Behavior Management Certificate

 The behavior management certificate is designed to introduce students to behavior management concepts, principles, and therapeutic approaches that can be applied to support individuals with problem behaviors. In this certificate, students will acquire foundational knowledge of human development, disability types and associated behaviors, behavior management theories, and current policies and practices in clinical and educational settings. Students will have the opportunity to gain practical knowledge and apply behavior modification principles and multisensory strategies that are used to facilitate behavior change. Emphasis is placed on the use of ethical and evidence-based practices, professional conduct, and cultural competence in the implementation of behavioral management techniques. This certificate is intended for prospective and licensed speech-language pathology assistants, as well as other educational and clinical personnel who work with individuals with challenging behaviors.

Due to the high interest in this topic from speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) alumni and the predicted appeal of this content to other majors and professionals, it is estimated that 40-50 students would complete this certificate on an annual basis.

Students in the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) Associate of Science degree program and related fields (e.g., special education, education, child development) are preparing to work with individuals with a broad range of communication, sensory, cognitive, and mental health disorders in clinical and educational settings. There are often challenging behaviors associated with these disorders that the clinician or educator needs to address in order to support that individual's availability for learning and communication development. The Behavior Management certificate of achievement would provide foundational knowledge of essential policies and principles of behavior management and evidence-based behavioral and multisensory interventions that may be applied to a variety of individuals across different age groups and settings. Completion of this certificate will give new clinical and educational professionals an essential toolkit in this critical aspect of service delivery which will lead to more satisfactory outcomes with their clients and students.

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

• Establish foundational knowledge in human development, disabilities associated with challenging behaviors, special education, and behavior management approaches
• Describe best practices in behavior management as it relates to professional and ethical conduct, evidence-based approaches, and culturally competent service delivery
• Apply principles of behavior modification to sample clients of varying age levels and disability types
• Demonstrate the effective and appropriate use of multisensory strategies for sample clients of varying age levels and disability types

This certificate is designed for speech-language pathology assistants and other educational and healthcare workers who serve individuals with challenging behaviors in home health, educational, and/or clinical settings. The curriculum for this certificate will provide foundational knowledge in human development (CD 110, PSYC 251) across multiple domains (e.g., physical, social, cognitive). Having a basic understanding of typical development is essential in understanding what atypical behavioral and learning patterns may look like. Furthermore, it will be essential for students to understand how communication disorders can be associated with negative or challenging behaviors (SLP 101) and various types of disabilities and educational plans associated with challenging behaviors (CDSE 150, CDSE 152, EDEL 210). Professionally, students will be able to select an exploratory course about special education or speech-language pathology since both of these fields incorporate principles of behavior management and that will provide a professional lens to guide their future practice (SLP 100, EDEL 110).

Remaining coursework will provide students with current and historical theories of behavior management, methods of behavior management, and behavioral issues associated with various types of disabilities and mental health conditions (SLP 115).  SLP 218 will provide in-depth knowledge and practice with specific principles of interventions that derive from behavioral theories. SLP 221 will provide the student with the opportunity to learn more about the role of the environment, sensory input, and multimodal supports for behavior management.

The Behavior Management certificate fits with the mission of Cerritos College's Student First Framework in that it provides equitable access for current students and prospective students to gain greater knowledge of essential skills that are helpful in many clinical and educational career paths. Careful attention was paid to reduce any necessary prerequisites or coursework to facilitate student completion of the certificate in a timely manner. This certificate will be helpful for current and returning speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs), as well as other clinical and educational professionals (e.g., paraeducators, special education teachers) to advance their salaries and competitiveness in the job search. Additionally, this certificate prepares them with needed skills to support the most challenging of clients/students in the workplace.

SLPA students who are planning to be admitted or are currently admitted to the Associate of Science degree would already be required to complete 10 of the 19 required units for this certificate, so it would allow them to complete this certificate within their current course of studies or upon graduation once they are out in the workforce.

For students on an educational track to complete the Special Education Associate of Arts degree, this certificate incorporates to some existing coursework already required for that major (i.e., PSYC 251, EDEL 110, EDEL 210).

This program is not intended to be an applied behavior analysis (ABA) training program, which requires an exam and clinical hours under supervision by a certified behavior analyst. This certificate is designed to provide knowledge and a wide variety of behavioral methods that professionals and staff who work with individuals with challenging behaviors can apply based on the needs of their student or client. 

Despite the high numbers of students with challenging behaviors in the public schools, currently there are no behavior management certificates associated with other speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) programs in the California community college system. Only one course (Child Development 105: Children with Challenging Behaviors) in the Child Development program of Pasadena City College is available and this course has two prerequisites. This certificate will provide more access to this needed content for SLPAs and other relevant majors and professionals.

This program is not intended to be an applied behavior analysis training program, which requires certification and clinical hours under supervision by a certified behavior analyst. This certificate is to provide knowledge and a wide variety of behavioral options for professionals and staff who work with individuals with challenging behaviors across healthcare and educational settings. 

It is estimated that 40-50 students will be enrolled in this certificate on an annual basis.

This does not apply. This is a new program.