Why Pursue a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
The ABA Certificate is designed to meet the needs of multiple populations. If you’re a post-baccalaureate graduate who is not intending to pursue a graduate degree or a master’s or doctoral degree-seeking student who wants to develop job-specific skills in applied behavior analysis, this certificate will help you reach your goals. Currently, UT San Antonio is the only institution within Bexar County or the surrounding area to offer this type of certificate to students.
This certificate does not meet requirements to sit for the Behavior Analyst Certification Exam. If interested in becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), please apply to our Master of Science in Behavior Analysis degree.
Earn a Master's Degree
Are you ready to take your career and academic journey to the next level? Combine this program with another eligible certificate to earn a master’s degree in Multidisciplinary Studies!
Choose from 35+ other disciplines (like teaching English as a second language, bilingual reading specialist, linguistics and more). Take advantage of the opportunity to customize your degree to align with your professional and educational goals.
Admission & Application Requirements
Applications are submitted through the UT San Antonio Graduate Application. Please upload all required documents (listed below) on your UT San Antonio Graduate Application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure completion and submission of the application, a nonrefundable application fee, and all required supporting documents are on file with UT San Antonio by the appropriate application deadline.
For international students, please note that student visas are not issued at UT San Antonio for non-degree-seeking students, including certificate programs. For more information, visit our international students admission page.
| Applied Behavior Analysis (Certificate) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Required Degree | Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or have proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution. | |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) Departments may consider GPA of last 30 semester credit hours. | |
| Transcripts* | Required from all institutions attended; international transcripts must be recorded/translated to English | |
| Credential Evaluation | Required if you have earned university-level credit from foreign institutions. Submit an evaluation of your transcripts from FCSA or any NACES-approved credential evaluation agency. | |
| English Language Proficiency | 79 TOEFL iBT / 6.5 IELTS / Duolingo 100 For exams taken on or after January 21, 2026: We require a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 4.0. |
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| *Unofficial transcripts will be taken into consideration for admissions; however, if admitted into the program, you must submit official transcripts to the University. | ||
Application Deadlines
Applicants are encouraged to have their admission file completed as early as possible. All applications, required documents and letters of recommendation, if applicable, must be submitted by 5:00 PM U.S. Central Time on the day of the deadline. Deadlines are subject to change.
| Applied Behavior Analysis (Certificate) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Timing on Admission Decision: Completed applications will be reviewed for admission on a rolling basis. Decisions generally will be made and sent to applicants within 4 to 6 weeks of receiving the application. | |||
| Application Deadlines for: | Priority | International | Domestic |
| Spring 2026 | November 1 | December 1 | |
| Summer 2026 | Not Available | Not Available | |
| Fall 2026 | June 1 | August 1 | |
| Spring 2027 | November 1 | December 1 | |
| Summer 2027 | Not Available | Not Available | |
Funding Opportunities
Resources- Most graduate courses are offered in the evening from 5:30- 8:15 p.m.
- All behavior analysis courses are offered at the Downtown Campus
Frequently Asked Questions
The Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a 9‑credit‑hour program offered through the Department of Educational Psychology. It’s designed for current and prospective graduate students who want to develop basic skills in applied behavior analysis with a focus on learning theory as it relates to ABA.
The certificate provides focused training in applying behavior analysis to support social communication, academic and behavioral needs across settings such as clinics, hospitals, homes and schools. It does not by itself meet Behavior Analyst Certification Board requirements for credentialing. Students interested in becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst are advised to contact the graduate advisor of record for the MS in Behavior Analysis program.
This graduate certificate is a good fit for several groups of people. You should consider it if you are:
- A post‑baccalaureate graduate who is not planning to pursue a full graduate degree but wants foundational skills in applied behavior analysis.
- A current master’s or doctoral student who wants to add ABA coursework to your existing graduate program to strengthen your skills in areas like special education or related fields.
If you’re unsure whether your background or goals align, I recommend reaching out to the Department of Educational Psychology contacts below.
The ABA graduate certificate is a 9‑credit‑hour program focused on foundational applied behavior analysis concepts. Students will take a course in Introduction to Behavior Analysis (provides 40-hr training for part of requirements to become a Registered Behavior Technician), Ethics and Psychological Learning Theories.
The Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis is a 9‑credit‑hour program.
The exact time to completion depends on how many courses you take each term, but many students can finish a 9‑hour certificate in about two to three semesters if they enroll part time. For a precise sample plan and how quickly you could complete it based on upcoming course offerings, please review the ABA certificate details in our graduate catalog and contact the Department of Educational Psychology or the certificate coordinator.
Completion of the Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis does not meet any of the requirements set by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) for credentialing.
Students who are interested in becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) should contact the graduate advisor of record for the MS in Behavior Analysis program to discuss an appropriate path toward BCBA eligibility.
