Interdisciplinary Training

Academic Programs


Graduate Certificate Program in Positive Behavior Support
Photo covid virus This online certificate program offers a 12-credit hour course of study designed to prepare individuals currently working in education, mental health, school psychology, social work, and other related fields to implement Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) in school, early childhood, and community settings. The certificate program includes classes focused on providing consultation and guiding collaboration, implementing school wide positive behavior support, addressing behavior challenges in young children, and intensive individualized interventions.


Master of Science in Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health- Developmental Disabilities CABH The Master of Science degree in Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health (CABH) is designed to prepare professionals to serve in public and non-profit agencies and schools that work with diverse children and adolescents experiencing behavioral health challenges. The core curriculum focuses on evaluation and research, cultural competency, policy, and an introduction to child and adolescent behavioral health.

The focus area in Developmental Disabilities provides interdisciplinary training as well as research and application opportunities to meet the critical need for practitioners and administrators who can provide services for children and adolescents with both developmental disabilities and mental health needs.


Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling and Disability Sciences RCDS The online Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling and Disability Sciences (RCDS) at USF trains counselors to work with persons with physical, mental, emotional, and chemical disabilities. Training emphasizes psychological, social, medical, and vocational aspects of disability, and the development and refinement of personal adjustment counseling skills. Graduates with this M.A. are prepared for careers as both rehabilitation counselors and professional disability specialists.


Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis
ABA The Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program and faculty are affiliated with FCIC. The Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Program is designed to meet growing needs for practitioners who can work effectively in the fields of developmental disabilities, education, autism, child protective services, rehabilitation, mental health, and business and technology. ABA provides an approach for developing, implementing, and evaluating practical strategies to produce changes in socially significant behaviors of individuals in the context of community settings.

This interdisciplinary program was designed to create a comprehensive, cohesive degree program in applied behavior analysis to train students to become practitioners and researchers and as such provides coursework and practical supervision across three colleges (College of Behavioral and Community Sciences College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education) with faculty expertise in applied behavior analysis, psychology, and special education. Trainees from the ABA program participate in mentoring and research opportunities with FCIC. They may also complete the PBS graduate certificate.


Ph.D. in Behavioral & Community Sciences
USFCBCSThe Ph.D. in Behavioral & Community Sciences is an interdisciplinary program that prepares students to conduct research to enhance the quality of life and productivity of individuals with social, emotional, and behavioral and socio-cultural challenges. Trainees working with FCIC faculty and mentors can design an individualized specialization program in the areas of developmental disabilities and positive behavior interventions & support.


Students in these specializations work with faculty experts in the field with years of experience in leadership, research and evaluation, capacity building, training, and practice for and with individuals with developmental and other disabilities, and their families and communities. Areas of faculty research and evaluation include School-wide and Pyramid Model Early Childhood PBS, Competitive Employment for Individuals with Disabilities, Mental Health and PBIS, Functional Behavior Assessment and Individualized Behavior Supports, Evidence Based Practices, and social-emotional skills acquisition. PhD trainees may also complete the PBS graduate certificate as well as receive mentoring and research opportunities.