Certificate in Behavior Analysis

The Undergraduate Certificate Program in Behavior Analysis is accredited by the ABAI Accreditation Board through 2030. Learn more about our accreditation status.

The certificate program may be of particular value to students with interests in special education, drug and addiction research, animal training, impulsivity, promoting health, physical rehabilitation and muscle dynamics, or human or animal behavior.

Mission

The mission of the Undergraduate Certificate Program in Behavior Analysis is to improve human health and well-being by providing students with foundational knowledge in basic and applied behavior analysis, so that they are prepared for graduate study in behavior analysis and related fields or for direct employment.

Training Model

A baccalaureate certificate program is a specialized curriculum designed for students seeking a specific body of knowledge for personal or professional development. The Behavior Analysis Certificate Program is a structured series of courses and experiential learning opportunities that provide students with a broad and deep understanding of the principles of behavior, how they are discovered and described through experimental research, and how they are applied to advance human well-being of individuals and communities. The curricular requirements of the program overlap significantly with the requirements for the Psychology major.  However, the program is open to student in other majors.

Learn more in the WVU Catalog about our course requirements and learning outcomes.

Curricular Requirements Learning Outcomes

Admission & Advising

The Behavior Analysis Certificate Program is open to Psychology majors in good standing who have completed Psychology 101 with a grade of B- or better. To continue in the certificate program, students are required to remain in good academic standing, which is defined as earning a B- or better in all certificate courses. 

To be admitted to the program, contact Brennan Armshaw at brennan.armshaw@mail.wvu.edu. Dr. Armshaw will answer your questions about the program and help you design a plan of study to meet the program requirements in conjunction with those of the Psychology major. Dr. Armshaw also will help you learn more about behavior analysis, connect with expert faculty in behavior analysis, and prepare for a career or graduate study in behavior analysis. (Students minoring in psychology who are interested in the Behavior Analysis Certificate should speak with their major advisor and Dr. Armshaw.)

Research and Experience

Learn about research opportunities with the Behavior Analysis faculty:

• Karen Anderson
• Brennan Armshaw
• Ray Joslyn
• Kathryn Kestner
• Kennon A. Lattal
• Michael Perone
• Claire St. Peter

Learn about opportunities for experience in Applied Behavior Analysis:

• The WVU Neurodevelopmental Center

Academic Policies & Procedures

• Transfer credit
• WVU Undergraduate Catalog

Frequently Asked Questions

What is behavior analysis?

Behavior analysis is a scientific approach to understanding behavior. Behavior analysis focuses on how contextual and experiential factors influence the behavior of humans and animals. Behavior analysts recognize that behavior is lawful, orderly, and predictable. They emphasize identifying the function or purpose of the behavior. Behavior analysts identify relations between context and behavior in laboratory studies or while solving problems important for human and societal well-being.

What sort of jobs do behavior analysts do?

Behavior analysts work in an array of different kinds of jobs. The most common is helping neurodivergent individuals to learn new skills and live enjoyable, independent lives. Behavior analysts also support students in school or help businesses develop policies and practices that keep workers safe and happy. Behavior analysts can work in business, brain injury, gerontology, behavioral medicine, sports and fitness, substance use, environmental sustainability, pediatrics, and public health.

Are there jobs available for behavior analysts?

Demand for behavior analysts has increased each year for the past 15 years. Current projections suggest a continued increase of a minimum of 25% over the next six years.

What should I expect as a starting salary?

Graduates from behavior analysis master’s and bachelor’s programs most commonly will work as a Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBA), respectively. Starting salaries generally range from $74,000 to $90,500 for BCBAs and $45,000 to $70,000 for BCaBAs.

What is the Behavior Analysis Certificate program?

The Behavior Analysis Certificate program is one of just two accredited undergraduate behavior analysis programs in the world! West Virginia University’s program is unique because students can have a variety of majors and still complete the certificate. Students majoring in Psychology can often complete the certificate with only one additional psychology course beyond the major requirements.

What will a Certificate in Behavior Analysis do for me?

Students who graduate with a certificate in behavior analysis will have completed all the necessary course work to take the examination to become a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst. To qualify for the exam, students must also earn 1,300 field experience hours in behavior-analytic practice, some of which is typically available through the experiential requirements in the certificate. In many cases, students can be paid to earn the field experience hours while working as a registered behavior technician (RBT).

What experiential learning opportunities are available?

Students completing the certificate can choose a research path or practice path. Students often select the research path when they are considering graduate training or research-based careers. Students in the research path conduct research collaboratively with a faculty member. Research opportunities are diverse, including studies on behavioral processes with animals (often, rats or pigeons) to studies on the translation of process to solve important human problems (often, in schools or medicine). Students select the practice path when they are interested in working as a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts or a practice-based career. Students in the practice path get hands-on experience working with neurodivergent clients receiving intensive early intervention or with children in the public schools.

Is there a difference between Behavior Analysis and the Behavioral Analysis Unit?

Behavior analysis is a science of behavior that emphasizes understanding why and when particular forms of behavior happen. Behavior analysts focus on applying the principles of behavior to promote learning and solve problems important for society. In contrast, the Behavioral Analysis Unit is a subsection of the FBI and focuses on criminal investigation and profiling. Although behavior analysis and the Behavioral Analysis Unit are different fields, an understanding of behavior analysis (behavioral function and the causes of behavior) may be beneficial for those interested in career as a criminal profiler.

What will the coursework look like?

The certificate consists of 5 core courses, three pre-requisite courses (including introductory psychology, methods, and statistics), and a capstone requirement. The core courses cover the basic principles of behavior, advanced principles of behavior, theoretical and conceptual issues in behavior analysis, applied behavior analysis, and ethics. The capstone can be completed through field experience or research.

Do I have to be a Psychology Major?

A major in Psychology is not required for the behavior analysis certificate program, but the requirements nest best within the Psychology major. Students from other majors who want to complete the certificate should work with their major advisor and the Director of the Behavior Analysis Certificate as early as possible to map out the coursework requirements.