Accreditation FAQs

What is the purpose of APBA’s accreditation?

• The purpose of APBA’s Accreditation is to evaluate degree conferring programs at the master’s level that focus on training students to become scientist-practitioners in the profession of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).  This focus on practitioner-training programs is driven by APBA's mission to promote and advance the science-based practice of applied behavior analysis and by the rapid and continual growth of the profession.  

Where can I find a list of APBA accredited programs?

• APBA will begin accepting applications for review on January 20, 2026. Accredited programs will be publicly posted on the APBA website. 

Is APBA’s accreditation pathway currently recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)?

• Currently, APBA’s accreditation board is not recognized by CHEA; however, the requirements were designed with that eventual goal in mind. CHEA has very specific requirements that must be met in to pursue an application for recognition, including that accreditation boards must already have some programs accredited. Once APBA meets the requirements to apply for CHEA recognition, we will begin the process of applying for recognition. 

Is accreditation only available for master’s programs, or can bachelor’s programs seek accreditation too?

• Accreditation is only available for master’s programs in the United States and Canada. 

Are stand-alone certificate programs included?

• No. Stand-alone graduate certificate programs are not included; just degree conferring programs. 

Do APBA accreditation requirements align with future BACB^® requirements for master’s programs?

• Yes, APBA accreditation requirements closely align with the updated BACB^® requirements for programs. Required coursework maps onto BACB^® requirements for verified course sequences.
• Have questions about accreditation requirements from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board^® (BACB^®)? Head over too their University Faculty Resources page to get more information and resources. 

How many hours will be required in principles and concepts?

• The requirement is for 45 hours of content in principles and concepts. 

What about programs on the quarter system?

• The application materials will allow for a demonstration of how the total course hours are met for programs on the quarter system.

Will basic/experimental thesis count as an acceptable capstone project under the requirements?

• Theses and capstone projects must center around activities that demonstrate a student’s competency in applicable activities that allow for the evaluation of core activities relevant to being a practitioner of applied behavior analysis. Programs could develop a multi-component capstone project that includes activities focused on basic or experimental behavior analysis research activities, provided the overall out of the capstone project meets the requirements. Programs could also provide a wide variety of optional activities and learning experiences for students, including basic or experimental research activities.

What is the timeline for accreditation?

• There are several steps to the review process and the total duration of the review will largely depend on the completeness of the submitted application. We anticipate the total process to take about 3 months.  Please view this video to better understand the steps of the accreditation review process: https://www.canva.com/design/DAG7UVIPWug/0WWzyp5ONv9Xy3IlFmtd0g/view?utm_content=DAG7UVIPWug&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=recording_view

How much does the review cost?

• The cost for the review is based on the number of students enrolled over that past three years: 
  • 75 students or fewer = $7,500
  • 76-300 students = $7,500
  • 301+ students = $8,500

Do we need to have a specific first-time pass rate on the BCBA^® exam in order to pass accreditation?

• No. APBA requires programs to meet all of the standards to pass accreditation. First time pass rate data are used to determine the length of the accreditation cycle. APBA will use the average first time pass rates published on the BACB^® website over the past five years to determine the accreditation cycle. 
  • Programs with 5-year average above 70% qualify for an 8-year accreditation cycle 
  • Programs with 5-year average between 65%-69% qualify for a 5-year accreditation cycle 
  • Programs with 5-year average between 60%-64% qualify for a 3-year accreditation cycle 
  • Programs with 5-year average below 59% qualify for a 2-year accreditation cycle 

Our program collects pass rate data and our average differs from what is posted on the BACB^® website. Can we submit our data for consideration? 

• No. APBA will use the data that is publicly available through the BACB^® to determine the accreditation cycle. Programs may consider communicating with the BACB^® to discuss this discrepancy.

We are a new program that does not have some of the data APBA collects (e.g., first-time pass rates, attrition, graduation rates). Can we still apply for APBA accreditation?

• Yes. New programs are eligible for a 2-year accreditation cycle. Once the program has been in existence long enough to have these data, it can qualify for longer accreditation cycles similar to established programs.

Will the review include a site visit?

• No. All interviews and observations will be conducted remotely.

 How do programs with asynchronous instruction account for the required instructional hours?

• The instructional hours relate to the number of hours of recorded content. This is similar to how APBA would evaluate instructional hours for synchronous instructional formats by looking at the duration of class time.

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