Purpose: The Special Education Program in the College of Education at the University of Washington requests support for a master’s training grant titled “Preparing Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) to Work with Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Related Disorders.” The purpose of the one-year BCBA training program is to rigorously prepare students in the principles of applied behavior analysis and recommended practices in special education. This training will better prepare BCBAs to work with students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in school and community settings and to participate as collaborative team members with teachers and other school professionals.
Method: During the five years of funding, we will fund 25 students who will complete their master’s degree in special education and all of the coursework and supervised field experience required to sit for the national certification exam in behavior analysis. The program will be evaluated by collecting data on student performance in coursework, in their fieldwork, and in the number of students who pass the national certification exam. We anticipate that these professionals will help to fill the service and expertise gaps currently experienced by students with ASD and their families in their efforts to find appropriate educational services.
Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC)
Autism Research Database (AFD)
