Applied Behavior Analysis (CERT)

Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis 
Unit: College of Education and Human Development (GE)
Department: Special Education, Early Childhood, and Prevention Science
Academic Plan Code(s): AABACAA, AABACAAO

Program Information

This program is completed 100% online.

The University of Louisville's Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis provides practitioners with advanced knowledge in behavior analytic research and approaches to skill development and the treatment of challenging behavior.

Students receive rigorous academic work within the program's carefully designed course sequence that is taught by faculty with practical and research experience in special education and applied behavior analysis. 

Students in the graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis complete a course sequence that meets the the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) coursework requirements for the BCBA Certification Exam.  However, the certificate does not require or include practicum hours for field experience.  

To be eligible for the BCBA exam, students must complete 2,000 hours of supervised field experience in addition to the required coursework. These hours must be arranged and completed independently, outside of the program, after earning the certificate. Candidates are strongly encouraged to review and follow the BCBA Fieldwork Standards.

Prospective students should understand that they will not be eligible to sit for the BCBA exam until all requirements are met, including the 2,000 supervised fieldwork hours. Because the program does not provide or require these hours, the graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis at University of Louisville is not designed to prepare students for licensure immediately upon program completion in any US state or other jurisdiction.

Application Requirements

Applicants to the Applied Behavior Analysis certificate program must submit the following:

• Completed UofL graduate application submitted at https://apply.graduate.louisville.edu/apply/
• Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework.  To be considered official, transcripts must be sent by the issuing institution to the UofL Graduate School. Transcripts issued to the candidate, and/or uploaded by the candidate, are considered unofficial.
  • International transcripts must be evaluated per UofL Graduate School requirements: https://graduate.louisville.edu/admission/international/evaluation
• Personal statement – Candidates should upload a personal statement describing their professional goals, interest in the program, and whether they plan to pursue as a part-time or full-time student
• Current resume
• Recommendations – Two recommendations are required. Requests are automatically sent to the recommenders’ emails once the graduate application is submitted. Adequate time should be given for recommenders to respond to the request by the application deadline. Candidates may log into their admission portal to check the status of the recommendations.

International Applicants:

• International applicants must submit additional application items, and meet additional admission requirements.  Information on the international application and admission requirements can be found here: https://graduate.louisville.edu/admission/international

Admission Requirements

• Complete application (including all checklist items above and payment submitted).
• Master’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75. This is a competitive admission program and preference will be given to candidates with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Admission is competitive. Meeting the GPA minimum and all other admission requirements does not guarantee that prospective students will be accepted into the program. Preference will be given to candidates who have course work and experience in education, counseling and/or behavioral health services.

Program admission dates:  Fall semester only

Application Deadline:  August 1 for Fall

Please note that the program director will begin reviewing applications in early Spring for admission. Capacity for this program is limited and applicants are encouraged to apply early for consideration.

Program Requirements

Program Coursework

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Students in the graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis will complete a verified course sequence (VCS) for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Certification Exam, allowing them to meet the educational requirements for board certification.  However, the graduate certificate does not require or include practicum hours for field experience.  In addition to coursework requirements, students must complete 2,000 hours of supervised field experience to be eligible to take the exam.  To earn licensure as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), students will complete all the required supervised field experience hours on their own outside of the program after earning the certificate.  Candidates are strongly recommended to review and follow the BCBA Fieldwork Standards. It is important for prospective students to understand that they will not be eligible to sit for the BCBA exam until they have completed all requirements, including 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork.  Because the supervised fieldwork hours are not completed during the program, the graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis at University of Louisville is not designed to prepare students for licensure immediately upon program completion in any US state or other jurisdiction. 

Exit Requirement:  Grades of B- or higher in all certificate courses.