Deepen your Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) practice and prepare for board certification with this Behavior Analyst certificate program.
Modality
Behavior Analyst Certificate Program Overview
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a method of therapy that focuses on improving or modifying specific behaviors. ABA is known for being one of the only scientifically valid therapies available for the treatment of autism. However, it has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders.
The post-master's Behavior Analyst certificate program is designed specifically for students who are currently practicing in ABA-based treatment settings and wish to pursue national certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®).
The program is approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. Students who complete the behavior analysis course sequence and successfully pass the BCBA examination may apply for national certification and also as a Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst (LABA) in Massachusetts.
Based out of our Boston location, this certificate program consists of some remote classes via Zoom and some self-paced, fully online classes.
Behavior Analyst Certificate Program Highlights
The post-master's Behavior Analyst certificate at Cambridge College fulfills the coursework requirement to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam. As a student in the Behavior Analyst certificate program, you'll benefit from:
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst preparation: Behavior analyst coursework, including supervision and fieldwork, are specifically aligned with current Behavior Analyst Certification Board standards and its corresponding edition of the BCBA exam.
- Applied learning: As part of the coursework, you’ll complete a functional assessment project and a written behavior support plan under the guidance of faculty and your BCBA fieldwork supervisor. You’ll also complete a range of behavior analytic projects specific to the topics covered during each course and the current Behavior Analyst Certification Board task list.
- Flexible, hybrid class schedules: The Behavior Analyst certificate courses are taught in a mix of scheduled remote (Zoom) sessions and self-paced online sessions to give you flexibility in class formats. Remote classes are held on evenings and weekends in order to fit the needs of adult learners.
- Experienced faculty: At Cambridge College, you’ll learn from and work with top faculty who bring extensive research and professional experience in applied behavior analysis to the program.
- Diverse experiences: Cambridge College welcomes more than 300 students from 50+ countries and was recently ranked as one of the Most Ethnically Diverse Colleges in America by Best College Reviews.
Learning Outcomes
This program builds knowledge of applied behavior analysis and associated scientific principles that govern human behavior, covering topics such as:
- Applied behavior analysis as it relates to the design and implementation of behavioral interventions in educational and human service environments
- Research design and the study of human behavior
- Clinical applications of applied behavior analysis
Graduates of the Behavior Analyst certificate program will also be able to demonstrate knowledge of the current Behavior Analyst Certification Board ethics standards and task list content specified in the course syllabus.
Behavior Analyst Certificate Tuition Information
*See curriculum sheet for a breakdown of credits and credit ranges.
Course List
The Behavior Analyst certificate program at Cambridge College features courses such as:
- Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis
- Applied Behavior Analysis Fluency Seminar
- Implementing Behavior Analysis in Educational Settings
Prospective graduate degree students for programs in the School of Education & Counseling must satisfy the following requirements plus any program-specific requirements your program may have.
- Complete and sign the online application.
- Pay the application fee. Pay your $50 ($100 for international students) application fee by the term start date.
- Send official transcripts. Maildirectly to Cambridge College in a sealed, unopened envelope. Learn How to Send Transcripts. Required degrees must be from accredited colleges or universities.
- Master's and most graduate certificate programs require an earned bachelor's degree.
- Post-master's certificates and CAGS require an earned master's degree.
- International transcripts must be translated and evaluated by an approved agency. See all international student requirements
- Send your résumé and work experience. Send your resume that details your education and work experience, including how they pertain to your career goals. If your SEC program has a work experience requirement, it will be listed in the Program-Specific Requirements section below.
- Submit your personal statement. Write a 500-word, typed, double-spaced essay describing your professional experience, goals and objectives for graduate study. How do you expect your graduate studies to enhance your future career?
- Include two professional recommendations (not required for fully online programs). These should address your professional character and ability to perform graduate work. Download Applicant Recommendation Form
- Interview (required for some programs). If your program requires an interview, it will be listed in the Program-Specific Requirements section below.
- Satisfy Health Insurance & Immunization requirements. (Massachusetts only). These are required only for graduate students taking six or more credits per term in Massachusetts through on-campus or hybrid classes. Health insurance may be waived.
Teacher Licensure Program Requirements
In addition to the requirements listed above, our Teacher Licensure Programs have these additional requirements:
- Earned bachelor's degree with 3.0 or higher GPA.
- MA Educator Documentation from the Massachusetts Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) website. Keep copies of all documents submitted and, upon admission, post in your electronic portfolio:
- Massachusetts Educator Personnel ID (MEPID number)
- MTEL Communication & Literacy Test, successfully completed.
Required if completed:
- Massachusetts preliminary license, if held
- Sheltered English Instruction requirement
- Fingerprinting and Criminal Offender Record Information
Applicants who do not initially meet all requirements (e.g. GPA of 3.0 or MTEL) for admission into their chosen licensure program must enroll in the corresponding non-licensure degree option. Students who achieve a 3.0 GPA upon completion of the first three SEC courses, pass the MTELs, and now meet all requirements, may request a change of program.
Disclosures: For all Licensure Programs
- Licensure requirements are subject to change per Massachusetts regulations. All Cambridge College licensure programs are based on current regulations.
- All candidates admitted for licensure programs must successfully complete the program in its entirety.
- All requirements at the time of program completion must be finalized prior to seeking Massachusetts endorsement for licensure purposes.
- If you have any licensure questions, please speak to your program chair.
Program-Specific Admission Requirements
- Master's degree or higher in education, special education or psychology in an area that meets the current BACMTM standards at time of enrollment. Please consult the BCBA program chair prior to enrollment.
- Active employment in a relevant, related field with at least one year of experience in an ABA-based treatment setting.
- Be working with or supervised by certified BCBA personnel.
Applicants must be prepared to pursue timely completion of the ABA course sequence, given that the sequence aligns with a particular edition of the exam approved by the national Behavior Analyst Certifying Board.
Careers for Board-Certified Behavior Analysts
According to Indeed, the average annual salary for board-certified behavior analysts in Massachusetts is $80,482.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2022, Massachusetts has the highest concentration of behavioral and mental health counselor jobs. Across the state, the roles earn an average of $59,780 annually. In the Boston metro area, the average salary increases to $60,900.
Indeed, Board certified behavior analyst salary in Massachusetts, https://www.indeed.com/career/board-certified-behavior-analyst/salaries/MA (visited December 20, 2023)
$59,780
Average annual salary for behavioral and mental health counselors in Massachusetts*
$60,900
Average annual salary for behavioral and mental health counselors in Boston*
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 21-2018 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211018.htm#st (visited December 21, 2023).
Behavior Analyst Jobs
As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), you can enter a wide range of clinical and treatment settings that serve individuals with autism spectrum disorders and other behavior and learning challenges. There is currently significant demand for the BCBA credential across the state, the country and internationally.
Faculty Spotlight
Daniel A. Almeida
PhD, BCBA-D, LABA-MA, LBA-CT
Program Director, Autism/Applied Behavior Analysis Programs
Daniel Almeida is the Program Director for the Ph.D. in ABA program at Cambridge College. Previously, he was the District Supervisor of ABA Services for a major public school district in Greater Boston and held a variety of director-level positions at private, ABA-based schools is Massachusetts. He received his Ph.D. in ABA from Simmons University. Dan has provided ABA services to students with Autism Spectrum Disorders and related disabilities for over 35 years. He has published original...
Joseph Vedora
EdD, BCBA-D, LABA
Assistant Program Director and Program Chair, Autism/Applied Behavior Analysis Program
Joseph Vedora, Ed.D., BCBA-D, LABA is the Assistant Program Director and Program Chair for the Autism/Applied Behavior Analysis Program. Dr. Vedora also holds a clinical position at the Evergreen Center, where he is the Vice President of Behavioral Services and Professional Development. Dr. Vedora began teaching at Cambridge College in 2011 and currently teaches in the master's and Ph.D. programs. Dr. Vedora has served as the dissertation advisor for five students. He also served as a...