Certifications

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) 

The Department offers a program that allows students to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts® (BCBAs®). For this, they (a) take 315 content hours in areas such as basic principles, research design, assessment, application, and ethics in 8 courses pre-approved by the BACB®; (b) complete 1500-2000 hours of field experience supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (e.g., faculty member, doctoral student); and (c) complete the Master’s degree program. They may then take the examination. Students interested in pursuing this certification should discuss this path with their advisor.

KU’s Online Master of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science program provides the educational requirements to meet the Behavior Analysis Certification Board® (BACB) requirements for taking the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA) Examination. Furthermore, the program helps meet the educational requirements for licensure in various states. The APBA provides resources for licensure and certification boards across states. See table for a list of states and whether our program meets the educational requirements for licensure in those states.

The online MA program meets the educational requirements for licensure in the state of Kansas. If you plan to obtain a license or certification in a state other than Kansas or a US territory after completion of your program, it is highly recommended you first seek guidance from the appropriate licensing agency BEFORE beginning the academic program to ensure you can obtain a license or certification in your home state or territory. The APBA provides resources for licensure and certification boards outside of Kansas.

KU also offers an online Graduate Certificate in Applied Community Health & Development.