Applied Behavior Support Services (Certificate)

This is a draft edition of the 2026-2027 catalog. Information contained within is subject to change.

The certificate is aligned with the applied mission of MWSU and designed to respond to community needs for pre- and post-baccalaureate professionals who can implement effective behavior support services in home, school, and community settings. 

Students who choose this certificate program will have no more than 3 years from admission or subsequent declaration to meet the requirements listed below. If certification, accreditation, or statutory requirements change and additional requirements become effective during this time, the new requirements take precedence.

Required Coursework
PSY 230Psychology of Communication3
PSY 240Life-Span Developmental Psychology3
or PSY 319 Child/Adolescent Psychology
or PSY 321 Adult Psychology
PSY 409Principles of Behavior Therapy3
PSY 450Independent Research/Project 13-4
or PSY 420 Practicum in Psychology
Total Credit Hours12-13
1

Students need department approval to take PSY 450 Independent Research/Project.

Note: PSY 101 General Psychology will be waived as a prerequisite for the applied behavior support services certificate courses.

University Graduation Requirements

  1. Earn a minimum of 30 credit hours (100 level and higher, maximum of 6 continuing education credit hours applicable).
  2. Earn half of certificate requirements at MWSU.
  3. Earn 9 of the last 15 credit hours at MWSU in institutional coursework (exclusive of credit by examination).
  4. Participate in required departmental and campus wide assessments.

University Requirements

  1. Earn a minimum of 9 credit hours (transfer coursework will not be accepted).
  2. Earn a GPA of at least 2.0 in the required coursework.
  3. Transfer coursework will not be accepted for a certificate.
  4. Degree-seeking students cannot earn a certificate in the same area as their major, emphasis, or concentration.
  5. Degree-seeking students must earn a minimum of 3 credit hours beyond their major, emphasis, concentration, and general studies requirements.
  6. Participate in required departmental and campus-wide assessments.