Autism and Behavioural Science Program (Postgraduate) (C405)

Program Description

Leadership Claims

Verified course sequence to become a board-certified assistant behaviour analyst (BCaBA) with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB)

Program Overview

George Brown College's Autism and Behavioural Science (C405) postgraduate program focuses on autism spectrum disorders and therapies, mainly Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), with a primary application for children and adolescents. You will gain practical experience working with treatment teams.

Full Description

George Brown College's Autism and Behavioural Science Program was developed in response to the growing public concern about services for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

It was designed to deepen the expertise in the field of autism and behavioural sciences for application within the children’s sector, and simultaneously create a pool of qualified individuals to meet the needs of service agencies that provide autism or children’s services.

This Autism and Behavioural Science program enables graduates with university degrees and graduates of Early Childhood Education, Social Service Worker, Child and Youth Care, Developmental Service Worker and similar programs to acquire the specialized skills and expertise they need to work with individuals with a diagnosis of autism.

Autism and Behavioural Science students learn about:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
  • intervention methods including Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI)
  • Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) theory (e.g., operant conditioning)
  • working with families and treatment teams
  • relevant legislation

Note: Field education may require travel due to the number of opportunities for appropriate placements within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Students may be required to travel to locations as far east as Oshawa, as far west as Burlington and as far north as Vaughan.

Recommended Skills and Aptitudes 

Consider this career path if these terms describe you:

  • caring
  • tenacious
  • analytic
  • detail-oriented

Autism and Behavioural Science Program Features 

  • Full-time and part-time faculty who have extensive experience in ABA, IBI and ASD.
  • Well-established relationships with agencies providing services for individuals with a diagnosis of autism.

Your Field Education Options

Each field experience opportunity in George Brown's Autism and Behavioural Science Program has been designed to reinforce classroom theory within an actual setting where students could ultimately find work.

In semester 1, the field placement experience is three weeks long. During that time, students will visit an agency partner (e.g., ABA centre, school, residential home, daycare settings, etc.) to observe an individual with autism.

During semester 2, field placement is seven weeks long. Students will go to an agency partner where they will not only observe an individual with autism, but will be required to identify a target behaviour and develop a treatment plan accordingly.

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Career Options

Graduates of George Brown's Autism and Behavioural Science program will be prepared for employment as instructor-therapists with agencies offering ABA for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as in schools and private family settings.

Graduating from this program may lead to opportunities for advancement into supervisory or consultant roles.

Previous education at the diploma or degree level may also lead to other career opportunities, such as:

  • resource teacher
  • educational assistant
  • program supervisor

"The Autism and Behavioural Science program absolutely propelled me into the fulfilling career of working to better the lives of those living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Without this program at George Brown College, I am certain I would not have had the educational jump-start I was given to land me my first clinical position immediately upon graduation. What I valued most was the privilege to form the influential relationships that I did with the skilled professors already working within the field. I am grateful I chose to pursue this post-graduate certificate; it truly was the catalyst to a profession that I take great pride in every single day."

Shanna Reesor
Ontario College Graduate Certificate

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