The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) program prepares graduates to assume supervisory behavior analyst roles in schools and agencies and to serve as independent consultants. Additionally, it seeks to give graduates expertise in a specific clinical area related to applied behavior analysis, such as early intervention, public policy, or assessment. This program is designed for the student who possesses a graduate degree in either Psychology or Education. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) has verified this course sequence as meeting the course requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) examination.
This program includes 7 core courses in behavior analysis that explore the principles and procedures of applied behavior analysis in-depth and address its philosophical underpinnings. The 7 core courses are followed by 3 additional courses in a specific content area related to behavior analysis. These courses, which are related, explore the related clinical issue in-depth. Students may elect to complete their supervised experience hours by taking Intensive Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis 1 (CAEP 8417), Intensive Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis 2 (CAEP 8418), Intensive Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis 3 (CAEP 8419), and Intensive Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis 4 (CAEP 8421) in addition to the 10 required courses.
Courses are delivered in an online format. Students attend lectures virtually and view supplementary material on their own schedules, taking advantage of technological advances that promote student learning and increase student-to-instructor and student-to-student communication.
Students take one or two courses each academic term, and courses are offered during the fall, spring, and summer full semesters. Behavioral Concepts and Principles (CAEP 6326) and Service Administration (CAEP 6329) serve as prerequisite courses to the remaining courses in the program.
Professional Portfolio
The capstone for the program is the professional portfolio. This portfolio, which is compiled electronically, documents the student’s acquisition of critical behavioral procedures and competency in critical clinical skills. These skills, each of which is associated with a specific project, include:
- Preference and reinforcer assessment
- Functional assessment of problem behavior
- Task analysis
- Discrete trial
- Stimulus equivalence
- Consequence reinforcement
- Conditioned reinforcement
- Literature review
Each semester, students complete assignments associated with the above clinical skills, and each assignment culminates in professional documents to be included in the student's professional portfolio. A faculty member reviews and signs each assignment in the professional portfolio. The faculty member's signature indicates that the student has achieved the faculty-established standards for the project. Graduates are encouraged to use their professional portfolio when applying for employment.
Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated.
Core Requirements
A grade of B or higher is required in each course.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | ||
| CAEP 6326 | Behavioral Concepts and Principles | 3 |
| CAEP 6329 | Service Administration | 3 |
| CAEP 6327 | Behavior Assessment | 3 |
| CAEP 6328 | Research and Design Methods | 3 |
| CAEP 6331 | Advanced Learning Seminar 1 | 3 |
| CAEP 6334 | Applied Programming Seminar 1 | 3 |
| CAEP 6336 | Systematic Inquiry 1 | 3 |
| Specialization Area | ||
| Complete specialization area in consultation with your faculty advisor. | 9 | |
Practicum
Note: The intensive practicum is optional. Consult your faculty advisor.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CAEP 8417 | Intensive Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis 1 | 2 |
| CAEP 8418 | Intensive Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis 2 | 2 |
| CAEP 8419 | Intensive Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis 3 | 2 |
| CAEP 8421 | Intensive Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis 4 | 2 |
Program Credit/GPA Requirements
30 total semester hours required
Minimum 3.000 GPA required