Program Overview
The Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Certificate establishes a pathway for students to obtain Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification. The ABA program is a 5-semester graduate-level program. Each of the seven ABA courses is designed to meet the new 2027 Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Course content standards requirement. USD’s ABA Graduate program provides an ABA Program Course Coordinator to approve all ABA graduate courses to sit for the national Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Certification Exam. The ABA certificate courses are offered sequentially, with no more than one to two courses per semester. The courses are for practicing professionals and current graduate-level students. The online and hybrid delivery methods make it possible for those with a master’s degree or higher who are working in South Dakota, or for students enrolled in a graduate degree program, to stack our course alongside their program of study. Students can take 18 of the 21 credit hours through online synchronous courses. The remaining 3-credit course will be completed through a hybrid instructional delivery method.. Learn more at usd.edu/abacert
DELIVERY: Online* | Hybrid
* Majority of courses online, program requires a hybrid course that is both online and on-campus.
General Application Requirements
- Completed application
- $40 application fee
- Official transcripts*
*Requirements for admission vary by program and may require different documentation and have different deadlines. This list is not all-inclusive, to view specific program requirements and submission deadlines, follow the “Admissions Information” hyperlink at the top of this page OR visit the specific program/dept. page found here: link.usd.edu/grad-catalog
Distance Program Leading to Professional Licensure
Location Matters. This program is designed to meet the educational requirements for a professional license or certification and allows students to enroll in at least one course through distance education during the first semester. Pursuant to Federal Regulations, the program may only admit students who are located in states where the program meets the educational requirements for professional licensure or who attest in writing that they intend to seek licensure or employment in a state where the program meets those requirements. As part of your application to this program, you will be asked to provide additional information regarding your location to assist the program in determining your eligibility for admission.
If you have questions regarding licensure, we encourage you to contact a program representative prior to submitting your admission application, as the application fee is non-refundable. For more information, visit USD’s Licensure-Track Programs page for links to the USD program websites and state licensure board websites.
Additionally, this program is authorized to offer supervised field study experiences (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) in South Dakota. Please be aware that there may be some restrictions on your ability to engage in supervised field study outside of South Dakota. If you have questions regarding supervised field study, please contact a program representative.
Distance education courses or programs will not be offered outside of the United States without prior written approval from the University, which may be withheld for any reason. If you are taking distance courses while physically located outsides of the United States, it is your responsibility to confirm the following: (a) if the country will recognize an online degree; (b) whether the program meets licensure or certification requirements in the country including the availability of supervised field study opportunities in the country; and (c) if the country charges any additional taxes, withholdings or fees associated with online distance education programs.
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