase Information:
Securexam Remote Proctor is available for purchase from FL Tech’s online bookstore provider, MBS Direct
The Securexam Remote Proctor can be purchased online and requires an initial purchase of the hardware and a yearly subscription. The device and 1 year software subscription will cost $180. Should you need use of the device for more than one year, the subscription fee is $30 per year after the initial purchase. You will be able to use the SRP device for all your future final exams, eliminating the need to ever go to a testing center or locate a human proctor. Each student must purchase their own device and subscription unless employed by a school district, state or local social service company. Contact abareg@fit.edu to learn about your eligibility to share the cost of a remote proctor device if your employer is a school, social service agency or state agency.
After you receive the Remote Proctor device in the mail, you will download the necessary software as well as helpful documentation and guides.
Students are responsible for allowing enough time to receive the device when ordering. Final exams must be completed by the deadlines outlined in the course.
3. Orlando/Melbourne FL Tech Campus and Proctor.
For those students willing and able to travel to Melbourne or Orlando, FL testing sites with proctors will be available by advanced reservation on a limited basis. Please note that traveling to either the Orlando or Melbourne campus is OPTIONAL. Students are not required to travel or choose this option. Students may reserve a test time by filling out the Melbourne/Orlando Test Site Reservation form located in Final Exam and Proctor Instructions folder in ANGEL.
Questions about Supervision:
Do these professional development courses count toward the supervised experience requirement?
No. Supervised experience consists of working with individuals in a human services environment under supervision of a BCBA. However, certification applicants may not start accumulating experience until they have begun the course work required to meet the BACB course work requirements.
Does Florida Tech offer supervised experience?
Florida Tech offers supervised experience in university degree programs but not in the professional development programs.