Newsletter
Volume 31 | 2008 | Number 2
Jordanian ABA
By Dr. Mousa A. Al-Hassan
The major aim of Jordanian ABA (JABA) has been to establish a Master’s program in behavior analysis that serves the Jordanian community and the region. Based on the need of Jordan and the surrounding region for behavior analysts and specialized programs in behavioral management and psychosocial health, and after intensive discussion with the Association of Behavioral Analysis International (Maria Malott, Linda Hayes, Jack Marr), Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) established a Master’s Program in applied behavior analysis.
The major objective of this program has been to prepare behavior analysts to: promote healthy behaviors; modify unhealthy behaviors; manage behavioral disruptions across lifespan; provide consultations for individuals and families; and measure and evaluate behavioral interventions.
Establishment of the Program
Opening a Master’s program in applied behavior analysis was a challenge for JUST. Financial and human resources in behavioral analysis are very limited; however, intensive work was conducted by all parties (JUST faculties of nursing and gradate studies and ABAI) to overcome such a challenge.
This work has resulted in designing the curriculum of the Applied Behavioral Health Analysis Master’s Program (34 credits) and setting a two-year plan of study for the program. The syllabi for the program’s courses were also designed, and faculty members from the U.S. were assigned to teach in the program over the two-year period (summer of 2007–summer of 2009). A JUST-funded scholarship plan was set to arrange Ph.D.-prepared instructors in behavioral analysis for the program’s sustainability. The JUST Deans’ Council approved of the Applied Behavioral Health Analysis (ABHA) Master’s Programs on March 20, 2007.
Outcomes
The ABHA Master’s program was opened in summer of 2007; classes began on June 17, 2007. Thirteen Students have enrolled in the program, and the students completed three courses (5 credits) during the summer semester. So far, more than five Ph.D.-prepared instructors in Behavioral Psychology from different universities in the U.S. including University of Nevada, Reno, Georgia Tech University, and West Virginia University contributed to the program’s teaching process. One scholar (supported by JUST) has already left to attend the University of Nevada, Reno, to complete her Ph.D. in Behavioral Analysis and another two students have been accepted in West Virginia University Behavioral Analysis Ph.D. programs; they are expected to leave for the USA in August of 2008.
The Jordanian Association of Behavior Analysis, an ABAI-affiliated chapter with ten members, has been established to support JUST’s Applied Behavioral Health Analysis Master’s program. A Web page for the JUST ABHA Master’s program has been set up with the cooperation of the Association of Behavioral Analysis International. Students can access information about course syllabi, reading materials, and other information about behavioral analysis using: http://www.abainternational.org/private/jordan/planofstudy.asp. Also, we plan to conduct a scientific day to increase the community awareness about the importance of behavioral analysis and scientific-based intervention for management of behavioral health problems, particularly autism. This is expected to be held in November of 2008.
Evaluation
All of the students are Jordanians; no one from the surrounding region has yet requested enrollment in the program. The students have completed 11 credits out of 34 and have demonstrated motivation and commitment; their experience was described as interesting and encouraging by both the students themselves and instructors. The next batch of students will be recruited during April of 2008. The students will start their training course in the fall of 2008. Instructors, who are board certified in behavioral analysis, will supervise the students’ training. A few problems need to be resolved to improve the program quality: lack of books and journals in the field of behavioral analysis; improvement of the students’ computer skills, especially in e-learning/distance learning. Currently, along with ABAI and University of Nevada, Reno, we are working to resolve these issues.