Introduction
For current and aspiring Behavior Analyst professionals looking for opportunities in the State of California, Applied Behavior Analyst (ABA) certificates can be a unique way to approach or enhance their careers. In California, “ABA certificate” can mean a few very different things, and the differences matter. The best way to understand your certificate options is to separate them into three different buckets:
- Graduate Academic Certificates: This approach is commonly used to satisfy Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Pathway 2 requirements, especially for students who already have a master’s degree and need additional behavior analytic coursework. These are credit-bearing, transcripted programs through a university’s relevant academic department.
- Extended Learning Certificates: This approach is usually credit-bearing, but the structure of the program is often tailored towards working professionals. This means you’ll be scheduled as a cohort, and self-support expectations to complete the certificate will be more prevalent. This approach is not as common; there’s only one program in California that offers this option.
- Continuing Education Certificates: This approach is meant for professionals in the field who are looking for professional development or skill-building opportunities. If you want to expand your existing degree or certification, multiple institutions in California offer opportunities to develop existing skills and build on your degree. Obtaining these certificates does not translate to easily meeting BCBA certification requirements.
Overall, graduate academic certificates and many extended learning academic certificates are usually the most straightforward fit for Pathway 2 because they are transcripted, graduate-level, and structured around academic requirements. Continuing education certificates can be excellent training, but they vary widely in how directly they support BCBA eligibility documentation.
Key State Takeaways:
- Graduate Academic Certificates: 4
- Extended Learning Certificates: 1
- Continuing Education Certificates: 2
- Annual Resident Tuition Average: $
- Annual Non-Resident Tuition Average: $
- Typical Program Duration: 1 – 2 years
Graduate Academic (Pathway 2) Certificates in California
For graduate academic certificates, it’s important to note that most programs will make claims of verification from the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). These ABAI recently made numerous changes to how programs and classes can be certified, starting in 2026. Going forward, instead of verifying a sequence of courses (known as a Verified Course Sequence), a program contact must attest to the BACB on behalf of a student’s transcript.
In 2026 and beyond, these programs may still advertise “verified,” but for BCBA planning, the key issue is whether the program is prepared to complete the required BACB attestation for Pathway 2. While researching programs in California, make sure your program is ready and able to complete Pathway 2 attestation. In this section, we’ve found four programs that have stated they are able to complete this requirement:
California State University – Sacramento
Program: Certificate in Behavior Analysis
Location: Sacramento, CA.
Program Overview:
Sacramento State’s Certificate in Behavior Analysis is a credit-bearing, transcripted undergraduate certificate housed in the Psychology department. It’s designed to be completed alongside a bachelor’s degree (typically Psychology or a related major) and prepares students for entry-level roles that apply behavior-analytic concepts in educational settings.
Unique Components:
- Stacking with Psychology Major: States the certificate coursework is taken concurrently with degree requirements and is applicable toward major requirements, so it’s commonly used as a concentration-like add-on.
- Priority Access: Courses are restricted to Psychology majors or posted Behavior Analysis Certificate students (or instructor permission), which helps keep the pathway accessible to the students the certificate is intended for.
Key Data Highlights:
- Format: On-campus
- Accreditation: Attestation available
- Credit Hours: 20 (units)
- Resident Tuition: $9,014 (TTL)
- Non-Resident Tuition: $17,894 (TTL)
- Enrollment: N/A
California State University – Monterey Bay
Program: Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate
Location: Monterey Bay, CA.
Program Overview:
CSU Monterey Bay’s Applied Behavioral Analysis Certificate is a Special Education–based certificate that prepares educators and related professionals to apply behavior-analytic principles in school and student-support contexts. CSUMB describes the certificate as preparing professionals in applied behavior analysis, with an emphasis on supporting students, and the certificate’s required coursework is built around Special Education behavior supports.
Unique Components:
- ABA Focus: The required courses are anchored in Special Education practice, including a core behavior intervention/support course and a course focused on teaching social-communicative skills.
- Advanced Behavior Supports: The certificate includes SPED 681 (Advanced Behavior Supports), positioning the program beyond an introductory ABA survey and into higher-level application.
Key Data Highlights:
- Format: Online, On-campus
- Accreditation: Attestation available
- Credit Hours: 15 (units)
- Resident Tuition: $8,064 (TTL)
- Non-Resident Tuition: $14,724 (TTL)
- Enrollment: N/A
California State University – Los Angeles
Program: Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
Location: Los Angeles, CA.
Program Overview:
Cal State LA’s Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis is a 21-unit, post-baccalaureate certificate that builds specialized skills for designing, implementing, and evaluating ABA programs (behavior management, motivation, teaching, consultation). The university notes it also helps prepare students for the national certification exam in behavior analysis.
Unique Components:
- Content Areas: The official program plan shows a set of required courses spanning experimental foundations, conceptual analysis, ethics/legal, core ABA, research methods (single-subject), clinical issues, and supervision/management.
- 1-year Certificate Pathway: Cal State LA’s gainful employment disclosure for “Applied Behavior Analysis” describes the program as designed to be completed in 1 year.
Key Data Highlights:
- Format: Online, On-campus
- Accreditation: Attestation available
- Credit Hours: 21
- Resident Tuition: $9,142 (TTL)
- Non-Resident Tuition: $18,466 (TTL)
- Enrollment: 30 students per year
San Diego State University
Program: Advanced Certificate in Behavior Analysis
Location: San Diego, CA.
Program Overview:
SDSU’s Advanced Certificate in Behavior Analysis is a graduate-level, 21-unit (7-course) sequence offered through the Department of Special Education. SDSU positions the certificate as a structured Pathway 2 behavior-analytic coursework sequence for students planning to pursue the BCBA. Fieldwork is not provided through this program.
Unique Components:
- BCBA Sequence: SDSU frames the certificate as the course sequence that meets the BCBA Pathway 2 coursework requirement and lists the required courses and total hours.
- Class Flexibility: Coursework can be completed in 1 year, but most students take 2 years, which is helpful for working professionals spreading units across terms.
Key Data Highlights:
- Format: On-campus
- Accreditation: Attestation available
- Credit Hours: 21 (7 classes)
- Resident Tuition: $9,708 (TTL)
- Non-Resident Tuition: $22,032 (TTL)
- Enrollment: 10 students per year
Azusa Pacific University
Program: Certificate in Behavior Analysis
Location: Azusa, CA.
Program Overview:
APU’s Certificate in Behavior Analysis is a 23-unit graduate certificate built around a defined ABA course sequence plus two 1-unit fieldwork courses. The coursework covers the core analytic and applied competencies used in behavior-analytic practice while the fieldwork courses are intended to connect course concepts to supervised practice.
Unique Components:
- Fieldwork Courses: The catalog lists eight ABA courses totaling 23 units, including ABA Fieldwork I (1 unit) and ABA Fieldwork II (1 unit) in addition to seven 3-unit ABA courses.
- Single-Case Designs: Measurement and Experimental Evaluation of Behavior (ABA 504), centering the certificate in the single-case methodology central to behavior analysis.
Key Data Highlights:
- Format: On-campus
- Accreditation: Attestation available
- Credit Hours: 23 (units)
- Tuition: $18,377 (TTL)
- Enrollment: N/A
Continuing Education (CE) Certificates in California
Continuing Education (CE) Certificates offered through educational institutes in California are specific to Qualified Behavior Analysts (QBA), which is a credential issued by the Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board (QABA). A QBA certificate allows you to practice roles that use ABA disciplines. There are two schools that offer these CE Certificates in California:
University of San Diego
Program: Applied Behavior Analysis and Positive Supports Certificate
Location: San Diego, CA.
Program Overview:
USD’s Applied Behavior Analysis and Positive Behavior Supports Certificate is a 6-course continuing education certificate delivered through USD’s Credit Validation model. It’s framed around becoming a Qualified Behavior Analyst (QBA) practitioner. USD states the certificate meets QBA coursework requirements and is approved by the QABA Credentialing Board.
Unique Components:
- Class Format: Courses are listed as Online Self-Paced (example course page), allowing working professionals to complete content asynchronously within the enrollment window.
- QBA Curriculum: The program is positioned as a QBA pathway, which is different from but still relevant to BCBA-focused university certificates.
Key Data Highlights:
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: QABA
- Credit Hours: 19 (7 classes)
- Resident Tuition: $ (TTL)
- Non-Resident Tuition: $ (TTL)
- Enrollment: N/A
University of California – Santa Barbara
Program: Certificate in Qualified Behavior Analysis
Location: Santa Barbara, CA.
Program Overview:
UCSB PaCE’s Qualified Behavior Analyst (QBA) certificate is an online, asynchronous professional certificate designed for people who already have (or are currently earning) a graduate degree. The program is “verified and approved” by the Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board (QABA) and is structured around completing 7 required courses (letter grade C or better) plus passing an ABA competency course.
Unique Components:
- Online Delivery: UCSB offers “asynchronous class options” and recommends that students new to ABA take one course per quarter (not including supervision).
- Competency Requirement: Beyond the 7 courses (which UCSB notes meet QABA’s 270 coursework-hour requirement), students must also pass the ABA competency course to complete the program.
Key Data Highlights:
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: QABA
- Credit Hours: 35 (units)
- Online Tuition: $5,160 (TTL)
- Enrollment: N/A
Extended Learning Certificates in California
In California, there is only one institution that offers ABA-specific extended learning certificates. Keep in mind that these specific courses are more like a professional program built for working professionals- and not necessarily ready for BCBA standards:
California State University – San Marcos
Program: Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate of Advanced Study
Location: San Marcos, CA.
Program Overview:
CSU San Marcos offers an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Certificate of Advanced Study through Extended Learning that is structured around behavior-analytic coursework for students pursuing either the BCBA track or the BCaBA track. The CSUSM catalog describes the BCBA track as a seven-course sequence totaling 21 units, while Extended Learning markets the certificate as a fully online option that can be completed in as little as 16 months.
Unique Components:
- Extended Learning delivery: The Extended Learning page highlights that the programs are fully online with an accelerated completion timeline (as little as 16 months for the BCBA track), which is good for working professionals.
- Self-Support Model: CSUSM Extended Learning publishes a per-unit fee and separate Extended Learning student fees, which is common structure for a self-support program.
Key Data Highlights:
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: N/A
- Credit Hours: 21 (units)
- Online Tuition: $7,350 (TTL)
- Enrollment: N/A
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
A: Field of practice that uses behavioral science to understand why behavior happens and to create data-driven interventions that improve socially meaningful outcomes. ABA is a discipline, not a credential by itself.
Q: Can I get a certificate instead of a full master’s degree?
A: A graduate certificate in ABA (BCBA coursework) is typically a Pathway 2 coursework option. Currently, the requirement hinges on whether the certificate provider can complete the BACB Pathway 2 Coursework Attestation for graduates.
Q: What is the ABAI Accreditation?
A: ABAI accreditation is a program-level review conducted by the ABAI Accreditation Board. An ABAI-accredited degree program has gone through a comprehensive peer-review process and met ABAI’s Accreditation Standards, which evaluates the full training program, not just a set of courses. Areas of review include the program’s mission, curriculum, outcomes assessment, administration, resources, public disclosure, and degree program design.
Q: What changed for Pathway 2 on January 1st, 2026?
A: Starting January 1st, 2026, ABAI’s VCS system is discontinued, and BACB moved to a Pathway 2 Coursework Attestation model. That means Pathway 2 candidates must rely on their program’s designated Pathway 2 Program. Contact to complete an attestation confirming the candidate’s coursework meets the BACB Pathway 2 requirements.
Q: Does “ABAI-Verified” still matter?
A: Historically, “ABAI verified” meant a program’s course sequence had been verified as meeting coursework requirements at the time (coursework-level verification). That is not full program accreditation and did not evaluate overall program quality the way accreditation does. Now, Pathway 2 depends on BACB’s Coursework Attestation process. So “verified” language may indicate the program has a structured sequence and certification-oriented experience, but the key question is whether your program will support the required attestation process.