Program: Positive Behavior Support Graduate Certificate - University of South Florida

Mar 28, 2025

2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

College of Behavioral and Community Sciences

Department: Dean’s Office

Certificate Contacts, Deadlines, and Delivery Information

Office of Graduate Certificates Website

The Graduate Certificate in Positive Behavior Support (PBS) is designed for educators, school or mental health administrators, school psychologists, social workers, school counselors, and behavioral health staff who want to specialize in an evidence-based approach to resolving challenging behavior and supporting the prosocial behavior of children and youth within schools and early education settings.

Courses teach the behavior skills needed to contribute to the development of intensive, individual behavior support and the collaboration skills necessary to make them an effective member of a positive behavior support team and allow students to develop knowledge and expertise either in school‐wide (K‐12) or program‐wide (early childhood) Positive Behavior Support (PBS). For more information, visit the PBS Certificate Program website. The PBS Graduate Certificate is a program offered as part of the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities (FCIC), a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. Participants in the program are FCIC trainees with access to local and national resources.

Graduate Certificate Admissions and Process

Students must apply and be admitted into the Graduate Certificate to be eligible to receive a Graduate Certificate. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Graduate Certificate Director prior to applying.

Applicants must meet the following admission requirements:

Curriculum Requirements (12 Credit Hours)

Participants are required to complete 9 credit hours from the list of core courses and one elective, for a total of 12 credit hours.

Core courses teach the behavior skills needed to contribute to the development of intensive, individual behavior support and the collaboration skills necessary to make them an effective member of a positive behavior support team. The third required course allows students to develop knowledge and expertise either in school‐wide (K‐12) or program‐wide (early childhood) Positive Behavior Support (PBS). Students may elect to complete the Certificate requirements with the fourth core course or one of the six electives. These courses individualize the Certificate to meet students’ interests in behavioral health or related fields such as behavior analysis, education, and social work.

Complete the following (9 credit hours):
MHS 6410 Intensive Individualize Positive Behavior Support Credit Hours: 3
MHS 6607 Behavior Consultation and Collaborative Systems Change Credit Hours: 3
And one of the following:
MHS 6608 Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support Credit Hours: 3 OR
MHS 6605 Addressing Behavior Challenges in Young Children Credit Hours: 3
And select one of the following or the fourth core course (3 Credit Hours):
MHS 6645 Mental Health Informatics Credit Hours: 3
MHS 6095 Family-Centered Interdisciplinary Practice: SOC Credit Hours: 3
PHC 6543 Foundations in Behavioral Health Systems Credit Hours: 3
MHS 6901 Independent Studies in Mental Health Studies Credit Hours: 1-4
Or other graduate course approved by Certificate Director

Graduate Certificate Time Limit

Five (5) Years.

Graduate Certificate Completion

For procedures to confirm completion of the Graduate Certificate, please refer to the website.