Description of Program

The formalization of graduate training in Applied Behavior Analysis is a result of increased demand for professionals trained to work effectively with autism and developmental disabilities. Applied Behavior Analysis provides an approach for developing, implementing and evaluating practical strategies to produce changes in socially significant behaviors of individuals in a variety of contexts. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board set the professional credential for the post-master’s certification in behavior analysis. Upon completion of a master’s degree, including the five courses in the program, the student is qualified to take the BCBA exam and become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. The Board Certified Behavior Analyst is an independent practitioner who also may work as an employee or independent contractor for an organization. The BCBA conducts descriptive and systematic behavioral assessments and provides behavior analytic interpretations of the results. The BCBA designs and supervises behavior analytic interventions and is able to effectively develop and implement appropriate assessment and intervention methods for use in a range of cases. The BCBA may teach and supervise others in carrying out ethical and effective behavior analytic interventions based on published research and designs.

Admission Requirements to the Certificate

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
2. An undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 2.7 and a grade point average of 3.0 in prerequisite psychology courses.
3. Successful completion of the following four (4) undergraduate prerequisites:
   • Introduction to Psychology
   • Theories of Personality
   • Developmental Psychology
   • Abnormal Psychology
4. Other graduate admissions tests such as the GRE or Millers Analogy Test will not be required for the certificate program, however should a student wish to apply to a degree program (e.g., M.A. Psychology), tests such as those aforementioned may be a pre-requisite prior to enrollment.

To be eligible for the BCBA examination, applicants must also possess a Master’s degree from an accredited institution.

Applicants who want to be considered for the Graduate Certificate in Behavior Analysis must submit to the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education:

1. An application for admission;
2. Undergraduate transcripts;
3. Two letters of recommendation describing the individual’s potential to complete the program.

Required Courses

• PSYC 0646 - Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis Credits: 3
• PSYC 0647 - Autism and Developmental Disabilites Credits: 3
• PSYC 0648 - Behavior Analysis Applications: Ethics, Assessment, and Intervention Decisions Credits: 3
• PSYC 0649 - Behavioral Interventions Credits: 3
• PSYC 0651 - Single Subject Research Methodology & Design Credits: 3

Certificate Completion Requirements

Students must complete the five courses (15 credit hours) with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 to earn the certificate. A student who receives a grade of F or two grades below B- maybe barred from further enrollment in graduate courses.

Students must complete the Graduate Certificate Program within six years; certificate students may move toward completion at their own pace within this time period. In order to remain a certificate student, the student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.