The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the following courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® examination. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination. More information can be found here.
The following is a list of program courses by number reflecting the 21 credits required to achieve the certificate.
Click on a title below to read the course description.
Prerequisite: successful completion of 553. This course focuses on measurement, data display, interpretation, and experimental design (primarily single-case studies), and formation and testing of research hypotheses. Students are expected to read professional literature, participate in discussions, conduct literature research, and begin to develop and implement behavioral intervention techniques.
This course focuses on concepts and principles that serve as foundational elements of applied behavior analysis (ABA). It also includes philosophical underpinnings and historical perspectives of ABA and the methodology of the science of behavior management. Fundamental behavior analytic terms and vocabulary are presented. Students are expected to read professional literature, participate in discussions, conduct literature research, and begin to learn the application of behavior analysis.
Prerequisite: successful completion of 553. This course focuses on assessment techniques used for the purpose of behavioral intervention planning. Topics include evaluating existing data and records, determining the need for behavior-analytic services, and identifying and prioritizing intervention goals. Various assessment methods will be reviewed including skill acquisition/deficit measures, preference assessments, and measurements of behavior problems. Students will learn the common functions of problem behavior and understand how to conduct both a descriptive assessment and functional analysis of problem behavior and interpret resulting data. Students are expected to read professional literature, participate in discussions, conduct literature research, and begin to implement behavioral assessment techniques.
Prerequisites: successful completion of 553 & 554. This course focuses on intervention techniques used in applied behavior analysis (ABA). It covers the fundamental elements of behavior change and addresses specific intervention procedures. Students learn to use behavioral assessment data to select, develop and implement efficacious treatment plans that utilize principles of ABA. Students are expected to read professional literature, participate in discussions, conduct literature research, and begin to develop and implement behavioral intervention techniques.
This course focuses on ethical and professional conduct for behavior analysts and psychologists as delineated in (1) the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts and (2) the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. The primary objective of this course is to prepare students to be ethical providers of psychological and behavior analytic services.
Prerequisite: successful completion of 553. This course focuses on advanced concepts and practices of applied behavior analysis (ABA) including complex theoretical principles and skills essential for personnel supervision and management in the field of behavior analysis. Students are expected to read professional literature, participate in discussions, conduct literature research, and begin to learn the application of behavior analysis.
Students interested in the ABA curriculum in conjunction with the MA program should also review the MA curriculum.
Structure of Program
The certificate program in ABA has been specifically designed to meet the needs of working professionals who seek to expand their expertise in applied behavior analysis. Learning occurs through a sequence of courses. This is a cohort program that consists of six semesters of coursework. The certificate can be completed within a 24-month period.
Updated 9/29/2023
