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Student & Professional Services Collge of Education & Human Development Student Services

Applied behavior analysis

Certificate program

Program

The certificate program in applied behavior analysis (ABA) is designed to prepare teachers and related service personnel to design and deliver services to pre-school children and youth with developmental and acquired disabilities.

This 12-credit program provides specialized training in methods of behavioral assessment, intervention, and treatment evaluation. Coursework will also address ethical issues regarding treatment delivery, and the need for supervision by qualified professionals. This population may be diagnosed with autism, emotional/behavioral disorders, and traumatic brain injuries.

Professionals with specialized training in applied behavior analysis are in high demand. The behavior-analytic mode of service delivery is recognized locally and nationally as an effective and accountable system for consumers with developmental disabilities and autism.

This program offers professional development opportunities for public and private social service agency staff, public and private school personnel, treatment facility personnel, and psychology and education professionals.

Professionals in applied behavior analysis apply specific and comprehensive principles of learning to address behavioral needs of widely varying individuals in diverse settings. Examples of these applications include: building the skills and achievements of children in school and work settings; and enhancing the development, abilities, and choices of children and adults with disabilities.

Completion of certificate requirements will be noted on the student’s transcript. Before registering for a required course, EPSY 5703, candidates must pass a criminal background check. The certificate program will also prepare students for the national professional certification examination sponsored by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.®. However, applicants must meet additional criteria to meet certification requirements.

The certificate program is offered by the College’s Department of Educational Psychology (EdPsych) and the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota’s College of Liberal Arts (CLA).

Admission

Admission is open to graduate and undergraduate applicants, who must meet separate admission requirements:

Undergraduate students

By the beginning of the program, applicants must have earned at least 60 credit hours with a minimum 2.80 grade point average (GPA). Undergraduate students wishing to complete the certificate must be admitted to a degree program at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus.

Graduate students

Applicants must have a minimum 2.80 GPA in undergraduate degree and 3.00 in graduate coursework from accredited institutions.

All applicants must also submit the following materials:

A maximum of three credit hours related to the ABA field and completed at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus may be accepted as prior credits. Coursework must be approved by certificate faculty. No coursework from outside the University of Minnesota will be accepted as transfer credits. No course substitutions will be allowed.

Submit application materials in one packet to:

ABA Certificate Admissions
Student Services
110 Wulling Hall
86 Pleasant Street S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Fax: 612-626-1580

Application deadlines

Because applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, applications may be submitted at any time of the year. Beginning March 1, 2006, admission will occur once per year on March 1.

All candidates will be notified of their admission status within four weeks of application (via postal mail or electronically).

Program completion requirements

All coursework must be completed for the certificate. Students will have a maximum of four years to complete coursework for the certificate. Students must maintain a minimum 3.00 GPA in certificate coursework to remain in the program. A minimum grade of B is required for successful completion of the required practicum course EPSY 5703.

Before registering for EPSY 5703, candidates must pass a criminal background check. The candidate must pay any background check fees.

Curriculum

Required coursework (12 credits)
Students must complete 12 credits of coursework in the following list:

Registration

Currently admitted degree-seeking, certificate-seeking, or
non-degree seeking students may register online for coursework at the University’s One Stop student services Web site.

Students who want to begin certificate coursework before admission to a University of Minnesota degree or certificate program should complete a CEHD First-Time Registration for non-degree seeking Students [.pdf] packet. Packets are available at the College’s Web site or the College’s office of Student Services, 110 Wulling Hall, 86 Pleasant Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455; 612-625-6501; e-mail: cehdgrad@umn.edu.

For questions about registration, contact Student Services at 612-625-5815.

Note: Certificate coursework completed with undergraduate student status cannot be applied to graduate-level degree programs.

Tuition/financial aid

Certificate tuition varies, depending on a student’s enrollment status and residency. Tuition fees are charged according to the following criteria:

General financial aid advising and information are available from the University’s Office of Student Finance (OSF), 200 Fraser Hall, 106 Pleasant Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455; 612-624-1111.

For graduate assistantship/scholarship information (for students enrolled in graduate degree programs), contact the Graduate Assistant Office, 200 Donhowe (for mail) or 100 Donhowe (for walk in), Minneapolis, MN 55455; 612-624-7070; fax: 612-625-9801.

Program faculty

Jennifer McComas
612-624-5854; e-mail: jmccomas@umn.edu

Gail Peterson
612-625-2863; e-mail: peter004@umn.edu

Frank Symons
612-626-8697; e-mail: symon007@umn.edu

Revised August 2005