Make A Difference in the behavior of your patients and their families As An Applied Behavior Analyst.
The post-graduate Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) certificate is a 21-credit, seven-course sequence designed for people who seek advanced knowledge in the ABA field.
Students will learn to make evidence-based decisions in regards to individuals, families, and communities and understand how research is used to address the behavioral needs of all persons. Students will also learn the role that culture plays in the implementation of behavioral principles throughout the world.
The program is specifically designed for individuals with a master’s degree and a background in education, psychology or human services who are interested in becoming Board Certified Behavior Analysts. However, anyone with an interest in learning about interventions to produce lasting change in behavior will find this program to be extremely useful.
The curriculum is intended to meet the BACB’s 5th Edition course work requirements, which go into effect in January 2022, and to prepare students to sit for the 5th Edition BCBA certification examination. Courses are taught using a combination of hybrid and online formats to accommodate students unable to travel to campus.
Career and Salary Possibilities
As an applied behavior analyst, you help individuals by analyzing and designing their environment to improve individual performance and quality of life. You could serve a variety of populations, including individuals with developmental and learning disabilities, mental health impairments or traumatic brain injury, and families experiencing challenges with managing their children.
Starting salaries for Board Certified Behavior Analysts range from $50,000 to $70,000. You could be a self-employed consultant or work for local, regional or national organizations.
Classes
The course sequence for this certificate includes the seven courses approved by the Board Analyst Certification Board (BACB) and can be completed in 16 months. Students will begin in the fall to complete the seven-course sequence.
Classroom instruction in the principles and procedures of behavior analysis is combined with practical clinical experiences. Shenandoah has partnered with organizations and Board Certified Behavior Analysts throughout the area to provide you with exceptional hands-on experiences working with a variety of populations in classrooms, homes, residential facilities and other settings. This combination of instruction and supervised experience will enable you to:
- Describe and apply ethical considerations in behavior analysis.
- Demonstrate mastery in the concepts and principles of behavior analysis.
- Identify and apply appropriate measurement systems of behavior.
- Apply experimental design skills to behavior analysis.
- Describe the fundamental and specific elements of behavior change.
- Design and apply procedures to evaluate the efficacy of their diagnoses and interventions.
- Identify and apply intervention strategies, including plans for unwanted effects.
- Apply behavior change systems.
- Implement a behavior change management and supervision program.
- Demonstrate expertise in a behavior analytic application such as autism, organizational behavior management, behavioral pharmacology, etc.
Application Information
Students who already hold a Master’s degree may apply for the Post Master’s Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis. A prior degree in an education or psychology related field is not required for admission but is helpful.
The seven-course sequence begins in the fall semester.
Submit your application, review required admission materials, and find our admissions standards.