Step Up Academy
Ready to Become a BCBA?
Our Fellowship Program is designed to guide and support you on your path to BACB certification. Through hands-on learning, expert mentorship, and personalized support, we help you develop into a confident, well-rounded clinician ready to make a real impact in children's lives.
Learn More About Our Fellowship Program
Your Path to BCBA Certification
We’ve built our Fellowship around the real skills and support you’ll need to become a confident, capable BCBA.
Fieldwork Made Simple
We help you get and organize your fieldwork hours so they meet all BACB requirements. No stress, no guesswork.
Extensive Learning Opportunities
You’ll have access to over 200 hours of thoughtfully designed assignments that let you practice what you’re learning in and outside client interactions.
Team by Your Side
We work closely with your primary supervisor to make sure you get the guidance you need. Plus, our Fellowship Lead is there to support both you and your supervisor throughout the process.
Step-by-Step Learning
Our 4-level program starts with the basics like ethics and measuring behavior, then builds up to advanced skills like running assessments and writing detailed reports.
Applied Learning
You’ll build a strong foundation in behavior analysis while gaining practical, real-world skills that textbooks can’t teach—so you’re fully prepared for your first caseload.
Monthly Group Sessions
You’ll join at least one group supervision session each month with experienced BCBAs. We schedule these around your availability to make it work for everyone.
Exam Prep Support
Once you finish your hours, you’re automatically invited to our Fellowship Study Group—complete with guided study sessions, mock exams, practice questions, and everything you need to pass your exam.
Build momentum. Strengthen skills. Grow into clinical leadership.
Grow is for RBTs who have entered graduate school and are just beginning their BCBA journey, typically with fewer than 500 clinical hours. This is the stage where potential turns into direction. Grow Provides:
- Clinical learning opportunities tailored to early graduate students
- Coaching to link coursework with real-world application
- Structured practice opportunities and shadowing
- A clear roadmap to becoming a future BCBA
- A support system that keeps momentum high through the toughest early steps
Prepare with purpose. Finish strong. Step confidently into your role.
Excel is designed for those nearing the finish line—teammates who have completed most or all of their graduate coursework or will do so within six months. At this phase, they’re not just learning to be clinicians, they’re preparing to lead. Excel offers:
- Financial support for exam preparation and final steps
- One-on-one mentorship with experienced BCBAs
- Targeted clinical training and leadership exposure
- Mock testing, clinical reasoning workshops, and guided case discussions
- A personalized plan to ensure a smooth transition into a BCBA role
Lead boldly. Give back. Make an impact that lasts.
Shine is for experienced BCBAs who want to elevate the next generation. The mentors light the path for early-career clinicians, offering wisdom, perspective, and encouragement. Shine mentors play a critical role in creating the collaborative, supportive culture Golden Steps is known for. Shine includes:
- Leadership development and mentorship training
- Opportunities to coach RBTs, fellows, and new BCBAs
- Community-building events and recognition programs
- A platform to share expertise, influence culture, and shape future leaders
Hear From Past Participants
Fellowship Stories
Our culture is rooted in our people and our dedication to supporting them.
Application Requirements
Grow into a confident, capable, and compassionate BCBA
Application Requirements:
Qualifications
Being enrolled in an ABA master’s program
Recommendation
Letter of recommendation from a current Golden Steps BCBA
Time Commitment
Available to work for Golden Steps for 20 hours a week
Mentorship Program
Grow Alongside Experienced BCBAs
Our mentorship program pairs you with seasoned BCBAs who remember what it’s like and want to help you thrive. Whether you’re navigating your first year as a BCBA or looking for guidance in specific areas, our mentorship program gives you a safe space to ask questions, talk through challenges, and build your confidence.
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- First-Year BCBAs: If you’re supervising students or fellows and need to meet your Consulting Supervisor requirements, we’ll pair you with a BCBA who has 5+ years of experience and knows the ropes.
- Any BCBA Seeking Support: Sometimes you need a sounding board, a fresh perspective, or someone who’s been there. This program is open to any BCBA looking for collaboration and resources.
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You’ll meet with your mentor for one to two hours each month. These sessions are yours—bring your questions, your cases, and your challenges. Your mentor is there to listen, guide, and share practical advice that goes beyond what coursework and fieldwork can teach.
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Every mentorship relationship looks a little different, but here are the areas we often explore:
- Case consultation and support
- Student and supervisee guidance
- Preparing for and navigating IEP meetings
- Time management strategies that actually work
- Central Reach Parent training techniques
- Understanding scope of practice
- Crisis planning and response
Fellowship Program
Become A BCBA
Our Fellowship Program paves the way for RBTs to grow into BCBAs with free supervision hours, guidance on choosing a Master’s program, and exam prep support. You’ll also have steady mentorship and encouragement throughout your first year to ensure you succeed.