Coordinator:
Janet E. Graetz
425D Pawley Hall
(248) 370-2620
graetz@oakland.edu
Program description
The Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis: Basic (18 credits) and the area of concentration within the corresponding degree program, meet the coursework requirements of the Behavior Analysts Certification Board (BACB), one of the components leading to the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) credential. The course sequence has been approved under both the current and the new BACB standards, effective January 2016.
Admission terms and application deadlines
Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning by the semester deadlines listed below. Incomplete applications will not be sent to departments for admission review.
Application requirements
To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all Graduate Application Requirements and additional department application requirements by the published application deadlines:
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- Additional department application requirements
- A copy of any professional credentials, such as state or professional license.
- A personal statement that includes commitment to program, related experience and particular skills that would contribute to success in the program, and professional goals subsequent to completion of the program
- Interview may be required for candidates under consideration, with a written response to one or more questions posed during the interview process
- Requirements for recommendations:
The recommendation forms must be from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s potential for successful graduate study.
Admission review and assessment
Admission to graduate study at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses and any other admission requirements established by the academic department.
To be admitted to the graduate certificate program in full standing, the applicant must have an undergraduate cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA less than 3.0, but with an appropriate academic background and strong letters of recommendation, may be considered for admission in limited standing. Students who qualify for this admission classification must complete a maximum of 12 credits of graduate coursework with a grade of 3.0 or above in each course within the first three academic terms from the time of initial enrollment.
The graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is competitive. A limited number of students will be admitted and interviews may be required for applicants under consideration. Since this program is rigorous in coursework, candidates should be able to articulate their commitment to the program. During the interview, candidates must be able to demonstrate a reasonable level of awareness of the principles of applied behavior analysis, effective interpersonal skills, and discuss past experiences that highlight their commitment to high quality work. As part of the interview, candidates will be asked to provide a writing sample in response to a question or questions posed by the committee. The student must also be aware that that they must hold a master’s degree prior to sitting for the exam. If the degree is not in a BACB pre-approved area (Applied Behavior Analysis, Education, or Psychology) it is the student’s responsibility to make a case to the BACB for an exception.