Information for Online BCBA Certification Programs in California
A behavior analyst is an expert in human behavior, and their primary focus is to help others change their behavior for the better. Behavior analysts work with families, groups, or individuals and can practice in different settings, such as schools, hospitals, or mental health clinics. Even private companies and organizations hire behavior analysts to help them with their employees and organizational behavior management.
Many in the field choose to earn the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) credential, which is a graduate-level certification. By earning this credential, behavior analysts demonstrate they have a thorough understanding of the field and that they adhere to high BCBA ethical standards. To become BCBA certified, you must meet the eligibility requirements, which include coursework and field practice, and pass the BCBA examination.
List of Online California BCBA Programs
There are several online BCBA certificate programs in California that help students meet eligibility requirements for the BCBA examination. Some programs aid students in completing the coursework requirements for the exam, while others help students in completing both coursework and fieldwork requirements. To apply to these programs, you must have already earned a master's degree.
University of California - Santa Barbara
The University of California - Santa Barbara offers a professional certificate in the field of applied behavior analysis that can be completed mostly online but does require a supervised video-based course where students must upload clips of them performing behavior assessments on real, consenting clients. The course sequence in this program has been verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and meets the BCBA 5th edition exam coursework and fieldwork eligibility standards. After completing their certificate, students are eligible to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) examination.
California State University - San Marcos
California State University - San Marcos' Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate program is offered fully online and can be completed in only 16 months. Students take one 8-week course at a time with a cohort of fellow students and study such concepts as behavior-changing processes, behavior analysis in school settings, and the connection between behavior analysis and the autism spectrum. Additionally, all coursework in this program meets BCBA 5th edition exam coursework eligibility standards.
California State University - Monterey Bay
California State University - Monterey Bay has a Behavior Analysis Certificate program that features online and hybrid formats and requires the completion of 4 courses. In this program, students take classes on teaching and assessing students on the autism spectrum, behavior intervention, and behavior support. Further, ABAI has verified the coursework in this program, and upon completion, students will meet the coursework eligibility requirements for the BCBA examination.
Brandman University
Brandman University offers an online Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate program that is verified by ABAI and meets BCBA 5th edition coursework requirements that make students eligible to take the BCBA examination. This program is made up of 7 total courses that are delivered in an 8-week long class format. Students study ethical professional behavior, behavior interventions, and the philosophy of behavior analysis.
Requirements for BCBA Certification
The BCBA certification examination cannot be taken online. It consists of 160 multiple-choice questions. The 5th edition BCBA eligibility standards will be fully implemented in 2022, and most educational programs are now designed to help you meet those specific requirements. Additionally, to keep your certification current, you must complete continuing education requirements.
Eligibility Requirements
There are several pathways available for meeting the eligibility requirements for the BCBA exam. First, you can choose the coursework option that requires you complete 315 hours of coursework in certain content areas, such as:
- Behavior-change procedures and interventions
- Personal management and supervision
- Experimental design, measurements, and data interpretation
- Behavior assessment
- Behavior analysis philosophy
- Professionalism
You must also complete 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork and hold at least a master's degree. There is also a faculty teaching and research option, which requires teaching and research experience in place of coursework, and also requires a master's degree and field experience. Lastly, there is an option for those with a doctoral-level degree that requires post-doctoral experience and field experience.
Continuing Education
The continuing education for the BCBA credential requires that you complete 32 continuing education units every 2 years. These units can be earned by taking approved courses, teaching at a university or at Authorized Continuing Education (ACE) events, or by publishing peer-review journal articles or review/decision letters.
Students in California have several choices for earning a BCBA certificate online. After completing their certificate program and fieldwork, they will be eligible to earn the BCBA certification.
