Department of Applied Behavior Analysis

General Information about the Program

Applied behavior analysis is a science dedicated to understanding and improving human behavior. Other disciplines in psychology have the same aims. However, the behavior analysis discipline differs from the others in terms of its focus, goals and methods. Applied behavior analysts focus on socially significant behaviors. Moreover, in applied behavior analysis, the behavior analysts intervene with evidence-based strategies to improve target behaviors and adopt scientific methods – objective description, measurement, and experimentation to show a functional relationship between intervention and the behaviors. The graduates get the title of “Behavior Analyst”. Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological disorder that has an increasing rate in societies. Applied behavior analysis is considered an evidence-based practice treatment in the treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorder by many independent institutions (e.g., National Autism Center, US Surgeon General, National Research Council, American Psychological Association). However, applied behavior analysis is not only related to the treatment of autism spectrum disorders. The behavior analysts can also serve in various settings and institutions such as hospitals, general and special education schools, mental health centers, business organizations, and geriatrics. This program is the first and only program of its kind in Turkey. Graduates get the title of “Behavior Analyst”. The program prepares graduates to function in community settings as applied behavior analysts.

Career opportunities

The program will prepare graduates to work in various fields and settings. When they want to pursue an academic career, they can continue to their doctoral education in special education and merge these two disciplines in their academic works. If they want to work as specialists they could work in various fields such as general and special education schools, hospitals, mental health centers, health maintenance organizations, various educational settings, research facilities, and in the center-and home-based programs for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities.

Why international students should choose this department

This program is the first and only program of its kind in Turkey. In addition, there are only a few programs in the Middle East, the East, and Balkan Countries surrounding Turkey. Therefore, the candidates can apply for this program when they want to pursue this area. The course content of this program is being designed according to universal criteria.