Kent State University

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

ABA Programs

Applied Behavior Analysis is a field of study related to both psychology and sociology. Usually called ABA for short, this type of therapy teaches clients how they can change their thought patterns and adjust their behavior at the same time. Though Kent State does not offer a set ABA therapy program, it offers two certificate programs that cover many of the same topics.

The first of those two programs awards students an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) certificate. Kent State designed this program after learning that one out of around 60 children today suffers from an autism disorder. Students will learn how to both diagnose and work with children and how to host different types of interventions. This program is only open to students who already have a bachelor’s degree and maintained a 3.0-GPA in an undergrad program. They will take five courses, including Theory and Diagnosis, Medical Aspects of Lifespan Development and Lifespan Interventions. Students must do a capstone project also.

Kent State also offers a Behavioral Intervention Specialist certificate program online. Designed specifically for ABA therapists, this program meets the guidelines established by The Behavior Analyst Certification Board. Students must have a completed bachelor’s degree in hand before applying to this program. They take six courses that include Program Development in Applied Behavior Analysis, Single Subject Research Methods and Advanced Interventions for Addressing Severe Behavior. Instead of doing a capstone, this program requires that students do an advanced practicum. Kent State University asks students to work for an ABA therapy organization or facility and that they work directly with clients on the autism spectrum to get credit.

About Kent State University

Located in Kent, Ohio, Kent State University is a public school. Often called KSU or Kent State, the history of the university dates back to 1910. Established as the Kent State Normal School and named after the town itself, this school opened at the same time that a second normal school opened in Bowling Green. Both campuses offered the same courses and followed the same curriculum, which allowed students to complete practical training and take classes that prepared them for working as educators.

The school used the names Kent State Normal College and Kent State College before receiving regional accreditation and becoming a state university. Many people know the university for the riot and subsequent shootings that occurred on the campus in 1970. Multiple films and television shows, as well as songs, cover the events. The university has a memorial dedicated to those who lost their lives on its campus today.

KSU has a strong reputation for both its main campus and its regional campuses. There are now seven campuses located in different parts of Ohio that offer full bachelor’s degree program and two-year associate’s programs. Students can also take some graduate classes on those campuses. Kent State also has an online campus that offers many certificates and degree programs.

Kent State University Accreditation Details

The American Psychological Association (APA) granted accreditation to KSU for its psychology programs and for the internships and residencies that doctoral students complete. It also has accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) for all of the teaching programs available from the university. Accreditation from other organizations applies to many of its programs, including its design and public health degree programs. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and its North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS) granted regional accreditation to the university, which some call institutional accreditation.

Kent State University Application Requirements

Students applying to one of the Kent State online certificate programs must have access to the internet and a computer that allows them to complete all requirements for their classes. The university uses Blackboard, which is a type of virtual learning system, and offers a list of technology requirements online that shows students what they need to have to use that system. They must also have software and programs that allow them to record both video and audio files for some of their classes.

The Kent State Application Menu features a checklist that shows all its application requirements and a frequently asked questions section that helps students find answers to their questions before they apply. Students will use the ApplyWeb system from CollegeNET to apply. They will create an account based on a password and username of their own choosing. The site will send an email to the address listed on the account to verify that the address exists. Students can then search for KSU and find its own application.

This site uses a dedicated and secure network that will keep any information the student shares private. The application asks for contact information and general background info, including the name of the high school that the student attended and his or her social security number. Though the university does charge an application fee there is a fee waiver available. Students from low-income households can request a waiver from a guidance counselor or from the university itself. When they reach the payment section of the site, the student will enter the waiver code before submitting the application.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Kent State charges one rate for full-time students and a separate rate for students taking just a few classes. Ohio residents pay around $10,760 per year, while nonresidents pay close to $19,300 each year. Students also pay university fees and for any supplies they need, including their textbooks and a new computer. The university has several dormitories that charge different rates for students who want to live on-campus, and those students must pay for a meal plan too. Certificate students will pay around $820 per credit hour for any of the classes they want to take.

Though traditional students can apply for financial aid and use the FAFSA, certificate students do not qualify for most forms of government aid. Government aid such as grants and loans typically only go to full-time students who take nine to 12 credits or more each semester. Certificate students can look at grants and scholarships available from outside sources and for alternative loans. Many banks and credit unions, as well as private lenders, offer loans for students who need help. Kent State University recommends that students check out other financing options before using private loans that have high-interest rates attached.