Behaviour Intervention (Certificate)
Domestic applications
Fall 2024: Applications are closed
Fall 2025: The Behaviour Intervention program is paused for Fall 2025 and applications are not currently being accepted
If you are interested in attending Douglas College for the Fall 2025 semester, please consider applying to the Education Assistance and Inclusion Certificate. For more information, please contact the Disability & Community Studies department at dacs@douglascollege.ca
Overview
Learn to work one-on-one with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in family homes or specialized centres through the Behaviour Intervention Certificate program at Douglas. You'll learn Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) methodology and how to use it in your work. Gain the knowledge, skills and values necessary to be an effective frontline practitioner and team member through this part-time, online program.
You’ll be equipped as a Behaviour Interventionist who can implement behavioural support plans developed by a qualified Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) practitioner.
All courses are taught online by Board Certified Behaviour Analysts who are highly experienced in working with children who have autism. With provincial funding available to families of children with ASD, graduates of this program are in extremely high demand.
Job opportunities
Surveys show that 87 percent of our Behaviour Intervention graduates are working in the field after graduation. (Source: B.C. Student Outcomes).
Further education
If you’re interested in furthering your education, this credential transfers directly into the Classroom and Community Support Diploma at Douglas.
International students are not currently eligible for this program. For more information, contact Douglas College International.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:
- General College Admission Requirements.
- Two professional reference letters attesting to the applicant's suitability to the program.
- A current resume.
- A letter of intent from the applicant, stating the reasons for choosing the program, long-term and short-term goals, and the applicant's related strengths and limitations.
- A personal interview may be required. If an interview is required, the applicant will be notified by the department
NOTE: Applicants who have completed 9 or more post-secondary credits must be in good academic standing (with a minimum GPA of 1.5) for admission to any Faculty of Applied Community Studies program.
Cost
Calculate your tuition and see the approximate cost of taking your program at Douglas College with the tuition & fee estimator. See costs broken down into categories including tuition fees, textbooks, student activity fees, U-Pass and more.
For more information, refer to the tuition fee charts.
Program Requirements
Graduation Requirements:
- Successful completion of 18 credits
- At least 50% (9 credits) of all courses must be completed at Douglas College
- Graduate in Good Academic Standing (Cumulative GPA of 1.50 – See Academic Performance Policy)
- Time limit to complete program graduation requirements: four (4) years
Course Requirements:
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|
Semester I |
||
|
Introduction to Practice |
3 | |
|
Teaching and Learning Foundations |
3 | |
|
Semester II |
||
|
Characteristics of Exceptionalities |
3 | |
|
Foundations of Family Support |
3 | |
|
Semester III |
||
|
Teaching & Learning: Introduction to Communication and Behaviour |
3 | |
|
Behaviour Intervention Practicum |
3 | |
|
Total Credits |
|
18 |
* DACS 1241 may be taken up to a maximum of two times.
Program Guidelines
Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.
More Information
The "Flexible Options" - Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) and transfer credit
The Behaviour Intervention Program prides itself on its ability to recognize the skills and qualifications of experienced practitioners. If you:
- have at least two years of full-time equivalent experience working with children or adults with an intellectual disability (primarily in a behaviour interventionist capacity)
- are an experienced practitioner in a related field
- have applicable public post-secondary credits
then Flexible Options (our transfer credit and prior learning assessment process) may be for you.
Experienced practitioners may earn up to 75 percent of a credential based on assessment of their previous work/life learning. Transfer credit from approved university transfer and non-university transfer courses can also be used towards this credential.
MCFD employment information
The MCFD requires Behaviour Interventionists be 19 years old in order to receive MCFD-funded wage payments.
Career Pathways
Career opportunities include:
- Behaviour Interventionist