Doing a Master-Level Practicum at the DDDC
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey is among the places you should consider if you want to develop a sophisticated grasp of the use of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) teaching methods for people with autism spectrum disorders. The Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center is an on-campus facility that serves children, adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorders. We use a broad range of ABA technology to serve those learners and their families. We support Master’s-level students from the Graduate School of Education at the Center every year through the Master’s in Special Education. Along with other ABA faculty and staff throughout Rutgers University, the DDDC’s clinical faculty members and doctoral-level behavior analysts teach a 7-course sequence in ABA that fulfills the course requirements for a Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis, and also meets the academic requirements for sitting for the national certification board’s exam. The practicum also provides the opportunity to accrue the hands-on experience for ABA certification.
The training model for Master-level students who work at the DDDC involves primarily hands-on clinical work for two to three years. Practicum students work directly with children, adolescents and adults, and classroom consultation to teachers about challenges in skill acquisition and the reduction of behavior problems. The role is very structured with ample supervision by clinical faculty members Dr. Robert LaRue and Dr. Kate Fiske, both of whom are Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs). Additionally, practicum students are supervised by the capable behavior analysts who oversee the DDDC classrooms. Practicum hours with them would count toward the required hours to become board certified.
Students who are not yet enrolled in a graduate program and would like to pursue a Masters Degree in Special Education with a Concentration in Applied Behavioral Analysis should contact Angela O'Donnell to apply, or call 848 932 3232.