Online Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
Expand your career opportunities in applied behavior analysis from a leader in the field with UMass Lowell's Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis. This seven-course online program is designed for those interested in becoming a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). With this certificate, you will fulfill the required course work to sit for the BCBA certification exam fully prepared for success.
This graduate certificate was created in partnership with the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center — a pioneer in research, education and service for people with developmental disabilities and their families. The program is designed to provide professionals in psychology, education, childcare and human services with an understanding of behavioral methods and how and where such methods can be used. You'll attain the knowledge necessary for practica and field experiences using behavior analysis. Graduates of the program work in various settings with a wide range of populations, including children and teachers in school systems, individuals with brain injuries in rehabilitation units, consultants to businesses and organizations, athletes and coaches and more. Since 2005, more than 1,400 students have completed UMass Lowell's program, successfully passed the exam, and found meaningful employment in a variety of settings all over the world.
The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified that this program's courses meet the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® examination. In order to take the BCBA certification exam, applicants must possess a minimum of a graduate degree. For more details on eligibility requirements, please visit www.bacb.com.

Career Outlook

One Success Leads to Another
Apply credits from lower credentials to higher ones. Our programs are designed to build upon themselves:
Some of the courses included in the Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis program can be counted towards UMass Lowell's Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis & Autism Studies. We also offer a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction: Applied Behavior Analysis and Education Option M.Ed. program, which can be completed entirely online. Learn more about UMass Lowell's ABA programs.
Curriculum Outline
- 7 Courses / 21 Credits
Required Courses (7 / 21cr)
- PSYC.5810 Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis - Available Summer 2023!
- PSYC.5820 Measurement and Experimental Design - Available Summer 2023!
- PSYC.5830 Philosophical Underpinnings of Behavior Analysis - Available Summer 2023!
- PSYC.5840 Behavioral Assessment - Available Summer 2023!
- PSYC.5850 Professional and Ethical Issues in Behavior Analysis - Available Summer 2023!
- PSYC.5870 Behavior Change Procedures - Available Summer 2023!
- PSYC.5890 Implementation and Supervision Practices in Behavior Analysis - Available Summer 2023!
Please note: PSYC.5810 is a prerequisite or co-requisite for PSYC.5820, and a prerequisite for PSYC.5830 and PSYC.5850. PSYC.5810, PSYC.5820 and PSYC.5840 are prerequisites for PSYC.5860 and PSYC.5870. The recommended sequence is: PSYC.5810 and PSYC.5820 together in one semester, then either two or all three of the following: PSYC.5830, PSYC.5840 and PSYC.5850, followed by the remaining two or three courses. Students taking one course at a time are urged to follow the numerical sequence.
Course Descriptions
Prerequisites:
PSYC.5810 Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis.
Prerequisites:
PSYC.5810 Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis, and PSYC.5820 Measurement and Experimental Design.
Prerequisites:
PSYC.5810 Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis.
Prerequisites:
PSYC.5810 Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis, and PSYC.5820 Measurement and Experimental Design, and PSYC.5840 Behavioral Assessment.
Prerequisites:
PSYC.5810 Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis, and PSYC.5820 Measurement and Experimental Design, and PSYC.5840 Behavioral Assessment.
Graduate Certificate Requirements
Students enrolled in graduate certificate programs through UMass Lowell must complete all courses indicated in the curriculum outline. Students may complete the certificate program at their own pace by registering for and successfully completing one or more courses each semester, depending upon his/her personal time constraints. Students are required to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 with no more than one course grade below B to receive the certificate.
Online courses meet throughout the year during the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters (see Calendar for details). Online students generally log into their online course website one or more times per week to retrieve lectures and assignments or to participate in a chat session. Online students should expect to spend 6 to 10 hours per week engaged in course-related activities for each course. For more information on online courses, visit our online program home page .
Completing a Graduate Certificate Program
Graduate certificate courses must be completed within a five-year period with a minimum 3.0 grade point average and no more than one course with a grade below B. Once all courses for a graduate certificate have been completed, students must complete and submit the Graduate Certificate Clearance Form. Students must submit their clearance form to their coordinator. The coordinator will apply them in SIS, Graduation Tracking.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition at UMass Lowell is typically half the cost of private colleges, and our online tuition is among the lowest in the nation. Tuition for online programs offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies is the same whether you live in-state, out-of-state or outside of the U.S.
Summer 2023 Tuition |
Cost Per Credit | Cost Per 3-Credit Course* |
---|---|---|
Graduate |
||
Online† | $585 | $1,755 |
Online Business** | $655 | $1,965 |
Online IT and Engineering*** | $600 | $1,800 |
Online Education | $470 | $1,410 |
Online Education for Ed.D. and Ph.D.† | $495 | $1,485 |
On Campus | View Here | View Here |
Additional Costs |
|
---|---|
Term Registration Fee | $30 |
Late Fee | $50 |
Graduate Degree and Certificate Application | $50 |
Please note: Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Costs for Textbooks and Additional Materials
The total cost for required textbooks for students accepted into this program will be $600–$800 (depending on whether you buy books new or used). In addition, students will need to purchase a license for access to learning modules for a one-time fee.
Please note: Most of these costs will be incurred up front, when students enroll in their first course. Students will, however, continue to use the basic textbook, the digital textbook and the modules in all subsequent courses as they progress through the program.
Estimate the cost of this program with our online tuition calculator
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For Graduate Certificate Programs, Please Submit:
- An application
- An application fee*
- An official transcript indicating a completed bachelor's degree. If your bachelor's degree is from outside the United States, you may be required to take the TOEFL examination.
- No Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required for graduate certificate programs
Applications can be completed and submitted at any time during the year. Your application will be processed as soon as all admission materials have been received. You may apply to more than one certificate program but can only take 12 credits maximum before enrolling in an advanced degree. Learn more about specific application requirements for your program of interest.
Count Your Graduate Certificate Toward a Master's Degree
Credits earned from a graduate certificate may be used toward a related graduate degree. Students who complete a UMass Lowell graduate certificate with a qualifying GPA (see waiver form for details) can waive the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) when applying to a related master's degree, if the GRE is required.
Graduate Program Admissions Requirements
Admission to all graduate programs at UMass Lowell is contingent upon successful completion of a bachelor's degree. In many cases, applicants may register for a course before formally applying to the program; however, students requiring financial aid may want to wait until they have been formally accepted into the program to ensure that their course(s) will be covered. Contact UMass Lowell's Office of Graduate Admissions if you have questions about the application process.
Questions Regarding Your Graduate Application?
Email Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu or call 800-656-4723 (for U.S. students) or 978-934-2390 (for international students).
For General Assistance:
For general questions about registering for courses or to find out who the advisor is for your graduate program, call 800-480-3190. Our admissions and advising teams are here to help!