Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley State University is also featured in our ranking 40 Best Online ABA Graduate Certificate Online Programs.

Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis at Grand Valley State University

The psychology department at Grand Valley State University offers an online graduate certificate in applied behavior analysis (ABA) that allows students to seek certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) sets forth coursework requirements in its 4th Edition Task List, and students meet this requirement through the completion of six three-credit courses. In order to be admitted into the program, a student must hold a master’s degree in behavior analysis, education, or psychology.

The route to becoming a BCBA involves meeting the course requirements of the BACB, meeting additional experience requirements, and passing the subsequent exam. The certificate program at GVSU offers the course requirements to do so, but interested students should keep in mind that the school does not provide supervision to meet the experience requirements. Students looking to become a BCBA will be responsible for securing supervised experience in addition to the certificate program.

The program itself is flexible in that it offers high-quality classes completely online, meaning that working professionals can further develop their knowledge and career options while still maintaining their work and familial responsibilities. Current school psychologists and teachers will benefit from graduate training that teaches them how to incorporate behavior analytic practices and principles when they are working with students with behavior and learning needs.

The ABA program consists of 18 credit hours of coursework. The six required classes cover topics such as behavioral assessment and intervention, research in applied settings, ethics and diversity in professional practice, behavior analysis applied to autism spectrum disorders and developmental disorders, application to behavior change, and foundational principles. Students may complete the program within one year if they take two courses per semester or within two years if they take one course per semester. Students are required to complete all courses with a minimum grade of B- and finish the degree with a 3.0 minimum grade point average (GPA). All coursework must be completed within four years.

In order to receive the certificate, students may be enrolled in either the ABA graduate certificate program or the GVSU School of Psychology graduate program. After students successfully complete the course sequence, they will receive the certificate.

About Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley State University, commonly referred to as Grand Valley, GV, or GVSU, is a public liberal arts university nestled in Allendale, Michigan. Established in 1960, its 1,322-acre main campus is located just 12 miles west of Grand Rapids. GVSU also offers classes at the Meijer Campus in Holland, at its growing Robert C. Pew Campus in downtown Grand Rapids, and at centers in Traverse City and Muskegon that were established in conjunction with several other local community colleges.

GVSU enrolls more than 25,000 students per year from dozens of foreign countries and other states as well as across Michigan. In terms of enrollment, GVSU is the fifth largest university in the state and is one of the 100 largest universities in the country. More than 1,600 support staff and 1,600 faculty members are employed by the school, and alumni reside in 25 countries and all 50 states. The Chronicle of Higher Education recognized GVSU as a top producer of Fulbright Scholars. In addition, the GreenMetric World University Ranking put GVSU as high as the 16th most environment-friendly university in the world.

Grand Valley State University Accreditation Details

Grand Valley State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency that accredits universities and colleges throughout a 19-state region in the U.S. By seeking and maintaining accreditation, GVSU displays a strong commitment to sustaining a high level of accuracy and accountability to the community and students. Institutional accreditation from the HLC also recognizes the overall quality of the school; it evaluates methods of delivery, instruction sites, and all degree programs. The peer-review accreditation process also requires schools to show a culture of continuous improvement, a strong focus on student learning, evidence-based self-presentation and institutional learning, ethical behavior or practice, transparency, and integrity.

Grand Valley State University Application Requirements

The application deadline for the degree is June 1, and preference will be given to applications submitted by this date, although Grand Valley State University may consider applications after June 1. Interested students must complete an application and submit a $30 application fee. However, GVSU waives the application fee for undergraduate alumni of the school. In order to be accepted to the university’s graduate programs, students must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school and submit official copies of transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.

Students may apply to the program in one of two ways. First, a student must hold a master’s degree in psychology, behavior analysis, or education with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Application submission requirements include three professional letters of recommendation, a current resume, and a two-page personal statement outlining the applicant’s interest in the field and program as well as relevant professional goals, educational experience, and work experience. A GRE score is not required for admission. The other method allows current GVSU school psychology graduate program students to be automatically admitted into the ABA graduate certificate program.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Students seeking a graduate certificate in applied behavior analysis from the Grand Valley State University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences will pay $652 per credit hour for a total tuition rate of $11,736. The tuition rate is based on the academic program; GVSU does not offer separate rates based on residency for this degree. Students interested in receiving a financial aid package must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to be considered. GVSU offers financial aid in the form of scholarships, loans, grants, state aid, institutional aid, and a work-study program that are designed to help students and their families cover the cost of tuition. In addition, Grand Valley State University operates a Veterans Network that provides active-duty members, veterans, and their dependents with educational assistance for making the transition and completing their degrees as well as financial assistance such as the GI Bill and other benefits to help them pay for tuition.