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Graduate Certificate Program in Applied Behavior Analysis: BCBA 5th Edition

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Your Future as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Starts Here

Currently, there is a critical shortage of skilled professionals trained in the science of behavior analysis. To fill this need, and to assure that these professionals acquire the most relevant skills, the Behavior Analysis Certification Board® (BACB) has carefully established rigorous guidelines for becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA).

Developed in partnership with the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center — a pioneer in research, education and service for people with developmental disabilities and their families, and a part of the University of Massachusetts Medical School — this certificate has been designed to provide professionals in psychology, education, child care and human services with an understanding of behavior analysis, and knowledge of its diverse applications.

The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified that this program's courses meet the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® examination. In order to take the BCBA certification exam, applicants must possess a minimum of a graduate degree. For more details on eligibility requirements, please visit www.bacb.com.

ABAI Verified Course Sequence Badge

The courses in the Applied Behavior Analysis certificate program not only help students prepare for the BCBA certification exam — they also impart knowledge that is necessary for fulfilling the supervised fieldwork experience requirement, as well as providing ABA services in schools, homes, and other settings using behavior analysis. UMass Lowell's highly interactive online courses include exercises, assessments, and the opportunity for discussions with and feedback from instructors. Since 2005, more than 1,400 students have completed UMass Lowell's program, successfully passed the exam, and found meaningful employment in a variety of settings all over the world.

Online Learning Consortium Logo Winner of the National Online Learning Consortium Excellence Award for Outstanding Online Teaching & Learning Program
Among online graduate programs in behavior analysis, UMass Lowell has ranked in the top third of BCBA exam pass rates. For information about national pass rates please visit the BACB website.

One Success Leads to Another

Apply credits from lower credentials to higher ones. Our programs are designed to build upon themselves:

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Graduate Certificate Program in Applied Behavior Analysis: BCBA 5th Edition
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Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Studies
OR
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Graduate Certificate Program in Applied Behavior Analysis: BCBA 5th Edition
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Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction: Applied Behavior Analysis and Education Option

Some of the courses included in the Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis program can be counted towards UMass Lowell's Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis & Autism Studies. We also offer a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction: Applied Behavior Analysis and Education Option M.Ed. program, which can be completed entirely online. Learn more about UMass Lowell's ABA programs.

Try a Course Before You Apply to the Program

You do not have to be accepted into the certificate program prior to registering for your first course. Students wishing to pursue BCBA certification, however, need to apply for the certificate program before taking their third course.

Have Questions?

For more information about the Graduate Certificate Program in Applied Behavior Analysis: BCBA 5th Edition, call 978-934-1974 or send an email to ABAprograms@uml.edu.

Curriculum Outline

- 7 Courses / 21 Credits

Required Courses (7 / 21cr)

Please note: PSYC.5810 is a prerequisite or co-requisite for PSYC.5820, and a prerequisite for PSYC.5830 and PSYC.5850. PSYC.5810, PSYC.5820 and PSYC.5840 are prerequisites for PSYC.5860 and PSYC.5870. The recommended sequence is: PSYC.5810 and PSYC.5820 together in one semester, then either two or all three of the following: PSYC.5830, PSYC.5840 and PSYC.5850, followed by the remaining two or three courses. Students taking one course at a time are urged to follow the numerical sequence.

Graduate Certificate Requirements

Students enrolled in graduate certificate programs through UMass Lowell must complete all courses indicated in the curriculum outline. Students may complete the certificate program at their own pace by registering for and successfully completing one or more courses each semester, depending upon his/her personal time constraints. Students are required to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 with no more than one course grade below B to receive the certificate.

Online courses meet throughout the year during the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters (see Calendar for details). Online students generally log into their online course website one or more times per week to retrieve lectures and assignments or to participate in a chat session. Online students should expect to spend 6 to 10 hours per week engaged in course-related activities for each course. For more information on online courses, visit our online program home page .

Completing a Graduate Certificate Program

Graduate certificate courses must be completed within a five-year period with a minimum 3.0 grade point average and no more than one course with a grade below B. Once all courses for a graduate certificate have been completed, students must complete and submit the Graduate Certificate Clearance Form. Students must submit their clearance form to their coordinator. The coordinator will apply them in SIS, Graduation Tracking.

Please Note: The certificate itself is not a credential or qualification to practice ABA independently; further credentialing is required. While these programs are approved as coursework preparation by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), they do not confer BCaBA or BCBA certification; students will need to fulfill other BACB requirements and must apply separately to BACB for the BCaBA and BCBA certification exams. Also, completion of this program does not guarantee any form of licensure in any state. Students should review their state government website to see what additional requirements may have to be met for licensure.

Course Descriptions

This course is designed to provide students with foundational knowledge regarding the basic concepts and principles of behavior analysis. Students will gain an introduction to what behavior analysis is and how it differs from other approaches that study behavior. Students will be asked to define and identify examples of the basic principles, then apply that knowledge to describe and diagram original, real-world examples. Students will look at how the environment promotes the development of both adaptive and maladaptive behaviors, shapes behavior over time, and how the environment can be modified to help change behavior. 3 credits.

This course provides advanced coverage of the measurement methods that are important to the effective use of applied behavior analysis. It also offers in-depth coverage of the "within-subject: experimental designs commonly used in behavioral research and practice. Component analysis and parametric analysis methods, and social validity and generalization considerations in research, are also covered. 3 credits.

This course will focus on the scientific and philosophical underpinnings of behavior analysis. In this course, students will review basic assumptions about the nature of behavior, including comparison of the philosophical positions of free will and determinism. Emphasis will be placed on verbal behavior and the problems that can arise when practitioners are confronted wit mentalistic explanations of behavior. Students also will explore complex conceptual issues, such as knowledge and understanding, purpose and intention, problem-solving, reasoning, creativity, culture, ethics, and rights and values, in ways that illustrate how they are important to everyday life. The historical perspective of how radical behaviorism evolved, and how it compare to other conceptual systems will be reviewed. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

PSYC.5810 Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis.

This course covers the assessment of behaviors and skills. We will review many types of assessments used in applied behavior analysis and the reliability of these common assessments. Specific topics to be covered include functional behavior assessments, functional analysis, preference and reinforcement assessments, skill assessments, identification of goals, how to write goals, and the development of a treatment plan. Emphasis will be placed on the use of assessments to inform treatment. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

PSYC.5810 Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis, and PSYC.5820 Measurement and Experimental Design.

This course will explore the legal and ethical issues facing professionals working with individuals diagnosed with disabilities, particularly those on the autism spectrum. The goal is to provide behavior analysts and other professionals the opportunity to develop skills in dealing with the complex legal and ethical issues that arise when working in human service fields. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

PSYC.5810 Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis.

This course covers the design and application of behavior change procedures commonly used by behavior analysts. We will review the importance of cultural considerations and ongoing monitoring of progress. Specific topics to be covered include reinforcement, antecedent manipulations, transfer of stimulus control, and programming for maintenance and generalization. Emphasis will be placed on procedures used for skill acquisition including social, communication, self-help, and academic skills. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

PSYC.5810 Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis, and PSYC.5820 Measurement and Experimental Design, and PSYC.5840 Behavioral Assessment.

This course covers implementation of simpler to more complex behavior change procedures and the management and supervision of the staff who implement those procedures. We will review the importance of ethical and safety considerations, data analysis to monitor progress and problem-solve any lack of progress, and initial staff training and ongoing supervision of staff. Specific topics to be covered include reinforcement procedures to impact behavior, positive and negative punishment, group contingencies and programming for maintenance and generalization of behavior changes, staff training and supervision effectiveness. Emphasis will be placed on procedures used for behavior reduction and socially-valid replacement behaviors as well as best practices in personnel management and supervision. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

PSYC.5810 Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis, and PSYC.5820 Measurement and Experimental Design, and PSYC.5840 Behavioral Assessment.

Tuition & Fees

At UMass Lowell, we believe that students should have as much information as possible up front so they can make informed decisions before enrolling in a degree program or signing up for a course.

Tuition for all undergraduate courses offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies is the same for both in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition for all online graduate courses is also the same for both in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition is priced per credit. To calculate the tuition for a course, simply multiply the per-credit tuition by the total number of credits per course. Exception: If the total number of course contact hours is greater than the total number of credits, the per-credit tuition is instead multiplied by the total number of contact hours.

Fall 2021 Tuition

 Per Credit / Contact Hour
Graduate Online Courses
(Except Graduate Online Business*, IT, Engineering and Education Courses)
 $575.00
Graduate Online Business* Courses $655.00
Graduate Online IT and Engineering Courses** $590.00

*Applies to courses with the following prefixes: ACCT, BUSI, ENTR, FINA, MGMT, MKTG, MIST, POMS offered through the Manning School of Business

**Applies to courses with the following prefixes: CHEN, CIVE, EECE, ENGN, MECH, PLAS offered through the Francis College of Engineering. Applies also to MSIT courses in the Master's in Information Technology, Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity and the Graduate Certificate in Systems Models and Management.

The cost to audit a course will be charged the rates listed above.

Additional Fees
Registration Fee per Term $30.00
Late Fee for Nonpayment $50.00
Fee for Graduate Degree and Certificate Applications $50.00


Costs for Textbooks and Additional Materials

The total cost for required textbooks for students accepted into this program will be $600–$800 (depending on whether you buy books new or used). In addition, students will need to purchase a license for access to learning modules for a one-time fee.

Please note: Most of these costs will be incurred up front, when students enroll in their first course. Students will, however, continue to use the basic textbook, the digital textbook and the modules in all subsequent courses as they progress through the program.

Looking for Financial Assistance?

UMass Lowell offers a variety of financial aid and scholarship options.
Learn More »
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Registration

Current students can register using SiS Self-Service. New students who have not already applied and been accepted to a program must use the Non-Degree Registration Form.

You can take courses without being officially enrolled in a certificate or degree program, but you must meet course prerequisites. Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Class size is limited. We recommend that you register early to reserve your place in class.

For more information, please visit our Registration Page.

New Students

If you have not already applied and been accepted to a program.
Register with Non-Degree Reg. Form

Current Students

If you have applied, been accepted to and are currently enrolled in a program.
Register with SIS Self-Service

Questions?

Program Support:
Email: AutismCertificate@uml.edu
Phone: (978) 934-2240
Email our Advising Center for assistance, or call 800-480-3190 to speak with an advisor.

Please Note: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented within this website, the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies reserves the right to implement new rules and regulations and to make changes of any nature in its program, calendar, locations, tuition and fees. Whenever possible, appropriate notice of such changes will be given before they become effective. In applying for a degree program or registering for courses, each student assumes full responsibility for knowledge of and compliance with the definitions, regulations and procedures of UMass Lowell as set forth on our website. For additional information, please refer to the Graduate Program Policies found within the UMass Lowell Graduate Catalog.

Applying into an Online Graduate Certificate Program

UMass Lowell Graduate Certificate Programs provide knowledge and expertise that are vital in today's rapidly changing workplace. In many cases, graduate certificate courses may be applied toward a master's degree at UMass Lowell. Most graduate certificates consist of four courses, for a total of 12 graduate credits. This is a great way to earn a graduate-level credential on the way to earning your master's.

WHO CAN APPLY?

Holders of an appropriate bachelor's degree

HOW TO APPLY?

Learn more about specific application requirements for your program of interest. When you're ready, you can apply online or download an application at http://www.uml.edu/grad.

There is a $50 application fee for all programs except engineering, for which there is a $75 application fee. NO Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required for graduate certificate programs. Credits earned from a graduate certificate may be used toward a related graduate degree with the approval of the graduate program coordinator. Students who complete a graduate certificate with a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or better in a UMass Lowell graduate certificate program may be able to waive the GRE when applying to a related master's degree. Graduate Certificate Programs must be completed within a five-year period with a minimum 3.0 grade point average and with not more than one course with a grade below B. Courses completed for one certificate may not be used for other certificates. Once you have completed all of the courses required for your certificate, please complete and submit the Graduate Certificate Clearance Form.

For specific information regarding any of the above application materials (which may vary for some programs), please see UMass Lowell's Graduate Application Requirements at https://www.uml.edu/Grad/Process/.

Applications can be completed and submitted at any time during the year. Each application is processed — and each applicant notified — as soon as all admissions materials have been received and reviewed. For additional details, please visit https://www.uml.edu/grad/.

Graduate Program Admissions Requirements

Admission to all graduate programs at UMass Lowell is contingent upon successful completion of a bachelor's degree. In many cases, applicants may register for a course before they have formally applied into the program; however, students requiring financial aid may want to wait until they have been formally accepted into the program to ensure that their course(s) will be covered. Contact UMass Lowell's Office of Graduate Admissions if you have questions about the application process.

Please Note: Test requirements for graduate applications have been temporarily waived. Learn more.
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Questions Regarding Your Graduate Application?

Email Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu or call 800-656-4723 (for U.S. students) or 978-934-2390 (for international students).

For General Assistance:

For general questions about registering for courses or to find out who the advisor is for your graduate program, call 800-480-3190. Our admissions and advising teams are here to help!

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Career Outlook

To help you make an informed decision about continuing your education, we access real-time labor market data to provide up-to-the-minute employment information including:

  • Job postings for the occupations this program will prepare you to pursue
  • Demand for specific positions within the industry
  • Salary information (nationwide and by region)
  • Expected career growth rate over the next 10 years vs. total labor market growth rate

With this information, you'll have a clear understanding of the return on investment you can expect from this program and which skills can help you to further increase your earning power.

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