View our EdD Early Childhood specialization completion requirements
Minimum degree requirements:
60 quarter credits
- Core courses (50 cr.)
- Capstone (10 cr.)
SHORTENED PATH TO CERTIFICATION
Walden’s streamlined online ABA certificate program focuses only on the courses you need to prepare to sit for BCBA® certification. Complete your program in as few as 12 months and reach your professional goals faster.
Experienced Practitioner Faculty
Our faculty includes active BCBAs and ABA thought leaders who bring their real-world insights to the virtual classroom.
Thriving Community
Walden is home to 70,000+ College of Education and Human Services alumni who are driving change in human sciences and education.
Latest ABA Techniques
Prepare for your future with confidence. Our course sequence meets the behavior-analytic coursework requirements for those pursuing the BCBA Pathway 2 eligibility route.
Curriculum and Completion Requirements
Walden’s online applied behavior analysis certificate program, designed to be completed in as few as 12 months, is an efficient way to meet your goals.
Featured Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Courses
Foundation and Philosophy of Behavior Analysis
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a set of skills used in the assessment and treatment of individuals with a variety of behavioral problems and developmental delays, including autism spectrum disorders. In this course, students explore the philosophy and theory of behaviorism and how these undergird applied behavior analysis. Students apply the theory and philosophy of behaviorism to the application of behavioral principles and concepts in the context of applied behavior analysis to impact social change.
This course covers tasks from the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) Task List (5th and 6th ed.) and includes knowledge and skills foundational for the BCBA examination. The course is part of a Verified Course Sequence (VCS) verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International as meeting specific coursework requirements, content hours, and faculty standards and meets coursework eligibility criteria for BCBA Eligibility Pathway 2 coursework requirements as part of the application for Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.® (BACB®) examinations.
Concepts and Principles of Behavioral Analysis
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a set of skills used in the assessment and treatment of individuals with a variety of behavioral problems and developmental delays, including autism spectrum disorders. Students in this course will explore the concepts and principles of applied behavior analysis. They also examine the concepts and principles of behaviorism to the application of behavioral principles in the context of applied behavior analysis, including behavioral observation and measurement, functions of behavior, developing and maintaining behaviors, and related ethical considerations. Students explore the impact of promoting positive social change through the application of ABA.
This course covers tasks from the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Task List (5th and 6th ed.) and includes knowledge and skills foundational for the BCBA examination. The course is part of a Verified Course Sequence (VCS) verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International as meeting specific coursework requirements, content hours, and faculty standards and meets coursework eligibility criteria for BCBA Eligibility Pathway 2 coursework requirements as part of the application for Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.® (BACB®) examinations.
Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Behavioral Analysis
With a focus on the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts issued by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.® (BACB®), students in this course review responsible conduct of behavior analysts, ethical responsibilities to clients and their welfare, and ethical responsibilities to other individuals (e.g., colleagues) and the BACB®. In addition, students examine professional and legal issues involved in providing services in different contexts and with different client groups.
This course covers tasks from the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Task List (5th and 6th ed.) and includes knowledge and skills foundational for the BCBA examination. The course is part of a Verified Course Sequence (VCS) verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International as meeting specific coursework requirements, content hours, and faculty standards and meets coursework eligibility criteria for BCBA Eligibility Pathway 2 coursework requirements as part of the application for Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.® (BACB®) examinations.
Introduction to Behavioral Assessment and Intervention
With a focus on the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Task List (5th and 6th ed.) issued by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.® (BACB®), this course covers the basic principles of behavioral assessment and applied behavior analysis. Course participants explore fundamental techniques leading to the implementation of behavioral procedures and behavioral programs. More specifically, instruction focuses on conducting functional assessments and functional analyses, developing and implementing intervention procedures based on the outcome of the assessments and analyses, and data-based decision-making.
This course covers tasks from the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Task List (5th and 6th ed.) and includes knowledge and skills foundational for the BCBA examination. The course is part of a Verified Course Sequence (VCS) verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International as meeting specific coursework requirements, content hours, and faculty standards and meets coursework eligibility criteria for BCBA Eligibility Pathway 2 coursework requirements as part of the application for Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.® (BACB®) examinations.
Research Methods for Behavioral Analysis
This course covers a variety of methods for data collection, measurement data collection, data analysis, and experimental designs that are common to applied behavior analysis. In addition to the theoretical background for single-subject research, this course emphasizes practical applications of research methods from baseline measurement to treatment evaluation. Advantages and limitations of various single-subject research methods are examined. Students design a small-n research study based on a research question developed from the applied behavior analysis literature. In addition, they critically evaluate research studies for the appropriate research design and methodology.
This course covers tasks from the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Task List (5th and 6th ed.) and includes knowledge and skills foundational for the BCBA examination. The course is part of a Verified Course Sequence (VCS) verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International as meeting specific coursework requirements, content hours, and faculty standards and meets coursework eligibility criteria for BCBA Eligibility Pathway 2 coursework requirements as part of the application for Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.® (BACB®) examinations.
Admissions
You’ll work one-on-one with an Enrollment Specialist who will guide you through every step—from finding the right program to funding your education.
Simple Admissions Process
Pursuing your online applied behavior analysis certificate is a major decision, which is why we’ve simplified the admissions process. Start your journey at Walden with:
No application fee
No essay or SAT/ACT requirement
View Admission Criteria
General Admission Requirements: A master’s degree is required as well as a completed online application and transcripts. Please note that the materials you are required to submit may vary depending on the academic program to which you apply.
Tuition Breakdown
We know cost is a factor when you’re exploring online ABA certificate programs. Walden helps put your goals in reach with two options to reduce your tuition:
Special Tuition Savings
Scholarships
Program Savings
Program Savings
Receive a 10% tuition reduction for the life of the program when you start an eligible certificate program.
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 35 total quarter credits | $610 per quarter hour | $21,350 |
| Program Fee | Per quarter | $185 | $740 |
| Your Tuition | $22,090* | ||
*Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition may be reduced if you receive scholarships or other tuition reductions. Tuition and fees are subject to change. Contact a Walden Enrollment Specialist for more information.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost between $1,000 to $2,000.
Career Opportunities
Demand for professionals with BCBA or BCBA-D certification has grown each year in the U.S. since 2010, with a 14% increase from 2022 to 2023.1
In Demand
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Support clients in recovering from addiction, modifying problem behaviors, or improving mental health
Expected growth: 19%
Estimated annual wage: $36,700–$70,130
1Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)
No guarantee is made that a person who enrolls in the Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program will obtain a job or will earn the stated salaries. Percentile wage estimates are based on the 10th–75th percentile.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program will be prepared to:
Apply foundational knowledge (e.g., philosophy, concepts, and principles) to the science of behavior analysis.
Implement behaviorally based assessments for behavior change that promote positive social change.
Apply professional and ethical behaviors according to the Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts.
Define the dimensions of applied behavior analysis.
Evaluate results of behavior analytic research using single-subject experimental designs.
Apply personnel supervision and management strategies.
Meet Your Academic Team
Walden’s faculty is made up of active ABA practitioners and subject matter experts who are committed to helping you grow in your practice.
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Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis FAQ
What are the advantages of pursuing an online ABA graduate certificate?
An online ABA certificate program with courses verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) meets an educational requirement to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) examination. Applied behavior analysis is a great field for people who want to help people manage challenging behaviors. Board certified behavior analysts are independent practitioners who can work with different populations in a variety of organizational, educational, or mental health settings.
Can I become a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) with a graduate degree in ABA?
The path to becoming a BCBA includes earning a master’s degree, completing of the ABAI coursework requirements for eligibility, completing required fieldwork hours, and passing the BCBA examination. A master’s or graduate certificate program in ABA from Walden University includes the VCS and meets the educational requirements to sit for the BCBA exam. Walden programs do not offer the fieldwork component required for the BCBA exam.
The BCBA certification requires an MS degree, completion of the coursework requirements for eligibility, 1,500 hours of supervised fieldwork (not offered by Walden), and passing the BCBA examination.
What are some of the specialized areas of study within a graduate program in ABA?
Specialized coursework in behavior analysis includes focus on the approaches to behavior, the interpretation of behavior in context, measurement of behavior, data collection and analysis, ethics, and techniques of behavioral intervention procedures.
Coursework that has been verified by the Association of Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) meets an educational requirement for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam. Walden offers several ABA program options with the ABAI Verified Course Sequence: the MS in Psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis, the MS in Applied Behavior Analysis, and the Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis.
How long does it typically take to complete an online ABA certificate program?
Walden’s online Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program is designed to be completed in as few as four terms―about 12 months.