Postgraduate Diploma Behaviour Analysis Supervised Practice
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.
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.
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.
Please note, due to the high volumes of applications received, we are no longer accepting new applications from international students who wish to start this course in January or February 2023. Applications from students in the UK or EU are still being accepted. For more information, please visit our International website. Any new international applications received for the January/February 2023 intakes will be withdrawn.
However, International students can apply to study this course from September 2023. Whilst there is no set deadline to apply, we would recommend making an application as soon as possible.
- 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 Behaviour Analysis Clinic, 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.
Assessment
Assessments include coursework and examinations.
Facilities
We are the only University in the UK to have an on-campus Behaviour Analysis Clinic. The clinic house three distinct services, including the Early Intervention Service, the Academic Intervention Service, and the Behaviour Therapy Service. We also have a number of off-campus placements, including mainstream and special schools, the National Health Service, HMP Parc, and specialised behaviour analysis consulting groups.
Our Cognitive Neuropsychology Suite houses specialist psychology equipment such as eye tracking equipment, EEG (electroencephalogram) and ECG (electrocardiogram) facilities.
Lecturers
- Dr Aimee Giles, Course Leader
- Dr Richard May
- Dr Emily Groves
We regularly revalidate courses for quality assurance and enhancement
At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.
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.
Students must be currently enrolled or have completed an MSc course in Behaviour Analysis to apply for this programme. Students without such MSc qualifications should note that this programme does not cover taught curriculum requirements required for BACB certification and should consider our companion programme MSc Behaviour Analysis and Therapy to complete this requirement.
Additional Requirements
An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check on the Child & Adult Workforce and Child and Adult Barring Lists and subscription to the DBS Update Service. (Overseas equivalent required for non-uk applicants)
The course welcomes international applicants and requires an English level of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component or equivalent.
Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee will remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course.
August 2022 - July 2023 Fees
Full-time UK: TBC
Full-time International: TBC
August 2023 - July 2024 Fees
Full-time UK: TBC
Full-time International: TBC
August 2024 - July 2025 Fees
Full-time UK: TBC
Full-time International: TBC
Student Perks
At the University of South Wales, you’re investing in so much more than a degree. We strive to provide our students with the best possible experience, no matter what you chose to study. Whether it’s access to top of the range mac books and PCs, state-of-the-art facilities packed with industry-leading equipment and software, masterclasses and events led by industry experts, or a wide range of clubs and societies to meet likeminded people, better tomorrows start with extra perks.
Each course also has their own unique student benefits to prepare you for the real word, and details of these can be found on our course pages. From global field trips, integrated work experience and free course-related resources, to funded initiatives, projects working with real employers, and opportunities for extra qualifications and accreditations - at USW your future, is future-proofed.
Click here to learn more about student perks at USW.
Additional Costs
As a student of USW, 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.
* Obligatory
| Item | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| DBS * | £55.42 | This fee includes £40 for the enhanced DBS certificate, the Post Office Administration fee and the online administration fee. |
| DBS Updating Service * | £13 | Subscription required for each year of the course for a yearly fee of £13. Please note the service has to be joined within 30 days of receipt of your enhanced DBS certificate. |
| Other: Travel to Placement | Cost is dependent on placement location. |
|
| Other: Professional liability insurance * | £100 | Renewable each year the student is on the course |
Funding
Funding to help pay for (or cover) course tuition fees and living costs
Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).
To learn about course fees, funding options, and to see if you are eligible for financial support, visit our Fees and Funding pages.
Apply directly to the University for this course.
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.
Our Careers and Employability Service
As a USW student, you will have access to advice from the Careers and Employability Service throughout your studies and after you graduate.
This includes: one-to-one appointments from faculty based Career Advisers, in person, over the phone or even on Skype and through email via the "Ask a Question" service. We also have extensive online resources for help with considering your career options and presenting yourself well to employers. Resources include psychometric tests, career assessments, a CV builder, interview simulator and application help. Our employer database has over 2,000 registered employers targeting USW students, you can receive weekly email alerts for jobs.
Our Careers service has dedicated teams: A central work experience team to help you find relevant placements; an employability development team which includes an employability programme called Grad Edge; and an Enterprise team focused on new business ideas and entrepreneurship.
Highlight Stories
The Pontypridd Campus is made up of two sites: Treforest and Glyntaff. Our students love the community atmosphere, as well as living and studying in the same place. It’s quieter than the cities, with green open spaces and views across the valley.
It’s the community and friendships you’ll build that make this place special. Outside your studies you can experience our amazing sport facilities and Students’ Union.
Living in Halls is a great way to meet new people and make friends. We have high quality accommodation in Treforest, Cardiff and Newport.