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Graduate Certificate in Psychology — Applied Behavior Analysis

Department of Psychology

College of Letters, Arts & Social Sciences

Graduate Certificate in Psychology — Applied Behavior Analysis

Department of Psychology

College of Letters, Arts & Social Sciences

Online

Program

30 Credit Hours

to Graduate

Online Tuition Rate

$703 Per Credit Hour

Free Books

for All Students

EKU
College of Letters, Arts & Social Sciences
Department of Psychology
Graduate Certificate in Psychology — Applied Behavior Analysis

← Department of Psychology

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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Career Outlook

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.

– U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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.

Job Titles Include:

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

Our graduates hold a variety of different employment positions, including owning ABA practices, working as teachers or behavior analysts for school districts, working as RBTs or BCBAs in ABA practices, working as behavior specialists, and continuing their education in doctoral or other graduate programs.

Employers Include:

Hopebridge
Bertling ABA
Pikeville Medical Center Appalachian Valley Autism Center
Various Boards of Education

The Office of Academic and Career Services is a one-stop shop for all your career and professional development needs.

Services Include:

Creating/updating your resume and cover letter
Interviewing tips and coaching
Career documents review
Job search

Why EKU?

Free textbooks through EKU BookSmart
No application fee
Reduced tuition for active-duty military members and their spouses
Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) Verified Course Sequence
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
Research opportunities
Free online tutoring and career services assistance
Personalized graduation plan

Curriculum & Admission

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.

A minimum of 30 credits are required to graduate.

View the degree requirements:

Applied Behavior Analysis Graduate Certificate

EKU Academic Catalog

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.

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

Previously earned credits must be reviewed upon admission to EKU for appropriate articulation.

Term	Application Deadline	Classes Begin
Fall	August 5	August

Note that persons planning to apply for BCBA Certification are required by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board to hold a Master’s or Doctoral degree, to have completed the Board approved ABA coursework, to have completed the required and documented supervised practical experience, and to pass an examination administered by the Behavioral Analyst Certification Board.

The ABA Certificate from EKU provides the required ABA coursework and small number of supervised experiential learning hours. Students are responsible for finding their own practical experiences in order to accumulate the required hours of supervised experience, and for scheduling and paying for the BCBA Certification Exam. Information can be found at www.bacb.com.

For students with a master’s degree, admission requirements are minimum overall graduate grade point average of 2.75, minimum of one research course and one statistics course, minimum of three additional courses in psychology or a related discipline and a personal statement.

Personal statement must address the following areas:

What personal characteristics do you possess that you believe are important to the practice of applied behavior analysis? Do you possess any particular strengths that you feel will be an asset to you in graduate school? What about any personal challenges that you think might hinder your progress?
What are your professional goals?
Describe any experiences that have particularly prepared you for graduate study in applied behavior analysis (e.g., co-op/internships, work experiences, life experiences).

Explain if you feel that any portion of your application does not accurately reflect your academic skills or preparation to complete this certificate.

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.

Enrolling & Advising Information

EKU’s College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences is committed to delivering high-quality enrollment and academic advising for our students. We strive to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and meaningful engagement to help students reach their academic goals and have a rewarding educational experience.

Interested in enrolling? Reach out to our enrollment advisor today.

Bailey Bird

Enrollment Counselor

859-622-8764
bailey.bird@eku.edu

Schedule an Appointment

Additional Contact Info

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 Stories & Features

See All Student Stories

Dr. Nicholas Hoffman

EKU Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology & VCS in Applied Behavior Analysis Graduate

My favorite part of being an EKU student was being able to gain experiences relevant to my field, while also networking with other professionals and leaders which opened the door for my success. I, along with my peers, had doors opened for us that lead us on pathways that were not available to us by default. It truly is a college of opportunity.

Sara Cannon

EKU Applied Behavior Analysis Student

I can’t speak highly enough of the EKU Online program. I am so grateful for all of the hard work that all of the staff put into it every day. The feeling of accomplishment and self-confidence that this opportunity has provided me is worth as much to me as the degree I’m earning.

Cory Hudnall

EKU Applied Behavior Analysis Student

Being an online student at EKU has allowed me the time to dedicate myself to my role as a [988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline] 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.

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Related Programs

See All Degrees & Certificates

M.S. in Psychology – Applied Behavior Analysis

Common Job Titles: behavior analyst, parent educator, behavior consultant

Modalities: online

Credit Hours: 43

Contact Information

Department of Psychology

Cammack Building
Room 127
468 University Drive
Richmond, KY 40475

859-622-1105
psychology@eku.edu

Department Directory

Graduate Certificate in Psychology — Applied Behavior Analysis

Department of Psychology

College of Letters, Arts & Social Sciences

Graduate Certificate in Psychology — Applied Behavior Analysis

Department of Psychology

College of Letters, Arts & Social Sciences