Overview

Inclusive classrooms require teachers who are well-prepared and ready to work with children of all abilities in general classrooms including students with serious emotional disability and specific learning disabilities. This certificate program prepares professionals to follow best practices for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in a variety of settings. Courses are taught fully online by our experienced CU Denver BCBA instructors. ABA certificate completers may use CU Denver’s coursework to meet the Association for Behavior Analysis International coursework requirements to become a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

Program Details

Enhance your ability to work with individuals with special learning and behavior needs by earning your post baccalaureate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from the University of Colorado Denver. Students will build competencies in the science of ABA and advance their skills in working with individuals with special needs.

The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the CU Denver course sequence toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® examination. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.  For more information on these requirements, please visit the Behavior Analyst Certification Board®’s website.

Students seeking their BCBA certification will need to accrue their BCBA supervised field experience hour independently.

Coursework also counts toward an optional MA in Special Education at CU Denver. If you already have earned a master’s degree, this certificate will help you to advance or diversify in your field.

Tuition and Fees

Investing in your future is a big decision. However, becoming a fully online student at CU Denver is a high-quality and affordable option for learners of all types.

Tuition and fees are approved by the Colorado Board of Regents and may change from those shown. Graduate student tuition rates are calculated per credit hour, and are assessed by course based on the graduate student tuition rates determined by each school and college.

Timeline

ABA certificate students will complete a seven-course sequence of 3-credit hour, fully-online courses, taught by experienced BCBA instructors.   Students may be able to complete CU Denver’s ABA certificate online in four semesters.  Accruing BCBA supervised fieldwork may take longer. 

The seven courses (SPED 5450, SPED 5470, SPED 5471, SPED 5480, SPED 5481, SPED 5490, and SPED 5491) will be offered in sequence.

Cohorts that begin with the first course (SPED 5450) start Spring 2024, Fall 2024, and Summer 2025.

Students seeking BCBA certification are responsible for understanding any changes to certification requirements that may occur during the course of their program.  

Admissions

Candidates must hold a graduate degree (master’s degree or higher) from an accredited institution.

Applicants are required to submit:

• ABA Certificate application
• Current resume/CV
• Graduate degree-conferred transcripts
• Personal statement

Please note the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s (BACB) global certification policies. Specific information regarding this policy can be found on the BACB’s website at https://www.bacb.com/global-certification/.