Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate (BCaBA)

***This program is no longer accepting applications due to changes in certification requirements from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. Students are encouraged to apply for the 4+1 Accelerated program instead.

The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the following courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® examination. Applicants will need to meet additional eligibility requirements and demonstrate they reside in an authorized country before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination. Please visit the Association for Behavior Analysis International for additional information on the University of Michigan-Dearborn's Verified Course Sequence.  For additional information on licensure requirements across the United States, please visit the U.S. Licensure of Behavior Analysts page.

The Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) is an individual with undergraduate level certification in behavior analysis. Through coursework firmly grounded in theory, with an emphasis on application of theory to socially significant and effective practice, the BCaBA certificate program provides students with an excellent foundation to meet the proficiencies mandated by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).  Students will be prepared to complete the required supervised field work and sit for the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) examination. Pass-rate data for University of Michigan-Dearborn candidates are not available at this time.  Pass-rate data are not published for sequences with fewer than six first-time candidates in a single year or for sequences within their first four years of operation. Pass-Rate Data is available at the BACB website.

BCaBAs provide similar services to that of a BCBA such as collecting and analyzing data, writing and evaluating behavior intervention plans, training others to implement components of treatment plans, and overseeing the implementation of treatment plans.   BCaBAs must receive ongoing supervision from a BCBA.  BCaBAs may supervise individuals with the RBT credential.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientific approach to the study of behavior.  Behavior analysts work directly with individuals to improve their social, educational, health, adaptive skills, and behavioral outcomes through the development of programming based upon the principles of ABA.  Behavior analysts are trained to describe behavior, explain and predict its occurrence and non-occurrence, and change behavior through the development of programming based upon ABA principles while examining the interrelationship between the occurrence of behavior and environmental events.

Image of the Association for Behavior Analysis International

Verified course content hours by course

Content Areas and CoursesBACB Compliance Code and Disciplinary Systems; ProfessionalismPhilosophical Underpinnings; Concepts and PrinciplesMeasurements, Data Display and Interpretation; Experimental DesignBehavior AssessmentBehavior-Change Procedures; Selecting and Implementing InterventionsPersonnel Supervision and Management
EDC 306 45    
EDC 307    45 
EDC 35015     
EDC 402  45   
EDC 47115   1515
EDC 480   45  

Certificate Goals

After completion of the courses required for certification, students will:

  1. Describe and provide examples of the critical concepts and principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA);
  2. Describe and apply research methodology and measurement strategies used in the implementation and management of ABA;
  3. Describe and apply the principles of ABA in relation to individuals with a variety of disabilities in a range of clinical, educational, pre-vocational/vocational, home, and community settings;
  4. Describe and apply behavioral assessment procedures, including identification of target behaviors, developing operational definitions, conducting functional behavior assessment/functional analysis;
  5. Accurately graph, visually analyze and interpret behavioral data, including functional analysis data;
  6. Describe ethical issues related to ABA service delivery with individuals with developmental disabilities and other mental health needs;
  7. Describe and apply principles of experimental design including single-subject research methodology; and
  8. Develop Behavior Intervention Plans based upon the results of a functional analysis.

How to apply

Certificate completion

In order to receive your certificate, you need to complete a Certificate Completion Application.  The application should be submitted at the beginning of the term in which you expect to complete your certificate requirements.  Certificates are awarded three times a year and distributed by mail.  The Certificate Completion Application must be submitted on or before the last day of classes in order to be processed within the term in which it is submitted.  Students completing a certificate only are not allowed to participate in Commencement.

4+1 Accelerated MS in Applied Behavior Analysis

Students thinking about completing the BCaBA certificate program may also be interested in the 4+1 Accelerated Program that is designed for undergraduate students from any major who have the interest, and demonstrated ability, to pursue the MS in Applied Behavior Analysis.  This 4+1 program allows you to take up to 15 graduate credits as an undergraduate that can be double counted towards the MS in ABA.  Some of these same courses are required for the BCaBA certificate so you would be able to complete those requirements at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Information

CEHHS Office for Student Success
2150 Social Sciences Building (SSB)
[email protected]
313-593-5090