Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Certificate
UNM’s transcripted Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) prepares professionals to work effectively with individuals with a wide range behavior support needs. Graduates are prepared to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) who work in schools, clinics, community organizations, private practice, and inpatient hospitals. The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the following courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® examination. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination. Courses are taught by experienced, full-time graduate faculty who are active researchers and who are committed to providing students with the individualized support they need.
Coming Soon: Master’s in Special Education with a Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis
Starting in 2027, the Behavior Analyst Certification Board will require applicants for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification to hold a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis. To meet these new requirements, we are excited to offer a Master’s in Special Education with a Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis (Concentration III). Enrollment for Concentration III is anticipated to open in Fall 2025.
For those eager to begin their studies sooner, we invite you to apply for Concentration I, with the option to transfer to Concentration III once it becomes available.
We look forward to supporting your educational journey and helping you achieve your professional goals. Please contact Dr. Daphne Snyder (snyderd@unm.edu) to learn more about this opportunity.
Program Requirements
The ABA Graduate Certificate program is open to students who have completed or are pursuing a graduate degree in Special Education or other related fields(e.g., Psychology, Speech-Language Pathology, and Counseling) and to individuals who minimally hold a bachelor’s degree and are interested in advanced training in behavioral analysis and intervention.
Students who wish to fulfill the field experience requirements for credentialing as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) may take fieldwork courses at UNM in addition to the coursework for the ABA-GCERT. Only completion of all ABA-GCERT courses and a required number of hours of fieldwork courses prepares a student to sit for the national credentialing exam as a BCBA.
Verified Course Sequence
Prerequisite Courses (6 credit hours)
SPCD 519 Intro to ABA
SPCD 510 Special Education Law
Required Courses (18 Credit Hours)
SPCD 505 Sem: Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis
SPCD 597 Ethics and Professionalism in Applied Behavior Analysis
SPCD 619 Single Case Research Design
SPCD 521 Behavioral Assessment in ABA
SPCD 522 Supervision & Consultation in Behavior Analysis
SPCD 523 Foundational & Contemporary Topics in Behavior Analysis
Field Experience Labs for Individuals Seeking BCBA certification
SPCD 594L Advanced Field Experience in ABA-Lab - up to 18 hours
Application Deadlines
Application Deadline for Domestic Applicants:
Rolling Admissions
Application Deadline for International Applicants:
Spring Semester
Priority: May 1 (for scholarship consideration)
Summer Semester
Domestic Applicants: March 1 International Applications: Dec. 1
Fall Semester
Priority: March 1 (for scholarship consideration)
Final: May 1
Post-offer materials: Must be received June 1
Application Information
- Contact Dr. Daphne Snyder (snyderd@unm.edu) to discuss your interest in the ABA program and learn more about the program requirements.
- Complete Graduate Application online http://www.unm.edu/apply/
Application includes
- A non-refundable application fee (pay with credit card online as part of Graduate Application)
- One official transcript from each college you have attended. Official transcripts must be sent to Office of Admissions. (Exception: UNM transcripts)
- One-page philosophy statement on behavioral assessment and intervention for persons in need of high quality behavioral intervention services.
- The Special Education Graduate Certificate Application (Download the form, complete it, and submit it as part of your Online Graduate Application).
- Names and e-mail addresses for three professional references. If you are already in a UNM Special Education program, we can use letters of recommendation from your original application file that are less than 3 years old).
Disclosure Statement
The course sequence has been verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) as meeting the coursework criteria for those seeking certification by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB). There is no professional licensure for behavior analysts in the state of New Mexico. It has not been determined whether the course sequence meets the licensure requirements of any other state or the certification requirements of any other entity.
