At Centria Autism, we believe that the future of high-quality autism care starts with investing in our people. That’s why we’re proud to announce a groundbreaking new partnership with the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR)—one of the nation’s top-ranked institutions in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) education. Together, we’re launching a fully sponsored master’s cohort for Centria team members who aspire to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs).
Opening Doors for Future Clinicians
Starting in January 2026, 35 selected Centria team members will begin their journey toward a Master of Science in Psychology with a concentration in ABA through UNR’s Global Institute for Behavior Analysis. What makes this program especially exciting:
- Full tuition sponsorship—Centria covers 100% of the cost.
- Rigorous academic preparation—UNR’s curriculum is known worldwide for its strength and ABAI accreditation.
- Built-in fieldwork support—students will participate in Centria’s Elevate practicum program, a paid, structured pathway to complete the supervised hours required for BCBA certification.
This program is designed not only to prepare future BCBAs with academic knowledge, but also to integrate real-world, compassionate, and client-centered practice.
Blending Academic Excellence with Clinical Experience
UNR’s five-semester, fully online master’s program combines evidence-based coursework with advanced clinical preparation. In partnership with Centria faculty, the program has been enhanced to reflect trauma-informed and assent-based care principles—hallmarks of Centria’s approach to autism services.
“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. 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.”
Leadership and Mentorship Built In
To further bridge the gap between classroom and clinic, Dr. Tim Fuller, Centria’s Director of Practicum and Research and a proud UNR alumnus, will serve as 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,” Dr. Fuller shared. “It’s about preparing future BCBAs who are not only clinically skilled, but also grounded in values that matter.”
The program is open exclusively to eligible Centria team members, with the first cohort beginning in January 2026 and graduating after five semesters.
UNR faculty share our enthusiasm. “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,” said Dr. Laura Barcelos Nomicos, Project Director and UNR faculty member.
Why This Matters
The need for skilled, compassionate BCBAs is greater than ever. By removing financial barriers and weaving together world-class academic learning with meaningful clinical experience, Centria and UNR are setting a new standard for how future behavior analysts are educated.
This is more than just a partnership—it’s an investment in the next generation of leaders in autism care.