Behavioral Intervention Specialist - Graduate Certificate

Full Description

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.

• Behavior Analyst

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• 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

¹

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Spring Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Summer Term
  • Rolling admissions

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Identify the goals of behavior analysis as a science.
2. Explain the philosophical assumptions underlying the science of behavior analysis.
3. Describe and explain behavior from the perspective of radical behaviorism.
4. Distinguish among behaviorism, the experimental analysis of behavior, applied behavior analysis and professional practice guided by the science of behavior analysis.
5. Describe and define the dimensions of applied behavior analysis.
6. Define and provide examples of the following:
   1. behavior, response and response class;
   2. stimulus and stimulus class;
   3. respondent and operant conditioning;
   4. positive and negative reinforcement contingencies;
   5. schedules of reinforcement;
   6. positive and negative punishment contingencies;
   7. automatic and socially mediated contingencies;
   8. unconditioned, conditioned and generalized reinforcers and punishers;
   9. operant extinction;
   10. stimulus control;
   11. discrimination, generalization and maintenance;
   12. motivating operations;
   13. rule-governed and contingency shaped behavior;
   14. verbal operants and define; and
   15. derived stimulus relations.
7. Behavior Assessment and Measurement.
   Accurately identify, define and measure socially significant behavior across a range of contexts and populations, using appropriate measurement systems to support data-based decision making in clinical and organizational settings.
8. Behavior-Change Systems and Intervention Design.
   Design, select and evaluate evidence-based behavior-change interventions — including antecedent strategies, consequence systems and feedback procedures — to improve individual and organizational performance.
9. Performance Assessment and Organizational Behavior Management (OBM).
   Apply behavior-analytic principles to assess workplace performance, identify performance barriers and design systems-level interventions that enhance employee behavior, productivity and outcomes within organizational environments.
10. Supervision, Training and Performance Management.
    Apply performance-based supervision and training methods grounded in behavior-analytic principles to support the development of technicians, trainees and junior practitioners; and evaluate the effectiveness of these supervisory practices.
11. Professionalism, Collaboration and Interpersonal Skills.
    Demonstrate the interpersonal, communication and collaborative skills necessary to build and maintain effective professional relationships, including the ability to give and receive feedback, work across disciplines and manage sensitive or complex interactions.
12. Cultural Responsiveness, Ethics and Social Responsibility.
    Demonstrate ethical decision-making, cultural humility and the ability to recognize and address systemic inequities — using inclusive and socially responsible practices that respect the diversity of clients, staff, stakeholders and workplace communities.

• Delivery:
  • Fully online

What does delivery mean?