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4th to 5th Edition Transition

5th Edition Information For 4th Edition Students-v2

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®) has updated the BCBA® and BCaBA® task list, and the new standards increase coursework requirements and specifications for course structure.

To qualify for the BCaBA or BCBA examination after January 1, 2022, applicants must meet Fifth Edition Task List standards. Florida Tech is ready to help those who have taken Fourth Edition coursework meet the new coursework requirements.

Meeting 5th Edition Task List Standards

What Has Changed?

Coursework requirements have increased 

 

Hours Added

 

BCaBA

BCBA

Supervision & Management

10

20

Behavior Assessment

15

15

Concepts & Principles/Philosophical Underpinnings

 -

45

BACB Compliance Code & Disciplinary Systems; Professionalism

15

 -

Measurement, Data Display & Interpretation; Experimental Design

15

 -

Behavior-Change Procedures; Selecting and Implementing Interventions

5

- 

 

Coursework structure specifications have been added

BCaBA level: 

  • BACB Compliance Code and Disciplinary Systems; Professionalism: 15 hours must be taught in one or more freestanding courses
  • Discretionary category (15 hours) has been removed/reassigned

BCBA level:

  • Concepts and Principles: 45 hours must be taught in a single, freestanding course
  • Measurement: 45 hours must be taught in a single, freestanding course
  • Discretionary category (30 hours) has been removed/reassigned

More information about the changes in BACB coursework requirements can be found in the January 2017 BACB newsletter.

Additional changes 

  • At the BCBA level, degree field of study is no longer restricted. A master’s degree or higher in any field of study can qualify.
  • Supervised experience must meet new supervised fieldwork requirements. Students should confer with their BCBA supervisors and refer to the 2022 Eligibility Requirements for BCBA or BCaBA.  

How Do I Meet New Standards? 

Most students who have completed a 4th Edition BCBA level VCS will need between six and nine additional credits. The courses needed depend on factors including:

  • Whether 4th Edition coursework standards were met, not met, or exceeded
  • The structure of courses taken under 4th Edition standards (e.g. what content was covered in a standalone course)
  • The type of transition (i.e. BCBA to BCBA, BCaBA to BCaBA, or BCaBA to BCBA)

 What Steps Should I Take?

  1. Determine what coursework hours you have and what hours you need

    • Did you take 4th Edition coursework at Florida Tech? We've got you covered! Click for more information.
    • Did you take 4th Edition courses at a different school?

  2. Determine what courses will provide the hours you need

    • You can view our course content verification grid to see the hours provided by each of our 5th Edition courses, but we are happy to advise you based on our experience.

    • To request advising:

    • First, gather this required information:
      • The program and school you attended
      • Content verification grid for that program (available at https://www.abainternational.org/vcs/directory.aspx)
      • Courses from the grid you completed with a grade of B or better. 
      • The level of certification you are seeking (BCaBA or BCBA)
      • The type of degree you currently hold (i.e., bachelor’s or master’s)
    • Then, send this information to us in a single email to abaonline@fit.edu. Please note our advising can only be based on the information found on the content grid. We are unable to advise on the basis of course syllabi. 

To have the BACB evaluate your coursework you can request a formal coursework evaluation directly from them. Although there is a fee involved, this fee is later applied to your exam application. This is the only way to have their official determination, in advance, of what they will accept and what you still need. If your courses were not from a VCS or if a Content Grid is unavailable for other reasons, you must request a coursework evaluation directly from the BACB.

More information about coursework commonly needed by students who took 4th Edition courses at other schools is available here.

  1. Apply for admission

To take 5th Edition courses you must apply to the university and be accepted.

Important: Students who enroll as Non-Degree Seeking Continuing Education – Graduate do not earn a certificate. If you are instead interested in a 5th Edition certificate or degree program at Florida Tech, please see How to Apply.

Please follow these instructions to apply: 

  1. Go to https://admissions.fit.edu/apply/. Create an account and select University Application
  2. In the dropdown selections that follow, select Florida Tech Application then Non-Degree Seeking Students
  3. Click the Create Application button and enter your personal information.
  4. Next, you will come to the Application Information section. Please select the following:
    • Where would you like to study? Online
    • Student type: Non-Degree Seeking Continuing Education – Graduate
    • What would you like to study? Continuing Education (ABA 5th Edition – Behavior Analysis Online)
    • Under Courses I plan to take at Florida Tech do not list specific courses. Please enter “Edition Transition” in the Course 1 box. This will help expedite processing of your application.
  5. Academic History: List colleges or universities you have attended and upload an unofficial transcript copies for all colleges listed. Unofficial transcripts are allowed temporarily. You will need to submit your official transcripts.
  6. Submit your application!

We will review your application at our earliest opportunity and contact you if we have questions. You will receive registration information upon admission.

 

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