College of Education

Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate

The certificate program in Applied Behavior Analysis provides qualified graduate students the opportunity for training in the field of behavior analysis specific to its use in the fields of education and developmental disabilities and offers a series of courses accepted by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BABC) for eligibility to become board certified behavior analysts (BCBA).

The curriculum for the Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis has two purposes. Students will receive a comprehensive conceptual overview of the principles of applied behavior analysis of human behavior. In addition, students will acquire expertise in the design, implementation, and evaluation of behavior analytic interventions relevant to helping alleviate clinically significant problems.

Master’s or doctoral students majoring in educational psychology with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis are automatically eligible to enroll in this certificate program. Students accepted in any other graduate degree program at Georgia State University must apply for admission to the certificate program by completing an application and providing a letter of recommendation from their major adviser. An individual who has already earned a graduate degree and who is interested in applying for the certificate only program as a nondegree student must include a letter of recommendation from an academic reference or employer supervisor along with other required application materials. Any applicant who has already earned a master’s degree must take a basic knowledge examination in applied behavior analysis.

Students completing the certificate program may be enrolled either part time or full time. If the students are enrolled in the certificate only program, all requirements must be completed within five calendar years. If the students are enrolled in a degree program, all certificate requirements must be completed within the time limits established for that degree.

Students who feel they have taken courses equivalent to those required for the certificate may have these courses evaluated by the program director. However, at a minimum, each student must take 12 semester hours of the required 21 semester hours at Georgia State. These 12 semester hours include EPY 8030, EPY 8850, EPY 8860, and EXC 7945.

To receive the Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis, students must earn a grade point average of at least 3.00 in all coursework applied to certificate requirements. Additionally, the students must pass the certificate exit examination or the Board Certification Behavior Analyst Examination.

Awarding of the Certificate of Applied Behavior Analysis shall be concurrent with the students’ graduation from Georgia State. Students already possessing a graduate degree shall be awarded the certificate when they have completed all certificate requirements.

The following courses are the requirements of the 21 semester hours program of study leading to the Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Required (18):
EPY 8020 Principles of Behavior Analysis (3)
EPY 8030 Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
EPY 8850 Introduction to Single-Case Methodology (3)
EPY 8860 Applications of Single-Case Methodology (3)
EXC 7310 Strategies for Challenging Behaviors (3)
EXC 7945 Practicum III: Applied Behavior Analysis (3)

Select one (3):
EPY 8180 Development During School Age (5 to 18 Years) (3)
EXC 7250 Characteristics of Severe Mental Retardation and Autism (3)

The students may substitute an appropriate course with consent of his or her adviser.

Certificate Program total: minimum of 21 semester hours