This 36-credit degree program will provide you with the knowledge and skills to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®). The degree program includes all required course work and supervision hours to be eligible to sit for the national Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam.
Board Certified Behavior Analysts are experts in the science of learning. They conduct assessments and design instructional programs to teach new skills and decrease challenging behaviors, ultimately helping individuals improve their quality of life and become more independent.
Board Certified Behavior Analysts often work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder. This national credential will allow you to work in a variety of settings, including homes, schools, clinics, residential programs, and the community.
To be eligible to take the national exam to obtain the Board Certified Behavior Analyst credential, you must:
The M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis at the University of South Carolina is a 36 credit degree completed in 5 semesters. It includes:
All courses require some on-campus attendance; this is not a fully online degree program. Cohorts begin every fall, application deadline is January 15.
Our Board Certified Behavior Analyst courses are taught by passionate faculty members who are dedicated to student success. Courses are delivered in a hybrid format consisting of a combination of online and on-campus meetings. This provides both the flexibility of online courses and the interaction of face-to-face courses. Our faculty in applied behavior analysis are actively conducting research in the field, and students have the opportunity to become involved in those research projects.
Ashley is a clinical assistant professor who supervises practicum experiences and teaches coursework in Applied Behavior Analysis. Her research interests include staff/parent training, skill development, and evidence-based practices.
Lauren is a clinical instructor who teaches Applied Behavior Analysis course work and supervises practicum experiences. Her research and clinical interests include interventions for challenging behavior and educator/caregiver training.
Katie is an associate professor who teaches courses on Applied Behavior Analysis, autism, and single-case research designs. She conducts research on the visual analysis of single-case research data, on interventions to increase communication skills, and on data-based decision making.
The University of South Carolina's Board Certified Behavior Analyst Certification course sequence has been verified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. We are not able to publish our pass-rate because we had fewer than six first-time candidates in a single year.