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Ministry-approved title: Bachelor of Behavioural Science
ENTRANCE AWARD AVAILABLE
If you have an interest in understanding human behaviour and a desire to help others improve their quality of life, then this program is for you. In Durham College’s Behavioural Science program, you will develop the in-demand skills of using Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) to help individuals with developmental disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, acquired brain injuries, dementia, and other challenges. Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is a scientifically validated approach that is widely used with patients in these populations.
In addition to Applied Behaviour Analysis, students will learn about the applications of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), acceptance and mindfulness-based therapies, and other evidence-based approaches used with these populations.
The behavioural science program is interdisciplinary in nature: applicants do not study psychology or Applied Behaviour Analysis in isolation. Rather, they learn how these disciplines intersect with fields such as neuroscience, social work, and health sciences. In the Behavioural Science program at Durham College, we believe that this broad perspective addresses the complexity of human behaviour and the need for a holistic approach when developing and implementing interventions.
To supplement their coursework, students in the Bachelor of Behavioural Science program do a 420-hour field placement, equipping them with critical real-world experience. The demand for professionals with expertise in behavioural science is growing, and our program positions them to enter the field with confidence, allowing them to effectively collaborate with other health professionals, clients and their caregivers.
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Contact our admissions office if you need clarification on the admissions requirements for our Honours Bachelors Degree Program in Behavioural Science.
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Professionals in Applied Behaviour Analysis and behavioural science are in very high demand. Upon graduation from the program, you could find yourself working in private practice, for a government department or agency, in a hospital setting, in an educational institution, or elsewhere in the healthcare field.
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The Honours Bachelor of Behavioural Science program (HBBS) provides students with professional competencies that link science, clinical, communication and ethical aspects of behavioural science.
The Behavioural Science program, maintains a strong focus on Applied Behaviour Analysis, Cognitive Behavioural therapy, and acceptance and mindfulness-based therapies. This ensures that graduates leave the program with broad knowledge, finely tuned skills, and excellent decision-making abilities. The program examines the application of these theories for individuals across the lifespan and in a variety of settings, opening up a wide range of employment and practice options for graduates.
Graduates may also go on to future studies, including at the graduate level.
The program’s approach is to apply behavioural sciences in community settings, focusing on teaching adaptive skills and decreasing challenging behaviours for clients, including children, youths, and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities, individuals with acquired brain injury and people with behaviour issues associated with addictions, mental health and illness, and dementia.
Along with behavioural sciences coursework, the Honours Bachelor of Behavioural Science program includes training in professional and therapeutic communication skills, which are vital to success in the field.
Equipped with real-work experience gained through a 420-hour field placement, graduates of the Honours Bachelor of Behavioural Science program are able to confidently draw on their science and communication foundation to effectively collaborate with other health care professionals, clients, and their clients’ caregivers.
The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.
Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
In person
Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
Skills in behavioural science and Applied Behaviour Analysis are in very high demand currently as patients and caregivers struggle to deal with the challenges of an increasingly stressful world. Following the successful completion of your coursework and placement, you will be prepared to help in one of many vital roles and settings.
Students in the Bachelor of Behavioural Science program will have the opportunity to apply the theories, concepts and strategies they have learned in a supervised setting through a 98-hour observatory practicum in Semester Five and a 420-hour field placement between the sixth and seventh semesters. This allows students to gain hands-on, real work experience in a variety of supervised organizational settings to help build their resumes and begin establishing professional networks.
Please note: There are costs associated with Electronic Student Permit Checking (ESPC), immunizations, lab tests and certifications. Be sure to keep all of your receipts for income tax purposes. These costs include:
It is required that students have completed the ESPC with Verified to be eligible for the field placement components of this program.
Graduates of the Honours Bachelor Behavioural Science program will be well-prepared to pursue further studies at the graduate level, including graduate certificates and a master’s degree.
Recent graduates have been accepted into the following master's degree programs:
Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.
To help students have the best learning experience possible, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified technology recommendations for the Bachelor of Behavioural Science program. While not required, students may want to consider these suggestions if they are purchasing a computer or laptop for the upcoming academic year.
Processor: i3 RAM: 4GB Storage: 256GB SSD Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1 Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version) Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter Camera: Webcam/built-in camera Internet connection
Questions regarding technology recommendations can be directed to the IT Service Desk.
Durham College is proud to have a selection of the best professionals and academics as instructors and mentors for our behavioural science program. Bringing with them varied academic and work-related backgrounds, our faculty members provide a truly world-class educational experience.
Courtney Bishop holds a PhD in Child and Youth Studies from Brock University, RBA (Registered Behaviour Analysts with CPBAO) and is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) working in community-based settings as a researcher. Her focus is on improving policy and practices in organizations supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the use of community-engaged methods.
Dan is a Registered Psychotherapist [RP] who has spent most of his career working with those who struggle with addictions and/or mood disorders and still manages a small private practice. Dan has been a full-time faculty with the Durham College since 2011. He primarily teaches in the ‘Addictions and Mental Health’ program – but also teaches with other programs within the Faculty of Social and Community Services – including the Behavioural Science and Community Mental Health programs. Prior to teaching at Durham College, Dan was an Addictions Counsellor at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health [CAMH] for a number of years. Dan holds a Masters of Education [M.Ed.] in Counselling Psychology from OISE/University of Toronto and a Bachelors of Science [B.Sc.] in Psychology and Math from Trent University.
Amanda is a full-time faculty member in the Faculty of Social and Community Services. Amanda obtained her Honours Bachelor degree with a double major in Psychology and Sociology from Trent University. Following that, Amanda completed the Addictions and Mental Health Graduate Certificate offered here at Durham College. After working a number of years in the mental health field, Amanda applied and was successfully admitted to complete her Masters of Education (MEd) in Counselling and Psychotherapy through the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. Amanda has worked at non-profit organizations in a role as a Case Manager as well as in Group Living Support. She has experience working as an Addictions Specialist for a Community Mental Health program affiliated with Northumberland Hills Hospital and she has worked in a Mental Health Worker role supporting College students prior to taking on a faculty teaching position with Durham College. Amanda’s research interests are in applied research and she has experience co-leading a major research grant entitled Raising Resilient Families: Empowering Parents with Cognitive Challenges. Amanda received the Durham College Emerging Researcher award for the 2023-2024 academic year. You can read more about this project and other DC projects at our Social Impact Hub website.
Ida is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) with extensive experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). She holds a Master’s degree in Applied Disabilities Studies (M.ADS) with a specialization in ABA and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Psychology, specializing in Behavior Analysis. Ida is a part-time professor and course developer at Durham College, where she teaches in the Bachelor of Behavioral Science program. Her academic roles allow her to shape the future of the field by educating and mentoring the next generation of behavior analysts. In addition to her academic roles, Ida serves as the Clinical Director at an ABA agency, where she applies her expertise to improve the lives of individuals with autism. She is listed as a Clinical Supervisor for the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) and has met the supervision requirements for those pursuing BCBA, BCaBA, or RBT certifications. Ida is dedicated to elevating the field of ABA through the development and implementation of professional training workshops, providing guidance to parents, and fostering inter-professional collaboration. Her academic and professional experiences have shaped her belief in the profound impact that high-quality services can have on individuals with ASD and other disabilities. She is committed to providing comprehensive, evidence-based interventions that are deeply individualized for each unique individual she serves.
Sarah is a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) and RBA (Registered Behaviour Analysts with CPBAO), who has provided behavioural consultation to children and adults with developmental disabilities. Sarah has extensive experience supporting people with complex behavioural needs over the past 18 years. Sarah holds a Masters of Applied Disability Studies from Brock University and a Doctorate of Education from Western University. Sarah has been a full-time faculty at Durham College, teaching and developing curriculum for the past four years and has been acting as Program Coordinator for the Honours Bachelor of Behavioural Science since 2021.
Jaime is a Registered Psychotherapist with over 20 years of clinical experience in the mental health field. She has worked in children’s mental health, addictions treatment and community mental health settings, and has special expertise in working with youth, addictions and eating disorders. Currently she teaches part-time at DC, and on the days she is not teaching, she is in private practice. In her practice, her primary focus is in offering clinical supervision to new and experienced therapists, while continuing to carry a small caseload of clients. In her work as a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor, Jaime works to collaboratively create an inviting and safe space to foster growth and discovery. And as a teacher, Jaime easily engages students in learning activities that bring the clinical content of the courses she teaches to life in the classroom.
Nehal Siam, MPEd, BCBA, RBA (Ont.), is a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) who has worked with clients across the lifespan with developmental disabilities, dual diagnoses, psychiatric, and neurocognitive disorders. She has several years of experience in behavioural consultations, mediator training, and interdisciplinary collaboration across a variety of settings in both French & English. Her most recent clinical experience is in a geriatric inpatient program for individuals living with dementia and complex psychiatric needs. Nehal has a Bachelor’s degree with a double major in Spanish and Sociology, a Graduate Certificate in Autism & Behavioural Sciences, and a Master’s degree in Professional Education with a concentration in Applied Behaviour Analysis. She has taught and developed courses in the Honours Bachelor of Behavioural Science program and the Behaviour Science Technician Diploma program at Durham College.
Brizida has been a Part Time Professor at Durham College since January 2023 in the Faculty of Social and Community Services. She holds a Master of Science in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst as well as a Registered Behaviour Analyst. Brizida has worked in the field of ABA for over 10 years, supporting children with autism and other diagnoses as well as their families. Her current clinical work is focused on conducting assessment, designing intervention programs and providing clinical supervision at a Children’s Treatment Centre. When she isn’t working, Brizida enjoys exploring little cafes and bakeries with family and friends and loves long walks by the lake with her dog.
All eligible applicants to the Honours Bachelor of Behavioural Science degree program for the upcoming academic year, with a combined minimum non-weighted average of 75 percent and higher, will be considered to receive a first-year entrance award:
For more information, please contact Admission Services.
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