Human behavior contributes to many problems humans face. Adults disposing of trash along the road, children with autism or intellectual disabilities engaging in behaviors impeding learning, and people with diabetes not taking insulin or following diet plans – all human behaviors. The Penn State Harrisburg Applied Behavior Analysis program is designed to prepare students to apply the core areas of behavior analysis following the science-practitioner model to a variety of individual and social problems in a variety of settings. The ABA program represents a discipline that can be applied in a number of fields (e.g., education, health, psychology, medicine, business).
The verified course sequence was designed to provide an in-depth understanding of behavioral research and intervention, the foundations of the science of behavior, ethical research and practice, and behavioral skill application across behaviors and environments, while meeting the course and experience requirements according to the national certification board and promoting research in the field. Students who successfully complete the program will be expected to possess the skills and abilities of an emerging expert in ABA. Graduates of the Penn State Harrisburg ABA program provide this expertise to a wide range of individuals across a multitude of settings within the region and across the globe.
The program is intended for both part- and full-time students. Courses will be scheduled for fall, and spring, and summer semesters. Admission is in the fall and spring semesters only. However, the program encourages fall admission and typically reserves spring admission for exceptional circumstances on a case-by-case basis.