Behavioral Intervention Specialist - Graduate Certificate

The Behavioral Intervention Specialist graduate certificate is a highly-specialized sequence that imbues the theoretical orientation and practical application of Applied Behavior Analysis. Through coursework in special education, as well as supervised field-based experiences, students gain specialized knowledge and skills to collaborate with professional teams and parents to develop, implement and evaluate positive behavior support programs for children and youths with behavioral concerns. The Behavioral Intervention Specialist course sequence has been designated as a Verified Course Sequence by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. Students seeking the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) credential must meet additional requirements outlined by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Identify the goals of behavior analysis as a science
2. Explain the philosophical assumptions underlying the science of behavior analysis
3. Describe and explain behavior from the perspective of radical behaviorism
4. Distinguish among behaviorism, the experimental analysis of behavior, applied behavior analysis and professional practice guided by the science of behavior analysis
5. Describe and define the dimensions of applied behavior analysis
6. Define and provide examples of the following:

• behavior, response, and response class
• stimulus and stimulus class
• respondent and operant conditioning
• positive and negative reinforcement contingencies
• schedules of reinforcement
• positive and negative punishment contingencies
• automatic and socially mediated contingencies
• unconditioned, conditioned and generalized reinforcers and punishers
• operant extinction
• stimulus control
• discrimination, generalization and maintenance
• motivating operations
• rule-governed and contingency shaped behavior
• verbal operants and define
• derived stimulus relations

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.

• Bachelor's or master's degree in special education or related field from an accredited college or university
• Official transcript(s)
• Goal statement
• Two letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency requirements - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 550 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based versin)
  • Minimum 77 MELAB score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score

For more information about graduate admission, please visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admission, visit the Office of Global Education's admission website.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Identify the goals of behavior analysis as a science
2. Explain the philosophical assumptions underlying the science of behavior analysis
3. Describe and explain behavior from the perspective of radical behaviorism
4. Distinguish among behaviorism, the experimental analysis of behavior, applied behavior analysis and professional practice guided by the science of behavior analysis
5. Describe and define the dimensions of applied behavior analysis
6. Define and provide examples of the following:

• behavior, response, and response class
• stimulus and stimulus class
• respondent and operant conditioning
• positive and negative reinforcement contingencies
• schedules of reinforcement
• positive and negative punishment contingencies
• automatic and socially mediated contingencies
• unconditioned, conditioned and generalized reinforcers and punishers
• operant extinction
• stimulus control
• discrimination, generalization and maintenance
• motivating operations
• rule-governed and contingency shaped behavior
• verbal operants and define
• derived stimulus relations

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.

Submitting your English test score

When applying as an undergraduate or graduate student to Kent State, there are a variety of ways to submit your score depending on which type of test you took.

• Students should request that ETS send official TOEFL scores directly to Kent (institution code: 1367).
• An IELTS or PTE report needs to be uploaded as a scanned PDF into our online application system..

All English scores will be verified for authenticity. Students with fraudulent documents will result in denial of admission or immediate dismissal.

Proficiency Waivers

Depending on your educational background, you may be eligible for an English language proficiency waiver, meaning you do not need to take a language exam. See our country list and related requirements.

¹ Based on one academic year, two semesters for a full-time international student. Program and special course fees are additional.

² Based on a standard double room and basic board plan. Other room types and board plans at different prices are available.

³ Based on the Student Health Insurance premium for one year. The United States does not have universal health care. For this reason, the university requires all international students to purchase the sponsored student health insurance plan. Under certain criteria, a student may request a waiver of this charge.  Total is based on an estimated cost of the required books/supplies for each term and is subject to change each fall.

All international students are required to pay the $20 per semester International Student Activity Fee.  The fee is assessed each semester to support the delivery of the various programs ISSS provides to its students.

Follow the steps below to become part of the Kent State community. If you have any questions, please reach out to us any time.

Submit an Online Application and Fee

Prepare Application Documents to Upload as You Apply

• Passport biographical page.
• English Language Proficiency official results report for IELTS, PTE or MELAB. TOEFL score should be submitted officially through ETS (Institution Code 1367).
• College transcript/detailed marksheets (Certified English translation and original language). 
• College Graduation Certificate/Diploma if already issued (Certified English translation and original language). 
• GRE/GMAT or other standardized tests if required (submit official test report through test center).
• Graduate assistantship application (if applicable).
  • Assistantship application.
  • Graduate assistantship applicants may need to meet earlier deadlines. Please check with department for deadlines. 
• Additional documents if required. *Review requirements from individual department or school.
• Financial guarantee (bank statements) that show sufficient funds to cover educational expenses.*
• Kent State University Financial Information Worksheet.*
  • *Financial documents are only required after acceptance. 

Upload All Required Documents to the Online Application System

For faster processing, all the documents should be uploaded in the online application system to complete the application.

Check Your Application Status

Apply for Immigration Documents (I-20)

Transfer Your SEVIS record (If Applicable)

If you are an F-1 student transferring from a school in the United States, please review the Transfer In Guide regarding your SEVIS record transfer. F-1 students must transfer their SEVIS record in order to maintain their F-1 status.

Provide Final and Official Documents After Arrival

For admissions purposes, we accept scanned documents of international credentials and scanned copies of official U.S. transcripts. When an applicant is admitted, his/her final and official transcripts and diploma should be brought to the International Admissions Office for verification. This should be done within the first semester (or the first module for ESL students). Otherwise, the student's account will be put on HOLD.