USD School of Health Sciences Success Spotlight: Nicole Freeman

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Degree: Applied Behavior Analyst Certificate

Current Position: Secondary Autism Integration Specialist, Sioux Falls School District

Teacher and Board Certified Behavior Analyst Nicole Freeman knew early in her career that she wanted to work with students with autism, behavior or learning disabilities. After earning her undergraduate degree in K-12 Special Education, she went on to pursue first an MA as a Specialist of Disabilities and then an Ed.S in Special Education Administration at USD. 

"I had a great experience in both of those programs, but I always felt as though there was something missing," says Freeman.It turns out that what was "missing" for Freeman was Applied Behavior Analysis, a therapy based on the science of learning and behavior. When the University of South Dakota School of Health Sciences started its ABA graduate certificate program in 2021, Freeman was excited to join a multidisciplinary group of professionals in the first cohort.

"Our classes were 100 percent in person so we really got a lot of hands-on experience," says Freeman, who still keeps in touch with people from her cohort. "Even now, I know at least six professionals out in the community that I could reach out to if I had a question."

Beyond the relationships she formed, Freeman says the ABA certificate program, which is now a Master's level program (MS in Health Sciences with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis), equipped her with everything she needs to support students at the highest level. 

"Not only did they teach us everything we needed to know to pass the board exam, but we also learned how to really be effective in the community," says Freeman, currently the Secondary Autism Integration Specialist for the Sioux Falls School District. Next year, she will be a full-time Behavior Analyst working with any student with behavioral or learning challenges..

"Almost everything that we do is applying the behavioral principles that we learned in the program.," says Freeman.