Empower your career with a graduate certification in applied behavior analysis
As a behavioral health practitioner, human services provider, and educator, you envision yourself guiding all individuals toward success. In helping you grow your skill set with this goal in mind, the University of Missouri-St. Louis’s (UMSL) graduate certificate in applied behavior analysis equips you to assist those living with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other disabilities or behavioral issues.
Building off your existing foundation, you’ll explore strategies for observing individuals in select environments, conducting behavioral assessments, analyzing data to develop a plan of action and collaborating with teachers and parents to encourage progress. At the same time, the program’s scope considers the vast applications of applied behavior analysis (ABA) principles, including for motivating employees and athletes.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst Certification
For individuals who have already earned a master’s degree, UMSL’s graduate certificate in applied behavior analysis fulfills all course work and field requirements to sit for the National Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) exam and obtain BCBA certification. The program has been approved by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and is accepted by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. (BACB®).
In order to become a BCBA, a candidate needs to:
- Have a master's or doctoral degree from an accredited institution
- Complete and pass course work outlined by the Fifth Edition Task List
- Complete practical fieldwork in applied behavior analysis following all requirements established by the BACB®
- Pass the BCBA exam
The applied behavior analysis certificate program helps students complete BCBA requirements 2 and 3. Students who have yet to fulfill requirement 1 are encouraged to enroll in UMSL’s online master of science in applied behavior analysis.
Program type:
Graduate Certificate
Format:
100% Online
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Applied Behavior Analysis Graduate Certificate
The 34-credit-hour graduate certificate in applied behavior analysis positions you for these roles. Through fully online courses and field assignments, you’ll learn to guide individuals experiencing behavioral challenges through research-backed strategies that ultimately improve their quality of life. Internships are completed in-person for teacher certification that meets the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requirements.
As a behavioral health discipline supported by a vast body of scientific knowledge, ABA involves observing and gathering data on an individual’s behavior in select environments. This information then forms the basis for intervention strategies intended to introduce more adaptive behaviors. You’ll establish specific goals in this direction, educating family and teachers on these objectives and refining your strategy as the individual makes progress.
Outcomes and Career Outlook
Demand for part- and full-time BCBAs continues to grow — including an estimated 20,000 new jobs in Missouri, Illinois and Kansas over the upcoming decade. Schools view this skill set as integral to creating more inclusive learning environments. Human services agencies, meanwhile, strive to support a broader range of populations. Added to this, ABA principles shape how corporations encourage their workforce and how athletic organizations motivate their players.
For counseling, behavioral health and education professionals, UMSL’s online ABA certificate:
- Expands your perspective on observing, analyzing and understanding behavioral issues
- Prepares you to assist children and adults living with Autism Spectrum Disorders, brain injuries and other disabilities in school, agency, health care and rehabilitative contexts
- Equips you to guide students and patients toward behavioral success
- Explores the science, evidence-based practices and methods behind learning new and changing maladaptive behaviors
- Trains you to develop and implement intervention strategies and instruct others in ABA principles
- Enhances your existing career in education, counseling, social work or human services to assist and support a wider range of individuals
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet the general graduate admission requirements of the Graduate School, described in the UMSL Bulletin. Students are considered for admission to the graduate program in Applied Behavioral Analysis only after they have formally applied for admission through the Graduate School. Applications may be completed on-line.
In addition to Graduate School admission requirements, the following requirements apply:
- An undergraduate degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Letter of Intent/Statement of Purpose (1-2 pages)
- One Letter of Reference
Plan of study
Non-Missouri Residents: Prospective students are responsible for reviewing the UMSL state authorizations page to see if this program is offered in their state throughout their program and to review the licensure or certification requirements for the state in which they reside.
