Psychology

Graduate Certificate in Psychology — Applied Behavior Analysis

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21 Credit Hours

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Up To 12 Hours

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Cost per Hour

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EKU Online > Online Psychology Degrees & Certificates > Graduate Certificate in Psychology — Applied Behavior Analysis

Make a Difference in the Lives of Others

EKU’s 100% online certificate in applied behavior analysis provides an accelerated path to the Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) designation for students already possessing a master’s degree.

Rooted in established, evidence-based practices and principles, our comprehensive program prepares graduates to pursue rewarding careers in the rapidly growing field of applied behavior analysis. Graduates are prepared to work in school, residential, or community-based settings and with different populations including, children, adults and seniors. This program meets the educational requirements for students who wish to pursue a career as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Graduates with a qualifying degree who have completed supervised experience requirements are qualified to sit for the BCBA exam and, upon passing, are eligible to pursue independent practice and insurance reimbursement for services provided. 

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Benefits
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Careers
Benefits of EKU Online

Rooted in established, evidence-based practices and principles, our comprehensive program prepares graduates to pursue rewarding careers in the rapidly growing field of applied behavior analysis.

Program benefits include:

  • 100% online – No required campus visits
  • Accelerated 8-week terms
  • Free textbooks through EKU BookSmart
  • Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) Verified Course Sequence for the 5th Edition of the BACB task list
  • Graduates who have completed supervised experience requirements are qualified to sit for the BCBA exam and, upon passing, are eligible to pursue independent practice and insurance reimbursement for services provided
  • GRE waived for students with a 3.0 undergraduate GPA
  • Reduced tuition for active duty military members and their spouses
  • Research opportunities
  • Free online tutoring and career services assistance
  • Personalized graduation plan
Verified Course Sequence

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.

Career Opportunities

To become licensed as a behavior analyst in the state of Kentucky (and in most other states), an individual must be certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), the leading international credentialing agency for behavior analysts accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

Certification by the BACB requires completion of content-specific, approved coursework; a graduate degree in a relevant discipline; supervised experience; and a passing score on a professional examination developed by the BACB. EKU’s 100% online master’s degree in applied behavior analysis provides the quality curriculum and training required to meet the high coursework standards set forth by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).

Graduates who have completed supervised experience requirements are qualified to sit for the BCBA exam and, upon passing, are eligible to pursue independent practice and insurance reimbursement for services provided. Licensed behavior analysts work in schools, residential, or community-based settings and with different populations including, children, adults and seniors.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics* employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 23 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Employment growth is expected as people continue to seek addiction and mental health counseling services. In addition, states are increasingly seeking treatment and counseling services for drug offenders as a cost-effective alternative to incarceration and as a method to reduce recidivism.

Job opportunities include:

  • Behavior analyst
  • Board certified behavior analyst (BCBA)
  • Senior therapist
  • Parent educator
  • Behavior consultant
  • Educational consultant
  • Organizational consultant
  • Behavior specialist
  • Behavior coach
  • ABA therapist
Find your career

 

What is Applied Behavior Analysis?

Watch this video to learn more about a scientific field focused on helping people reach their outcomes through behavior change. 

BCBA Certification

As part of our commitment to educational excellence, Eastern Kentucky University, in compliance with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) and Applied Behavioral Analysis International, has met the requirements/required competencies and has transitioned to the BACB’s 5th Edition task list. For additional information, please speak to the program advisor.

Certification as a BCBA

To become licensed as a behavior analyst in the state of Kentucky (and in most other states), an individual must be certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), the leading international credentialing agency for behavior analysts accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

Certification by the BACB requires completion of content-specific, approved coursework; a graduate degree in a relevant discipline; supervised experience; and a passing score on a professional examination developed by the BACB.

This program meets the educational requirements for pursuing certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). In addition to their educational requirements, graduates of this program will need to pass an exam, complete supervised experience requirements, and complete an application process to become certified. Passing the BCBA exam provides eligibility to pursue independent practice and insurance reimbursement for services provided.

See the Behavior Analyst Certification Board website for up-to-date details.

If you already hold a master’s degree in any subject area, look at our 21 hour ABA graduate certificate.

Learning Success Outcomes

  • Annual reporting period: Academic Year 2022-2023 (Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Summer 2023)
  • Number of students whose degrees were conferred by the program: MS – 37, CERT – 2
  • Median years until graduation for students whose degrees were conferred by the program: MS – 2 years, CERT – 2 years
  • Number of students enrolled in the program: MS – 112, CERT – 13
  • Number of students no longer enrolled for any reason other than conferral of degree: 8 students considered active by the Graduate School but did not enroll in courses during Academic Year 2022-2023.
  • Number of completed applications received: 134
  • Number of students admitted: 107
  • Percentage of first time candidates passing the BCBA certification examination: 71% pass rate in 2022
  • Number of graduates obtaining a master’s-level state license as a behavior analyst: 6 (in Kentucky) for the 2022-2023 academic year reporting period
  • Time to Completion: Mean years to completion – MS: 2 ½ years, CERT: 2 years; Range to program completion – MS: 1 ½ years – 3 1/3 years, CERT: 1 1/3 years – 2 ½ years

Curriculum

EKU’s curriculum blends academic and professional preparation through course topics such as addressing problem behaviors, behavioral research and measurement, building new behaviors, and foundations, concepts and principles in applied behavior analysis.

Degree Requirements

A total of 21 credits are required to graduate.

View the applied behavior analysis program certificate requirements:

Please review the admissions requirements before applying for this or any program. If you have questions about the program or are planning to register for classes, please speak to the program advisor.

Transfer Credits

Students may transfer up to 12 hours of credit from accredited institutions. 

Previously earned credits must be reviewed upon admittance to EKU for appropriate articulation. Learn more about transferring to EKU.

Sample Courses

For a full list of course descriptions please see section 6 of the University graduate catalog.

PSY 813 Ethics and Professional Conduct in ABA (3)
Foundational ethics for behavior analysts practicing across applied and research areas.

PSY 833 Behavioral Research and Measurement (3)
Review of principles and practices underlying behavioral measurement and single subject research designs.

PSY 855 Addressing Problem Behaviors (3)
Review of principles, practices, and methods used to decrease problem behaviors as well as general intervention and behavior change procedures.

PSY 895 Building New Behaviors (3)
Review of principles, practices, and methods used to increase desired behavior.

Enrollment

Bailey Bird

Bailey Bird

Enrollment Advisor

Call or email Bailey Bird for information about the Psychology Master’s Degree program.

Contact Info:
859-622-8764
Bailey.Bird@eku.edu

 

Application Deadlines

Term Application Deadline Classes Begin
Fall A August 5 August

Admission Requirements

Any master’s degree with the prerequisite content of 1 research, 1 statistics, and 3 psychology courses with a minimum overall graduate grade point average of 2.75.

Additional Contact Information

Admissions: 859-622-2106
Academic Testing: 859-622-1281
Big E Central (Financial Aid & Student Account Services): 859-622-2361
Military & Veterans Affairs Office: 859-622-2345

Student Success

Cory Hudnall

Being an online student at EKU has allowed me the time to dedicate myself to my role as a coordinator, while also being able to invest in studies at times most available to me. This flexibility has made it possible for me to actually do what I love and study what I love. I couldn’t be more satisfied with the decision I made to come back to EKU for my graduate degree.

Cory HudnallMS PSY - ABA

Online Military Students

EKU Online offers veterans and active duty military students an unparalleled online learning experience that provides accessibility, convenience and flexibility.

Special Tuition for Active Duty* Military
Eastern Kentucky University offers reduced tuition expenses to $258 per credit hour for undergraduate and $335 per credit hour for graduate courses to all service members currently serving on active duty.

*Active duty is defined as on federal orders for 180 days or more.

“I’d like to thank the EKU College of Justice & Safety for the opportunity to complete my degree online. It’s very user-friendly, and everyone has bent over backwards to make this happen.”

– 1LT Heath Bergmann, EKU Online Graduate

Heath Bergmann
  • “I can confidently say that — as someone who doesn’t even live in the United States — EKU’s online program has been extremely accommodating and flexible. I can discuss advising appointments over email, and I can have my textbooks shipped to my address overseas.” – Sydney Garner Lewis
  • “After the birth of our first child, I knew I needed to go back and finish what I started,” said McKenzie. “I was happy that I could pick up where I left off at EKU even though I lived in a different state.” – EKU Online student and mom
  • “I chose EKU because I am a unique student with unique needs, and EKU provides an avenue for students like me to succeed.” – EKU Online Psychology student Jason Tate
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