Program Quickview
The programs described below prepare students for eligibility as a Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) in New York State and/or Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
The NYS law has confined this new license to those who treat persons with autism and related disorders, and not any other form of behavior disorder (with the exception of a few exempt settings). The identification and treatment of other behavior disorders and conditions must be done by individuals licensed in the professions of psychology, medicine, social work, and other mental health professions. It could be considered a matter of illegal practice if LBAs were to do so.
In addition to coursework in a state registered ABA program, students seeking to become a LBA must complete 1,500 hours of supervised practicum experience utilizing applied behavior analysis with individuals with autism. Of these 1,500 hours, a minimum of 150 hours must be completed through a university-based, credit-bearing practicum that meets all state requirements.
Students are also required to take an online Child Abuse Prevention Workshop offered through the Genesee Valley BOCES or an equivalent program (meeting the requirement put forth in Chapter 544 of the Law of 1988).
Once students complete the coursework in an approved ABA program, the Child Abuse Prevention Workshop, and the 1,500 hours of supervised practicum experience, they will need to petition the state to sit for the licensing exam and another exam evaluating their knowledge and understanding of autism. Once they pass these exams, students will be able to obtain their license.
The Warner programs described in this section were approved in 2017 by New York State to meet the coursework requirements and the minimum of 150 university-supervised practicum hours. Additional practicum hours can be accrued by students in a number of different ways, including taking the credit-bearing practicum experience offered multiple times by Warner.
While the BACB offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral level certifications, the Warner School has been approved to offer a course sequence for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) credential at the master’s level only.
Obtaining BCBA credentials requires individuals to: (a) have completed a master’s degree in an area approved by the BACB (i.e., behavior analysis, education, or psychology); (b) have completed a BACB-verified course sequence in ABA (as part of the master’s degree or in addition); (c) have completed a supervised ABA practicum meeting the board’s requirements (1,500 hours, or 750 if using the BACB Intensive Practicum model); and (d) have passed the BCBA exam. In order to sit for the BCBA exam, completion of the BACB-verified course sequence and supervised practicum hours is required.
Warner offers a verified course sequence, approved to meet the coursework requirements for the BCBA credential. The six ABA courses comprising this verified sequence are part of our newly approved master’s and advanced certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis preparing for licensure in New York State (LBA), so students enrolled in those license eligible programs will also be eligible to sit for the BCBA exam once they have acquired the required number of practicum hours. Students who are not interested in the LBA credential can take the ABA course sequence as a "stand-alone," as part of another Warner degree program or as a non-matriculated student.
The supervised practicum requirement can be met most efficiently through the BACB Intensive Practicum model implemented for the practicum experience at the Warner School. Based on a percentage system of practicum hours (10-30 hours per week) to supervision provided (10% equivalent of hours per week), a student can attain the required 1,500 units through the completion of 750 hours of practicum inclusive of supervision (that can be accomplished over multiple semesters).
Completing the verified ABA course sequence and required supervised practicum hours, when combined with a master’s degree in an approved area, qualifies the successful students to apply to sit for the BCBA.
- For the Master’s Degree: Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree in one of following areas: human development, psychology, sociology, public health, education, gerontology, social work, art therapy, music therapy, or related fields.
- For the Advanced Certificate: Completed master’s degree in psychology, education, or other approved subject areas that address learning and behavioral change (as required for LBA and BCBA).
- For Both: Applicants must display the disposition needed to work as a clinician serving vulnerable populations. Prior experience working with individuals with autism or developmental disabilities is highly desirable but not an entry requirement.
- BACB Verified Course Sequence: All options include a set of six ABA courses that have been verified as meeting the requirements of the BACB (when combined with appropriate degree and experience) to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam.
- Cutting-Edge Curriculum: Includes coursework on autism, behavioral principles and procedures, evidence-based interventions for teaching persons with developmental disabilities, the assessment and treatment of challenging behaviors, behavioral-analytic research methods, and performance management.
- Supervised Practicum: All options include a semester-long, three-credit ABA practicum, which meets LBA’s requirement of a minimum of 150 hours of university-supervised practicum as well as BCBA guidelines. Students can accrue the needed additional practicum hours on their own, or by taking the three-credit practicum for multiple semesters.
- Choice of Practicum Placements: Practicum placements thus far have spanned public schools, community service agencies, developmental clinics, autism intervention research, early intervention services, residential services, therapeutic and educational day treatment, recreational services, and higher education autism services.
- Required Workshop: All ABA students wishing to be considered for NYS licensure are required to take a state-approved online Child Abuse Prevention Workshop.
- Exam Preparation: Includes a one-credit course to support students’ preparation for the BCBA and LBA exams.
- Interdisciplinary Faculty: Courses are taught by a dynamic faculty of highly respected scholars and practitioners in Applied Behavior Analysis and human development from the Warner School of Education and the UR Medical Center.
- Flexible: Program can be pursued part time or full time and can begin in any semester.
Warner Programs in Applied Behavior Analysis
- MS in Applied Behavior Analysis and Human Development (HA4) (39 credits): For individuals who do not have a master’s degree in an approved area.
- Advanced Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (HA5) (up to 33 credits): For individuals who already have a master’s degree in an approved area; may allow for some transfer credits from previous and/or concurrent graduate programs.
Licensure in other states. For information on whether completion of this program will qualify for licensure in another state, please consult with the Department of Education in that state.

The verified ABA course sequence comprises of:
- ED453: Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis
- ED458: Methods and Applications in Applied Behavior Analysis
- EDE454: Assessment and Treatment of Challenging Behaviors
- EDE455: Research Methods in Applied Behavior Analysis
- EDE457: Staff Training and Performance Management
- EDE456: Ethical and Professional Conduct for Behavior Analysis
Individuals who are planning on taking the BCBA exam are strongly advised to take EDE458, a 1 credit preparation course, prior to taking the exam.

Our Approach
Creating a Positive Environment for Healthy Human Development.
Our ABA program prepares students to design intervention programs and to practice effective and ethically sound behavior analysis. Further, it prepares students to work with individuals with autism in schools, community agencies, and in their homes, as part of an interdisciplinary team. Finally, students receive the educational foundation to seek admission to doctoral studies, should they choose to further their education.

Some individuals have difficulty learning in their current setting, and/or engage in behaviors that do not allow the individual to make progress. Behavior analysts are trained to develop effective teaching strategies to enhance learning through instructional and environmental change. Behavior analysts are also trained in identifying the factors that present impediments to learning, as well as identifying the function (purpose) of challenging behaviors, and developing behavior change procedures to reduce those behaviors that present barriers to independence.
The evidence-based practice of ABA has been proven to improve socially significant adaptive behavior in individuals whose behavior limits their quality of life, prevents their access to educational and community programming across the life span, and influences their ability to live the most independent, inclusive, and fulfilling life possible. The use of ABA in the education of individuals with autism and for the treatment of challenging behaviors is readily apparent in research and continues to expand its vast applications.
Attention International Students
Our master’s degree program in ABA has provided a vehicle for international students interested in becoming experts in the field of ABA and introducing these skills to professionals in their country of origin.
The Warner Advantage
Preparing Graduates to Innovate, Advocate, and Elevate.
- Maximize your job opportunities by gaining both LBA and BCBA credentials.
- Learn from experts in human development and applied behavior analysis to become a dynamic specialist in promoting, through teaching, scholarship, and leadership, the well-being and success of individuals with autism spectrum disorders in settings ranging from preK-12 education, to urban and rural communities, to long-term care facilities and adult services.
- Access scholars and coursework at one of the nation’s elite universities.
- Draw from the research initiatives of a world-class medical research facility.
- Gain exposure to cutting-edge knowledge and skills through a curriculum that keeps pace with emerging knowledge in the fields of human development and ABA.
- Leverage the reputation of a leading research university and medical center to give your degree more recognition.
- Shorten your path to a doctoral degree by earning transferable credits.
- Start the program in any semester.
- Go at your own pace, by choosing either part-time or full-time options.
- Take advantage of online courses to reduce your trips to campus.
- Benefit from scholarships that can significantly reduce tuition costs.
- Are you a University of Rochester employee? Make sure you make full use of your tuition benefits.
All About Experience

Improving the Quality of Life of Individuals with Severe Developmental Disabilities
Professor David McAdam is Program Director for the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program at the Warner School. He is committed to researching new and innovative strategies that bolster the quality of life for persons with severe developmental disabilities. Much of his work is focused on the challenging behaviors of individuals in this population.

Championing Systems Level Change
Warner instructor Meghan McGee is well known in local schools and community service agencies as an expert in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). A practitioner with an eye for identifying systems-level changes that will improve service delivery, she brings her passion for practice to students in the ABA program who are engaged in their field experience requirement.

Leveraging the Expertise of the UR Community Consultation Program
Several of the faculty teaching our ABA courses are affiliated with the Community Consultation Program – part of the University of Rochester Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities. This Center offers evidence-based technical assistance and training to school teams and community agencies working with children and adults with developmental disabilities or behavioral challenges.
Career Opportunities
Advancing Education and Your Career to the Next Level.
- Working on interdisciplinary intervention teams addressing autism and related disorders in public and private schools, community agencies, and treatment facilities.
- Supervising the implementation of early, intensive behavior intervention programs.
- Helping teachers to develop learning experiences for students with autism.
- Providing parent training to parents of children with autism.
- Assisting adults with autism to live more independently in their community.
- Working as a research coordinator or as part of a research team.
- Being part of a research team led by leading Applied Behavior Analysis researchers in an array of medical and educational settings.
There are also increasing interests and demands for ABA skills across the world, where ABA skills and credentials will make you stand out.

Faculty
An Accessible, Supportive Faculty of Researchers and Accomplished Practitioners.
Scholarships
Making it Affordable to Make Warner Possible.
We also have affiliation agreements with several institutions in the area that can lead to ever greater tuition waivers. Inquire with you employer to see if these may apply to you.
Contact admissions for more information about merit-based scholarships and other financial aid opportunities.
Are You a UR Employee? Inquire about your tuition benefits. If eligible, up to 95% of your tuition costs can be covered depending on your position. Contact the UR benefits office at benefitoffice@rochester.edu.

Try Us Out
A Warner Degree Opens Doors. Open Ours to See Why.
We invite you to come and observe one of our ABA or human development courses.
Or even better, take the first course in our ABA sequence, ED453: Introduction to ABA, for a highly discounted price. The skills you will learn will serve you well even if you decide you do not want to pursue the entire program.
Contact admissions to arrange for a visit or learn more about opportunities for non-matriculated students.
