Online Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
Program Overview: KU’s Online Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate
The online Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate from the University of Kansas is an ABAI-verified course sequence that provides the necessary educational foundation for those seeking to pursue the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) certification. The program consists of eight graduate-level courses, each earning three graduate credits. These courses meet the required contact hours established by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) and equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to work as behavior analysts.
This online graduate certificate in applied behavior analysis offers flexibility for professionals who want to advance their careers in behavior analysis. Designed to fit the schedules of busy working adults, this certificate program allows students to complete coursework entirely online while still benefiting from KU's rigorous, research-driven approach.
Graduates of the program will be prepared to sit for the BCBA certification exam, a necessary credential for individuals seeking to work as certified behavior analysts in a variety of settings, including schools, clinics, and community organizations.
What is a Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis?
An applied behavior analysis certificate is an advanced academic credential that equips individuals with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to work in the field of behavior analysis. The courses in this program are designed to provide comprehensive training in the principles and techniques of applied behavior analysis (ABA), which is used to improve social and behavioral outcomes for individuals, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities.
The University of Kansas offers a graduate certificate in applied behavior analysis that meets the educational requirements for the BCBA exam. This certificate is part of a carefully structured ABAI-verified course sequence, meaning the curriculum adheres to the rigorous standards set by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). Students will gain practical experience in applying behavioral principles, conducting assessments, designing interventions, and measuring progress to improve client outcomes.
This program does not require a master's degree to apply, making it an ideal option for students who are looking to enter the field of behavior analysis or advance their current knowledge and skills.
Why Get an Online Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from KU?
Choosing the online graduate certificate in applied behavior analysis from the University of Kansas comes with many benefits:
Accredited and Verified Program: KU’s course sequence is ABAI-verified, ensuring it meets the standards for BCBA certification.
Flexibility: The fully online format allows you to study at your own pace, making it possible to balance your education with work and other responsibilities.
Expert Faculty: Learn from experienced faculty members who are recognized experts in the field of applied behavior analysis.
In-Demand Skills: Gain the specialized knowledge needed to pursue BCBA certification and work in a rapidly growing field with high demand for skilled professionals. AACSB-Accredited University: KU is a globally recognized institution, known for its rigorous academic programs and strong reputation in research.
This program will give you a comprehensive understanding of behavior analysis and provide the educational credentials necessary for obtaining BCBA certification, allowing you to take your career to the next level.
Career outcomes
What Can You Do with a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis?
The certificate is the coursework requirement for Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification, and it opens behavior-analytic roles across autism services, clinical behavioral health, schools, and program leadership. Lightcast counts 295,606 U.S. jobs in the behavioral science occupations this field serves, with 28,027 openings projected every year through 2030.
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is a graduate-level practitioner certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board to assess behavior, design and supervise intervention plans, and train the teams that deliver them. Certification requires three things: a graduate degree, a verified course sequence in applied behavior analysis, and supervised fieldwork followed by a passing examination score. KU's 24-credit online certificate supplies the verified course sequence, and a master's degree is not required to begin it.
Source for all labor market figures on this page: Lightcast Q3 2026 Data Set, August 2026, Program Overview: Behavioral Sciences, CIP 30.1701, United States. Annual earnings are the Lightcast hourly median multiplied by 2,080 hours. This occupation set is reported at the doctoral and professional degree level and therefore includes roles such as psychologist and psychiatrist that require a doctorate; those rows are labeled below. Across the full set the blended median is $34.09 per hour and projected growth is 12.8 percent. Wages vary by credential, setting, and metro area, and no figure here is a guarantee of employment or salary.
Where behavior analysis graduates work
Four settings account for most behavior-analytic careers. Each pairs a different credential path and daily caseload with the same verified course sequence.
Autism and developmental services
This is the center of behavior-analytic practice. Certified analysts conduct functional behavior assessments, write intervention plans, and supervise the registered technicians who deliver them in clinics, homes, and school-based programs. Lightcast does not publish a standalone occupation code for behavior analysts, so demand here is measured by the credential employers name in their postings.
- Board Certified Behavior AnalystABA clinics, in-home services, and school-based programs8,215 postings name BCBA certification, Jan 2010–Jul 2026
- Board Certified Assistant Behavior AnalystSupervised delivery of behavior intervention plans3,421 postings name BCaBA certification, Jan 2010–Jul 2026
- Rehabilitation CounselorDevelopmental disability and independent living services3,364 jobs · 464 annual openings · $46,843 median · +9.7% by 2030
- Psychiatric AideResidential and inpatient behavioral support321 jobs · 56 annual openings · $44,904 median · +4.3% by 2030
Clinical and behavioral health
Behavior-analytic training transfers directly into counseling and behavioral health settings, where treatment planning, functional assessment, and data-driven progress monitoring are daily work. These occupations are reachable with a master's degree and the appropriate state license, and they include the fastest-growing role in the entire set.
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health CounselorTreatment, recovery, and integrated care25,259 jobs · 3,378 annual openings · $59,803 median · +26.2% by 2030
- Marriage and Family TherapistFamily systems and caregiver-focused practice6,658 jobs · 810 annual openings · $68,275 median · +15.1% by 2030
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social WorkerCommunity mental health and treatment programs5,349 jobs · 656 annual openings · $60,947 median · +15.1% by 2030
- Healthcare Social WorkerHospitals, health systems, and outpatient clinics3,261 jobs · 346 annual openings · $67,864 median · +7.6% by 2030
Schools and family services
School districts hire behavior-analytic expertise to build classroom management systems, write behavior intervention plans that sit inside an IEP, and coach teaching teams. Certification requirements are set by each state's department of education, and several districts contract behavior analysts rather than employing them directly.
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselor or AdvisorK–12 districts and postsecondary student services17,832 jobs · 1,690 annual openings · $64,347 median · +7.1% by 2030
- Child, Family, and School Social WorkerDistrict teams, county agencies, and family preservation8,691 jobs · 878 annual openings · $59,539 median · +6.4% by 2030
- Community and Social Service SpecialistPrevention, early intervention, and wraparound services4,420 jobs · 521 annual openings · $56,659 median · +2.5% by 2030
- School PsychologistAssessment, eligibility, and district-level consultation22,154 jobs · 1,608 annual openings · $95,938 median · +1.7% by 2030Requires specialist or doctoral preparation and state certification
Supervision, program leadership, and research
Certified analysts move into clinical supervision, program design, and quality assurance because the credential carries supervisory authority over behavior technicians. Two occupations in this panel require a doctorate; they are shown because the certificate is a documented step toward them, not because it qualifies anyone for them.
- Clinical or Program ManagerBehavioral health program leadership and quality assurance42,127 jobs · 3,736 annual openings · $113,219 median · +5.2% by 2030Broad Lightcast catch-all category, "Managers, All Other"
- Program CoordinatorService coordination across behavioral health agencies3,415 unique postings for this job title, Jan 2010–Jul 2026
- Clinical or Counseling PsychologistAssessment, diagnosis, and independent clinical practice70,103 jobs · 6,412 annual openings · $102,739 median · +17.2% by 2030Requires a doctorate
- Social Scientist or Behavioral ResearcherApplied research, evaluation, and policy analysis8,756 jobs · 856 annual openings · $100,518 median · +1.1% by 2030Doctorate typical for independent research roles
Credentials employers name in job postings
Across 994,625 unique U.S. job postings in these occupations, employers name a short list of licenses and certifications over and over. The two behavior-analytic credentials are highlighted; this certificate is built to support the first of them.
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) 8,215 postings
- Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) 3,421 postings
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) 196,224 postings
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) 169,182 postings
- Clinical Psychology License 153,059 postings
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) 128,089 postings
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) 85,202 postings
Counts are unique U.S. job postings naming each credential between January 2010 and July 2026. The higher counts on the licensure lines reflect the size of the counseling and social work occupations inside this dataset rather than a ranking of credential value. Licensure titles and requirements are set by each state board; BCBA certification is granted by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, and state behavior analyst licensure is separate from it.
Skills employers hire for
Postings in these occupations ask for the same practice competencies repeatedly. Each percentage is the share of postings naming that skill, and each maps to required coursework and fieldwork performance.
- Psychology 49%
- Mental health 36%
- Social work 21%
- Treatment planning 18%
- Psychiatry 18%
- Behavioral health 15%
- Psychotherapy 15%
- Crisis intervention 11%
- Case management 10%
- Psychological evaluations 10%
- Clinical supervision 5%
Alongside clinical skill, employers ask for the professional competencies that carry a caseload:
- Communication 28%
- Management 20%
- Leadership 17%
- Research 17%
- Coordinating 13%
- Planning 12%
- Ethical standards and conduct 9%
- Problem solving 9%
- Advocacy 5%
- Confidentiality 5%
Organizations hiring in behavioral science
Behavioral health networks, teletherapy platforms, federal agencies, and health systems are the field's largest recruiters. These ten organizations posted the most unique U.S. openings across these occupations between January 2010 and July 2026.
- Sondermind 56,529
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 54,594
- Thriveworks 31,493
- LifeStance Health 27,157
- Soliant Health 17,390
- Guideline Healthcare 16,388
- Talkspace 13,893
- ProCare Therapy 13,831
- Kaiser Permanente 10,354
- UnitedHealth Group 9,333
Figures are unique job postings per organization, January 2010 through July 2026. Across all employers, 35,411 companies posted for these roles, with a median posting open for 23 days and a posting intensity of three total postings for every unique opening. Employer listings reflect national hiring activity and are not placement guarantees or KU partnerships.
Certification pathway
How to Become a BCBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification takes three things in sequence: a graduate degree paired with a verified course sequence, supervised fieldwork in an applied setting, and a passing score on the certification examination. KU's certificate supplies the second of those three requirements, and it does not require a master's degree to begin.
Complete graduate education
Earn a graduate degree and complete a graduate-level ABAI-verified course sequence. KU's 24-credit online certificate is that sequence, delivered asynchronously with five start dates per year.
Verified course sequence
Complete supervised fieldwork
Accrue supervised fieldwork hours in an applied setting under a qualified supervisor. This is where assessment and intervention coursework becomes clinical practice, and it is arranged separately from the certificate.
Pass the certification examination
Pass the BCBA examination administered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. It covers behavior-analytic concepts, measurement, assessment, intervention, supervision, and professional ethics.
Certification requirements are set by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (opens in a new tab), and course sequence verification is administered by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (opens in a new tab). Confirm current fieldwork hour requirements and examination eligibility with the BACB before enrolling, as both are periodically revised.
What the certificate does, and what it does not
The certificate is the coursework requirement, not the whole credential. Completing it makes you eligible to sit for the BCBA examination once you have also earned a graduate degree and completed the required supervised fieldwork. It does not by itself confer certification, licensure, or the authority to practice independently.
Demand for certified analysts continues to grow in schools, health care settings, and organizations serving individuals with developmental disabilities. For applicants already working in behavioral health, this is the shortest documented route to the coursework requirement.