Applied Behavior Analysis

Certificate

The ABA Certificate prepares professionals for careers as behavior analysts dedicated to supporting those with behavioral health needs. The program is designed to establish fundamental intervention skills.

Choose Your Pathway:
Stand-alone Certificate or Combined Certificate + Master of Science Degree

ABA coursework can be completed as a stand-alone graduate certificate. The ABA graduate certificate includes 8 required courses (22 credit hours) that are completed fully online (asynchronous) in a course sequence that spans four semesters. Students rotate through the course sequence in a cohort model. Students may start the program in either summer or fall. Only a bachelor’s degree is required to participate in the certificate program.

Students may choose to complete the ABA graduate certificate as part of the graduate degree program that culminates in the Master of Science in Exceptional Education. The graduate degree program includes the 8 required courses (22 credit hours) in the Applied Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) Verified Course Sequence along with an additional 8 credit hours of online, asynchronous coursework, inclusive of a capstone research project.

Becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

Board Certified Behavior Analysts are board approved, graduate level practitioners who deliver behavior-analytic services in a variety of fields including education, psychology, social work, business, health care and other human service industries. The process for becoming a behavior analyst requires the successful completion of required coursework, experience hours and a culminating certification exam. The certification process is overseen by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB). For details about becoming a BCBA, please see the following sites:

• Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB)
• Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI)
• UW-Milwaukee VCS Information

Program Requirements

UW-Milwaukee’s Online ABA Graduate Certificate curriculum is a Verified Course Sequence (VCS) approved by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). The 8 courses (22 credit hours) can be used toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® examination.

The ABA coursework can be completed as a stand-alone graduate certificate or as part of the graduate degree program that culminates in the Master of Science in Exceptional Education.

For a complete list of requirements, please view UWM’s Academic Catalog.

Note: Students must independently complete fieldwork hours and pass the BCBA exam to become board-certified behavior analysts. Fieldwork hours and the BCBA exam are completed independently outside of the UWM certificate program and completion of these requirements is verified by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board and the Association for Behavior Analysis International.

Students may start the program in either summer or fall. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. It is recommended that students apply by May 15 for the summer semester and by Aug. 15 for the fall semester.

Admission Criteria

• Graduate degree or concurrent enrollment in a graduate degree program.
• Personal statement.
• Transcripts.