The Best Online ABA Graduate Certificate Programs
Discover quality programs with approved coursework for certification and take the next step in your behavior analysis education and career.
If you want to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or pursue similar careers helping those with autism and other behavioral challenges, you’ll first need the proper education. For those who already have a graduate degree in fields like social work, education, and psychology, earning an online applied behavior analysis (ABA) graduate certificate is a popular way to get this training. With a greater awareness of behavioral issues, many schools have developed online ABA certificate programs to help meet the demand. This rising number of programs is great for students in that it gives them plenty of opportunity to find the right program for them. But it can make it more difficult for you to find an accredited program that properly aligns with your learning preferences and prepares you for your specific career choices. To better help you weigh your options, we’ve identified the best online ABA graduate certificate programs in the country and examined what makes them so special. Continue reading to learn what makes these schools stand out from the rest for this academic year.
University of Massachusetts Global
Irvine, California
Private
Arizona State University Digital Immersion
Scottsdale, Arizona
Public
Saint Joseph’s University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Private
Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, Indiana
Public
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Private
Niagara University
Niagara University, New York
Private
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
Public
Western Connecticut State University
Danbury, Connecticut
Public
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska
Public
Regis College
Weston, Massachusetts
Private
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, Ohio
Public
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia
Public
University of North Texas
Denton, Texas
Public
Arcadia University
Glenside, Pennsylvania
Private
Drexel University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Private
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
Public
Texas A & M University-College Station
College Station, Texas
Public
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan
Public
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Private
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, New Jersey
Private
Daemen University
Amherst, New York
Private
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Private
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, utilize negative and positive reinforcement when working to modify clients’ problem behaviors, apply legal and ethical standards when doing behavioral analyses, and 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
Behavior Analytic Assessment
This course helps students identify the types of problematic behaviors certified behavior analysts will assess among their clients and create achievable goals on how these behaviors can be modified. In addition, students will learn how to analyze the environmental factors that may be causing certain behaviors and determine ways they can be changed.
Behavior Analyst Ethics
Students in this class learn about the ethical standards behavior analysts are expected to uphold and the ethical challenges they may face during the course of their work. This class may provide examples of the ethical decision-making process and give students the opportunity to dissect how these choices are made.
Behavior Analysis Concepts and Principles
Students in this class receive an introduction to the concepts and principles of behavior analysis, including strategies for assessing clients’ strengths and weaknesses, types of problem behavior, and conducting a functional analysis and interpreting the results.
Behavior Change Procedures and Supports
This class teaches the strategies that certified behavior analysts use to change the behavior of their clients in addition to how behavior change programs are created, evaluated, and improved as needed. Students will also learn how to monitor people to ensure behavior changes are taking hold in their daily lives.
Research Methods for Behavior Analysis
The focus of this course is on how different research methodologies are used in the special education field. Students may learn how to conduct single-case research and how it is used to perform behavioral interventions.
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. I 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.
Applied Behavior Analysis Graduate Certificate
Total Credits: 21
$643/credit
Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Behavioral Analysis
Total Credits: 30
$420/credit
Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
Total Credits: 18
$437.54/credit
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 like assessments, behavioral modification plans, and 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.
Does a master’s sound like the better fit? If so, read our complete guide to online ABA master’s programs.
Accreditation & Verified Course Sequences (VCS) for ABA Online Grad Certificates
For prospective ABA students to ensure they are getting the quality education they need to achieve their career goals, they should enroll in a school that has been accredited. A college or university itself can receive accreditation through organizations like the Accrediting Commission for Schools, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the Higher Learning Commission, or the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. For ABA programs specifically, however, accreditation is granted by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). This organization reviews ABA programs on the quality of their curriculum, administration, faculty, amenities, and student outcomes.
Those who want to earn an ABA certificate should keep in mind that the ABAI does not accredit graduate certificate programs directly. Instead, they approve certificate programs through their Verified Course Sequence (VCS) designation. This is a process that is designed to certify that the curriculum of a program meets the eligibility requirements to sit for the BCBA exam. To receive a VCS, the content of programs must cover certain topics. Current VCS standards exist for two types of programs, Behavioral Analyst Certification Board and Culturo-Behavior Science.
