Your Path to Becoming a BCBA Starts Here

The Apex Program

The Apex Program is CST Academy’s professional development pathway for therapists and graduate students pursuing BCBA certification.
Through Apex, you’ll gain:

Structured mentorship and supervision
Hands-on, real-world clinical experience
Exam preparation and professional guidance
A smooth transition into your BCBA role

Apex supports every step of your journey from ABA Therapist to BCBA through personalized supervision, mentorship, and collaborative learning in real clinical settings.

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Why Choose Apex

Early, Supported Fieldwork

Start applying what you learn in your graduate program right away, with guidance from BCBAs who support your development every step of the way.

Dedicated Mentorship

Each participant is paired with a Responsible Supervisor BCBA who provides consistent feedback, professional guidance, and encouragement throughout your fieldwork experience.

Comprehensive Clinical Learning

Gain exposure to every aspect of behavior analysis, including direct therapy, data collection, goal setting, and family collaboration.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

Work with CST Academy’s speech, occupational, and physical therapy teams to build a well-rounded understanding of child development and teamwork.

Peer Cohort Community

Join a cohort of fellow graduate students to share ideas, discuss cases, and stay connected throughout your journey.

A Clear Path Forward

At CST Academy, professional growth is mapped out from your first day as a therapist through your future as a BCBA and beyond. The Apex Program provides a defined path that connects training, mentorship, and real clinical experience into one clear progression toward your certification and career goals.

What You’ll Gain Through Apex

Supervision Quality

1:1 mentorship with experienced BCBAs who provide personalized guidance.

Real Clinical Learning

Direct and indirect experience built into your schedule, aligned with your coursework.

Interdisciplinary Exposure

Collaborate with Speech, OT, and PT teams to strengthen holistic clinical skills.

Exam Preparation

Access to peer study groups, resources, and mentorship to help you succeed.

Professional Community

Cohort meetings, networking opportunities, and mentorship that continues beyond certification.

Career Continuity

Apex graduates are prioritized for BCBA roles within CST Academy after certification.

Your Apex Journey

Step 1:
Join the Program

You’re eligible to join Apex once you’re working as an ABA Therapist at CST Academy and enrolled in a graduate program in Applied Behavior Analysis. After joining, you’ll be matched with a BCBA mentor and added to an Apex Cohort for ongoing communication and support.

Step 2:
Active Fieldwork

Gain hands-on experience with clients while receiving consistent supervision and feedback from your mentor. Participate in cohort meetings, professional workshops, and real-world learning opportunities that strengthen both your clinical and leadership skills.

Step 3:
Exam Preparation & Transition

As you near certification, Apex provides additional support to help you succeed — including peer study sessions, mock exams, and opportunities to shadow senior clinicians. When you pass your BCBA exam, you’ll already have the experience, confidence, and team support to thrive as a BCBA at CSTA.

Streamlined Tracking and Transparency

Apex participants receive complimentary, ad-free access to Ripley Fieldwork Tracker, the industry’s leading digital platform for supervision and fieldwork management.

Your hours, goals, and progress are automatically organized, giving you and your BCBA mentor a clear picture of your development at every stage.
It’s one more way CSTA invests in your success, with technology that makes your supervision experience seamless, transparent, and stress-free.

Hear from Our Apex Participants

“The supervision I received through Apex was not only consistent and effective, but fun! It made me look forward to interactions with my supervisors, and the collaborative nature of the team is what ultimately led me to pursue a role here as a BCBA, because I wanted to continue to pass on the same experiences that I had with others.”

Lauren P.
RRBT → BCBA, 2023 Cohort

“Receiving supervision at CSTA provided me with the opportunity to learn, implement, and provide interventions to clients that I had never done before. It also allowed me to receive the best and most critical in the moment feedback from our amazing BCBA team. I would not have the confidence and fidelity with the skills I utilize today as a BCBA without CSTA’s supervision program!”

Chris S.
RBT → BCBA, 2024 Cohort

“My experience having supervision through the Apex Program at CSTA has been great! My supervisors are very knowledgeable and experts in their field, and I’m appreciative every day to have such great mentors.”

Amina J.
ABA Therapist, Apex Participant

“Receiving supervision at CSTA has been such a supportive and inspiring experience. My supervisor’s guidance and feedback have helped me grow both personally and professionally, while strengthening my confidence and skills as I work toward becoming a BCBA.”

Ingrid V.
ABA Therapist, Apex Participant

Life After Apex: Your BCBA Career at CSTA

Apex graduates receive priority consideration for BCBA openings across CST Academy and continued mentorship through our BCBA Mentorship Program.

As a BCBA at CSTA, you’ll experience:

Smaller caseloads for more meaningful client impact.
Collaborative teams of skilled ABA Therapists and clinicians.
A structured BCBA mentorship program that pairs you with an experienced clinical leader to guide your transition into independent practice.
Ongoing professional development through continuing education, peer collaboration, and leadership opportunities.
Clear leadership pathways into Senior BCBA and Clinic Director roles.

Your career growth doesn’t stop with certification — it expands with every child, family, and clinician you support.

Life After Apex: Your BCBA Career at CSTA

Your Path to Becoming a BCBA Starts Here

The Apex Program