Gain Qualifications for Behavior Analyst Licensure in 1 Year
Make a difference for students and adults with behavior challenges by seeking your Online Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Certificate with Arcadia University. We designed this online program to provide the qualifications needed to influence positive behavioral change in professional settings throughout your community. The coursework follows the criteria set for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam, helping students with a master’s degree position themselves for in-demand behavioral analysis roles.
- Program is an approved Verified Course Sequence (VCS)* by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI)
- Flexible online format with the option to study full or part time
- Small classes to stimulate valuable engagement with your peers and faculty
What Makes Arcadia’s Graduate Certificate Unique?
Arcadia provides a convenient path to a career-enhancing ABA certificate. Take each course online in an asynchronous format, studying when and where works best while meeting your professional and personal obligations. With the support of our BCBA-certified instructors, you can develop knowledge and skills for pursuing licensure after completing this program.**
Learn More Today
Complete the form to learn more about this online program from Arcadia University.
Make a Significant Difference in a Rapidly Growing Field
From 2020 to 2021, the hiring of behavior analysts with BCBA or BCBA-D certification grew by 38 percent across the United States and 62% in Pennsylvania alone.1 With Arcadia’s ABA graduate certificate, you can engage in a practical education that enables you to assess and address behavioral challenges during a rewarding behavior analyst career. You will take online classes led by instructors with extensive clinical experience—learn from their expertise as you prepare for clinical or supervisory roles focusing on helping students and adults achieve behavioral change.
A Curriculum Focusing on Positive Behavioral Change
Arcadia rooted the ABA graduate certificate in data analysis and evidence-based intervention techniques so you can analyze and influence behavior across educational settings. The curriculum focuses on key principles for conducting functional behavioral assessments (FBAs), evaluating programs, and supporting students and adults seeking positive behavioral change. You can also engage in hands-on learning opportunities as you prepare to seek BCBA licensure after earning your Arcadia’s ABA graduate certificate.
After earning this graduate certificate, you can transfer your credits toward Arcadia’s Online Master of Education degree with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis or to the Modular Masters program.
You may also be interested in the Social Emotional Learning and Behavioral Wellbeing Certificate.
ABA Course Highlights:
- Concepts and Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
- Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Change
- Behavior Analysis and Principles of Development
- Behavioral Consultation in Homes, Schools, and Communities
Admissions Requirements
Arcadia University makes it easier to get started with ongoing support throughout the admissions process. Here are the basic requirements for joining the online Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis program:
| Completed online application—you can apply now |
| Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA from an accredited institution |
| Official transcripts from each college, university, or professional school attended |
| If applying for an add-on certification program, provide proof of Pennsylvania teaching certificates. A teaching license is not required. |
| Students who hold a B.A. or B.S. degree in Education and are seeking an initial teaching certification (Instructional I) must submit passing scores from a provider of one of the approved basic skills assessment tests: PAPA, CORE, SAT, or ACT |
| Two letters of recommendation |
| Personal statement |
| $0 application fee |
| Resume |
Arcadia accepts applications throughout the year. After acceptance to the online Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis program, you can start taking classes in the spring, summer, or fall.
Tuition Details
Arcadia’s Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis includes 21 credit hours. The program’s cost per credit for the current school year is $750 and is subject to change.
Be sure to explore your financial aid options so that earning your Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis is affordable. Arcadia University is also a Military Friendly® School, striving to offer quality and cost-effective education for military service members and veterans.
What You Will Learn
Arcadia’s online Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis program prepares you to assess behavior in school systems, homes, and your community. You will develop skills in providing evidence-based interventions, making a difference for students and clients while helping educators follow educational law. For instance, you will learn to perform FBAs in classrooms to ensure disciplinary procedures accord with the Individuals with Disabilities Act.
Program Outcomes
- Expand previous knowledge of the scientific study of principles of learning and behavior.
- Understand historic and current literature in the scientific foundation for applied behavior analysis (ABA), which as an applied science develops methods of changing behavior and as a profession provides services to meet diverse behavioral needs.
- Understand the interaction of behavioral treatments and other educational, clinical, or therapeutic interventions.
- Develop competence in assessing, intervening, and monitoring behavioral interventions for children and youth, as well as working as consultants for other adults who may impact the effectiveness of the interventions in a variety of locations and circumstances.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical and professional commitments required as a practitioner in Applied Behavior Analysis.
- Identify other resources and supports available to people with behavioral needs and their families.
Learn From ABA Faculty with BCBA Certification
Each online class in Arcadia’s Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis program is led by licensed professionals with relevant clinical experience. Benefit from their applied behavior analysis expertise in small classes that foster personal guidance and equip you with skills that behavior analysis roles demand.
Faculty Spotlight
Sarah B. Woldoff, Ph.D/BCBA
Assistant Professor and Director of ABA and Autism Graduate Studies, School of Education
Dr. Woldoff is a licensed psychologist specializing in neuropsychological evaluations. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with more than 20 years of clinical experience working with children and adults on the autism spectrum. Before joining Arcadia, Dr. Woldoff’s career focused on diagnosis, clinical research, school-based programming, clinical training, and program evaluation.
Full Bio
Dr. Sarah Woldoff is an assistant professor in the School of Education. She is also the director of the graduate degree and certificate programs in the areas of Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis at Arcadia University. Her career has included university appointments, including the assistant director of Autism Services at the University of Miami and working as a staff psychologist at the Center for Autism Research at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), where she performed evaluations, supervised clinical evaluations for several research studies, co-led staff training, supervised psychology trainees, and counseled families. Dr. Woldoff's expertise also includes the use of the ADOS-2 and ADI-R diagnostic evaluations. Most recently, Dr. Woldoff served as the chief clinical officer for an agency that provided autism services across the life span. Dr. Woldoff's real-world experience, exceptional clinical knowledge, and teaching experience at both the undergraduate and graduate levels cultivate a unique experience for students.
Online Learning Experience
Arcadia’s online programs bring together the best aspects of flexibility and personal guidance. You can study at your pace, accessing the online coursework at convenient times for your schedule. At the same time, we built our online environment to provide seamless engagement with your instructors and classmates. Benefit from a highly flexible experience backed by ongoing support for achieving your career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about the online Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis program. If you have any other questions, request more information to connect with an enrollment advisor or call us @ 855-235-6653.
How fast can I complete the online Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavioral Analysis program?
You can complete the ABA certificate program in as few as 12 months. To learn more about the curriculum, visit our courses page.
How long do I have to complete the online Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavioral Analysis program?
We designed the ABA certificate program for working professionals with busy lives. So, if something interrupts your course of study, you do not have to worry about losing credits for your completed courses. If needed, you can take up to three years to complete this program. To see the curriculum, visit our courses page.
Is the online Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis program ranked?
In 2021, the Applied Behavior Analysis Program Guide recognized Arcadia for offering one of the top 20 online ABA master's degree programs. The graduate certificate program includes many of the same courses and faculty as the master's degree. Additionally, The Princeton Review has ranked Arcadia one of the "Best in the Northeast" for seven consecutive years.
What are the admissions requirements for the online Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis program?
The basic requirements for admission to the online ABA certificate program include:
- Bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA from an accredited institution
- Official transcripts from each college, university, or professional school attended
- If applying for an add-on certification program, provide proof of Pennsylvania teaching certificates. A teaching license is not required.
- Students who hold a B.A. or B.S. degree in Education and are seeking an initial teaching certification (Instructional I) must submit passing scores from a provider of one of the approved basic skills assessment tests: PAPA, CORE, SAT, or ACT
- Two letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- $50 application fee
For more details, visit our admissions page.
How many courses are in the online Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis program?
You will complete eight courses to earn the Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis. Learn about the courses you will take on the curriculum page.
How do I apply to the online to the Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis program?
The first step is to start your application. Learn more by visiting our admissions page.
Source and Disclaimer
- “US Employment Demand for Behavior Analysts: 2010–2021.” Behavior Analyst Certification Board. Retrieved July 26, 2022, from https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/BurningGlass2022_220208.pdf.
*The VCS system is retiring in 2025. Beginning Fall 2024, Arcadia University’s program will remain a verified course sequence, but will also align to the newest ABAI requirements that will replace the VCS system. Arcadia is also pursuing ABAI accreditation to stay ahead of the newest industry standards for ABA education.
**Arcadia’s program aligns with requirements for students from Canada (excluding Ontario), England, the Virgin Islands, Australia, and every state in the United States except New York. It is important to note that completing Arcadia’s program DOES NOT mean you receive your BCBA certification. In order for students to become a board certified behavior analyst, you must complete the required coursework hours, request coursework attestation, accrue 2000 supervised fieldwork hours, and pass the exam administered by BACB.
