This comparison draws in part from “APF Con 2023 Opening Remarks & Keynote” (Autism Partnership Foundation), and extends it with peer-reviewed research from our library of 27,900+ ABA research articles. The decision framework, BACB ethics code references, and cross-links below are synthesized by Behaviorist Book Club.
View the original presentation →Behavior analysts have more options for continuing education than at any prior point in the field's history. The proliferation of online CEU platforms has made it possible to complete certification maintenance requirements without leaving home or office. At the same time, in-person professional conferences like APF Con continue to offer professional development experiences that digital formats cannot fully replicate.
This comparison is not about whether one format is superior in absolute terms — both have genuine value and serve different professional development functions. Rather, it is a framework for thinking strategically about when each format is most appropriate and how to construct a continuing education plan that draws on the strengths of both.
For behavior analysts at different career stages, with different professional development goals, and with different constraints on time and resources, the optimal balance between in-person and online CEU will differ. This comparison provides the dimensions for making that decision thoughtfully.
| Factor | Evidence-Based Approach | Traditional Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Community and network building | In-Person Conference: Unmatched for building professional relationships, informal knowledge exchange, and the experience of being embedded in the behavioral science community | Online CEU: Limited community interaction; some platforms offer discussion forums or Q&A with instructors but cannot replicate the relational depth of in-person gatherings |
| Content breadth per unit of time | In-Person Conference: High breadth — exposure to dozens of sessions, workshops, and keynotes across multiple topic areas in a compressed time period | Online CEU: High depth on specific topics; most online courses focus on a single subject area, allowing concentrated learning but less breadth |
| Flexibility and convenience | In-Person Conference: Low flexibility — requires travel, accommodation, and dedicated time away from practice; scheduling is fixed by conference dates | Online CEU: High flexibility — available on demand, self-paced, accessible from any location; ideal for busy practitioners with limited time for extended travel |
| Inspiration and motivation | In-Person Conference: High motivational impact — keynotes, peer interactions, and community immersion provide emotional reinforcement for professional identity and purpose | Online CEU: Variable motivational impact; content quality varies widely, and passive video watching provides less behavioral engagement than interactive in-person formats |
| Cost and access | In-Person Conference: Higher cost including registration, travel, and accommodation; may present access barriers for practitioners with limited organizational support or personal resources | Online CEU: Lower cost and more accessible; many high-quality free or low-cost options available, reducing financial barriers to continuing education |
| Best professional development context | In-Person Conference: Career milestones, professional identity development, exposure to emerging field trends, and annual renewal of professional community connections | Online CEU: Targeted skill development in specific clinical areas, ethics updates, supervision training, and fulfillment of specific BACB continuing education category requirements |
The ABA Clubhouse has 60+ on-demand CEUs including ethics, supervision, and clinical topics like this one. Plus a new live CEU every Wednesday.
Use this framework when approaching apf con 2023 opening remarks & keynote in your practice:
Does the data support a need for intervention? Is there a meaningful impact on the individual's quality of life, safety, or access to reinforcement?
YES → Proceed to assessment NO → Document reasoning, monitor
A functional assessment should guide intervention selection. Avoid defaulting to standard protocols without individual analysis. Consider environmental variables, setting events, and private events.
YES → Select evidence-based approach matched to function NO → Complete assessment first
Goals should be co-developed. Assent and informed consent are ethical requirements. The individual's preferences and values matter in selecting both goals and methods.
YES → Proceed with collaborative plan NO → Engage in shared decision-making
This course covers the clinical and ethical dimensions in detail with structured learning objectives and CEU credit.
APF Con 2023 Opening Remarks & Keynote — Autism Partnership Foundation · 40 BACB General CEUs · $0
Take This Course →We extended this decision guide with research from our library — dig into the peer-reviewed studies behind each approach, in plain-English summaries written for BCBAs.
145 research articles with practitioner takeaways
133 research articles with practitioner takeaways
127 research articles with practitioner takeaways
40 BACB General CEUs · $0 · Autism Partnership Foundation
Research-backed educational guide
Research-backed answers for behavior analysts
You earn CEUs from a dozen different places. Upload any certificate — from here, your employer, conferences, wherever — and always know exactly where you stand. Learning, Ethics, Supervision, all handled.
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All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.