Board certification requirements are changing.
From January 1, 2027, the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB) will no longer approve coursework completed under the current (2022, 5th edition) requirements.
George Mason University is working on a new degree program which will satisfy the revised BACB requirements (contact us to join the interest list). However, in order to allow students sufficient time to complete their coursework and fieldwork hours and to sit for the certification exam before the December 2026 deadline, there will be no further admission to the Graduate Certificate from Fall 2025 onwards.
The last semester to start the ABA certificate will be Summer 2025.
Applicants wishing to complete the Master’s in Special Education in parallel with the certificate should plan to start no later than Spring 2025.
Please use the form in the Contact tab below for queries about the certificate program and the admissions process.
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a scientific approach to the study of behavior that is concerned with describing, explaining, predicting, and changing behavior.
The 21-credit ABA graduate certificate is designed to increase the professional training of individuals responsible for designing, implementing, and monitoring behavioral treatment and verbal behavior training programs in schools, private practices, and community agencies. Please note this is not a teacher licensure program.
Students wishing to attain a master's degree in special education in conjunction with the ABA certificate complete an additional 9 credits of course work.
Fully Online Program
- Not eligible for VA Educator Tuition Discount
- 8 week modules
- 100% online
- Not eligible for in-state tuition pricing
- Start in spring, summer or fall
Campus/Blended Program
- Eligible for VA Educator Tuition Discount
- Traditional Semester
- Face-to-face interaction with faculty
- Eligible for in-state tuition pricing
- Certificate-only students start in fall or spring
- MEd/ABA students start in spring, summer or fall
Students can select between a 100% online, asynchronous format or a hybrid format in which ABA courses are completed face-to-face at the Fairfax Mason campus and additional courses for the MEd can be completed online or face-to-face. Face-to-face courses are offered in the afternoon and evening.
Students can combine the ABA coursework with an MEd and, with just a few additional courses, graduate with the ABA Certificate plus a Master's in Special Education. Students wishing to pursue the master's option should apply to the master's program and contact an advisor to add the certificate once enrolled.
- Coursework is based on the standards of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. The Mason program is a BACB Verified Course Sequence (VCS).
- Coursework is verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International as applicable toward requirements for eligibility to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® examination (additional requirements must also be met for full eligibility).
- BCBA Examination Pass Rates
- Dr. Ted Hoch, Verified Course Sequence Coordinator, liaises with BACB and can assist with questions related to Board regulations, evaluation of transfer credits, and the application process for the BACB exam. Questions about VCS and course attestation forms should be directed to Dr. Hoch at thoch@gmu.edu.
- If you are a current or prior student submitting an application to sit for the BCBA exam on the basis of combined 4th and 5th Edition coursework, please contact Dr. Hoch as you may need Mason to provide coursework attestation forms.
- Dr. Christine Barthold is the Academic Program Coordinator and oversees instruction in the ABA program. She can be contacted at choffner@gmu.edu with questions related directly to courses and instruction.
- Virginia Educator Discount: A 15% discount off the university’s approved tuition rate is available for qualifying in-state graduate students who are educators in Virginia.
- Mason LIFE: The Learning Into Future Environments (LIFE) Program is an innovative post-secondary program at Mason. Students focusing on special education have an opportunity to work as instructors, resident advisors and mentors in the LIFE program which provides them with field experience in a supportive, supervised setting.
- Students residing outside of the United States, Canada, and Australia are encouraged to visit https://www.bacb.com/global-certification/ for further information about whether they will be eligible for BACB certification after January 1, 2023.
- They are also encouraged to check with their local governing bodies to determine whether George Mason University’s coursework may satisfy requirements for credentialing in their country of residence.
- Completion of the requirements for Mason’s ABA Graduate Certificate does not guarantee an individual’s eligibility to obtain certification.
Certificate Courses
Additional Master's Degree Courses
See the chart showing how the ABA courses apply to the MEd in Special Education.
|
Fall Start |
Spring Start |
Summer Start |
| On-campus/Blended |
August 1 |
January 1 |
June 1 |
| Fully Online |
August 1 |
November 1 |
April 1 |
* The division processes applications on a rolling admission basis, as time permits. However, students are encouraged to complete applications by the recommended deadlines to ensure time for processing.
All application materials must be submitted through George Mason’s online graduate application. In addition to meeting general university admissions requirements, applicants will need to provide the requirements below.
To be considered for graduate studies, the following items are evaluated during the admission review process:
- Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s application
- 750- to 1,000-word written statement of your goals and interest in the program
- Current resume
- Two letters of recommendation. Applicants should follow the instructions included in the online application to submit the recommendation forms directly to their recommenders. George Mason does not accept paper recommendations. Recommendations should be professional or academic in nature.
- One letter of recommendation from your George Mason undergraduate advisor
Admission to graduate programs at George Mason University is competitive. Applicants are evaluated on the strength of their academic backgrounds, results of standardized exams (if required by the program), work experience, and any additional evidence of potential success in the program. Faculty admissions review is a holistic review of requirements as well as the applicant’s potential academic and professional success upon completion of the program.
At a minimum all admitted students must have:
- An earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, or international equivalent, verified from official transcripts. Expectation of an earned baccalaureate prior to the first day of classes for the term for which the student is applying will also meet this requirement. See the graduate admissions policy for more information.
- A minimum 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale in baccalaureate study. Students with less than a 3.0 GPA are encouraged to apply, addressing previous academic challenges and highlighting evidence for future success in their goal statement.
- International students should reference Admission of International Students for additional requirements.
Online
| TUITION CLASSIFICATION |
COST PER CREDIT |
| Virginia resident |
$805.00 |
| Non-Virginia resident |
$805.00 |
| Distance learning fee |
$35.00 |
| Total cost for Virginia residents per credit |
$840.00 |
| Total cost for non-Virginia residents per credit |
$840.00 |
Graduate new student fee
(non-refundable, one-time fee) |
$60 |
On-Campus/Blended
| TUITION CLASSIFICATION |
COST PER CREDIT |
| Virginia Resident |
$748.50
(includes MSF*) |
| Non-Virginia Resident |
$948.50
(includes MSF*; discounted from $1,679.50) |
| VA Resident and PK-12 VA Educator enrolled in a CEHD graduate program** |
$635.50
(includes MSF*) |
| CEHD Course Fee |
$25 - $84 |
| Total Cost for Virginia Residents per Credit |
$773.50 - $832.50 |
| Total Cost for Non-Virginia Residents per Credit |
$979.50 - $1,038.50 |
| Total cost for VA Resident and PK-12 VA Educator enrolled in a CEHD graduate program* |
$660.50 - $719.50 |
Graduate New Student Fee
(non-refundable, one-time fee) |
$60 |
Please Note: Refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees. Internship courses will incur a higher course fee to fund on-site assistance involving intensive clinical training/supervision.
*Mandatory Student Fee (MSF): $159.50
**VA state residents who are eligible must apply for the 15% PreK-16 VA Educators Discount in order to take advantage of the lower tuition. Eligible students receive 15% off the total tuition and mandatory student fee.
For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding grants, tuition waivers, and other merit aid, please inquire with your graduate department. Also, many school districts offer tuition reimbursement options. Speak to your employer for more information.
Fully Online Program
Dyamond Robinson
They/Them/Theirs
Student Success Coach
(703) 718-5192
drobin36@gmu.edu
Schedule an Appointment
Campus/Blended Program
To be successful in your program, it is important to remember that each student is responsible for knowing George Mason’s rules, regulations, requirements, administrative policies and academic policies. Every student must meet with his advisor upon admission to the program to create a program of study. Even if students know which program/s they will pursue and their sequence of coursework, it is beneficial to discuss plans for internships, testing requirements, transfer options if applicable, etc. It is highly recommended that you meet with your advisor at least once per semester to review degree progress and plan for future semesters. The University Catalog, your program advisors, and the staff in the Student and Academic Affairs Office are key resources to assist you as you work toward completion of your degree requirements.
Advisors
| Crystal Trebing |
Jackie Beck |
Jancy Templeton |
Undergraduates and Graduate students (non-cohort) with last names A-H
FCPS Special Education-General cohorts
|
Undergraduates and Graduate students (non-cohort) with last names I-S
PWCS Special Education-General cohorts
|
Undergraduates and Graduate students (non-cohort) with last names T-Z
LCPS & FCPS Adapted cohorts
|
cgolden3@gmu.edu
(703) 993-4361
M, T 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
R 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
F 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Appointments available virtually or face-to-face.
|
jbeck26@gmu.edu
(703) 993-3463
M, F 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
T, W 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Appointments available virtually or face-to-face.
|
jtemple1@gmu.edu
(703) 993-2387
M, T 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
W, F 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
R 11:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Appointments available virtually or face-to-face.
|
| Click HERE to schedule a meeting with Crystal Trebing. |
Click HERE to schedule a meeting with Jackie Beck. |
Click HERE to schedule a meeting with Jancy Templeton. |
Schedule an Appointment
Current students may schedule or cancel appointments no less than 24 hours in advance. Advisor calendars are open two weeks in advance. If no appointments show as available with your assigned advisor, please check back in a day or two to see if new times have opened up. You can also e-mail general questions to your advisor.
Contact speced@gmu.edu if you have any questions or sschelp@gmu.edu if you have any issues with the scheduling system.
Drop-In Advising
Drop-in advising hours are available virtually through Blackboard or face-to-face in Finley 102. During these sessions, students receive one-on-one advising on a first-come, first-served basis. To access the virtual advising session please use the links below during the times listed:
Mondays: 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Tuesdays: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Sessions are cancelled when George Mason is closed or if otherwise indicated.
Forms
Current students should visit MyMason for important forms and documents.
Professional Resources
BCBA 2022 Eligibility Requirements
Chris Barthold
Christan Coogle
Theodore Hoch
Kristy Park
Lisa Tullo