The online certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis provides students with the necessary coursework preparation for certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. It requires coursework on the basic principles of behavioral science and its research methods but emphasizes course work and training in application (e.g., assessment, analysis, intervention, evaluation). Its objective is to advance empirically based solutions to problems of individual and societal importance, both local and global.

Admission to Graduate Studies

Admission Requirements

• All applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the Admission to Graduate Study policy. 

• Bachelor’s degree: A copy of official transcripts showing proof of a bachelor's degree (and any post-bachelor’s coursework or degrees) from a regionally accredited institution, or a foreign university with equivalent bachelor's degree requirements is required.  

• English proficiency: Proof of English proficiency for non-native or non-native-like English speakers is required. There are two bands of English proficiency, including Admission and Full proficiency. For applicants to online programs, Full proficiency is required. 

Applicants to the program must have either a Master's degree (or higher) or be currently enrolled in a masters or doctoral program at KU or another 4 year institution.

To be eligible to take the Behavior Analyst Certification Board exam, students must have supervised experience working with client populations. It is strongly recommended that incoming students who have not already completed supervised experience as part of their master's degree requirements do so while completing the Certificate coursework. However, this supervised experience is not part of the Certificate curriculum.

For more information on admission to a graduate certificate program at KU, see the policy on Admission to Graduate Study.  A full list of the required application materials can be found on the certificate page of our website. Applications may be submitted through Graduate Admissions.

Eligibility

The online ABAI-verified course sequence is open to applicants who meet one of these requirements:

1. Have a master’s degree (or higher) in an area of psychology (such as applied behavior analysis, child development, school psychology, etc.) or education (such as regular or special education); or
2. Are enrolled in a master’s or doctoral degree program in any of these areas.

A GPA of 3.0 or higher in the applicant's prior or current graduate program is preferred. Current KU graduate students will need instructor permission to enroll in courses. Applicants not currently enrolled in a KU degree program must submit the following:

• An official transcript from both the undergraduate and graduate institutions attended
• Personal statement describing their interest in the program  
• Two letters of reference

Application

Applicants must submit their materials through our online application. Once at that page, applicants should select “Certificate Seeking” on page 1. Under Program Selection, choose "Applied Behavioral Science" followed by "Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavioral Analysis" and select the term to which you wish to apply.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Required Courses:
ABSC 770	Within Subjects Research Methodology and Direct Observation	3
ABSC 771	Introduction to Applied Behavioral Science	3
ABSC 772	Conceptual Foundations of Behavior Analysis	3
ABSC 773	Applied Behavior Analysis in Complex Organizations	3
ABSC 850	Principles of Behavior Analysis	3
ABSC 851	Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Applied Behavioral Science	3
ABSC 852	Behavior Analysis in Developmental Disabilities	3
ABSC 853	Behavioral Assessment	3
Total Hours		24

At the completion of this program, students will be able to: 

• understand legal and ethical guidelines and professional standards as pertinent to behavior research and practice.
• develop competence in interpreting behavior in terms of the core concepts and principles of behavior analysis.
• understand the importance of social validity and broader cultural significance of behavior science.