Bachelor of science in psychology in applied behavior analysis jobs

It’s an incredible time to be a psychology major. The knowledge and skills students develop as they follow this academic path are highly valued by employers and broadly relevant to a whole range of careers. And yet, it can also be confusing and a little anxiety-provoking to have so many options to consider. Drawing on my 20+ years of experience working with students who are grappling with career questions, I offer the following advice:

• Use those research skills. Read articles like this one to learn more about specific careers and check out some of the resources listed at the end of this article.
• Gain experience. Consult with your academic advisor and college career center to learn about what internship, service-learning, and volunteer opportunities are available to you.
• Breathe. Hopefully you are already breathing on a regular basis, but this is a reminder to intentionally and kindly make room for your uncertainty and confusion. 

There is no “perfect” job and the path to a satisfying career is often marked by twists and turns. The important thing is to just keep moving forward—reflecting on your interests and strengths, learning about different career options, gaining exposure and experience, and repeating the cycle.

One field you might want to learn a bit more about as part of your process is applied behavior analysis.

What is applied behavior analysis?

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the practice of systematically applying the psychological principles of learning theory to change socially meaningful behaviors. At the heart of this approach is the A-B-Cs: antecedents, behaviors, and consequences. During the assessment phase, the behavior analyst carefully observes the antecedents (what happens before a behavior occurs) and consequences (what happens after the behavior) of whatever behavior is deemed to be problematic or identified as a target for change (e.g., averting eye contact during social interactions, excessively checking social media sites during work hours, skipping doses of one’s medication, throwing recyclable containers away with trash). Once the behavior analyst develops a full understanding of the obvious and more subtle factors that are causing and maintaining the behavior, they develop and deliver a personalized plan aimed at reducing undesirable, unhelpful behaviors and replacing them with responses that are more skillful and effective.

What types of clients do behavior analysts work with?

ABA is best known for its documented success in improving the lives of children and adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other developmental disabilities. But there are many more subspecialties in this field and the options are constantly growing. ABA can be used to target age-related challenges among older adults to prolong independence and enhance quality of life. In schools, ABA helps teachers to manage their classroom and deepen learning. Athletes, teams, and coaches can work with applied behavior analysts to boost performance and increase satisfaction. ABA can also be used to assess and change work environments to improve employee performance and workplace culture. Behavior analysts can even partner with communities, organizations, and policy makers to improve environmental sustainability.

What kind of training or education do you need?

There are several different levels of professionals working in ABA. It’s a field you can enter as a high school graduate and earn board certification at every level from undergraduate to doctoral. Detailed descriptions of the educational and supervised experience requirements for certification at each level can be found on the Behavior Analyst Certification Board website. Licensure in most states is tied to certification, but it’s important to check the requirements of the particular state in which you plan to work. College students interested in gaining experience in this field can work as registered behavior technicians, the entry level paraprofessionals who can deliver behavior analysis services under the close supervision of a qualified supervisor. Many organizations that employ entry level technicians provide reduced tuition and supervision to those interested in pursuing a higher level of education and/or board certification in the field.

What is the employment outlook?

The demand for behavior analysts is growing at all levels. According to a study conducted by Burning Glass Technologies® and the Behavior Analyst Certification Board®, annual demand for individuals holding BCaBA (undergraduate level certification) has increased every year since 2010, with a 17% change between 2019 to 2020. The demand for behavior analysts holding BCBA (master’s level) or BCBA-D (doctoral level) certification is also rapidly growing. Over the course of the past 11 years, demand for these professionals has increased by 4,209%.

If this article has piqued your interest, I encourage you use the resources below to learn more about this rapidly growing field that is rich with opportunity and grounded in psychological science.

References and resources

American Psychological Association (2020). Behavior Analysis. https://www.apa.org/about/division/div25

American Psychological Association (n.d.). Preparing to use your bachelor’s degree in psychology: Understand how your skills, degree, experiences, and brand prepare you to land a job that’s the right fit for you. https://www.apa.org/education-career/guide/bachelors

Association for Behavior Analysis International (n.d.). Students. https://www.abainternational.org/constituents/students.aspx

Behavior Analyst Certification Board (n.d.). Certifications. https://www.bacb.com/

Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2021). U.S. employment demand for behavior analysts: 2010-2020. Littleton, Colorado: Author

About the author

As a licensed clinical psychologist, Sue also has a program of research in which she studies how acceptance-based behavioral therapy–informed strategies can help buffer against contextual stressors, build resilience, improve psychosocial functioning, and enhance quality of life. Her team also conducts research aimed at improving student mental health and increasing access to evidence-based care. Sue has published over 120 journal articles and book chapters. Her books coauthored with colleague Lizabeth Roemer include The Mindful Way through Anxiety and Worry Less, Live More (both for general readers) and Acceptance-Based Behavioral Therapy (for mental health professionals). Visit their website.

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