Do you want a fulfilling career? The Department of Applied Disability Program is unique in Ontario and offers stimulating graduate academic programs that can lead to exciting careers in the disability sector.

Students in our program are taught by renowned teachers and researchers, and we regularly feature internationally renowned guest speakers. We offer full and part time options, with part time students able to take weekend courses so that they can keep working while getting their degree.

There are opportunities to gain real-world experience through our internship and practicum courses. We offer in person, blended and fully online courses. We go where the students are – currently, we offer courses in Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton and St. Catharines.

SPECIALIZATION IN APPLIED BEHAVIOUR ANALYSIS (ABA)

We offer a course sequence in the fast-growing field of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) that meets the coursework requirements for those applying to the Ontario College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts (CPBAO) to become and Ontario Registered Behaviour Analyst or to apply to write the Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA®) exam*. Our ABA program has been instrumental in dramatically increasing the number of qualified Behaviour Analysts Ontario, with virtually all of our students getting jobs or promotions.

• ADS is the only in person ABA graduate program in Ontario
• To accommodate working students, many of our courses are offered one or two weekends per month in various Ontario locations (i.e., Burlington, Toronto, Ottawa) blended with online activities taking place in between weekends.
• MA and full-time MADS students may be required to attend classes during the week at the St. Catharines or Burlington campuses
• Some online and blended course options are also offered.
• All ABA programs include 300-hours of experiential learning (practicum)
• Employers report how impressed they are with our student’s knowledge of disabilities and ABA
• ADS has had consistently high pass-rates on the BCBA examination.

*Note that the BACB® has stopped certifying individuals in Ontario effective July1, 2026. However, graduates of our program may become certified if they are living and practicing in jurisdictions outside of Ontario. Effective July 1, 2024, Those wishing to practice ABA in Ontario must apply to the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO) to become Ontario Registered Behaviour Analyst (see CPBAO.ca/aba/ for other requirements).

SPECIALIZATION IN LEADERSHIP, DIVERSITY, COMMUNITY, AND CULTURE (LDCC)

We offer a specialization geared toward students interested in pursuing graduate-level training in courses focused on leadership, community-engaged research and scholarship, and social policy relevant to disability and the disability service sector. This specialization was designed for those working in the sector or who are seeking to become leaders in the disability sector or disability specialists in other sectors (e.g., healthcare and education).