Bachelor of Behavioural Science - Postsecondary Education Quality ...

ecommended a broader application that includes CBT, interprofessional collaborations (IPC),
knowledge translation, and adult education which is greatly reflected in this degree.
Behavioural Science professionals have the knowledge and skills to creatively utilize, apply and
communicate, an empirically-based, behavioural framework. They work within a variety of
interprofessional settings, with a variety of client groups, across the lifespan. These
professionals adhere to strict ethical practices in the integration of behavioral theory and
practice in the design, implementation and evaluation of all aspects of multi-dimensional
assessment and intervention. Behavioural Science professionals have the knowledge and skills
in applied behaviour analysis and cognitive behaviour approaches and are eligible for
certification with the Behaviour Analyst Certification Board (BACB) as a Board Certified
Assistant Behaviour Analyst (BCaBA).
In addition to their clinical and educative work, Behavioural Science professionals also facilitate
the future utilization and dissemination of Behavioural Science through mediation, counselling,
and consultation work, as well as, academic research and writing, in various settings for social,
health and mental health benefits.
Professionals in this field are informed collaborators within interprofessional (IPC) contexts and
contribute to the dissemination of the principles and practice of behavioural science within their
scope of practice. They use a scientist–practitioner model of practice and effectively
communicate, orally and in writing, to individuals, teams and in groups. The Behavioural
Science professional practices in clinical and educational settings and has skills in group
facilitation and mediator training applying knowledge and skills across all age groups, in settings
such as schools, residential facilities, family homes, health and mental health care facilities, and
the community. Professionals possess knowledge and selective experience in working with
individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, mental health issues, addictions, dementia,
and aging issues.
Need for a Behavioural Science Degree
The rationale for the Bachelor of Behavioural Science program is evident in the research
conducted for this program. All of the Behavioural Science issues discussed above will all be
addressed by the program. There is both an economic need and a social need for highly
educated Behavioural Science professionals in the current Ontario landscape. It is evident
through the secondary research that follows that both the provincial and federal governments
recognize the critical and imminent economic and social needs and are prepared to contribute
economically to those varied needs.
The Ontario Behavioural Support Systems Project has been recently launched and is the first of
its kind in Canada. The project aims at enabling individuals to live in their homes longer and
remain out of long-term care facilities for as long as possible. Additionally, it is aimed at
reducing the use of medication and restraints for patients who are already institutionalized (The
Globe & Mail, 2011). The number of seniors in Ontario is projected to increase by 43% over the
next decade (Ontario‟s Action Plan to Transform Health Care News Release, 2012). Hundreds
of new health care professionals will be recruited to long-term care homes and community
settings across Ontario (Local Health Integration Network, 2012).
As part of the Behavioural Supports Ontario program, there are various projects including the
Aging at Home Strategy where the province of Ontario invested $702 million. This funding will
Bachelor of Behavioural Science Section M, Page 2