Program Details

  • Program Code: S303
  • Credential:
    Honours Bachelor's Degree
  • Duration:
    5 semesters + 14 week Field Experience term (Unpaid)
  • Method of Study:
    Full-time
  • Starting Months: May
  • Domestic Tuition:
    $10,575.00 * †
  • International Tuition:
    $31,900.00 ** †
  • Spring 2026 Delivery:
    Semester 4, 7: Hybrid

Program Availability

SemesterDomesticInternational
Fall 2025
Not Available
Not Available
Winter 2026
Not Available
Not Available
Spring 2026
Open
Open
  • Work-Integrated Learning:

    Seven (7) week unpaid block begins in semester 6, and a fourteen (14) week unpaid block placement begins in the fall term of student's final year in the degree.

  • PGWP Eligible: Yes
  • CIP Code: 42.2814
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Program Description

Leadership Claims

George Brown Polytechnic was the first college in Toronto to offer the Behavioural Science Technology advanced diploma and spearheaded the development of the Provincial Autism and Behavioural Science programs.

We have been providing training and education in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) in Toronto for over 15 years.

Program Overview

The Honours Bachelor of Behaviour Analysis (S303) is an accelerated degree program stream that will give you a comprehensive understanding of behavioural psychology and, more specifically, applied behaviour analysis (ABA). Apply to this stream if you have successfully completed two years of an approved behavioural science technology or technician program. This five-semester program starts with a spring/summer bridging semester that leads into year three (or semester 5) of the four-year degree.

To start your studies in May 2026, apply to the May 2025/26 intake for this program. To begin your studies in May 2025, apply to the 2024/25 academic year.

Full Description

The Honours Bachelor of Behaviour Analysis (S303) is a fast-track degree program that takes an in-depth look at applied behaviour analysis (ABA)—a field of study that uses a systematic and analytical approach to modify behaviour in a desirable way.

Apply to this program stream if you have completed two years of a behavioural science technology advanced diploma program with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or graduated from a behavioural science technician diploma program with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

You will complete a bridge semester during the spring/summer (semester 4) and will then join the third year (semester 5) of the four-year degree program.

ABA is an effective practice that is often used with populations who have:

  • autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
  • brain injury
  • dementia
  • developmental disabilities
  • addiction
  • mental health disorders

What you will be studying:

Applied behaviour analysis (ABA) is a scientific approach to the treatment and understanding of human behaviour. This approach can be applied to the entire range of human behaviour (i.e., thoughts, feelings and actions). Research has shown that an evidence-based approach such as ABA is most effective at decreasing problem behaviour and developing a variety of skills.

Please Note: ABA differs from clinical psychology- a treatment approach that relies on talk therapy among other techniques.

The ABA approach involves three main components:

Component 1: A complete behavioural assessment is conducted. A variety of interview and observational techniques are used to gain an understanding of the behaviour to be changed. You will learn how to observe and analyze behaviour in a variety of situations in order to develop an effective treatment strategy.

Component 2: The next step is to use the results of the behavioural assessment to develop an effective plan that will reduce specific problem behaviours and develop or strengthen cognitive and behavioural skills. You will learn a variety of behavioural and cognitive behavioural techniques that can be used to change behaviour.

Component 3: The final phase is an ongoing evaluation of components one and two. You will learn how to measure the effectiveness of their interventions, and continue to refine and revise their interventions based on the results of these measures.

RESEARCH COMPONENT

A foundational aspect of this degree lies in the research component of the program. During semesters 5 and 6, you will learn how to prepare an applied research proposal. The actual research will be conducted during the fall semester of the fourth year. You will receive faculty support throughout the entire process.

ABAI VCS PROGRAM logo

ABAI VERIFIED COURSE SEQUENCE

The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the following courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® examination. Applicants will need to meet additional eligibility requirements and demonstrate they reside in an authorized country and province [Canada] before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.

Please note: The Association for Behaviour Analysis International (ABAI) has advised that the current Verified Course Sequence (VCS) approval system will expire on January 1, 2026. This means that the approved Verified Course Sequence (VCS) for this program will be valid until Dec 31, 2025. We are currently reviewing alternate ABAI accreditation options within their new Tiered Model of Education and will update this page when more information is available.

For details about the changes in Ontario, please visit the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts and review this document issues by the Behaviour Analyst Certification Board.

Preparing Future Leaders

In addition to preparing you to become a practising behaviourist, this degree program will help prepare you to become a leader in this emerging field. Not only will you be supported in becoming a client-centred clinician, but you will also have the opportunity to learn the skills to advance behaviour analysis from a system-wide perspective, to support large-scale changes in agencies, organizations and government.

Graduates of our Behavioural Science programs are leaders of behavioural treatment in fields as varied as forensic mental health, autism spectrum disorder and acquired brain injury.

This intensive program, delivered on-site at George Brown's state-of-the-art Daphne Cockwell Centre for Health Sciences at Waterfront Campus, is suitable if you are data-driven, enjoy analyzing patterns and like to work with challenging behaviours.

The program's core courses are focused on five areas of learning:

  • behavioural science theories, principles and methods
  • special populations
  • psychology
  • research methods/statistics
  • ethics, professionalism and leadership

As of July 2024, the profession of applied behaviour analysis in Ontario will come under the jurisdiction of the newly expanded College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario.

Your Field Education Options

While classroom theory is a very important part of your learning experience, we believe that field placement plays a critical role in solidifying that experience because it lets you practice your skills in a real-world environment.

You can expect to participate in block field placement in semester 6. Between semesters 6 and 7 (between years three and four), you will complete one 14-week field experience term (unpaid), during which you will be expected to conduct a research thesis.

Prior to starting the field experience term, a field co-ordinator will help you:

  • explore your interests
  • prepare for interviews
  • facilitate interview meetings by providing feedback

While in your placement setting, you will obtain support from the agency on-site supervisor as well as support from a college faculty field liaison.

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Career Options

As an ABA practitioner, you may find yourself in a role that includes the following responsibilities:

  • assessment of a client's skills
  • the development and implementation of skill acquisition programs
  • functional assessment of challenging behaviours
  • behaviour management plans
  • data collection and analysis
  • case management

Your knowledge and skills are applicable to numerous opportunities, which may include such job titles as:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorders consultant
  • ABA Therapist
  • Behavioural Support
  • Behaviour Technician
  • Behaviour Therapist
  • Behavioural Consultant
  • Behavioural Specialist
  • Instructor Therapist
  • Recreational Therapist
  • Residential Support Worker
  • Transition Co-ordinator
  • Vocational Support Worker

Educational Pathways

Graduates of this Honours Bachelor of Behaviour Analysis program have gone on to earn a master’s degree at the following institutions in these related areas: applied behaviour analysis, applied disability studies, counselling psychology and social work.

Alumni Impact

We are immensely proud of the contributions of our alumni in Toronto and around the globe.

From specialized clinicians, research practitioners, educators, behaviour-scientist practitioners, our graduates are truly making an impact across a range of industries and in the lives of the people they work with.

Latest Alumni Stories

Ministry Consent

George Brown Polytechnic has been granted a consent by the Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security to offer this applied degree for a seven-year term starting December 20, 2023. The college shall ensure that all students admitted to the above-named program during the period of consent will have the opportunity to complete the program within a reasonable time frame.

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