Bachelor of Science

Online Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences - Behavior Analysis

Apply the concepts and principles of behavior analysis to help improve lives.

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Prepare for the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) exam and/or the Qualified Autism Services Practitioner Supervisor (QASP-S) exam.

Small class sizes and one-on-one attention from educators ensure you gain the knowledge and skills to succeed.

Learn from expert faculty.

Health Sciences, B.S. – Behavior Analysis Overview

This program will teach you to use the science of behavior to improve the lives of individuals through applications in various industries. Psychologists, including behavior analysts, are always in high demand with an estimated employment rate increase of 8-10% from 2021 to 2031 and 21% in Florida.¹

Upon completion of the Behavior Analysis program, you will have positioned yourself as a competitive candidate in the job market. You will also have completed the curriculum requirements to apply for the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) exam and the Qualified Autism Services Provider Supervisor (QASP-S) exam, making it possible to pursue fulfilling careers that are more specialized.

Candidates for This Program Include:

Students looking to earn their degree online in a flexible format
Students who want to start or advance their career in behavior analysis
Those looking to prepare for the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst and Qualified Autism Services Provider Supervisor exams

You Will Be Able To:

Identify and apply the concepts, principles, and theories that constitute behavior analysis and health sciences
Apply appropriate methods to solve problems in behavior analysis and health sciences
Employ effective and professional communication in behavior analysis and health sciences
Identify and apply legal concepts, professional ethical principles, and regulatory requirements that apply to the field of behavior analysis and health sciences
Collaborate effectively with other professionals

Source

https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-3033.00, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes193033.htm#ind

Courses and Requirements

UWF’s online health sciences degree includes a total of 120 credit hours. Through the major’s 60 credit hours, you will build a strong foundation in health sciences and behavior analysis. Included in the major are 15 credit hours of your choice of approved elective classes.

Required Courses

: Students must satisfy 60 credit hours of general education requirements. The general education requirements are the basic studies that provide students with a broad educational foundation and are essential requirements for all baccalaureate degree programs. Included in the general education requirements are subjects in communication, mathematics, social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, multicultural studies and lower-level electives.

Common Prerequisites (13 credit hours)
These courses are common prerequisites for the online health sciences degree and can be used to fulfill general education requirements.

BSC 1005+L - General Biology for Non-Majors (plus lab)
4 Credit Hours
General Biology for Non-Majors (plus lab)
Survey of abiotic and biotic principles as they apply to basic structural and functional topics at the cellular, organismal, population and community levels; and the application of these principles to issues of current interest. Meets general education requirement in natural sciences. Lab correlating with BSC 1005. Material and supply fee will be assessed. Satisfies Florida common core natural sciences requirement.
MAC 1105 - College Algebra
3 Credit Hours
College Algebra
Provides the concepts and techniques of algebra that are needed to understand subjects such as statistics and economics which contain a considerable amount of quantitative reasoning. Is additionally a preparatory course for the study of calculus. Major topics include: the concept of functions, graphs of functions and relations, operations on functions, rational functions, exponentials and logarithms, systems of equations and inequalities and applications. Prerequisite course or appropriate score on placement test is required. Meets general education requirement in mathematics. Meets Gordon Rule theoretical mathematics requirement. Prerequisite: MAT 1033 OR 123 PERT Math OR 22 ACT Math OR 520 SAT Math.
PSY 2012 - General Psychology
3 Credit Hours
General Psychology
A survey of methods, theories and body of knowledge of contemporary psychology, including such topics as learning, motivation, sensation and perception, development, thinking, personality, social behavior, psychological adjustment and methods of therapy. Meets general education requirement in social sciences.
STA 2023 - Elements of Statistics
3 Credit Hours
Elements of Statistics
STA2023 covers descriptive statistics, elementary probability theory, and basic statistical procedures, estimation, and inference. In addition to provide basic concepts in the mentioned areas it prepares the student for other more advanced statistical courses that are necessary for research. Meets General Education requirement in Mathematics. Meets Gordon Rule Applied Mathematics Requirement. Prerequisite: 35 ALEKS Proctored test OR MAC 1105 OR MAC 1105C OR 26 SAT15 Math Sub OR MAT 1033 OR MGF 1106 OR MGF 1107 OR 22 ACT Math OR 520 SAT Math OR 123 PERT Math.
: BUL 4602 - Legal Fundamentals of Healthcare
3 Credit Hours
Legal Fundamentals of Healthcare
This course provides an overview of laws most affecting healthcare practices. The legal basis for government involvement in healthcare is examined with an analysis of the laws controlling the provision of healthcare industry and professional regulations. This course provides an in-depth overview of healthcare law, allowing students to acquire skills to confirm their actions to legal requirements and ethically analyze daily healthcare situations.
GEY 4001 - Gerontology
3 Credit Hours
Gerontology
This course addresses the biological impacts of the aging process on the older adult; it enhances the knowledge and understanding of biological changes associated with aging in humans and their manifestations for healthcare professionals who work with older adults; it addresses many biopsychosocial issues older adults may face in society today and in the future.
HSA 3111 - Understanding U.S. Healthcare
3 Credit Hours
Understanding U.S. Healthcare
This course provides an orientation to the characteristics and foundation of the U.S. healthcare system including a review of utilization, delivery systems, quality improvement, financing, and technology. It also provides an opportunity to demonstrate effective written communications on the topic of community health assessment. Meets Gordon Rule Writing Requirement.
HSA 3551 - Health Ethics and Professionalism
3 Credit Hours
Health Ethics and Professionalism
This course includes an overview of ethical issues facing today's healthcare practitioners in addressing clinical and administrative decision-making. This course will also focus on the importance of professionalism and effective communication skills in dealing with healthcare consumers and other medical professionals in the healthcare industry.
HSA 4192 - Current Topics in Health Informatics
3 Credit Hours
Current Topics in Health Informatics
Provides an overview of the multifaceted, interdisciplinary nature of health (medical) informatics. Fundamentals of computer applications in medicine, health data classification and coding and legal and ethical issues (including documentation, security and regulatory requirements). Additional avenues for further credentialing will be covered. Credit may not be received in both HSA 4192 and HSA 4190. This course was formally known as Introduction to Medical Informatics.
HSC 3034 - Career Essentials for Healthcare
3 Credit Hours
Career Essentials for Healthcare
This course provides an overview of the field of health sciences and introduces students to essential skills required for career success in various healthcare professions. Content will also cover important issues facing today's healthcare environment.
HSC 3102 - Health Science Essentials of Behavior Analysis
3 Credit Hours
Health Science Essentials of Behavior Analysis
This course provides content for students interested in an advanced career path in the field of behavior analysis and is the first in a series of courses designed to meet the curriculum requirements to become a Board Certified assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) or a Qualified Autism Service Practitioner-Supervisor (QASP-S). Content in the course serves as a basic introduction to behavior analytic principles, definitions, characteristics, processes, and concepts, measurement, assessment, and behavior change procedures. This course is designed to provide all of the curriculum requirements necessary to become a BACB Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) or a QABA Applied Behavior Analysis Technician (ABAT), with employment opportunities in the field of healthcare after course completion. The content is based on the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) 5th Edition Task List, the Registered Behavior Technician 2nd Edition Task List, and the ABAT and QASP-S certifications from the QABA. The course is offered independent of the BACB and QABA.
HSC 3114 - Problem Identification and Functional Assessment in Health Science
3 Credit Hours
Problem Identification and Functional Assessment in Health Science
This course provides an in depth analysis of behavior analytic principles, definitions, characteristics, processes, concepts, and assessment. Students learn the knowledge and skills to conduct meaningful functional assessments in multiple applications within the health context from leadership and management to individual clinical practice. This course is the second in a series of courses designed to meet the curriculum requirements to become a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) or a Qualified Autism Service Practitioner-Supervisor. The content is based on the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Task List and consists of (5) hours of BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, (5) hours of philosophical underpinnings, (5) hours of measurement, data display and interpretation, and (30) hours of assessment. The content is also based on the QABA QASP-S Standard and consists of (5) hours of QABA Code of ethics, (5) hours of data collection and analysis, (5) hours of core principles, and (30) hours of assessment. This course is offered independently of the BACB and QABA.
HSC 3147 - Pharmacology for Health Professionals
3 Credit Hours
Pharmacology for Health Professionals
This course will focus on the general principles of drug action and pharmacology of therapeutic agents. The general principles of pharmacology, including drug absorption, distribution and metabolism along with receptor theory will be covered. The course will also focus on mechanism of action of specific drug classes and their effective use in different diseases.
HSC 3535 - Medical Terminology
3 Credit Hours
Medical Terminology
This course is designed to familiarize students with the vocabulary used in the medical and health professions. Students will employ a systematic, word-building approach to master the complex terminology of the medical field. An emphasis is placed on word dissection of compound medical terms and inferring word meanings from their prefixes, suffixes, and stem words. Credit may not be received in both HSC 3535 and HSC 3534.
HSC 4502 - Principles of Human Disease
3 Credit Hours
Principles of Human Disease
The course introduces students to the mechanisms of human disease, disease etiology, symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, prognosis and epidemiology. Diseases and disorders of each of the body's systems will be covered. Special attention will be paid to disease prevention. Prerequisite: PCB 4703 OR (BSC 1085 AND BSC 1086) OR (BSC 2085 AND BSC 2086) OR PCB 4098.
HSC 4580 - Functional Applications of Applied Behavior Analysis in Health Science
3 Credit Hours
Functional Applications of Applied Behavior Analysis in Health Science
Building on the basic concepts of behavior analysis, functional assessment, and systematic measurement, this course serves as an overview of functional applications of behavior change procedures in health contexts from leadership and management to individual clinical and therapeutic practice. This course is the fourth in a series designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge to be eligible for a career as a Board Certified assistant Behavior Analyst (BACB) or a Qualified Autism Service Practitioner-Supervisor. The content is based on the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Task List and consists of (45) hours of behavior change procedures. The content is also based on the QABA QASP-S standard and consists of (45) hours of antecedent interventions, skill acquisition programming, and behavior reduction interventions. This course is offered independently of the BACB and QABA.
HSC 4654 - Ethical Considerations in Analysis of Behavior in Health Science
1 Credit Hours
Ethical Considerations in Analysis of Behavior in Health Science
This course provides students with the necessary knowledge to be eligible for a career as a BCaBA in the field of health. Building on the basic concepts of behavior analysis, this course further develops knowledge of practice by considering ethical aspects of decision making in practice, current law and policy, and advocacy. The emphasis of this course is on the ethical application of behavior analysis in context. The content is based on the BACB Task List.
HSC 4720 - Methodology in Applied Behavior Analysis in Health Science
3 Credit Hours
Methodology in Applied Behavior Analysis in Health Science
This course further develops knowledge of measurement, experimental design, and ethics. Students learn the knowledge and skills to precisely observe, measure, and design basic assessments and evaluations in multiple applications within the health context from leadership and management to individual clinical practice. The emphasis of this course is on the ethical application of behavior analysis in context. This course is the third in a series designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge to be eligible for a career as a Board Certified assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) or a Qualified Autism Service Practitioner-Supervisor Building on the basic concepts of behavior analysis. The content is based on the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Task List and consists of (10) hours of Philosophical Underpinnings, (10) hours of measurement, data display, and interpretation/experimental design, (5) hours of BACB Ethics Code, (10) hours behavior change procedures; selecting and implementing interventions and, (10) hours of personnel supervision and management. The content is also based on the QABA QASP-S Standard and consists of (5) hours QABA Code of ethics, (10) hours core principles, (10) hours of data collection and analysis, and (10) hours of antecedent interventions, skill acquisition programming, and behavior reduction interventions, and (10) hours training and supervision. This course is offered independently of the BACB and QABA.
HSC 4936 - Accelerated Topics in Behavior Analysis in Health Science
2 Credit Hours
Accelerated Topics in Behavior Analysis in Health Science
This course is part of a series designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge to be eligible for a career as a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst in the field of health. This course utilizes previous knowledge of behavior analysis and synthesizes key components into a comprehensive application of expertise regarding measurement, assessment, and behavior change procedures. The content is based on the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Task List.
PCB 4703 - Human Physiology
3 Credit Hours
Human Physiology
Physiological mechanisms of various organ systems in the human body. Emphasis on transport mechanisms, renal function, hormones, respiration, cardiac function, muscle physiology, digestion and immune systems.
Approved Electives (15 credit hours)

Admission Requirements

Prior to applying to UWF’s online health sciences degree, you must:

Successfully complete all prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better

How to Apply

To apply for admission to this program, you first need to submit an application for undergraduate admission (plus a $30 application fee) and be accepted for admission into University of West Florida. In addition, you must:

Submit official transcripts from all institutions previously attended whose accrediting agency is included on the list of UWF approved accrediting agencies
Submit ACT or SAT scores
Complete the residency application form for tuition purposes

Have questions about this program or the admissions process? Contact our undergraduate admissions team at admissions@uwf.edu.

Costs & Financial Aid

Component	Cost	Total*
In-State Tuition	$218.98 per credit hour	$26,277.60
In-State Tuition with Maximum Transfer Credits (Up to 90)	$218.98 per credit hour	$6,569.40
Full Out-of-State Tuition	$648.37 per credit hour	$77,804.40
75% Out-of-State Tuition Waiver	$341.67 per credit hour	$41,000.40

Tuition waivers cover up to 75% of the non-resident portion of your tuition and are available to non-Florida residents (including international students) admitted to online programs and registered for online courses in active pursuit of that degree or certificate. You must pay all other assessed tuition and fees. Review Tuition Waiver Information to learn more.

Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Fees are charged per semester unless otherwise noted. This program takes up to approximately 48 months to complete, depending on transfer credits.

Refer to UWF Cost of Attendance Estimates and Financial Literacy for more information on UWF costs and financial aid.

* Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Alabama Differential Out-of-State Tuition

Residents of Alabama are eligible for Alabama Differential Tuition, a reduced out-of-state tuition rate. For more information and to verify residency status for tuition purposes, new undergraduate students should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and new graduate students should contact the Graduate School. Current enrolled students should contact the Office of the Registrar.

Active Duty Military

All active-duty members of the U.S. military who are residing or are stationed outside the state of Florida shall have all (100%) out-of-state fees waived by the university. Contact the Military & Veterans Resource Center to apply for the Active Duty Military Out-of-State Waiver.

UWF Short-Term Financial Assistance

The University of West Florida provides eligible students with an alternative to paying the full amount of tuition at the beginning of each term in the form of an installment payment plan or a short-term loan.

Military Students

UWF is a Military FriendlyⓇ School proudly serving active-duty U.S. military members and veterans. As UWF has been a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program since 2011, you could be eligible to receive free tuition with your military benefits.

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Financial Aid

Funding your college education should not empty your wallet. We offer various financial aid options for our online students, including loans, scholarships and grants for degree-seeking students.

Learn More About Financial Aid

Frequently Asked Questions

: You may either contact your enrollment counselor or log into your MyUWF account to view the status of your application.
: No, you may be enrolled part-time and be eligible for financial aid. Different awards have different enrollment criteria. For example, federal direct loans require at least half-time enrollment. All students are awarded assuming full-time enrollment. If you change enrollment plans, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships must be notified immediately, and we will revise your award if necessary.
: UWF will only accept credits from institutions whose accrediting agency is included on the list of UWF approved accrediting agencies, and the amount of transfer credits allowed depends on the program. For detailed information, visit our Transfer Students page.
: Refer to UWF Cost of Attendance Estimates for more information.