University of Arkansas to Provide Coursework for National Board Certification in Behavior Analysis

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Peggy Schaefer Whitby, left, and Elizabeth R. Lorah

The College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas has received approval from the national Behavior Analyst Certification Board to provide pre-approved coursework for a new graduate certificate in behavior analysis.

The college began offering the graduate certificate this fall through the Global Campus. The coursework is delivered online with opportunities for on-site practicum hours.

The University of Arkansas offers the only approved program in the state. Peggy Schaefer Whitby, assistant professor of special education, said the program was developed in response to the severe shortage of Board Certified Behavior Analysts to provide services to people with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental and behavioral disabilities across the state and nation.

The graduate certificate program is primarily designed for graduate students who are seeking advanced training in behavior analysis but who are not seeking teaching certification.

"However, we welcome applicants who are currently certified to teach and want additional training in behavior analysis," Whitby said. 

The program is designed for students who currently hold a master's degree in education, psychology or a related field and are preparing to qualify to sit for the Board Certification in Behavior Analysis examination or are seeking advanced training in the field of behavior analysis.

Whitby and Elizabeth R. Lorah, an assistant professor of special education, developed the program and are coordinating it and both are Board Certified Behavior Analysts-Doctoral.

Whitby, who joined the faculty of the College of Education and Health Professions in 2012, received a doctorate in exceptional education from the University of Central Florida. She previously directed the University of Nevada at Las Vegas Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders and worked as an applied behavior analyst in schools. She serves as Act Early Ambassador for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention program called "Learn the Signs" to help parents, educators and health-care professionals identify children with autism spectrum disorders.

Lorah received a doctorate in educational psychology from Temple University, where she worked as an adjunct professor before coming to Arkansas this fall. She also formerly worked as clinical director of Gamut Early Intervention Services in Montgomery and Bucks counties, Pa. Her primary research interests involve developing and validating evidence-based ways to improve the educational and behavioral services for individuals with disabilities, particularly autism. She taught courses in behavior management, behavior analysis and educating learners with autism spectrum disorders in the psychology and special education departments of Temple and Holy Family University.

Whitby can be reached at pschaefe@uark.edu, and Lorah can be reached at lorah@uark.edu.

The College of Education and Health Professions also offers a Master of Education in special education, an endorsement in gifted and talented education and a graduate certificate in autism spectrum disorders. Barbara Gartin, University Professor of special education, is coordinator of the special education program that includes the new applied behavior analysis program.