As a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), continuing education is essential for maintaining your certification, staying current with best practices, and advancing your career. With numerous continuing education opportunities available, it’s important to know where to find high-quality courses and how to select the ones that align with your career goals. Here’s a guide to help you navigate your continuing education journey.
Where to Find Continuing Education Courses
- Professional Organizations:
- Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB): The BACB offers a list of approved continuing education providers and courses. Their website is a great starting point to find accredited and relevant CEUs.
- Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI): ABAI provides numerous continuing education opportunities through conferences, webinars, and workshops. They cover a wide range of topics in behavior analysis.
- Local Chapters and Special Interest Groups: Many local ABA chapters and SIGs offer CEU events tailored to specific interests and regional needs.
- Online Platforms:
- Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Gateway: The BACB’s online portal lists various CEU opportunities from approved providers.
- Behavior Analyst CEU: Websites like BehaviorAnalystCEU.com offer a wide selection of online courses that can be taken at your convenience.
- Relias Learning: This platform provides a variety of CEU courses for behavior analysts and other healthcare professionals.
- Coursera and edX: These platforms offer courses in psychology, education, and behavior analysis that can provide additional learning opportunities, although they may not always count for CEUs.
- Universities and Colleges:
- Continuing Education Departments: Many universities and colleges with ABA programs offer CEU courses and workshops. These can be excellent resources for in-depth and high-quality training.
- Extension Programs: Universities often have extension programs that provide professional development courses, including CEUs for behavior analysts.
- Conferences and Workshops:
- Local and National Conferences: Attending conferences such as the ABAI Annual Convention provides access to numerous CEU opportunities through workshops, presentations, and seminars.
- Workshops and Seminars: Look for workshops and seminars offered by professional organizations, universities, and private providers. These events often focus on specific skills or topics in behavior analysis.
How to Choose the Right Continuing Education Courses for Your Career Goals
- Identify Your Career Goals:
- Short-Term Goals: Consider what skills or knowledge you need to improve your current practice. For example, if you work primarily with children with autism, look for courses on autism spectrum disorder interventions.
- Long-Term Goals: Think about where you want your career to go. If you aim to become a BCaBA or BCBA, choose courses that will prepare you for those roles.
- Assess Your Learning Needs:
- Skill Development: Identify areas where you need to develop new skills or enhance existing ones. This could include advanced data collection methods, behavior intervention techniques, or ethical decision-making.
- Knowledge Gaps: Consider any gaps in your knowledge base that you need to fill. Courses that provide updates on the latest research and best practices in behavior analysis can be particularly valuable.
- Consider Course Quality and Accreditation:
- Accreditation: Ensure that the courses you choose are accredited by the BACB or another recognized organization. This guarantees that the CEUs will count towards maintaining your certification.
- Instructor Credentials: Look for courses taught by experienced and reputable instructors with expertise in behavior analysis.
- Evaluate Course Format and Accessibility:
- Online vs. In-Person: Decide whether you prefer online courses that offer flexibility or in-person workshops that provide hands-on experience.
- Self-Paced vs. Scheduled: Consider whether you need the flexibility of self-paced learning or if you benefit from the structure of scheduled classes.
- Budget and Time Constraints:
- Cost: Compare the costs of different courses and choose those that fit within your budget. Remember to consider the value of the course in relation to its cost.
- Time Commitment: Ensure that you can commit the necessary time to complete the course without overextending yourself.
- Read Reviews and Seek Recommendations:
- Course Reviews: Look for reviews from other RBTs who have taken the course. Their feedback can provide insights into the course’s quality and relevance.
- Professional Recommendations: Ask colleagues, supervisors, or mentors for recommendations on high-quality CEU courses.
Conclusion
Continuing education is a crucial component of professional development for RBTs. By exploring the various sources of CEU opportunities and carefully selecting courses that align with your career goals, you can enhance your skills, stay current with industry standards, and advance your career in behavior analysis. Invest in your growth by choosing high-quality, accredited courses that meet your learning needs and support your professional aspirations. Happy learning!
