The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is also featured in our ranking 40 Best Online ABA Graduate Certificate Online Programs.

Online Certificate Program in Applied Behavior Analysis at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

The online graduate certificate in applied behavior analysis at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology can be completed in one year, depending on the availability of the field supervision component. The program prepares students to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Students are guided by practicing faculty members and are encouraged to share their work experiences in discussions to help develop real-world techniques of solving psychology-related challenges.

Students seeking a career in applied behavior analysis, which is most widely known as one of the best evidence-based treatments for autism, can apply their skills in a number of environments, including gerontology, sports and fitness, quality of life enhancement, parent training, day and residential treatment settings, regular and special education in schools, and consulting in businesses, schools, and homes. The convenience of the online program ensures that the student’s life remains intact, and they use the online dashboard to ask questions from instructors, interact with fellow students, and complete coursework and assignments.

The certificate is aligned with the coursework required to sit for the BCBA exam. However, applicants must also meet additional requirements prior to taking the exam, including a background check, examination, application, supervised experience, and the completion of an approved master’s degree. In addition, there may also be state professional licensure requirements in order to practice applied behavior analysis, so students should check with the state board to determine whether a professional license is required.

Coursework covers the fundamental topics that make up the field of applied behavior analysis. For instance, students will learn the basics of applied behavior analysis and learn how to use basic principles and concepts from the experimental analysis of behavior in order to produce socially significant behavior change in applied settings. Other core courses include assessment and intervention, concepts and principles in behavior analysis, and a group supervision course in which students meet online with a BCBA supervisor one hour each week to prepare portfolio exhibits. Supervision hours count toward the total number of required experience hours.

The BCBA requires a supervised practicum experience, which can be completed by students pursuing the online certificate. However, online practicum courses are not a requirement for simply earning the certificate. Although students may choose to either enroll in the university practicum courses to meet the experience requirements to sit for the exam or complete their experience independently, applicants are encouraged to gain experience with multiple supervisors in multiple sites. All students must complete between 10 and 30 hours per week of documented work with clients as well as group and individual supervision in order to meet the BACB’s requirements.

About The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, also known as simply “The Chicago School,” is a graduate institution that specializes in psychology education. More than 4,300 students pursue degrees from the school each year, and they can choose from more than 20 degree programs in psychology and other related behavioral sciences. The Chicago School is a member of the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology, which recognizes The Chicago School for its outstanding contributions to cultural diversity and for its distinguished service.

Practicing psychologists established The Chicago School with the goal of providing high-quality professional psychology education and training in a not-for-profit environment. In 1977, they made initial plans for the institution, and in January 1979, those plans were put into motion by the Midwestern Psychology Development Foundation. In addition to its main campus in Chicago, it also operates campuses in Washington, D.C., New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Irvine, California.

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Accreditation Details

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). In addition, a number of its master’s and doctoral degrees are accredited by psychology-specific accrediting agencies, including the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Council of Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Accreditation is a peer-review process that evaluates a school’s mission, goals, learning outcomes, teaching methods, faculty members, and degree programs. It assures students that the school is committed to its students and its degrees and that the education they are receiving is of the best possible quality. In addition, accreditation is critical for students seeking to transfer credits from one institution to another.

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Application Requirements

Students applying to the online graduate certificate in applied behavior analysis program must complete an online application and pay a $50 nonrefundable application fee. Applicants must also submit a curriculum vitae or a resume that illustrates relevant work experience as well as a two-page essay that details why the applicant wishes to seek certification in applied behavior analysis and his or her experience in the field. The Chicago School also requires official transcripts from all previously attended institutions, and these schools must be regionally accredited in order for the transcripts to be accepted. Applicants must submit one letter of recommendation from a supervisor or professor who oversaw the applicant’s volunteer or work experiences. A master’s degree from an accredited institution is also required, and it should be in medicine, engineering, human services, education, behavior analysis or other natural sciences, or a related behavior analysis field that is approved by the BCBA.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Students pursuing an online certificate in applied behavior analysis will pay $1,127 per credit hour for their degree. In addition, students will be charged additional fees for adding and/or dropping courses, the academic support program, the transfer of credits, and other fees. However, graduate students may be eligible for one or more forms of financial aid to help offset the cost of tuition such as student loans, scholarships, grants, fellowships, and paid employment outside or inside the school. The Financial Aid Department at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology also offers a number of types of financial aid services, including money management assistance, phone consultations regarding the benefits and drawbacks of financial aid options, and informational workshops, webinars, and seminars on topics such as scholarships, loans, and budgeting.