The 21-credit Post-Master’s Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)—designed for special educators, administrators, and school psychologists—offers specific coursework and training in the field of applied behavior analysis. Educators who receive preparation in the evidence-based practice of ABA will be better prepared to meet the needs of a growing population of students requiring special education services. Additionally, the ABA certificate will support the career goals of special education teachers and other school personnel who desire this specialized training. Johns Hopkins University is the only school of education in the state of Maryland to offer this specialized certificate. The program also includes an additional 12 credits of practica (4 elective courses) designed to meet the fieldwork experience requirements for Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork (1500 hours) as outlined by the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BACB). The instructional delivery method for ABA coursework is synchronous online.
JHU's ABA coursework is aligned with the 2027 BCBA Pathway 2 requirements, ensuring that course learning objectives reflect the BACB's updated content areas and instructional hour allocations. This alignment supports continued eligibility for students pursuing BCBA certification under the revised standards. For additional details about certification pathways, please see the BCBA Handbook.
Applicants will have to meet additional requirements to qualify for board certification. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to apply for certification as a behavior analyst (BCBA), offered through the BACB, under Pathway 2. It is expected that all students will pursue BCBA certification upon completion of the program. For more information about BCBA certification, please visit the website.
Visit the School of Education website for more information about the Post-Master's Certificate: Applied Behavior Analysis.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must possess a minimum of a graduate degree (e.g., master's or doctoral) from an accredited university. Please see the BACB website for more information. Applications will be accepted throughout the year, with a new cohort scheduled to launch each year in the fall.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Requirements (21 Credits) | ||
| ED.873.601 | Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis and Special Education | 3 |
| ED.873.602 | Research Methods: Evaluation, Measurement and Single Case Design | 3 |
| ED.873.603 | Behavioral Assessment and Intervention for Challenging Behaviors | 3 |
| ED.873.604 | Behavioral Assessment and Instructional Strategies | 3 |
| ED.873.605 | Ethics and Professional Conduct for Behavior Analysts | 3 |
| ED.873.606 | Philosophical Foundations in ABA: Integrating Theory and Practice | 3 |
| ED.873.607 | Supervision and Organizational Behavior Management | 3 |
| Total Credits | 21 | |
The course numbers for students registering for the practicum courses are ED.873.610 Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum I, ED.873.611 Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum II, ED.873.612 Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum III, and ED.873.613 Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum IV.
Program Plans
Plan Excluding Practicum Coursework
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ED.873.601 | Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis and Special Education | 3 |
| ED.873.602 | Research Methods: Evaluation, Measurement and Single Case Design | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| ED.873.603 | Behavioral Assessment and Intervention for Challenging Behaviors | 3 |
| ED.873.605 | Ethics and Professional Conduct for Behavior Analysts | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ED.873.604 | Behavioral Assessment and Instructional Strategies | 3 |
| ED.873.607 | Supervision and Organizational Behavior Management | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| ED.873.606 | Philosophical Foundations in ABA: Integrating Theory and Practice | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 21 | |
Plan Including Practicum Coursework
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ED.873.601 | Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis and Special Education | 3 |
| ED.873.602 | Research Methods: Evaluation, Measurement and Single Case Design | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| ED.873.603 | Behavioral Assessment and Intervention for Challenging Behaviors | 3 |
| ED.873.605 | Ethics and Professional Conduct for Behavior Analysts | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ED.873.604 or ED.873.607 |
Behavioral Assessment and Instructional Strategies or Supervision and Organizational Behavior Management |
3 |
| ED.873.610 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum I (Elective) | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| ED.873.606 | Philosophical Foundations in ABA: Integrating Theory and Practice 1 | 3 |
| ED.873.611 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum II (Elective) | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ED.873.612 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum III (Elective) | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| ED.873.607 | Supervision and Organizational Behavior Management | 3 |
| ED.873.613 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum IV (Elective) | 3 |
Credits if enrolled in practicum electives for an additional 3rd year = 33 |
||
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
- 1
If students are taking a practicum elective this semester, it is recommended to wait until the spring of third year to take the course - ED.873.606 Philosophical Foundations in ABA: Integrating Theory and Practice - in the last semester in preparation for BCBA exam.
- Other
Optional third year if completing Practicum Electives.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the coursework, students will:
- Define, demonstrate, and apply the concepts and principles of behavior analysis within an educational setting.
- Utilize research methods to evaluate and measure the effectiveness of intervention and instructional procedures within an educational setting.
- Conduct and complete behavioral assessments in order to identify the effective instructional program or behavior reduction plan in an educational setting.
- Design, implement and evaluate an instructional program based on assessment results to increase a desired behavior/skill for an individual student or a group of students in an educational setting.
- Design, implement, and evaluate a behavior reduction program based on assessment results to decrease inappropriate behaviors for individual students or a group of students in an educational setting.
- Define and practice within the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.
- Implement, manage, and practice applied behavior analysis in an educational setting.
In addition, upon successful completion of the coursework and supervised fieldwork requirements, students will be eligible to apply for and take the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) exam.