Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis

Description and Outcomes

The Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis program emphasizes coursework that develops the understanding and application of applied behavioral theories and concepts. Content topics include behavioral assessment, treatment intervention and evaluation using a scientist-practitioner approach with a focus on ethical practice, and management and supervision processes. This verified course sequence is designed to prepare you to work in the field of behavior analysis with a diverse population of clients in a variety of community and educational settings. If you are interested in expanding your knowledge of applied behavior analysis in order to meet the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) examination, consider this certificate program.

Prospective and current students must review Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications site to view program and state-specific licensure information. Please refer to the website of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board®, Inc., for full eligibility requirements as well as the Certification, State Board, and National Board Exams section for additional program disclosure information.

Qualified credits earned in fulfillment of this certificate program may be transferable to certain Purdue Global degree programs.

Program Length

The Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis program consists of a minimum of 35 quarter credit hours. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a certificate.

Program Outcomes

  1. Examine how assessment and intervention procedures in applied behavior analysis are derived from behavioral theories and concepts. 
  2. Evaluate psychological and behavioral theories and concepts in relation to various real-world situations within the field of applied behavior analysis.
  3. Develop appropriate evidence-based practice strategies using the theoretical and conceptual foundations of applied behavior analysis. 
  4. Integrate relevant legal, ethical, individual, cultural, and social validity standards and guidelines established within the field of applied behavior analysis. 

Program Availability

For program availability, please refer to the U.S. State and Other Approvals section and Program Availability Information.

Policies

Admissions Requirements

You must meet the below admissions requirements in addition to Purdue Global's general requirements.

You must possess a minimum of a graduate degree (e.g., master’s or doctoral) from an acceptable accredited institution. Refer to the Admissions Requirements for more information on prior degree submission. If you earned a graduate degree outside of the U.S., you must first check the qualifying institutions list through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board to see if both your degree and institution have been listed as approved. Please go to the following site for instructions: http://bacb.com/qualifying-institutions.

Progression Requirements

You may not use credit for prior learning to fulfill any requirements in the Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis program. All courses must be completed at Purdue Global.

To be eligible to satisfy certification requirements and ensure your knowledge is current, you may be required to retake courses if you are a returning student and completed them more than 5 years prior to your re-enrollment. You may request exceptions, based on relevant coursework and professional experience, from the Dean or a designee.

Certification, State Board, and National Board Exams

Certain state certification and licensure boards have specific educational requirements for programs to lead to a license or certification that is a precondition for employment in a recognized occupation. Prospective and current students must review Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications site to view program and state-specific licensure information.

Licensure-track programs may limit enrollment to students in certain states; please see Purdue Global’s Program Availability Information to determine enrollment eligibility.

The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the following courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) examination (via Pathway 2). Applicants will need to meet additional Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®) eligibility requirements, including evidence of residency in an authorized country, before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.

  • PS507 Ethics for Behavior Analysts
  • PS558 Behaviorism and Philosophical Foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis
  • PS560 Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
  • PS561 Concepts of Measurement and Experimental Designs
  • PS562 Assessment in Applied Behavior Analysis
  • PS563 Implementing Procedures for Behavior Change
  • PS564 Clinical Applications, Supervision, and Management

Please refer to the BACB’s website for full eligibility requirements (www.bacb.com).

It is important to note that students seeking BCBA certification can only begin accruing supervision hours once they begin taking an ABA concentration course in the verified course sequence. Any supervision hours documented prior to taking the first qualifying course will not be recognized by the BACB.

The Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis meets educational requirements for the BCBA examination in all states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the territory of Guam. Prospective and current students must review Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications site to view program and state-specific licensure information.

It is important to understand that requirements for behavior analysts vary by state and can change with little to no warning. Students seeking employment as a behavior analyst should inquire directly to the jurisdiction where employment is desired, as some states require additional licensure or certification. The BACB U.S. state licensure requirements may be viewed at the following link: https://www.bacb.com/u-s-licensure-of-behavior-analysts/. The Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis meets the educational requirements to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam that is required for the Behavior Specialist certification in Pennsylvania. Additional educational requirements for certification may be required in Pennsylvania.

Beginning January 1, 2023, applications for BCaBA or BCBA certification from candidates who live outside of the United States and other designated countries will no longer be accepted, per the BACB’s Global Certification policies. Specific information regarding this policy can be found on the BACB’s website at https://www.bacb.com/global-certification/.

The BACB can be contacted at:

Behavior Analyst Certification Board
8051 Shaffer Parkway
Littleton, CO 80127
Tel: 720-438-4321