Centria Autism Partners with University of Nevada, Reno to Launch Sponsored Master's Cohort for Aspiring BCBAs

New initiative combines UNR's renowned ABA curriculum with full tuition sponsorship and Centria's structured practicum program

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., Aug. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Centria Autism, a leading national provider of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, is proud to announce a new partnership with the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), one of the nation's top-ranked institutions in ABA education. Together, they are launching a fully sponsored master's degree cohort for Centria team members seeking to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs).

Beginning January 2026, 35 selected Centria team members will receive full tuition support to complete UNR's established Master of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis through their Global Institute for Behavior Analysis. This respected five-semester, fully virtual program not only combines rigorous academic coursework with the practical skills and fieldwork preparation needed to succeed in today's clinical environments, it also reflects a close collaboration between Centria and UNR faculty. Together, they've integrated key elements of Centria's programming, including trauma-informed and assent-based care principles.

"This collaboration represents a powerful alignment between two organizations deeply committed to behavior analytic excellence," said Timothy Yeager, Chief Clinical Officer at Centria Autism. "I believe the path forward for preparing robust, practice-ready BCBAs lies in universities and industry working hand-in-hand to create richer, more meaningful training experiences. Together, we're investing in our team members through a model that elevates educational quality, integrates real-world application, and ensures compassionate, client-centered care."

To support continuity between academic and clinical learning, Dr. Tim Fuller, Director of Practicum and Research at Centria — and a UNR alumnus — will serve as the Professor of Practicum for the cohort.

"This partnership allows us to bring Centria's field-based expertise into a program that's already known for academic rigor and ethical leadership," said Dr. Fuller. "It's about preparing future BCBAs who are not only clinically skilled, but also grounded in values that matter."

Applications for the sponsored cohort opened August 1, 2025. The program is open exclusively to eligible Centria team members, who will begin their coursework in January 2026 and graduate in five semesters. Students in the cohort will also participate in Centria's Elevate practicum program, a paid and structured pathway to earning supervised fieldwork hours required for BCBA certification.

"We are thrilled to collaborate with Centria Autism on this meaningful initiative," said Dr. Laura Barcelos Nomicos, Project Director and faculty member in UNR's Department of Psychology. "By combining our academic strengths with Centria's fieldwork infrastructure, we're supporting the development of highly prepared professionals ready to meet the needs of the autism community."

About Centria Autism

Centria Autism is a leading national provider of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism and their families. Headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan – a suburb of Detroit – Centria employs continuous efforts to advance the science of ABA and deliver high-quality support through their Foundations of Care model, centering clients and individualizing care through Practical Functional Assessment and Skills-Based Treatment (PFA-SBT). Centria aligns each client's unique aspirations with developmentally appropriate treatment goals to inform compassionate, trauma-informed care, respecting the dignity and value of each client served. For further information, please visit www.centriahealthcare.com.

About University of Nevada, Reno

Founded in 1874, the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) is Nevada's flagship public research university and one of the most respected institutions in the United States. Accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, UNR holds the prestigious R1 designation from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, placing it among the top tier of research universities nationwide.

For decades, UNR has been at the forefront of advancing behavior science. Through its Global Institute for Behavior Analysis, UNR offers a fully online Master of Science in Psychology with an emphasis in Behavior Analysis. The curriculum is comprehensive and carefully sequenced, covering foundational principles, assessment, research methods, ethics, and advanced behavior intervention strategies. Students gain both theoretical knowledge and extensive applied experience, preparing them to become skilled, ethical practitioners and leaders in the field. The program is accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) Accreditation Board, reflecting its adherence to the highest standards of curriculum design, faculty expertise, and student outcomes.

SOURCE Centria Autism