The Applied Behavior Analysis Graduate Certificate is an online program that allows you to develop the knowledge and skills you need to become a caring, competent, and culturally aware practitioner of applied behavior analysis. This program prepares you for a career working alongside neurodiverse individuals — including people diagnosed with autism — and their families.
Our program meets the behavior-analytic coursework requirements by the Behavior Analytic Certification Board (BACB) for those pursuing the [BCBA/BCaBA] Pathway 2 eligibility route. Our program has a qualified Pathway 2 Program Contact, Dr. Maryellen Jensen, who can submit the Pathway 2 Coursework Attestation for applicants who are applying for certification on or after January 1, 2026.
The Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis follows a cohort model. Applicants will need to complete supervised fieldwork before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination. For more information regarding the complete requirements to become eligible to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® exam visit .
For information on State licensure requirements in a particular state or territory, see .
The ABA Graduate Certificate program is not eligible for Federal financial aid (i.e. Unsubsidized Direct Loans). To be eligible, students must be enrolled in the Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis program.
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Dr. Jensen, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Applied Behavior Analysis, is the Program Chair of Applied Behavior Analysis. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst also serving as the Director of the Greenwood Interprofessional Autism Center at À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ. Her area of specialty is working with individuals with Autism and Developmental Disabilities. Dr. Jensen has been involved in the field of Developmental Disabilities and Autism for 34 years. First as a mom and a Chiropractor and then as a Special Educator and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She has worked with individuals from birth to 65 years old, in clinics, schools, homes, habilitation centers and now at the Greenwood Interprofessional Autism Center. Dr. Jensen earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Sherman College of Chiropractic in Spartanburg, SC, her Masters of Education from Arkansas State University and her graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology. She is Board Certified and a Licensed Behavior Analyst as well as a member of Applied Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). Dr. Jensen is a strong advocate for clients and their families, as well as students learning to support individuals with autism and developmental disabilities.
Michelle has worked in the field of ESE since 2005. She has experience in residential, home, and school settings plus at the University level. Michelle earned her undergraduate degree in psychology/criminal justice in 2005, a master's degree in criminal justice in 2007, and a master's degree in special education/autism in 2009 from the University of Central Florida. She then earned her doctorate in special education/applied behavior analysis degree in 2017 from Nova Southeastern. Her dream job was to be a profiler for the FBI. However, after graduating with her bachelor's degree, she started working in a residential school for individuals with developmental delays and fell in love with this field. She went back and earned her master's in special education with a graduate certificate in autism spectrum disorders and then her doctorate in special education and applied behavior analysis. Michelle has a wonderful husband, two kids, and a Labrador. Her family is an outdoor family and they love to be on their boat and go to the islands to camp or hang for the day plus go fishing and scuba diving for fun or for lobster.
Dr. Hinman is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and has worked within the field of ABA for over 10 years working with autistic persons and those with other developmental disabilities. Dr. Hinman received her Master of Science in Behavior Analysis and Therapy from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, and her Doctorate in Rehabilitation Sciences with a focus on Disability Studies from University of Illinois Chicago. As a BCBA and researcher, her work primarily focuses on clinical behavior analytic services including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and mindfulness-based interventions to promote empowerment and independence in the clients she serves. While Dr. Hinman has lived in four states over the past 10 years, she now enjoys her life in the Midwest. Dr. Hinman is blessed to have two dogs and a cat. Her greatest joy is her child who bears the middle name of a professional wrestler.
Jennifer Fountain is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and works full time at Kirksville Primary School in addition to teaching at À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ. She attended William Penn University and William Woods University to earn a degree in Elementary Education in 1997, she became a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst in 2004, achieved a Masters in Elementary Administration in 2011, and she became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst 2012. Originally from Oskaloosa, Iowa, Jennifer attended undergrad at William Penn University in Iowa, and then moved to Kirksville, Missouri to begin her teaching career. She met her husband and his two children in Kirksville and they married in 2003. They enjoy their 4 children and love to travel. Jennifer with her husband and their young twins have taken many road trips all over the United States in the last several years. They also love traveling to see family in Iowa, Ohio, Maryland, and California. Her parents shared with her their love of reading books and being a life-long learner. It is her desire to share this love with her children as well. She has enjoyed teaching in Kirksville for 25 years and she is enjoying her role at À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ!
Program starts in the fall each year. Eight-week courses offered year-round.
Admission is made on a rolling basis but is limited to 24 students per cohort. À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ early for priority consideration. Once a given cohort is full, you will be asked to defer until the following term.
*Total estimated tuition based on 2026-27 academic year. Tuition subject to change.
For information about financial aid, see Financial Aid Resources for Graduate Studies or contact the Financial Aid Office at (660) 785-4130 ´Ç°ùÌýfinaid@truman.edu. Also, the ABA Graduate Certificate program is not eligible for Federal financial aid (i.e. Unsubsidized Direct Loans). To be eligible, students must be enrolled in the Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis program.
Get an inside look at the online learning environment, meet your professors, and get all your questions answered during a virtual visit.
Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis