Harla Frank
Biography
Harla Frank is an Assistant Professor in the Applied Behavioral Science program within the Global College of Professional Advancement at the University of Arizona Global Campus.
She earned her Master of Science (MS) in Psychology with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from Florida State University. Since becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2007, Harla has worked primarily with children and young adults diagnosed with autism. She has also worked with adults with diverse diagnoses and needs in both her private practice and through her work with various organizations in Colorado. Additionally, she has served as an expert witness for ABA-related cases in the Colorado court system and has provided ABA strategies training to foster care staff and parents.
Beginning in 2010, Harla taught ABA course sequences and general psychology courses for Purdue University Global’s Psychology Department, first as an adjunct instructor, then as a full-time ABA professor from 2016 to 2020. During her tenure there, she revised numerous undergraduate ABA courses and designed both an ABA ethics course and the ABA capstone course, aligning them with the accreditation standards of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) and the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI).
Harla was previously a columnist for Behavior Analysis Quarterly and later a contributing writer for Behavioral Science in the 21st Century.
She joined the University of Arizona Global Campus in November 2020 as an Associate Faculty Member, teaching business, general education, psychology, and applied behavioral science courses. In January 2025, she transitioned to her current role as a full-time Assistant Professor in Applied Behavioral Science.
Outside of academia, Harla produces two podcasts:
- What’s in It for Me? Understanding Your Child’s Behavior — which explains ABA methods and techniques in accessible language for parents and caregivers.
- The Science of Applied Behavior Analysis: Conversations with the Experts — a legacy series highlighting the contributions of leading figures who have shaped the field of ABA.