Careers in Human Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

1. Careers in Human Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Dawn Bailey, PhD, BCBA-D Behavior Management Consultants, Inc.

2. What is the Definition of ABA? Field of psychology based on the principles of learning, including operant and respondent conditioning.

3. What are the activities in which behavior analysts/specialists engage? • Behavior analysts are involved in… • building the skills and achievements of children in school settings; • enhancing the development, abilities, and choices of children and adults with different kinds of disabilities; • and augmenting the performance and satisfaction of employees in organizations and businesses

4. What types of organizations or businesses employ behavior analysts/specialists? • Schools • Hospitals/rehabilitation facilities • Residential settings • Family or individual homes • Variety of businesses/organizations

5. How much graduate training is needed to become a behavior analyst? • Most practicing behavior analysts have a Master’s degree • There ARE Bachelors and non-degreed practitioners in ABA, but in almost all states they must practice UNDER a Master’s level practitioner • Most graduate programs are 2-3 years • Many programs provide tuition waivers and/or ongoing financial support in the form of practicum or paid internships

6. Are certifications or additional training needed to become a behavior analyst? • There are two levels of certification available for behavior analysts (see www.bacb.com for more info) • BCBA at the Master’s level (1500 supervised hours + coursework) • BCaBA at the Bachelor’s level (1000 supervised hours + coursework) • Registered Behavior Technicians (RBT) can provide direct ABA therapy services at the non-degreed level

7. How good are employment opportunities forbehavior analysts? Very Good

8. What salaries do behavior analysts earn? • In 2009, the last published survey on the practice of applied behavior analysis, 65% of BCBAs made between $40-80K a year. • The reported range was $20-100K, however very few reported salaries on the extreme ends of this spectrum • Often salary is dependent on presence/absences of benefits such as insurance, 401K, continuing education perks, etc

9. How flexible are working conditions for behavior analysts? • Schedules vary based on the population and location of service • Dress is generally “business casual” Somewhat Flexible

10. What skills and experiences should Undergrads acquire if they are interested in applied behavior analysis? • If you want to be a practitioner… • GRE 1000+ (or 150 + in each subtest) • GPA of 3.5 + • Minimum of one year of experience • Strong letters of recommendation- not just from professors but from your experience site(s) • PhD/College faculty goals? DIS/undergraduate research experience is a plus

11. What is the most rewarding aspect of being abehavior analyst? • Behavior change • Relationship building • Variety in day to day work

12. What is the biggest drawback of being a behavior analyst? • Often work alone or for off hours • Travel • Must be self-directed • More paperwork than most anticipate

13. Website recommendations for students interested in applied behavior analysis (ABA) • BACB (www.bacb.com) • APBA (www.apbahome.net) • FABA (www.fabaworld.org) • ABAI (www.abainternational.org)