professor guiding students during a class activity

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Certificate

Earn a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Certificate at Azusa Pacific University

When you graduate, you’ll be ready to utilize effective, evidence-based strategies to help those   with autism and developmental disabilities. You’ll complete the educational requirements for certification to practice as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in just 10 months. We’ll prepare you for a successful career in education, psychology, mental health, and behavior analysis. You’ll learn strategies based on the most up-to-date and relevant research and gain hands-on practice as you take courses taught by current, highly experienced BCBAs. 

Program at a Glance

The School of Education equips educators to lead and champion students within diverse educational settings.

Application Deadline

  • July 22, 2024

Apply Now

Program Units
23

Cost per Unit
$799

Base Cost
$18,377*

Location

  • Azusa (Main Campus)
Yellow ribbon icon

Yellow Ribbon and Military Friendly School

People walking and talking

Gain Hands-on Experience

  • Explore research-based methods to effectively facilitate behavior change.
  • Receive thorough preparation to pass the BCBA Examination.
  • Learn in a program with a distinctly Christian worldview.
  • Put learning to practice with fieldwork opportunities.

By the Numbers

20 % Expected job growth for BCBAs from 2021-2031
1 of 126 Best Western Colleges according to Princeton Review's 2023 Best Colleges Guide
13 :1 Student-to-faculty Ratio

Get Started

Program Details

Browse the tabs below—if you have questions, visit the Student Services Center page, and we’ll make sure you get the info you need.

Admission Requirements

The university graduate and program admission requirements below must be met before an application is considered complete.

  • Graduate application for admission
  • $45 nonrefundable application fee
  • Official transcripts from all institutions leading to and awarding the applicant’s bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and all postbaccalaureate study

    An official transcript is one that Azusa Pacific University receives unopened in an envelope sealed by the former institution and that bears the official seal of the college or university. A cumulative minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average on the posted degree is required for regular admission status. Provisional admittance may be granted to individuals with a lower GPA if competency can be shown through multiple measures.
  • Résumé (preferred) or statement of experience including the most relevant work and volunteer experience
  • Proof of Certificate of Clearance (COC). Applicants for Summer or Fall Terms must have a COC valid through January 31. Applicants for the Spring Term must have a COC valid through June 30. View instructions on Obtaining a Certificate of Clearance (PDF). Applicants are encouraged to begin this step as soon as possible to allow time for the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing to process your information.
  • One- to two-page statement of purpose describing goals and intentions in entering the BCBA certificate program

Send official transcripts to:

Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
[email protected]

Watch the Application Tutorial

What to Expect

After all admission materials have been received by the Student Services Center, the faculty or department chair reviews the applicant’s file. The applicant is notified in writing of the admission decision.

Many financial aid options are available to make your BCBA certificate affordable.

BCBA Program Tuition
Cost Per Unit Base Cost
$799 $18,377

Delivering high-quality graduate programs takes a comprehensive support system. Your investment in an advanced degree or program includes a network of services and personnel who partner with you in pursuit of higher education. Below is a breakdown of some common fees associated with School of Education programs.

School of Education Fees

Tuition and Fees
  Cost
EdD in Educational Leadership (per unit) $1,159
EdD in Educational Leadership dissertation continuation courses (per unit) $569
Education master’s degree, credential, authorization, and certificate programs (except School Counseling and School Psychology programs) (per unit) $675
School Counseling and School Psychology, and LPCC programs (per unit) $813
BCBA Certificate (per unit) $799
Audit (per unit) half-price tuition
School of Education assessment fee (Taskstream/Teacher Performance Assessment; flat fee equal to cost of .25–1 unit, depending on the program and course the fee is attached to) no longer applicable
Intent to Commence and/or Graduate Fee $100

View a complete list of university fees.

All stated financial information is subject to change. Contact the Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020 for more information.

Financial Aid

Several types of financial aid are available to graduate students. The resources range from federal loans and state grants to, for some graduate programs, fellowships and scholarships. For details about financial aid available for your program, please contact the Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020.

Military Benefits

Military members—and in some cases their spouses and dependents—qualify for financial assistance covering tuition, housing, and books. Azusa Pacific is a Yellow Ribbon University and Military Friendly School, so you can be confident that you’ll receive the benefits and flexibility you need to complete your education.

School of Education Scholarships

APU also provides information on numerous financial aid options for prospective School of Education students. Learn more about the aid opportunities available.

School of Education Alumni Tuition Discounts

APU’s School of Education offers an alumni tuition discount for Azusa Pacific alumni starting in a graduate program.

Students must be in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory academic progress with a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0. Students must be enrolled at least half-time. If qualifications are met, the discount may be renewed each term. APU will pay $500 per term (up to $2,000 over the course of the program). This discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid. Contact Student Financial Services for complete eligibility details.

Notes on Eligibility: The School of Education’s doctoral program (Ed.D. in Educational Leadership) and the Clear Administrative Services Credential (CASC) program are not eligible for the alumni tuition discount. APU doctoral alumni are also not eligible for the School of Education alumni discount. Additionally, the alumni discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid, such as School of Education scholarships. Students who are eligible for both may choose to receive either the alumni discount or an APU scholarship. Contact Student Financial Services for complete eligibility details.

Note: Award and eligibility are applicable for the 2022-23 academic year and apply to students admitted beginning fall 2020. The discount is subject to change.

To view specific requirements and coursework information, visit the current academic catalog:

Azusa Pacific’s BCBA program comprises 23 units of BACB-approved coursework in behavior analysis. Students in the program explore the theory and applied practice of behavior analysis through classroom learning paired with supervised fieldwork and complementary seminars. Throughout the program, the comprehensive coursework integrates a Christian perspective on professional practice, enabling candidates to strengthen their intrinsic desire to serve others through their calling.

The BCBA certificate is offered at APU’s main campus in Azusa and can be completed in just 10 months, as students complete their fieldwork and classroom studies simultaneously. Students take one unit of fieldwork and three eight-week classes each term (fall and spring), with the courses divided between Fall 1/Fall 2 and Spring 1/Spring 2 sessions. View the Graduate Academic Calendar for more details on upcoming terms and sessions.

Depending on the term and session, students are in class one to two nights per week, with each class lasting less than five hours. Additionally, four required seminars are held on campus that enhance and build on students’ field experiences. View a course schedule below to see how students typically progress through the program.

What is ABA Therapy or Treatment?

BCBAs use applied behavior analysis (ABA) to meet the unique needs of each client they serve. ABA is based upon behavioral science and focuses on improving the lives of individuals by teaching them adaptive and appropriate behavior. This evidence-based approach requires comprehensive assessment in which BCBAs observe behavior, collect and analyze data, and carefully develop intervention programs. They are responsible to train behavior technicians, parents, and/or teachers to implement the components of the program, and make modifications to it as needed based upon the ongoing needs of the client.

The goal of applied behavior analysis therapy is to increase useful behaviors while reducing behaviors that are harmful or counterproductive to learning. Individualized treatment is a hallmark of ABA, allowing for greater success with challenging disorders that tend to vary widely from person to person. A certified behavior analyst provides customized interventions that suit each person’s needs, skills, interests, preferences, and family structure.

What is ABA Therapy or Treatment?

Applied behavior analysis therapy is a widely recognized and scientifically validated approach to treating autism spectrum disorders. As a behavioral health treatment for autism, ABA emphasizes modifying an individual’s learning and social environments to address the problems of the disorder.

The use of applied behavior analysis is not exclusive to the treatment of autism only. It is also effective in treating symptoms of other conditions, including dementia, destructive behavior, developmental disabilities, pediatric feeding disorders, substance abuse, traumatic brain injury, and more.

ABA Resources

In the BCBA certificate program, in-depth courses cover essential knowledge and skills in applied behavioral analysis, including the measurement and experimental evaluation of behavior, functional behavior assessments, behavior change procedures, and ethical considerations in the field. Students gain the ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data at a high level to support behavior interventions for autism, developmental disabilities, and other needs.

The sample course schedule shows how students typically proceed through the BCBA Certificate program, completing it in 10 months.

Fall Term
  Course Code Course Title
Field Experience ABA 500 ABA Fieldwork I (1 unit)
Fall 1 Session ABA 503 Behavior Analysis in Applied Settings I
ABA 504 Singe-Case Designs: Measurement, Data Display, and Interpretation
Fall 2 Session ABA 505 Behavior Analysis in Applied Settings II
ABA 515 Behavior Change Procedures in Applied Settings I
Spring Term
  Course Code Course Title
Field Experience ABA 510 ABA Fieldwork II (1 unit)
Spring 1 Session ABA 524 Ethics in Applied Behavior Analysis
ABA 534 Behavior Change Procedures in Applied Settings II
Spring 2 Session ABA 514 Functional Behavior Assessment in Applied Settings

If you have questions, we’re here to help! Connect with a representative who can walk you through the program details and application process.

Contact Your Admissions Representative

Additional Program Contacts

School of Education

Phone

(626) 815-5376

Mail

School of Education
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000

Student Services Center

Contact (626) 812-3016 or [email protected], and visit apu.edu/ssc for details on the admissions process, financial aid, and class registration.

International Services

International students should contact +1-626-812-3055 or [email protected], and visit apu.edu/international/.

  • Azusa Pacific University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).  
  • The Board Certified Behavior Analyst Certificate program is accredited by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).

Featured Faculty

Heather Maguire

Heather Maguire

Coordinator, Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Program; and Assistant Professor, Department of School Counseling and School Psychology

Career Outlooks and Outcomes

Note: This information is current for the 2023-24 academic year; however, all stated academic information is subject to change. Refer to the current Academic Catalog for more information.
 
*Base Cost (cost per unit x program units) is provided to aid in program comparison only.
All stated financial information is subject to change. View Tuition tab above.

Explore APU

APU’s life-changing education develops you into a disciple and scholar, equipping you to succeed in your field and make a difference in the world.

Schedule a Visit
Request Information
Apply Now