Online Grad Certificates in ABA: Top Programs & More

Advance as a Certified Behavior Analyst at These Top Schools

What Healthcare Professionals Say About Choosing an ABA Graduate Certificate Program

The programs featured in this guide represent credentialed, high-quality options for professionals pursuing an ABA graduate certificate. Getting to the right one depends on more than a school’s name; your clinical experience, career goals within the field, and how the program fits your current role all matter. Our healthcare professionals share what to weigh when making this decision.

Research Faculty's Professional Backgrounds

Most people pursuing ABA credentials are planning to work hands-on with children with autism, but this isn’t the only option. If you’re interested in an alternative career track like corporate or workplace safety or coaching, consider what the faculty’s background and research is in. This will tell you a lot about what case examples you’ll study and the internship connections the program has.

Cody DeBos, RN, BSN

Verify BACB Eligibility Standards

If you already have a graduate degree and want to pursue BCBA certification without starting over, an ABA certificate program can be a good choice. Bear in mind that the BACB has been updating its certification requirements, and not every program keeps pace with these updates, so call the admissions office to find out whether their coursework meets current BACB eligibility standards.

Maggie Aime, RN, MSN, CPC

FAQs About Online ABA Grad Certificate Programs

When you’re looking for the right online ABA grad certificate program, you’re most likely going to have several questions. Some of these include, how long does it take to complete these programs? How much will I have to pay to get this credential? What will I learn when I enroll? The following section answers these and other common questions about ABA graduate certificate programs available online.

What will I learn in an online ABA graduate certificate program?

Through this program, students gain an understanding of how to assess and create intervention plans to help clients with behavioral disabilities. They also learn how to:

• Utilize negative and positive reinforcement when working to modify clients’ problem behaviors
• Apply legal and ethical standards when doing behavioral analyses
• Collect and analyze data to track changes in behavior

The section below lists specific courses that students typically take in online ABA certificate programs as well as the skills they can expect to leave with when they graduate.

Common Courses

Can I complete an ABA grad certificate entirely online?

Sometimes. In some programs, students can complete all of their coursework entirely online. But with other programs, ABA graduate certificates are offered on a hybrid basis. This means some classes are conducted on campus and some are offered online.

In addition, some programs may provide hands-on training that is completed under the supervision of trained professionals.

How long does it take to complete an online ABA certificate program?

Most programs can be completed in about one year. This assumes a student is enrolled as a full-time student. For students enrolled in a part-time program, it can take two to three years to graduate.

How much do online ABA graduate certificate programs cost?

The amount students pay for an online ABA graduate certificate program is largely dependent on what school they attend as well as what kind of scholarships, loans, and grants they qualify for. Other factors to consider include enrollment on a part-time or full-time basis and whether or not the student qualifies for in-state tuition.

The following list gives you an idea of how much you can expect to pay when you enroll in an ABA graduate certificate program.

What are the admissions requirements to get into a grad certificate ABA program?

In order to be admitted to an online ABA graduate certificate program, applicants are generally expected to have at least a 3.0 grade point average in an accredited bachelor’s degree program. However, some programs require a master’s degree, where a similar minimum grade point average requirement may apply.

Also, students may be required to do the following:

• Submit a resume.
• Earn a high score on the GRE, GMAT, CSET, or MAT exams.
• Write a personal statement outlining why they want to be admitted to the program and how it will help them reach their career goals.
• Submit letters of reference.
• Provide proof of proficiency in English.

ABA Grad Certificate vs. Master’s Degree: Which Is Right for You?

Although ABA certificates and master’s degrees cover a lot of the same course material, these programs are somewhat different. Certificate programs allow students to get a glimpse of applied behavior analysis in order to familiarize themselves with topics such as:

• Assessments
• Behavioral modification plans
• Appropriate consequences for behaviors

In contrast, master’s degree programs go more in depth on the topics covered in the curriculum. In addition, people who earn ABA master’s degrees may have the opportunity to choose a concentration to focus on that’s not available with certificates.

Another key idea for prospective ABA students to keep in mind is that if they want to take the BCBA exam, a certificate program may not be enough to qualify them for the test unless the curriculum includes supervised clinical experiences.

Reasons to Choose an ABA Graduate Certificate

• You want to complete your studies quickly.
• You want to complete the required coursework for BCBA certification.
• You want to expand your knowledge of special education.
• You already have an advanced degree in psychology, special education, or a related subject.

Reasons to Choose an ABA Master’s Degree

• You want the opportunity to choose a concentration—such as autism spectrum disorders, substance abuse, or emotional and behavioral wellness—in order to become an expert in a specific topic related to applied behavior analysis.
• You want to ensure hands-on training during your program that satisfies BCBA fieldwork requirements
• You want to gain expertise in applied behavior analysis research.
• You’re coming straight from a bachelor’s degree.