University of Oklahoma

The University of Oklahoma is also featured in our ranking 40 Best Online ABA Graduate Certificate Online Programs.

University of Oklahoma Online Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate

The University of Oklahoma (OU) offers an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Certificate through its Special Education division of the Educational Psychology Department. The Special Education Program at OU seeks to better the educational and post-educational outcomes for persons with disabilities. The program strives to meet these goals by training qualified service providers, developing new models and knowledge through original research, and providing leadership and services within the field of special education.

The OU ABA certificate program is for mental health, social work, or education professionals who have already earned a master’s degree in an ABA-related field. Throughout the program, students are given specialized training in ABA techniques and are prepared to complete the fieldwork and exam necessary to become a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. Certified ABA professionals work with adolescents and children who have a diagnosis on the autism spectrum. They may also work in schools or facilities that provide services to students who qualify for special education programs.

The ABA certificate course sequence consists of six classes that are three credit hours each. To begin this coursework, students must complete an introductory course in special education. Once this prerequisite is satisfied, candidates will move through the ABA courses: Applied Behavior Analysis in School Settings, Applied Behavior Analysis II, Applied Behavior Analysis III, Single Case Research Design, and Ethics & Professional Conduct of Behavior Analysts. Finally, students will choose between Special Education Instruction Methods and Programs or Teaching Techniques in a Functional Curriculum.

Courses within this certificate program are delivered through blended and synchronous online formats. The blended courses will require attendance to on-campus lectures that are supplemented by online educational activities. Synchronous online courses require participants to log in to their classroom account at scheduled times for lectures, discussions, and other classroom activities.

About the University of Oklahoma

The University of Oklahoma is a public research university in Norman. OU offers 152 bachelor’s programs, 260 master’s programs, and 75 doctoral degrees to its body of 31,250 online and traditional students. In addition to its degree programs, the university offers over 20 professional certificate opportunities for working professionals. OU is consistently ranked highly among national public universities and has an above-average enrollment of national merit scholars. The school is known for its high volume of original research and its on-campus museums, the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art and the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History.

OU was founded in 1890 before Oklahoma had been incorporated as a state. The institution was one of three territory-established universities. The school was originally called the Norman Territorial University and changed its name to the University of Oklahoma when the territory was admitted into the United States as the state of Oklahoma. Lush landscaping is an important part of the campus’ history as its first president mandated the planting of trees throughout the campus. UO’s campus had expanded to 167 acres by 1832 and programs such as pharmacy were added as the student body continued to grow. The current structure of campus buildings began to take shape following World War II. Today, the university is still known for its green campus and its many buildings that were designed in the Cherokee Gothic architectural style.

University of Oklahoma Accreditation Details

The University of Oklahoma is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). HLC is a regional accrediting body recognized by the US Department of Education. OU was first accredited in 1913 and was most recently reviewed in 2013. The next reaffirmation review is scheduled for 2023.

The degrees and certificates in ABA that are conferred by OU have been reviewed by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). Approval by the BACB is the standard for quality ABA programs throughout the country. Students who wish to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam must have completed required BACB-approved coursework.

University of Oklahoma Application Requirements

Applicants to the ABA Certificate program must first satisfy admissions requirements for OU graduate studies. Graduate applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited undergraduate institution. Applicants may complete the graduate application online and must submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. Applicants who are applying to the ABA certificate program must hold a master’s degree in education, psychology, or another related field. Prospective students must submit graduate transcripts that prove the applicant has earned at least a master’s degree.

Once an applicant has completed the graduate studies requirements, they may begin the process of applying for the ABA program. ABA students may begin their studies in either the fall or spring semester. The application deadline for beginning courses is four weeks before the start of the desired semester of study. In addition to the official transcripts already submitted, ABA candidates must send a personal statement, contact information for three academic and professional references, and an updated resume or CV.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Graduate tuition at OU is $236.80 per credit hour for residents of Oklahoma. Non-residents will pay $610.80 per credit hour. Both residents and non-residents will pay an hourly fee of $110.05. Other fees may include the Health Fee ($74.00 per semester), the Academic Advising Fee ($40 per semester), and the International Student Fee ($75 per semester). Online students will also be charged a fee of $40 per online credit hour. The ABA certificate program is comprised of 18 credit hours and total tuition for the program is $4,262.40 for residents and $10,994.40 for non-residents. Added hourly fees for all students total $2,700.90.

OU offers a number of funding opportunities for graduate students. Graduate assistantships are available on a competitive basis, though students must participate in on-campus research or teaching activities to be eligible. Assistantship recipients will receive a full or partial tuition waiver and basic student health insurance. Graduate students may apply for competitive funding for tuition, research, travel, and continuing education. Candidates may apply for each opportunity online through the OU Centralized Academic Scholarship Hub.

For more information about the online Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate at the University of Oklahoma, visit the certificate program page.