Information for Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Certification
Behavior analysts are experts in human behavior, and they guide their patients through the process of transforming unwanted or negative behavior patterns or actions. To do this, a behavior analyst might conduct therapy through behavior training exercises, which break down behavior into smaller parts that can be altered, or through environment training where they work with patients at home, school, or work and reinforce positive behaviors. As such, behavior analysts work in many different settings and with varied populations, including with students on the autism spectrum, with private companies and their employees, and even with athletes.
There are several online educational pathways available for becoming a behavior analyst. Some individuals choose to earn a master's degree in applied behavior analysis, psychology, or education, while others choose to earn a standalone certificate in applied behavior analysis. Further, many choose to earn certification and become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). To be eligible to take the BCBA certification exam, you must first meet certain educational and field practice requirements.
List of Online BCBA Programs in Texas
There are several online programs in Texas that aid students in preparing for the BCBA exam and help them meet the exam's eligibility requirements. These online Texas-based programs can either lead to a certificate or a full master's degree. Additionally, the programs below only aid students in meeting the BCBA's exam coursework requirement and not the supervised field experience requirement.
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas offers a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) graduate certificate program that can be completed 100% online. This program has no scheduled class times, and students can move through the course of study at their own pace, including part or full time. Additionally, the coursework in this program is verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and meets 5th edition BCBA exam eligibility standards. Further, this certificate can be earned as a standalone credential or as part of a Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis degree.
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University has a fully online, graduate-level Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate program with coursework that is Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) approved. In this program, students must complete 21 total credits through synchronous and asynchronous classes. Coursework centers on such applied behavior analysis topics as school assessment methods, professional ethics and conduct, and intervention strategies for students with behavior problems.
University of Houston - Victoria
The University of Houston - Victoria's fully online Master of Education (MEd) in Special Education degree program offers a concentration in the field of applied behavior analysis. This is a 39-credit program that includes ABAI-verified coursework that meets 5th edition BCBA exam eligibility standards. As such, students take courses on behavior assessment and intervention, the philosophical foundations of behavior analysis, and professional behavior analyst ethics. Additionally, students who already have a master's degree can enroll as non-degree seeking students and complete the ABAI-verified coursework.
Texas Tech University
The online Master of Education (MEd) in Special Education degree program at Texas Tech University offers a concentration area in applied behavior analysis. This 36-credit hour program features coursework that adheres to 5th edition BCBA exam eligibility standards and is ABAI-verified. Additionally, students who are Texas public educators can qualify for a grant-funded program that helps them earn the required 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork experience for BCBA certification, which would take place in their school classroom or district.
Requirements for BCBA Certification
BCBA certification requires that you qualify to sit for the BCBA exam, pass the exam, and keep your certification current through continuing education units. Online BCBA certification programs usually help students meet some eligibility requirements for the exam, but students may have to arrange in-person field placements or experiences on their own if their program does not include fieldwork.
BCBA Exam Eligibility Requirements
The BCBA certification exam is made up of 160 multiple-choice questions. The 5th edition eligibility standards for taking the BCBA exam will be implemented in 2022; however, many BCBA certification programs have already transitioned to these new standards.
You can qualify for the exam by completing the coursework pathway, which requires 315 hours of coursework that includes the study of:
- Professionalism in the field
- The philosophy of behavior analysis
- Behavior-change procedures and interventions
- Data measurement and interpretation
- Experimental design
- Behavior assessment
- Personal supervision and management
This pathway also requires that you hold at least a master's degree. Professionals who are currently university-level professors can choose the faculty teaching and research pathway, which allows them to use their teaching and research experience in place of coursework. Individuals with a doctoral degree can also substitute their doctoral-level experience in place of coursework. All pathways require that you complete 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork as well.
BCBA Continuing Education Requirements
Your BCBA certification must be renewed every 2 years through the process of earning 32 units of continuing education. These units can come from taking approved courses, publishing journal articles in peer-reviewed journals, or teaching at Authorized Continuing Education (ACE) events or at a university.
Students in Texas have several options for attending an online BCBA certificate or master's degree program. To qualify for the BCBA exam and earn certification, you usually need to meet coursework and field experience requirements.
