Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Teaching Students with Autism, and BCaBA (formerly BCABA) Option (9-18 Credits)

The College of Graduate and Professional Studies offers opportunities intended to enhance the effectiveness of licensed teachers and other professionals working with students with autism. The College offers three options, or avenues of study, to meet various professional development goals for individuals engaged with students with autism.

The first, a Certificate in Teaching Students with Autism, requires the completion of four graduate courses designed to assist licensed teachers in meeting the needs of students with autism. Each of these courses is eligible for partial tuition reimbursement from the Virginia Autism Council (VAC). The second option, the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) Course Sequence, consists of three BCaBA courses (with field experience hours required) that prepare students to take the BCaBA exam. The BCaBA Course Sequence is available to eligible students interested in completing the BCaBA course work apart from the certificate. The third option combines the Certificate in Teaching Students with Autism and the BCaBA course work, allowing individuals to earn the Certificate in Teaching Students with Autism while completing the three graduate courses (requiring field experience hours) necessary to take the BCaBA exam.

All three options are offered via distance learning formats.  Through partnership with Commonwealth Autism Service, University of Mary Washington also offers the BCaBa courses in various locations.  Our BCaBA Course Sequence was recently offered through the Shenandoah Valley Regional Program (SVAP), and is currently offered  at The Southeastern Cooperative Education Programs (SECEP), in Norfolk, VA.  There are also future plans to offer the BCaBA Course Sequence in the Lynchburg area.  Other cohort options may be available.  If you are interested in determining if a BCaBa Course Sequence Cohort may be possible in your area, please contact Dr. Jeanie Kline at jkline@umw.edu

Please visit the Office of Admissions Web page for admission requirement details. Please visit the Virginia Autism Council Web site for more details regarding tuition reimbursement.

Required Courses for the Certificate (12 credits)

EDSE 533 Positive Approaches to Behavior Management (3 credits)
EDSE 537 Characteristics of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (3 credits)
EDSE 538 Methods for Teaching and Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (3 credits)
INDT 531 Emerging and Assistive Technologies (3 credits)

Required Courses for the BcaBa Course Sequence (9 credits)

EDSE 527 Principles of Learning and Behavior* (3 credits)
EDSE 528 Basic Methods of Applied Behavior Analysis* (3 credits)
EDSE 529 Techniques in Behavior Analysis* (3 credits)

Required Courses for the Certificate with the BCaBA Course Sequence (18 credits)

EDSE 527 Principles of Learning and Behavior* (3 credits)
EDSE 528 Basic Methods of Applied Behavior Analysis* (3 credits)
EDSE 529 Techniques in Behavior Analysis* (3 credits)
EDSE 537 Characteristics of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (3 credits)
EDSE 538 Methods for Teaching and Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (3 credits)
INDT 531 Emerging and Assistive Technologies (3 credits)

*These three courses require field experience hours supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Each of these courses meets BCaBA standards for BCaBA-related courses.

BCaBA Course Sequence Only: Eligible applicants include individuals with a bachelor’s degree, or who have permission from the instructor to take EDSE 527.

Note: Each course in the certificate program meets Virginia Autism Council Competencies, and Council for Exceptional Children Standards, where appropriate.