Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis: Basic

Department of Human Development and Child Studies
405B Pawley Hall (map)
(248) 370-3077 • Fax (248) 370-4242
http://www.oakland.edu/hdcs

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Coordinator:
Erica Ruegg
425F Pawley Hall
(248) 370-2894
Ruegg@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 Oakland University Graduate School by the semester deadlines listed below. Incomplete applications will not be sent to departments for admission review. Applicant must complete an interview as part of the application process, which takes place in the winter semester PRIOR to the start of the fall semester for which the student is applying.r

April 15 for following year
International applicants

Note: Applicants for the Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis should contact the Special Education Coordinator Dr. Janet E. Graetz (graetz@oakland.edu) for additional information.

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.

Graduate Application Requirements
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 school at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Oakland University Graduate School, 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 B 3.0 or above in each course within the first three academic terms from the time of initial enrollment.

Admission to 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 may 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 they must hold a master’s degree prior to sitting for the board exam. If the degree is not in a BACB pre-approved area (Behavior Analysis, Education, or Psychology) it is the student’s responsibility to make a case to the BACB for an exception.

Certificate requirements (18 credits)

The Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis: Basic is awarded upon satisfactory completion of 18 credits in an approved program of study. This certificate is designed to include only the course content required by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. (BACB). In order to be eligible for the BCBA certificate, the student must complete 1500 supervised practicum hours (“Supervised Independent Fieldwork”) according to BACB requirements and pass the national exam. Arrangement of the practicum hours is the responsibility of the student. The student must also hold a master’s degree prior to sitting for the exam. If the degree is not in a BACB pre-approved area, it is the student’s responsibility to make a case to the BACB for an exception.

Required courses (18 credits)

SE 6570 - Concepts and Principles of ABA (3 credits)
SE 6571 - Behavioral Assessment (3 credits)
SE 6572 - Behavior Change Procedures (4 credits)
SE 6573 - Research Methods (3 credits)
SE 6574 - Ethics (3 credits)

Satisfactory academic progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the term used to denote a student’s successful completion of coursework toward a certificate or degree. Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to monitor Satisfactory Academic Progress for all financial aid recipients each semester.

Students who fall behind in their coursework, or fail to achieve minimum standards for grade point average and completion of classes, may lose their eligibility for all types of federal, state and university aid. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional details.

Good academic standing

All graduate students are expected to remain in good academic standing throughout the entire course of their graduate program. To be in good academic standing, a graduate student must make satisfactory progress toward fulfilling degree requirements, including the completion of critical degree milestones as set forth by the academic program. The student must also maintain a minimum semester and overall GPA of 3.0.

Good academic standing is a requirement for:

Holding a Graduate Assistantship
Receiving a fellowship or scholarship
Advancing to candidacy for a graduate degree
Going on a leave of absence
Obtaining a graduate certificate or degree from Oakland University.

Additionally, graduate students must meet all department academic standards which may be more stringent than the minimum set forth by the University.

Graduate students who are not in good academic standing for any reason are subject to probation and/or dismissal from further graduate study.

Related program information

Plan of study

All accepted applicants, in consultation with their assigned faculty program adviser, must develop a plan of study that details specific courses the students will use to satisfy their degree requirements. The plan of study must be approved by the faculty program adviser and submitted by the student to Oakland University Graduate School.

Master’s and graduate certificate students must submit a department-approved plan of study by the end of their first semester of graduate coursework. Doctoral students must submit an approved plan of study prior to completion of the first year of coursework. (See the Graduate Student Responsibility section of this catalog.)

Note: Credit granted for successful completion of a course toward an undergraduate degree program may not be repeated for a graduate degree. If a substitution is approved, the minimum number of program-approved graduate credits will be required. A Petition of Exception - OU Course Waiver/ Substitution requesting the substitution must be approved.

Relationship to the Master of Education in Special Education

Requirements for the certificate and endorsement programs are contained within the degree programs. Courses taken in an endorsement or certificate program may apply to the M.Ed. if the courses are transferred to the M.Ed. program before completion of the endorsement/certificate program (i.e., requirement is students have a three-year time frame for completion of the certificate program) and if courses are taken within the six-year time frame allowed for the degree.