Applied Behavior Analysis

Tuition per credit hour

Online mode of study: $447 for both in-state and out-of-state residents. Blended mode of study: cost varies. See details and other costs

Credit hours

24 required credit hours. Most courses are equal to 3 credit hours. Browse course list

Program duration

Finish in as few as 15 months. Explore program requirements

Admissions

No application fee. Apply for fall, spring, or summer term. View application process & deadlines

Program Highlights

Balance your schedule while completing your post-master’s certificate: Choose to take all of your courses online, or a blend of online and in-person courses.
Prepare for a career as Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) in school and behavioral health settings.
Take advantage of program flexibility — we accommodate working professionals with multiple start dates and flexible course sequencing.
Save money with reduced e-tuition for out-of-state students who choose to study fully online.
Make progress toward a future degree: Apply course credits from your certificate toward a USM master’s or doctoral degree.
Study with faculty who are BCBA® clinicians with extensive experience.

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BCBA®certification

To qualify, you must obtain a graduate degree, complete behavior-analytic coursework and supervised fieldwork, and pass the BCBA examination. Our graduates who sat for the BCBA examination in 2020 had a 100% first-time pass rate.

Review requirements

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Meeting certification requirements

Students interested in pursuing BCBA credentialing are required to complete supervised fieldwork independent of our certificate program. You can complete the supervised experiences during your studies or after obtaining your certificate.

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Program requirements

The post-master’s Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis prepares you for a career as a BCBA® in school and behavioral health settings. BCBAs provide systematic, evidence-based services to promote socially significant skill acquisition and address behaviors that interfere with successful functioning.

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ABAI Verified Course Sequence

Our program includes a course sequence verified by the Association of Behavior Analysis International (ABAI).

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Engaged and dedicated faculty

Our full-time faculty are dually credentialed as BCBAs and school psychologists and have extensive clinical experience.

Meet our faculty

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Future degree planning

Interested in earning a graduate degree in Educational or School Psychology in the future? The credits you earn through this certificate program can be applied to each of our MS in Educational Psychology programs or to our PsyD in School Psychology program. Some restrictions may apply.

Explore degree programs

Educational Psychology — Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration

Master’s Program (Online)

Educational Psychology — School Psychology Concentration

Master’s Program

School Psychology

Doctoral Program

Next Steps

Our graduate admissions counselors are here to answer your questions about the admissions process, our academic programs, and student support services.

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Admission information: Certificate of Graduate Study in Applied Behavior Analysis

Application deadlines

We accept applications on a rolling basis and review them continuously.

Application deadline	Fall term start	Spring term start	Summer term start
Recommended*	June 15	November 15	March 15
Final	August 1	December 15	April 15
International	June 1	October 15	Not available

* Students that apply by the priority deadline are given preference for space in the program.

To be considered for admission to the Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis program, applicants must possess a minimum of a graduate degree*. The degree must have been awarded by an institution recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Students matriculated in the Master of Science in Special Education program at USM may apply for concurrent admission to the certificate program. Although these students may be admitted prior to completing MS degree requirements, the Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis will not be awarded until MS degree requirements have been completed.

*Students with any earned graduate degree may be admitted to the certificate program; however, students seeking to apply for BCBA certification prior to January 1, 2022 must have an earned graduate degree in education, psychology, or applied behavior analysis.

Applicants are required to provide the following materials:

General requirements

Application: Online application
Application fee: Waived for all applicants
Transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, excluding the seven campuses of the University of Maine System (UMS transcripts are accessible to USM). A transcript is official when sent directly from the institution.
- International College transcripts: In addition to an official copy of the transcript, an official evaluation of college-level transcripts from a NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) approved transcript analysis agency is required.
Resume: Submit a resume or CV that outlines professional, volunteer, and community experience.
Students whose first language is not English may be required to take one of the following: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Pearson Test of English (PTE) or Duolingo. Applicants must submit official scores as part of the application process. See additional information regarding test scores and requirements.

Additional requirements

Essay: A response to the following question: “Why do you seek training in applied behavior analysis?”

English proficiency test scores

View test requirements

Where to send application materials

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Applications in progress

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