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Get certified to serve as an effective practitioner who can assess, design, implement, and evaluate applied behavior analysis (ABA) programs.
UMass Boston’s Applied Behavior Analysis for Special Populations Certificate focuses on providing students with the preparation to serve as effective practitioners who can assess, design, implement, and evaluate applied behavior analysis (ABA) programs. It’s for education professionals who want to hone their skills and add a certification to their résumé. Explore cutting-edge knowledge, concepts, and skills of basic ABA principles, ethical considerations, generalization strategies, and application to special populations and settings. Apply these skills to many areas — from neighborhoods and specialized schools to residential programs to serving children and adults with disabilities.
Courses are offered at our Boston campus and through live interactive video at selected locations within Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island. The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® examination. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination. In 2023, UMass Boston alumni had an 83% pass rate for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® examination. You may apply ABA certificate credits towards a Master’s in Education without licensure, or combine initial licensure in Moderate Disabilities with the ABA certificate for a master’s degree plus 15 post-masters credits. The MEd degree may be completed entirely with 12 credits of advanced post-certificate ABA courses.
Plan Your Education
How to Apply
Applicants must meet general graduate admission requirements in addition to the following program-specific requirements:
- Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree in education, psychology, or a related field that is approved by the program coordinator.
- Two (2) letters of recommendation
Deadlines & Cost
Deadlines: April 1 (priority deadline) or June 15 (final deadline) for fall, October 1 for spring.
Application Fee: The nonrefundable application fee is $75. UMass Boston alumni and current students that plan to complete degree requirements prior to graduate enrollment can submit the application without paying the application fee.
Estimate Your Program Cost: Get a feel for your expected program costs using the Graduate Program Cost Calculator.
Program Cost Information: For more detailed information on costs, please visit the Bursar's website.
Curriculum
Required Courses (21 Credits)
- ABA 650 - Philosophical Underpinnings of Applied Behavior Analysis 3 Credit(s)
- ABA 651 - Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis 3 Credit(s)
- ABA 652 - Assessment and Treatment of Problem Behavior 3 Credit(s)
- ABA 653 - Skill Acquisition 3 Credit(s)
- ABA 654 - Research Methods 3 Credit(s)
- ABA 655 - Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) 3 Credit(s)
- ABA 656 - Ethical & Professional Conduct 3 Credit(s)
For more information on curriculum, including course descriptions and degree requirements, visit the Academic Catalog.
Learning Outcomes
In this program, students will:
- Demonstrate knowledge of foundational concepts delineated in the Test Content Outline.
- Apply the concepts and principles of ABA to real-life situations.
- Critique the design of behavior analytic research, including design and data analysis. • Identify and assess a client-centered problem.
- Design an intervention to reduce client problem behavior.
- Design an intervention to increase client skills.
- Design an organizational behavior management plan to supervise, evaluate, and train staff and parents.
- Demonstrate a culturally responsive approach to client-centered and staff-centered plans.
- Utilize high and low technologies when designing, implementing, evaluating, and communicating about behavioral interventions.
- Apply guidelines for ethical and professional behavior in all client-centered and staff centered plans, and as a member of the program’s learning community.
Graduation Criteria
Complete 21 credits from seven required courses.
Statute of limitations: Three years.
Contact
Graduate Program Director Andre Maharaj
andre.maharaj@umb.edu
617.287.7609
Program Administrator Jill Tilton
jill.tilton@umb.edu
617.287.7235
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