The Florida Tech ABA Online Programs - 5th Edition vs. 2027 Edition

Monday, 12 Aug 2024 / Published in Blog posts

The Florida Tech ABA Online Programs - 5th Edition vs. 2027 Edition

Introduction

The Florida Tech ABA Online Program is preparing for its last offering of the 5th Edition BCBA and MA Programs in Fall 2024, followed by the first offering of the 2027 Edition programs in Spring 2025. Students will be faced with a choice. Begin or continue with a 5^th edition standards program or switch to a program that will meet the newest standards, the 2027 ed. Standard. This blog compares the old and new programs, summarizing their similarities and differences to help prospective and current students make informed decisions based on their individual needs and situations.

General Changes Summary

While the 2027 standards do not require additional total coursework hours, how hours are allocated to categories and the required structure do change. In short, to meet 2027 ed. standards, content must be taught across six standalone courses, content hours were reduced in the assessment and intervention area, and hours were added to the Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) category. To further understand the required changes and implications, see our blog, Making the Switch: 5^th ed. vs. 2027 ed. Programs. That blog provides detailed information about the general changes required for all programs, including a table comparing 5^th ed. and 2027 ed. requirements. Florida Tech-specific information follows.

Florida Tech ABA Online: Start Fall 2024 or Wait Unit 2025?

Choosing the right program for you will require examining the differences between programs and determining which is the right fit for your timeline and circumstances. The following questions and answers were formulated to support students in their decision-making. Questions include some information relevant to choosing a program.

Q& A to Aide in Decision Making

Q: Does the 5^th edition program also meet 2027 ed. requirements?

A: No, the new (2027) standards require OBM and Ethics content to be taught within free-standing courses. In addition, 15 hours were added to the OBM requirement. Students needing to “bridge” from 5^th to 2027 ed. programs will need to complete BEH 5400 (OBM) and BEH 5052 (Ethics).

Q: Does the 2027 program also meet 5^th ed. requirements if you finish early**?

A: No, however, there is an option for those in this situation who do not want to wait until 1/1/27 to apply. For those who begin the 2027 program and anticipate finishing their requirements before the 5^th ed. deadline, a 1-credit elective course can be completed that will bridge from 2027 ed. requirements to 5^th ed. requirements. This “backward bridge” is necessary because the new program and new standards include fewer hours in assessment and behavior change than the 5^th ed. standards.

Q: When will the new program be released?

A: The 2027 edition BCBA-level certificate program and MA program will be released in the Spring 2025 semester.

Q: When will the old program/courses cease to be offered?

A: The last offering of the 5^th ed. BCBA certificate and 5^th ed. MA programs will start in Fall 2024. Students enrolling in this semester must follow the standard program plan to ensure they can complete all courses before they are retired. The following courses will be retired with the 5^th ed. program:

BEH 5047 (tentative last offering: Spring 2025)
BEH 5044 (tentative last offering: Fall 2024)
BEH 5045 (tentative last offering: Fall 2025)
BEH 5046 (tentative last offering: Summer 2026)
BEH 5050 (tentative last offering: Spring 2026)
BEH 5051 (tentative last offering: Spring 2026)

Q: How long will it take to complete coursework/degree for the current 5^th ed. program?

A: BCBA Level Certificate Program = 5 semesters, Master’s Program = 6 semesters

Q: How long will it take to complete coursework/degree for the 2027 ed. program?

A: BCBA Level Certificate Program = 5 semesters, Master’s Program = 6 semesters

Questions for YOU

Q: Are you willing to wait for the new 2027 program?

A: _______________

Q: Given the standard program plan (MA or Certificate), can you complete the 5th ed. program on time?

Do you have any planned life events that may delay completion (e.g., pregnancy, vacations, breaks from coursework)?
If any unplanned events occur, will you still have time to finish before the 5^th ed. program courses are retired and ahead of the 5^th ed. deadline?

A: _______________

Q: How long will it take for you to complete fieldwork?

A: _______________

Q: If you pursue a 5^th ed. program, when will you be done with ALL requirements and be able to apply by December 31, 2026?

A: _______________

Q: If you pursue a 2027 ed. program, when will you be done with ALL requirements and be able to apply?

A: _______________

Florida Tech ABA Online Programs Comparison Summary

In addition to the provided Q and A, you will want to review the similarities and differences between the programs you are considering. The following two tables summarize information for ABA Online the 5^th ed. and 2027 ed. Programs.

BCBA-Level Certificate Programs

MA Programs

Additional Differences and Considerations

Program Cadence:

In the 5th Edition program, 3-credit courses are offered in the first ten weeks of the semester, followed by 1-credit courses in the remaining five weeks with one week of overlap. This allows students to focus on one course at a time but compresses the courses (3 credits in 10 weeks instead of 15 weeks).
In the 2027 Edition program, 3-credit courses will span the entire 15-week semester. This allows students to have two weeks per unit instead of 1 and enables them to take two 3-credit courses in a single semester if necessary.
Benefit to students: This change allows students to spend more time on each unit's content. We believe this will result in better learning outcomes and the ability to manage the course more effectively in one’s life.

Self-Assessment and Unit Quizzes:

In the 5th Edition program, all VCS courses have two quiz opportunities per unit without feedback.
In the 2027 Edition program, the two-unit quizzes will be replaced with a unit Self-Assessment and a single-unit quiz. The Self-Assessment should be completed independently and without resources for the most accurate measure of knowledge, but resources are permitted. Correct/incorrect feedback will be provided to guide further study, and the Self-Assessment may be completed repeatedly for a higher score (the highest score before the deadline counts). Each unit will have a single-attempt unit quiz, and no feedback beyond the quiz score is provided for this assessment.
Benefit to students: This change is being implemented to guide and support students’ study behavior regarding the unit content. We believe this change will result in better unit-quiz performance.

Exams:

The 5th Edition programs include a 100-question final exam for all 3-credit courses.
In the 2027 Edition program, a midterm is added to all 3-credit courses. The midterm and final will both be cumulative but with fewer questions (40 and 50) than the 5th Edition final.
Benefit to students: This change is being implemented to promote cumulative study to support positive student outcomes within the courses.

Testing and Certification

It should be noted that as of Spring 2023, all programs teach/cover 6^th ed. TCO content. All programs, old and new, meet BACB certification coursework requirements via Pathway 2. Despite ending the VCS system oversight by ABAI, the new programs will continue to meet BACB coursework standards until 2032, when Pathway 2 is phased out. For more information on these changes, see our blog, Making the Switch: 5th Edition vs 2027 Edition Programs.

Conclusion

Prospective and current students must carefully evaluate their options and timelines to ensure they meet the necessary standards for their desired certification path.

Careful planning and informed decision-making will ensure that you are on the right academic path to meet BACB coursework or coursework and degree requirements through Florida Tech ABA Online. Consider your personal circumstances, potential life events, and the time required to complete coursework and fieldwork when making your decision. If you can complete all requirements and apply by December 31, 2026, the 5th Edition program may be the right choice for you. However, if you anticipate needing to apply on or after January 1, 2027, enrolling in the 2027 Edition program is advisable. Regardless of your chosen program, Florida Tech ABA Online is committed to providing high-quality education and support to help you achieve your academic goals.