Mar 29, 2024  
NCU Catalog - July 2021 (Amended) 
    
NCU Catalog - July 2021 (Amended) [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Applied Behavior Analysis Post-Baccalaureate Certificate


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Post-Baccalaureate Certificate


Description of Program


The Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Post Baccalaureate Certificate is for students who already have a master’s degree and want to meet the educational requirements to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).  The ABA Post-Baccalaureate Certificate requires seven courses (21 credits hours) and may accept a maximum of 12 semester credit hours in transfer credit toward the certificate program for graduate coursework completed toward graduate degree at an accredited college or university with a grade of “B” or better. Transfer credit is only awarded for course work that is evaluated to be substantially equivalent [ e.g., ABAI verified course sequence] in content to the required course work in the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Post-Baccalaureate Certificate.

The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI)  has verified NCU’s courses in the certificate toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.

Several states require individual state licensure in addition to BCBA Certification or in lieu of BCBA Certification. Therefore, it is the responsibility of all students to stay informed about any requirements or regulations pertaining to the practice of behavior analysis in the state in which you work or plan to work. 

Click here for potential career opportunities within the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Basis for Admissions


Admissions to the Post-Bachelor’s Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis requires a conferred master’s level or higher degree from a regionally or nationally accredited academic institution.

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Transfer into a Master’s Degree Sequence


  • Coursework completed within a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate program may be applied toward the specialization sequence within a master’s program
  • Applying Post-Baccalaureate Certificate coursework toward a master’s degree is contingent upon coursework and degree relevance under the most current master’s degree program version

Specialization coursework completed as part of a master’s degree, where a degree was conferred, cannot be applied toward a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate program.

Time to Completion


NCU allows 2 years to complete all certificate programs.

The median time to completion for this program is 9 months.

Time to completion varies depending upon the pace in which a student completes courses and the number of transfer credits accepted. As most NCU students are working adults, balancing educational, professional, and personal commitments, our academic and finance advisors will work with you to develop a program schedule that works best for your needs.

Students following the preferred schedule designed by the Dean for this program, and applying no transfer credits, can expect to finish in as little as 15 months.

Applied Behavior Analysis


The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis  is the only Post-Baccalaureate Certificate requiring seven NCU courses (a total of 21 credit hours).

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis prepares practitioners to provide behavior management services at homes, schools, clinics, hospitals, and community-based settings, to students, children and families. There is a significant need for well-trained and properly certified individuals to work with students with challenging behaviors (e.g., students with autism and other developmental disabilities). This program focuses on the practical application of all behavior analytic concepts and provides those students who have already obtained a Master’s Degree an opportunity to complete the coursework requirements identified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).

This 7-course program sequence meets the Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) requirements, is approved by Applied Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and prepares you to sit for the BCBA exam once you complete the required clinical hours and have a qualifying Master’s Degree.

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