Become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
Board certified behavior analysts are in high demand to serve individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Below is information regarding the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' (SCDHHS) partnership with the University of South Carolina (USC) and Clemson University Center for Behavior Analysis to sponsor courses for persons interested in becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA).
For more information, contact the Office of Behavioral Health at ASDprovider@scdhhs.gov. Visit the BACB website for more resources.
- SCDHHS, USC Partnership
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) partnered with the University of South Carolina (UofSC) to sponsor courses for persons interested in becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA). The program is convenient and comprehensive for aspiring behavior analysts. Any South Carolina resident with a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree may apply to this two-year program. The coursework is a non-degree granting course sequence and verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International. The supervised field work will meet the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) requirements for BCBAs. Persons interested in becoming a BCaBA or BCBA may apply.
Twenty-five (25) individuals will be selected to participate in the coursework over the course of six (6) semesters. Six (6) of the twenty-five (25) individuals will be selected to participate in the supervised fieldwork over the course of five (5) semesters. The courses will include online synchronous and asynchronous components as well as face-to-face classes. Thus, students must be available to travel to UofSC’s campus in Columbia, SC. Students accepted to participate in fieldwork may use their place of employment as a field work site if it meets requirements. To be considered individuals must submit a completed application, a copy of his/her highest degree achieved and participate in a scheduled phone interview. Individuals chosen will have the following course sequence sponsored by SCDHHS:
- Summer 2022: Course 1 (three credits)
- Fall 2022: Course 2 (three credits) and Supervised Fieldwork 1 (three credits)
- Spring 2023: Course 3 (three credits) and Supervised Fieldwork 2 (three credits)
- Summer 2023: Course 4 (three credits) and Supervised Fieldwork 3 (three credits)
- Fall 2023: Course 5 (three credits) and Supervised Fieldwork 4 (three credits)
- Spring 2024: Course 6 (three credits), Course 7 (three credits) and Supervised Fieldwork 5 (three credits)
Course schedules follow the academic calendars available through the USC Registrar’s Office.
Specific course meeting times are subject to vary slightly between semesters; however, students must be available to attend face-to-face courses on weekday evenings approximately twice per month for coursework and three times per month for fieldwork.
Students participating in fieldwork will schedule additional individual meetings with the supervisor on a weekly basis.
- Clemson University Center for Behavior Analysis, SCDHHS Partnership
The BCBA Coursework Grant Opportunity at Clemson University is offered through a partnership between the Clemson University Center for Behavior Analysis and the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) that provides funding for 15 qualified applicants for coursework in a Pathway 2 Certificate Training program designed to meet the educational eligibility requirements of becoming a BCBA®/BCaBA®. Course content includes eight online asynchronous/synchronous courses in a non-degree granting course sequence. The cost for these courses will be paid by SCDHHS.
Applicants must have a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree and submit a completed application with a copy of his/her highest degree achieved. Applicants must also participate in a scheduled phone interview prior to selection.
Application deadline is Sept. 5, 2025, 11:59 p.m., and final selections will be announced on Sept. 15, 2025.