A new partnership with the Rutgers University Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP) gives Eden staff the opportunity to earn a Master of Applied Behavior Analysis at the Eden School!
The two-year graduate program is designed to train students to become exceptional behavior analysts who provide the highest quality of care using evidence-based practices.
The program has several benefits for Eden staff. They have more flexibility in their schedules as they attend classes held at Eden. The program includes a combination of tuition reimbursement and student loan reimbursement, so there is no cost to Eden staff. Most importantly, students can apply what they learn in class to their work in classrooms and day centers.
Eden Autism’s Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Tim Nipe worked to launch the program with Dr. SungWoo Kahng, Rutgers University Director of Academic Programs in Autism and ABA. “We use ABA to work with our population, so a partnership with one of the best ABA graduate programs in the country was a natural fit,” said Nipe.
The program, which consists of teaching assistants and a direct support professional, began in early September. Teaching Assistant Rituparna Kundu joined the program to continue her professional development and better support Eden students.
“I want to learn more about the population we serve in order to implement positive, tangible change for them long term,” she said. The classes are extra special for Kundu, who is back in college at the same time as her daughters!
The program is not only a reflection of Eden’s commitment to its staff and participants, but also a testament to the staff’s dedication to learning more about their field in order to best support individuals with autism.
“It works out great for the organization because we have a better-trained workforce, and we are training up our next generation of clinical talent in-house so they can continue to grow within Eden,” said Nipe.
