Behavioral Intervention Specialist
Kent State University’s Graduate Certificate in Behavioral Intervention Specialist is a fully online program designed for educators and professionals seeking to develop expertise in behavior intervention strategies. This certificate provides practical skills to address challenging behaviors in various settings, making it ideal for those working with individuals who require specialized behavioral support.
Behavioral Intervention Specialist Graduate Certificate Program Overview
The Behavioral Intervention Specialist graduate certificate is a highly-specialized sequence that imbues the theoretical orientation and practical application of applied behavior analysis. Through coursework in special education, as well as supervised field-based experiences, students gain specialized knowledge and skills to collaborate with professional teams and parents to develop, implement and evaluate positive behavior support programs for children and youths with behavioral concerns.
The program’s course sequence has been designated as a Verified Course Sequence by the Association for Behavior Analysis International. Students seeking the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) credential must meet additional requirements outlined by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Identify the goals of behavior analysis as a science.
- Explain the philosophical assumptions underlying the science of behavior analysis.
- Describe and explain behavior from the perspective of radical behaviorism.
- Distinguish among behaviorism, the experimental analysis of behavior, applied behavior analysis and professional practice guided by the science of behavior analysis.
- Describe and define the dimensions of applied behavior analysis.
- Define and provide examples of the following:
- behavior, response and response class;
- stimulus and stimulus class;
- respondent and operant conditioning;
- positive and negative reinforcement contingencies;
- schedules of reinforcement;
- positive and negative punishment contingencies;
- automatic and socially mediated contingencies;
- unconditioned, conditioned and generalized reinforcers and punishers;
- operant extinction;
- stimulus control;
- discrimination, generalization and maintenance;
- motivating operations;
- rule-governed and contingency shaped behavior;
- verbal operants and define; and
- derived stimulus relations.
Behavioral Intervention Specialist Graduate Certificate Program Admissions Requirements
For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.
- Admitted to any graduate degree at Kent State University or earned a master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited college or institution.
- Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
- Official transcript(s)
- Goal statement
- Two letters of recommendation
- English language proficiency requirements - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
- Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
- Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
- Minimum 58 PTE score
- Minimum 110 DET score
1International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.
Important Dates
Program Courses
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate Requirements | ||
| SPED 53030 | APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS I: THEORY AND TECHNIQUES | 3 |
| SPED 53031 | APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS II: APPLICATION | 3 |
| SPED 63031 | PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT IN APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS | 3 |
| SPED 63032 | ADVANCED INTERVENTIONS FOR ADDRESSING SEVERE BEHAVIOR | 3 |
| SPED 63033 | ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT IN APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS | 3 |
| SPED 63034 | PRINCIPLES AND CONCEPTS IN APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS | 3 |
| SPED 63301 | SINGLE SUBJECT RESEARCH METHODS | 3 |
| SPED 64892 | ADVANCED PRACTICUM | 3 |
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 24 | |
Behavioral Intervention Specialist Graduate Certificate Program Tuition and Fees
Ohio Residents
| Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit Course | Approximate Tuition Cost |
| $594.78 | $1,784.34 | $14,300 part-time1 $13,100 full-time2 |
Non-Ohio Residents
| Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit Course | Approximate Tuition Cost |
| $604.78 | $1,814.34 | $14,500 part-time3 $13,300 full-time4 |
1The $594.78 per-credit-hour tuition rate applies to part-time Ohio resident graduate students taking fewer than 11 credit hours per semester.
2The flat-rate semester fee of $6,528.50 applies to full-time Ohio resident graduate students taking between 11-18 credit hours per semester.
3The $604.78 per-credit-hour tuition rate applies to part-time non-Ohio resident graduate students enrolled in a fully online degree program and taking fewer than 11 credit hours per semester, PLUS a surcharge of $10 per credit hour.
4The flat-rate semester fee of $6,528.50 applies to full-time non-Ohio resident graduate students enrolled in a fully online degree program and taking between 11-18 credit hours, PLUS a surcharge of $10 per credit hour of actual credits taken (between 11-18 semester credits or $110-$180). This program was calculated at students taking 12 credits for two semesters ($120 x 2).
An additional Distance Learning fee for all students enrolled in a distance learning course is $15 per credit hour. Program tuition and costs are estimated and subject to change.
Actual tuition costs may vary based on a student’s chosen academic plan. For a complete listing of tuition rates for approved online programs, please contact Kent State’s Financial, Billing & Enrollment Center at 330-672-6000 or via our website Contact Us link.
The total program costs are estimates and are not final or binding. Program costs are based on standard fees, but fees may vary based on the actual classes taken. Kent State University disclaims any liability arising from the use of or reliance upon these program cost estimates by any person. Program costs are subject to change without notice.
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