Verified Course Sequence

A Verified Course Sequence (VCS) is a set of courses that has been verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) to meet specific coursework, content hours, and faculty standards.

Ball State's Masters in ABA program offers a Verified Course Sequence (VCS), enabling students to qualify for the BCBA® exam under Pathway 2, provided they meet all necessary requirements. Completing the 5th edition VCS coursework satisfies the BACB's current eligibility criteria for the BCBA exam (Pathway 2). While the 6th edition Test Content Outline will be used for exams beginning in January 2025, coursework will continue to be reviewed under the 5th edition. Applicants must also fulfill additional requirements to be eligible for the exam.

Please refer to the VCS directory for detailed information regarding our program. Additionally, be aware that new coursework requirements for Pathway 2 will take effect on January 1, 2027. For updated eligibility criteria and upcoming changes, please consult the BACB website.

Certification

To apply for BCBA certification as a Ball State student, you must:

  • Have completed acceptable graduate coursework in behavior analysis
  • Complete the required supervised field experience hours (Note: supervision hours are managed independently by students, separate from their program at Ball State)

Prospective students seeking a Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB) credential are strongly encouraged to consult the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) website for information about education and other requirements that apply to them.

6th Edition Certification Exam

  • Education requirements are not changing until Jan 1, 2027.
  • Our syllabi and coursework have been modified to include updated content for the most recent edition of the Test Content Outline (TCO).

Licensure

Success rate of first time test takers

For first-time BCBA exam candidates from Ball State's verified course sequence (VCS) in 2023, the pass rate was 55%.

Below is the pass rate for first-time BCBA and BCaBA candidates for the past five years. For more information about the BCBA and BCaBA credential, visit their website.

pass rate for first-time BCBA & BCaBA candidates

Year

BCBA Pass Rate (%)
First-Time Test Taker

BCaBA Pass Rate (%)
First-Time Test Taker

2023

55%

32%

2022

56%

67%

2021

63%

81%

2020

66%

50%

2019

61%

53%

2018

64%

 60%
Certifications

ABAI VCS
The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the following courses toward the course work requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.

QABA
Our graduate ABA program coursework is QABA-approved. The coursework prepares for the ABAT, QASP-S, or QBA exams and is intended to provide a foundation of knowledge to not only pass the exam, but to prepare the professionals/paraprofessional with information to utilize in treatment development and implementation.

All ABA programs are required to become accredited through an approved accrediting body by 2032.
Ball State students are currently eligible to sit for the BCBA exam under Pathway 2 (Behavior Analytic Coursework).

In order to complete and receive their degree from Ball State University, students must complete a supervised fieldwork experience class within an ABA setting for their degree. Some states require licensure of behavior analysts. Click below for more information on Fieldwork and Licensure for the ABA program.

To become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, students must have earned a master's degree in behavior-analytic coursework and complete 1500-2000 supervised hours (BACB Handbook). Ball State does not place students with supervisors or in supervision programs. Students are required to demonstrate their competency of clinical skills by taking SPCE 638 or SPCE 683. Students must identify an approved supervisor.

More information