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, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA – Faculty Advisor Last Names A-I
- Lauren K. Schnell-Peskin, Ph.D., BCBA-D – Faculty Advisor Last Names J-R
- Sal Ruiz, Salvador Ruiz, PhD., BCBA-D – Faculty Advisor Last Names S-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
To review descriptions of specific courses and academic progress standards for the program along with exit requirements please use the course catalog for the year you were admitted to the program.
Course Catalog Summer 2022 onward
Course Catalog prior to Summer 2022
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 4.
The Applied Behavior Analysis (Advanced Certificate) program does not meet the current educational requirements for the New York State Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA). Additional study is required. To become licensed as a behavior analyst in New York State, candidates must either apply to the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program or apply to the School of Education as a non-degree student and complete 5 additional credits. For support with determining the best path toward New York State licensure, please contact your ABA faculty advisor. For more information on the Master of Science program, please visit the MS in Applied Behavior Analysis admissions page. For more information on applying for non-degree study, visit the School of Education non-degree admissions page.
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 (Advanced Certificate) program is approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board for Task List 4.
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 with individuals with autism and related disorders 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 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 autism and related disorders.
The curriculum of the Applied Behavior Analysis (Advanced Certificate) program does not meet the current educational requirements for the New York State LBA.
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 2000 hours of 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.