Applied Behavior Analysis (Graduate Certificate)
Further your career and make a lasting contribution across sectors and in the community. In this certificate program, you'll gain expertise in supporting and advocating for individuals with diverse learning and behavioral needs.
Quick facts
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Additional facts
Accreditation and professional licensure
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Applied Behavior Analysis graduate certificate description
In the graduate certificate program in applied behavior analysis, you focus on the population you plan to work with while you gain the knowledge and skills needed to use applied behavior analysis across various populations and settings.
Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation offers university coursework meeting the behavior-analytic coursework requirements for those pursuing the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® Board Certified Behavior Analyst® examination Pathway 2 eligibility route.
Once certified, you are equipped to meet diverse behavior needs and make a lasting impact. The course sequence includes the Behavior Analyst Certification Board-required 315 classroom hours of graduate-level instruction aligned with the BCBA Test Content Outline (sixth edition). It also meets the upcoming 2027 academic content standards under Pathway 2.
BCBA-supervised independent fieldwork supervision hours, required for certification, are arranged and completed by you separately from your ASU coursework. An optional remote BCBA-supervised independent fieldwork practicum (SPE 580 Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum) is available.
If you're seeking the master's degree and behavior analytic coursework to qualify to sit for the BCBA® exam, you should apply to the Master of Arts program in special education with a concentration in applied behavior analysis.
Why earn an applied behavior analysis graduate certificate at ASU?
Earn your applied behavior analysis certificate in a fully online format designed for working professionals. This graduate certificate belongs to one of the nation's largest and most established behavior analysis programs at MLFC, with a long record of preparing behavior analysts for schools, clinics, health care organizations and community-based services. Throughout your coursework, you focus on evidence-based practice, ethical decision-making, and applying behavior analysis across diverse populations and service settings.
Additional details
Stack this certificate with other graduate certificates like autism spectrum disorders and organizational behavior management to apply it toward an advanced study degree.
Coursework also explores how AI can support data analysis, literature review, professional communication and service delivery, while pressing you to weigh ethics, critically evaluate AI-generated content, and use technology responsibly.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
21 credit hours
Required Core (21 credit hours)
SPE 525 Measurement, Data Display, Interpretation and Experimental Design (3)
SPE 526 Concepts and Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
SPE 528 Assessment and Intervention Programming for Skill Acquisition (3)
SPE 529 Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Change Procedures (3)
SPE 530 Fundamentals of Organizational Behavior Management (3)
SPE 563 Philosophical Foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis in Educational Settings (3)
SPE 567 Ethics of Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Implement effective behavior assessment procedures based on identified target behaviors.
- Implement effective data collection and analysis methods to evaluate treatment effect.
- Implement appropriate behavior change procedures based on relevant assessment data.
Implement effective behavior assessment procedures based on identified target behaviors. Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information GRE scores are not required for admission.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Explore expanded study opportunities
Students can complete two graduate certificate programs and combine them into a Master of Advanced Study degree, giving ultimate flexibility to build their own master's degree. Interested students can learn more about MAS requirements and the admission process.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this applied behavior analysis graduate certificate prepares you for
Professionals with expertise in evidence-based practices in applied behavior analysis are in high demand across sectors and industries, including education, business and health care.
Career examples include:
- applied behavior analysis therapist
- behavior consultant
- behavior specialist
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst®
- early interventionist
- educator
- organizational behavior management specialist
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Division for Advancing Education Policy, Practice
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ED 118
GraduateEducation@asu.edu
480-965-5555
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
