Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate

Get Started on Your Certificate Today!

The applied behavior analysis (ABA) programs at Mississippi State University (MSU) are designed to provide education, training, and experience to students with the goal of preparing them for practice in real-world settings.

Program highlights:

In-state tuition for all students.
Completely online.
21 credit hours (7 courses)
Offered at Graduate level
Application Deadline: Fall semester: March 15

What are some potential careers?

Student’s will take courses that map on to the 5th edition of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) task list. Completion of the certificate program leads to certification as a BCBA. BCBA’s are commonly employed in private practices, hospitals, clinics, and schools. To learn more about the ABA Program, check their website.

**The deadline for Fall 2024 admission is March 15, 2024. Please monitor this website and our program social media accounts for details.**

Program Structure

The certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is designed to lead students to certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) by offering classes that are approved as a Verified Course Sequence (VCS) by the Applied Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). This is a 21-hour certificate program designed to begin in the Fall semester and be completed within 2 years.

Applicants must already have a master’s degree in Education or Psychology prior to enrollment in the certificate program. To obtain the certificate in ABA, students complete all 7 of the courses that make up the 21 ABA concentration credit hours.

Required ABA Concentration Curriculum:

EPY 6113 Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (3 hours)
EPY 6223 Applications of Behavior Analysis (3 hours)
EPY 8493 Social-Emotional and Behavioral Assessment (3 hours)
EPY 8763 Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis (3 hours)
EPY 9603 Legal and Ethical Issues in Behavior Analysis (3 hours)
EPY 9443 Single Subject Design (3 hours)
EPY 9613 Consultation, Supervision, and Personnel Management (3 hours)

Admissions Process

To apply for the certificate program, you must have both a bachelor’s and master’s degree completed.

Admissions

Submit an online application. You will choose Certificate/Applied Behavior Analysis as your program of interest and Online Education as the campus.
Statement of purpose describing your interest in the degree program and career goals.
Email contact information for 3 references; they will be prompted to submit electronic letters of reference.
4. Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) that includes prior education and employment experiences.
One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
One official transcript showing ALL work after bachelor’s degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
- Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
- Paper Transcripts Address (USPS):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  P.O. Box G
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
- Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  175 President Circle
  116 Allen Hall
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
Pay $60 non-refundable application processing fee

Courses

EPY 6113 Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
Three hours lecture. The study of basic concepts and principles of behavior analysis. Although the school setting may be discussed, emphasis is on these topics as they are applied in a non-school setting. Cannot be used for special education certification.

EPY 6223 Applications of Behavior Analysis
(Prerequisite: Permission of instructor). Three hours lecture. Practical application of concepts and principles related to educational and applied behavior analysis, implementation and analysis of intervention procedures.

EPY 8493 Social-Emotional and Behavioral Assessment
(Prerequisites: EPY 8263 or consent of the department). Three hours lecture. Theory and practice of social and behavioral assessment will be emphasized; including identification of presenting concerns, selection of assessment techniques, interpretation of data, and report writing.

EPY 8763 Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis
(Prerequisite: EPY 6113). Three hours lecture. The focus will be on the identification, analysis, treatment, and evaluation of behavioral problems presented by children and youth. Emphasis on these topics as they are applied in a non-school setting.

EPY 9603 Legal and Ethical Issues in Behavior Analysis
Three hours lecture. Foundations of practice, roles and functions, professional issues and standards with emphasis on legal and ethical means in behavior analysis and psychology.

EPY 9443 Single Subject Design
Three hours lecture. A detailed examination of single-subject research designs and their associated research methods including data collection and data evaluation techniques.

EPY 9613 Consultation, Supervision, & Personnel Management in Applied Behavior Analysis
(Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.) Three hours lecture. Systematic review and application of behavioral consultation, supervision, and personnel management in human service settings

Academic Advising

After gaining admission to the certificate program, your advisor will send you an email to your MSU account, providing information for course registration for the upcoming semester. Virtual, individual, and group advising sessions may also take place.

Mississippi State University uses email as its official means of communication with all MSU students. Please check your MSU email account (NetID@msstate.edu) daily. Information on setting up your MSU email can be found at the link for student services.

Courses in the ABA concentration have been developed and sequenced by program faculty. Students will be admitted into a cohort and the cohort will follow the pre-determined course sequence each semester.