r/bcba • • 14h ago

Advice Needed Feeling defeated: Capella and FIT are both refusing to sign my BCBA Pathway 2 attestation after I completed additional coursework. Has anyone experienced this?

9 Upvotes

TL;DR: I completed my master’s at Capella in 2020 and additional BCBA bridge coursework at FIT in 2024. Now neither university will complete my Pathway 2 attestation. FIT has a policy against attesting to combined coursework, despite my completing the courses before the policy was communicated. Has anyone experienced this or found a resolution?

I’m reaching out to see if anyone in the ABA community has experienced a similar situation or has any advice on how to move forward.
I’ve been working toward becoming a BCBA since 2018, and I’m currently feeling incredibly discouraged after spending years pursuing this certification.
I completed my Master’s in Psychology with a specialization in ABA through Capella University in 2020 under the BACB’s 4th Edition coursework requirements. I was previously approved by the BACB to sit for the BCBA examination.
In 2024, knowing that I needed to satisfy the updated coursework requirements, I enrolled in additional bridge courses through Florida Institute of Technology (FIT). I completed these courses successfully and paid for them out of pocket. My understanding when enrolling was that these courses, combined with my previous graduate coursework, would allow me to meet the updated educational requirements.
Now, in 2026, I’m preparing to submit a new application under Pathway 2 before the requirements change in 2027, and I’ve encountered a significant issue.
Neither university is willing to complete my Pathway 2 coursework attestation.
Capella has explained that because my original coursework was completed under the 4th Edition requirements, they cannot independently attest that I meet the current requirements. They have offered to provide the Inter-University Partial Coursework Communication Form to assist with the evaluation of my combined coursework.
FIT, however, has informed me that it implemented a policy in 2025 stating that it will not complete attestations for students who did not complete their entire coursework sequence through FIT.
The frustrating part is that I completed my bridge coursework in 2024, before this policy was introduced.
I specifically enrolled in those courses to meet the updated BACB requirements. Had I known that FIT would later refuse to evaluate or attest to coursework completed across institutions, I would have made different educational decisions.
I’ve contacted the BACB directly and was informed that either institution may submit the attestation, provided the institution is willing and able to evaluate the coursework.
I’ve spent the past several weeks communicating with both universities. Unfortunately, Capella continues to refer me to FIT, and FIT maintains that its policy does not permit exceptions.
I’m currently in communication with FIT’s academic coordinator and continuing to advocate for a resolution.
What makes this particularly difficult is that I’ve invested years of education, supervised fieldwork, and thousands of dollars toward this goal. I currently work as a Licensed Behavior Specialist and remain extremely passionate about the field of ABA.
I’m not asking either university to attest to coursework that doesn’t meet the requirements. I’m simply asking for my combined coursework to be reviewed to determine whether it meets the current standards, rather than being unable to move forward because of an institutional policy that was implemented after I completed my education.
I’m wondering if anyone here has experienced something similar:
Has anyone completed their original ABA coursework at Capella and later taken bridge courses through FIT?
Has anyone successfully obtained a Pathway 2 attestation using coursework from two different universities?
Has anyone dealt with a university changing its attestation policy after coursework was already completed?
Does anyone know whether there are additional avenues for requesting a formal review or escalating this situation?
I’ve worked toward becoming a BCBA for nearly eight years, and it’s incredibly disheartening to feel like I’m at a standstill over an attestation process after completing the additional education I believed was necessary.
I’m hoping someone here might have insight, guidance, or a similar experience to share. I genuinely want to find a way to move forward without having to repeat coursework I’ve already completed and paid for.
Thank you to anyone who takes the time to read this or offer advice.


r/bcba • • 19h ago

Advice Needed Failed my first attempt yesterday…

10 Upvotes

I’ve memorized and thought I did well applying the concepts to the scenarios. I’ve attempted multiple mocks and scored above 80% on all of them but still managed to fail my first attempt.

I took my first attempt and managed to score a 356. Are there any advice or resources you guys can recommend before I apply for my second attempt?


r/bcba • • 11h ago

Discussion Question Private Equity owned vs privately owned

5 Upvotes

Hey,

This question is meant for BCBAs and administrative staff who have experience working for both PE owned and Privately owned ABA Companies and can give some insight into the differences and similarities in working for both. What stood out as the most obvious difference(s) between the two and what are some things that were similar? Also, which one do you prefer and why? Thanks


r/bcba • • 14h ago

Discussion Question BCBAs: Thoughts on stopping addressing a behavior even though it's a potential safety risk?

3 Upvotes

To preface, I am not an RBT working with this client nor am I a BCBA, but I have spoken with their RBTs/BCBA before regarding this behavior and was curious on other's thoughts.

I am working in a clinic setting so there are other kids around in our group area often.

The client in question has one behavior where they take the small toys in their hands or sometimes varied non-toy objects or medium sized items like a larger toy truck with moving parts and throw them high in the air directly above them, usually close to hitting the ceiling, and wait for them to fall to the ground. They usually get their head as close to where the items will fall as possible without hitting themselves. From everything Ive observed and gathered from discussions with the client's team, it's purely a self-stimulatory behavior.

The client had a day where they were throwing a lot, often with a lot of these items being thrown coming close to hitting other kids. When I asked the RBT about if the behavior was being tracked or if the client had any replacements in place, I was told that the BCBA tried at one point to redirect the throwing or give the client an appropriate item to throw, but nothing worked so now they just let the client throw items unless it's something very large and then they block them.

My question is...is that ok? It feels like a pretty disruptive overall behavior even in the client's play and also could lead to the client or their peers getting hurt depending on what the client throws. I don't know if other BCBAs just stop after awhile trying to redirect behavior, but it felt like the window spent working on it was maybe a couple months?

I guess I'm just trying to better understand the reasoning behind the decision to drop working on it, bc I heard the same sentiment from the BCBA as well of "well we tried xyz and the behavior never stopped, so we just let them do it now".

I obviously don't know the full scope of this client's program, so I'm not trying to say it's wrong, as that's not my place to do so. I'm moreso just trying to understand the logic of such a choice from other BCBAs too. Just curious on your thoughts!


r/bcba • • 16h ago

Advice Needed Insight on ABA Centers of Puerto Rico

3 Upvotes

Hello! Recently interviewed with ABA Centers of Puerto Rico. I am aware of the reviews. However, I'm interested in knowing anything specifically, about ABA Centers of Puerto Rico. Any insights?


r/bcba • • 17h ago

[weekly] Vent Thread

3 Upvotes

Please use this weekly thread to vent - please indicate if you are seeking advice or if you only want support.

Comments that violate our community guidelines will be removed.

This is a safe space.


r/bcba • • 18h ago

Advice Needed Travel Storage Suggestions

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2 Upvotes

r/bcba • • 21h ago

Discussion Question BCaBA to BCBA in Louisiana

2 Upvotes

I am a BCaBA in LA. I want to start school for my BCBA but I am nervous. I have been a BCaBA for 4 years and love my job. I just fear they are going to get rid of the BCaBA. What do you think?


r/bcba • • 22h ago

Discussion Question Question of the day - October 16

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1 Upvotes

TL;DR

🧠 Question of the Day
📚 Domain B — Concepts and Principles
Difficulty: 5/10

Which of the following BEST illustrates an abolishing operation (AO) for water as a reinforcer?

A. Several hours without water increases water's reinforcing effectiveness and increases behavior that has previously produced water.

B. A visible water bottle signals that requesting water has historically produced reinforcement when that bottle is available.

C. Recent consumption of substantial water decreases water's reinforcing effectiveness and decreases behavior that has produced water.

D. Water is withheld after requests, and requesting gradually decreases because the response no longer produces water.

💬 Drop your answer in the comments — no peeking!
✅ Correct answer revealed tomorrow.

#ABA #BCBA #BCBAExam #BCBAPrep #AppliedBehaviorAnalysis #BehaviorAnalysis #DomainB #ABATaskList #BCaBA #RBT #QuestionOfTheDay


r/bcba • • 1h ago

Resources Behavior Analyst Trainee Workbook

• Upvotes

has anyone used the Behavior Analyst Trainee Workbook to collect unrestricted hours?

Thoughts & opinions? Was it worth it? Were you able to collect a lot of unrestricted hours?


r/bcba • • 13h ago

Discussion Question Does ASU have proctored exams for Masters ABA program?

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0 Upvotes