Graduate Program Chairs
Nancy Murray, EdD
Anne Howard, PhD
Special Announcement
The Behavior Analyst Certificate Program has been revised to meet the new standards for Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA), and the revised program has been approved by the national Behavior Analyst Certification Board. The new program will be reviewed for approval through University governance in the fall semester. The new program description and requirements will be published in the 2015-16 Graduate Catalog. Please refer to the Behavior Analyst Certificate Program web page for the 2014-15 curricular requirements.
The new program will require 6 courses, and will be offered in an accelerated hybrid format. The first two courses have been scheduled for the fall 2014 semester as topics courses (SPED 8013 Topics: Concepts & Principles of Behavior Analysis, and SPED 8028 Topics: Research Methods in Behavior Analysis).
Program Description
The Behavior Analyst Certificate Program provides the specialized training needed for individuals interested in becoming Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) through the national Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.
The six-course certificate program is designed to meet coursework eligibility requirements required for the Behavior Analysis Certification exam. Our carefully planned course sequence prepares individuals to work with children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other disabilities through the understanding of behavioral analysis and other factors that often contribute to student success.
Most graduate students enrolled in a Fitchburg State Special Education teaching license program will be able to apply two courses to a master’s degree, while students in the nonlicensure Special Education Guided Studies, Individualized Track could count up to six courses for the certificate toward their degree.
Admissions Standards and Criteria
To apply for enrollment in the Behavior Analyst Certificate program, a student must submit documents as outlined in the graduate admissions section as well as:
- A personal statement (maximum 300 words). The statement should describe your goals and reasons for applying to the program and should include information about previous course work, training or work experiences related to the program. It should also discuss specifically the strengths you bring and the areas of competence you need to develop.
- Applicant must (one of the following must apply)
- Submit official master’s degree transcript from a fully accredited institute of higher education
- Be matriculated in a Fitchburg State University master’s degree program, or
- Concurrently submit an application to a Fitchburg State University master’s degree program.
Students must be accepted prior to enrolling in any courses beyond the first two courses (SPED 8013 Topics: Concepts & Principles of Behavior Analysis, and SPED 8028 Topics: Research Methods in Behavior Analysis). Please visit the Behavior Analyst Certificate web page for further information.
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