CROMWELL, C.T. (October 28, 2020) – Beacon Services of Connecticut is expanding their partnership with Cambridge College for their recently announced Ph.D. program in Applied Behavior Analysis with a specialization in autism intervention focusing on early education/intervention and severe behavior disorders. This program will give clinicians the expertise and credentials needed to better serve clients in the community and to train future behavior analysts. Advanced training is essential as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects about 1 in 54 children according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) demonstrated to be an effective treatment.
This three-year, 48 credit doctoral-level program of study was designed with working professionals in mind and features one week residencies in each of the first two summers with remaining coursework completed through distance learning. Faculty are Doctoral Level Practicing Behavior Analysts at Beacon and affiliated companies. Beacon has previously partnered with Cambridge College and has had a highly successful master’s program with an Association for Applied Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) verified course sequence, with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) pass rate of 88% over the past 5 years.
“Beacon has partnered with Cambridge College for the past 12 years on the M.Ed. Autism/ABA program, addressing a national shortage of BCBAs. It has been one of the most successful programs in the country, combining coursework with mentored experience in best-practice clinical settings with Beacon Services of Connecticut. We are looking forward to the new Ph.D. program preparing students to be leaders in the field of autism treatment and education,” stated Robert F. Littleton, Jr., Ed.D., President, Beacon Services of Connecticut.
Heather Teichman, Senior Associate VP of Operations at Beacon Connecticut and student in the Ph.D. program at Cambridge College, is excited to be a part of the program and thankful for the opportunity with Beacon. “I’m so grateful to be a member of the first cohort of students in the Cambridge College Ph.D. in ABA program. Senior management and faculty have provided a high level of support from day one, and I know that they are truly invested in our success.” Teichman also adds that “while working full time and going to school can be challenging, Beacon’s flexibility and support allows me to continue helping children and families while also achieving a major professional goal.”
Julie Marshall, Associate VP of Treatment at Beacon Connecticut and student in the program, shares her remarks on the benefits of being employed at Beacon while pursuing her Ph.D., saying that “the program works with my work and personal schedules so that I am able to complete the coursework while still giving my all to the other areas of my life. Getting a Ph.D. is a lot of work, but the support I get during it has made all the difference.” She adds that “Beacon has supported me through my Master’s and I knew they would again when the opportunity came to be a part of the Ph.D. program at Cambridge College.”
The curriculum places a combined focus on providing hands-on clinical leadership training which prepares students for leadership roles in human service organizations, along with advanced research & dissemination of applied behavior analysis, and a final dissertation.
About Beacon Services of Connecticut
Beacon Services of Connecticut (Beacon) is a private group practice of behavior analysts and multidisciplinary early intervention professionals organized to provide therapeutic services to individuals with developmental disabilities. The practice specializes in providing evidence-based treatment interventions to support children and families in reaching their highest potential. Beacon works extensively with individuals who exhibit a variety of developmental needs and challenging behaviors by building adaptive skills in homes, schools, and community settings. Beacon actively contributes to the fields of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Early Intervention (EI) through training students and professionals, contributing to field-based research, and establishing collaborative professional partnerships.
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