About this program

  • Credential Awarded: 1 Year Graduate Certificate
  • Campus: Welland
  • Code: 0192 P0192
  • Delivery Length: 1 Year
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Overview

Are you passionate about helping individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to achieve their potential and gain greater independence?

Develop expertise in the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis and the skills needed to work with individuals with ASD in therapeutic and school-based settings.

Important Program Information

Effective September 2026, there is a campus location change for this program (from Welland to Niagara-on-the-Lake).

Highlights
  • Courses designed to emphasize the importance of cultural competence and individualized approaches to care and support.

  • Develop an understanding of evidence-based practices based on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA).

  • Learn how to design, implement and evaluate programs and behavioural intervention plans.

  • Two unique field placement opportunities tailored to your learning and supported by a full-time field placement officer.

  • Introduction to technologies and applications that support classroom theory and field placement.

  • Certification in non-violent crisis intervention is available.

Career Opportunities
  • Educational assistants or ABA facilitators in school boards
  • Graduates work predominantly with individuals with ASD as Behavioural Technicians in therapeutic and educational environments as part of a treatment team supervised by a Registered Behaviour Analyst
  • Implementing Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) strategies in community, private or home-based settings
  • Working with families, including parent training
  • Working for organizations that serve individuals with ASD
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Courses

Term one (2025 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
EDUC9132 Introduction to Applied Behavioural Analysis 4
EDUC9148 Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder 3
EDUC9199 Specialized Instructional Strategies 3
EDUC9113 Working with Families and Teams 3
EDUC9184 Integrative Seminar I 2
PRAC9107 Field Placement I - ABS 3
Term two (2026 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
EDUC9205 Parent and Staff Training 2
EDUC9217 Behavioural Skill Building 4
EDUC9275 Behavioural Assessment and Intervention 3
EDUC9243 Ethics and Professionalism 3
EDUC9284 Integrative Seminar II 2
PRAC9207 Field Placement II - ABS 5
Learning Outcomes Term: 1254
  1. Assess and analyze the strengths, needs, and behaviours of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to effectively select evidence-based behavioural interventions under appropriate supervision.

  2. Implement effective strategies, programs, and intervention plans based on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) under appropriate supervision.

  3. Develop individualized programs and intervention plans by evaluating empirical evidence to inform practice.

  4. Evaluate the effectiveness of ABA-based strategies and behavioural intervention plans using appropriate data collection methods and offer recommended changes if required.

  5. Work collaboratively with families, treatment teams, and other service providers, to respond to the learning, social and behavioural needs of individuals with ASD.

  6. Adhere to ethical principles and professional guidelines while working with individuals with ASD, their families, teams, and other service providers.

  7. Assist with all stages of ABA-based transition plans as a part of a treatment team in a school, home, or therapeutic setting.

  8. Provide leadership in the advocacy and provision of evidence-based strategies and services to meet the needs of individuals with ASD, their families, and teams.

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Admission Requirements

  • Ontario College Diploma (or equivalent) in Child and Youth Care (Worker), Communication Disorders Assistant, Developmental Services Worker, Early Childhood Education, Educational Assistant, Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant, Social Service Worker or Therapeutic Recreation or
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioural Science, Child Studies, Education, Psychology, Speech and Language Sciences, Social Work or Sociology or
  • For applicants who have studied outside of these fields of study, please submit a one-page cover letter indicating why you feel you would be successful in the ABS program, what experience you have already, and a résumé that includes your educational and work background with a current e-mail address and
  • Proof of English proficiency
Selection and Ranking

Testing or other supplemental evaluation may be required.

Learn more about admission decisions.

Note

Most private college courses and/or credentials are not acceptable as admission requirements for Niagara College programs.

Please contact the Admissions office at [email protected] for assistance.

Pre-Admission Requirements

As part of the admissions process some programs have pre-admission requirements.

Domestic Applicants:

Pre-admission requirements for domestic applicants can be found at niagaracollege.ca/par.

Domestic applicants include Canadian citizens, permanent residents and Convention refugees.

International Applicants:

Pre-admission requirements for international applicants can be found at international.niagaracollege.ca/pre-admission/.

Program Requirements
Criminal Record Check
  • A Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (CRC-VSS) which is less than 6 months old is required before the start of the program.
  • Students with criminal charges for convictions will be significantly limited in placement, clinical, and/or employment opportunities in this field. The decision of whether a student with criminal charges or convictions is eligible to secure a field placement ultimately lies with the field placement agency.
  • Field placements must be completed in order to graduate.
  • Students will be required to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) in order to be cleared for placement/clinical. Please note, in order to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS), students must be 18 years of age or older. If a student is not 18 years of age or older at the start of this program, they will experience delays in progression through the program.

Communicable Disease Surveillance
  • The confidential Communicable Disease Surveillance (CDS) Form must be completed and submitted to Student Health Services prior to the start of the program.
  • Please view the CDS Form and Checklist for health requirements at niagaracollege.ca/cdsform/.
  • This process may take up to 10 weeks or more and requires a visit to your personal physician and/or a Public Health Department.
First Aid and CPR
  • Current Standard First Aid certification and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Level C certification is recommended before the start of the program.
  • This certification is highly recommended by placement agencies and employers.

Physical Fitness
  • Students applying to this program should recognize the physical demands involved in caring for children and may be required to lift up to 22.7 kilograms (50 pounds).
  • Additionally, some Boards of Education have instituted a fit for field test.
Transportation
  • Students are responsible for their own transportation in order to complete program requirements which may not be readily accessible by public transportation.
  • Program requirements could include co-ops, placements, volunteer requirements, practical labs, field projects, assignments, clinicals, or any other off-campus visits required as part of the program’s curriculum.
Computer Requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring that they have a Microsoft Windows-based desktop or laptop that meets or exceeds the following general requirements:

  • A desktop or laptop running on an updated Microsoft Windows operating system (Windows 11 recommended).
  • Minimum 256GB SSD storage and 8 GB memory (note that 16 GB memory is strongly recommended).
  • An integrated or peripheral video camera, microphone, and speaker system.
  • Reliable internet connectivity with Broadband capabilities. A minimum download speed of 10 – 50 Mbps is recommended.

Niagara College may not be able to provide support for systems different than the above specifications as provided software may not operate properly. Academic software for your courses will be made available for download and remote use. Access will also be provided to remote high performance computer labs if software downloads are not feasible.

Note: We do not provide support for Chromebooks or Apple products. (learn more)

Computer/technology requirements may be subject to change without notice.

All costs associated with program requirements are the responsibility of the student.

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Availability

Domestic Applicants Apply
International Applicants Apply
Legendfor intake status table
Open

Accepting applications

Waitlisted

Eligible applications will be placed on a waiting list

Closed

Not accepting applications

Suspended

No longer offered this term

The College reserves the right to cancel or make changes to any course or program, fee, procedure, or campus location at any time.

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Pathways

Explore your pathway options What are pathways? for the Autism and Behavioural Science program below.

  • From NC to
    Fanshawe College Honours Bachelor of Behavioural Psychology Canada
Did you know?

Applicants with previous postsecondary education will be assessed for transfer credits upon receipt of an official transcript from their previous institution. There is no fee for this service.

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Tuition

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