Applied Disability Studies (Graduate Diploma)

Faculty of Social Sciences Graduate Diploma

  • Experiential learning
  • Main Campus, Hamilton

The Graduate Diploma in Applied Disability Studies (ABA specialization) is meant for persons with a Master’s degree in Applied Behaviour Analysis, Psychology or Education who would like to take a Behaviour Analyst Certification Board Verified Course Sequence to become a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA)®. Courses are offered during the week and on weekends for full-time students and on weekends for students working part-time.  Some courses may be fully or partially online.

Entry point:

  • September (full-time)

Program details:

Program length:

  • 5 terms (20 months)

Application deadline:

  • January 15
  • The application portal may remain open after the deadline and will close when all spots are filled. International applicants interested in applying after the posted deadline should contact the program for information on availability.

Applications typically open in mid-September.

General program inquiries
Graduate program director
Kimberley Zonneveld
Graduate program coordinator
Sha Shuang Uppal

Apply now Graduate Studies at Brock

Graduate calendar Tuition and financial information

Program website Faculty research Faculty of Social Sciences

Admission requirements

  • A four-year bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from an accredited institution, in a related field with a minimum average of 75% in the last two years of study. Please note: this graduate diploma is most intended for students who already have a master’s degree in a related field, as they can pursue this diploma to take the ABAI Verified Course Sequence to meet the coursework requirement for applying to write the BCBA exam after completing their Graduate Diploma and experience hours.
  • Undergraduate or graduate courses, volunteer or work experience in the field of disabilities will be considered an asset.
  • Applicants that are required to provide proof of English language proficiency must meet the standard graduate minimum requirements (IELTS 6.5 overall, with no band below 6.0, or an approved equivalent), as outlined on the Graduate English Language Proficiency webpage.

See also the full program admission requirements as outlined in the Graduate Academic Calendar and the general admission requirements for graduate-level study.

Application materials

In addition to the online application and payment of the non-refundable application fee, applicants are required to submit:

  • Transcripts from all previous post-secondary study.
  • Three references (academic preferred). Some applicants may have difficulty obtaining academic references, and therefore, it may be more appropriate to obtain references from professionals with whom you have worked (e.g. Manager, Supervisor, Senior Colleague…). In all cases, the information should relate to the ability of the applicant to undertake graduate studies in the diploma program.  You will provide your references when you complete the online application.
  • Curriculum Vitae using the ADS template for the CV. This should indicate the applicant’s education, employment, teaching and research activities/experience and publications/presentations (if any).
  • A Statement of Intent and demonstrated commitment to the field of disabilities and/or Applied Behaviour Analysis, of no more than two pages in length (12 pt font Time New Roman, single or double spaced), describing your academic, employment, volunteer, and/or personal experience in the field.

Visit our How to Apply page for a full overview of the application process, and our Application Documents page for details on document requirements and upload instructions.