Applied Behavior Analysis (Advanced Certificate)
Welcome to the Applied Behavior Analysis (Advanced Certificate) program home page. Use this page as a guide to the Applied Behavior Analysis (Advanced Certificate) program from acceptance to graduation.
Academic Plan
APBEH-AC
Total Credits
Earn at least 27 credits
Advisors
- April N. Kisamore, Faculty Advisor Last Names A through I
- Lauren K. Schnell-Peskin, Faculty Advisor Last Names J through R
- Sal Ruiz, Faculty Advisor Last Names S through Z
- Valerie J. Lyons, Graduation and Administrative Advisor
Newly Accepted Students
Getting Started and Orientation
New Student Checklist
Welcome to the School of Education! Visit the Newly Accepted Students page for a checklist to get you started at Hunter College.
New Student Support
If at any point you need support, please reach out to our New Student Liaison at newsoest@hunter.cuny.edu or make an appointment.
Orientations
Students will attend three orientations to cover all the information needed to start your program:
- General New Student Orientation
- Program Advising Session
See “Program Related Events” for details about upcoming sessions.
Financing Your Degree
Visit the Financing Your Degree page for information.
Program Sequences
Consult the program sequence guides for a suggested order of courses. Program sequence guides also include when to take exams and other important non-course requirements. Students must meet with their faculty advisor to determine their particular course of study before registering for classes. For technical registration support and troubleshooting, please visit the Register for Classes page.
5th Edition Verified Program Sequence
Hunter College Catalog
Use the Hunter College Course Catalog to review descriptions of specific courses and academic progress standards for the program along with exit requirements.
Clinical Experiences
Students in the Applied Behavior Analysis (Advanced Certificate) program participate in supervised practicum.
Graduation
Graduation is the official completion of your program and conferral of an academic degree. In order to graduate, students must apply for graduation using CUNYFirst the semester before the semester of their planned graduation and complete any outstanding requirements by the stated deadlines. Visit the Graduation and Commencement page for complete information.
Certification and Licensure
There are two credentials that professionals in Applied Behavior Analysis can earn: New York State Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA).
The curriculum of the Applied Behavior Analysis (Advanced Certificate) program is approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board for Task List 5 and will prepare students for the BCBA Test Content Outline (6th edition).
Graduates can apply for New York State Licensure after obtaining the BCBA.
Types of Certification
Behavior Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
Behavior Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA) is a certification provided by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. In the field of applied behavior analysis, the BCBA is considered the necessary certification to practice ABA. The BCBA credential is broad and does not limit one to working with any particular population or in any particular site. The BCBA is a nationally recognized certification and many employers in New York and in other states prefer to hire individuals who possess the BCBA credential.
The curriculum of the Applied Behavior Analysis (MS) program is approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board for Task List 5 and will prepare students for the BCBA Test Content Outline (6th edition).
New York State Licensure as a behavior analyst (LBA)
New York State Licensure as a behavior analyst (LBA) is required by New York state to practice ABA outside of exempt settings in the state of New York. Most public schools (elementary, high school, colleges) are exempt settings if one is a salaried employee. This means that one does not currently need to have a license to practice ABA in these settings, but having a license is still preferred. Please note that the practice of ABA in New York State is limited to applications with individuals with a DSM diagnosis.
Advanced certificate graduates will be eligible for licensure after obtaining the BCBA.
Applying to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
1. Complete a Behavior Analyst Certification Board application
Visit www.bcba.com to complete the application.
2. Order Official Transcripts
3. Submit Monthly and Final Signed Experience Verification Forms
Required Experience for Behavior Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
BCBA currently requires between 1500 and 2000 hours of supervised independent field experience doing relevant ABA work and has rules about the percentages of experience that can be direct implementation vs. indirect implementation and the percentages of supervision that can be done in a group vs. individually. BACB allows one to begin accruing hours once s/he has begun BACB-approved coursework. That experience must be supervised by a BCBA who has completed the supervisor training and the supervisor does not need to be affiliated with the location where the experience takes place.
Applying to become a New York State Licensed Behavior Analyst
Those who complete the Advanced Certificate in ABA program, apply for ABA licensure in New York using Pathway Two.
Pathway Two
Individuals are eligible to apply under Pathway Two, if they are already a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA). Please note the BCBA alone is not sufficient to practice ABA in New York State outside an exempt setting. It is only a pathway to licensure.
- Complete the Child Abuse Identification and Reporting workshop by registering through a New York State approved provider listed on the Office of the Professions website.
- Complete the Office of the Professions Licensed Behavior Analyst application Form 1 and pay all required fees.
- Submit a Verification of Certification by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (Form 3C) to the BACB. The BACB must then submit the completed form directly to the Department to verify your education, experience, and examination.
For support on either of these processes, please contact the Office of Academic & Student Affairs at soe.oasa@hunter.cuny.edu.