You may want to pursue a career that will not only earn you a decent living but will also bring you divine satisfaction. Suppose you are passionate about assisting others while walking them through their life’s difficulties. In that case, you may want to pursue a career that will not only earn you a decent living but will also bring you divine satisfaction. A job as a Board Certified Analyst in Applied Behavior Analysis might be the most excellent fit for you if you are just that sort of person. Many people might be thinking, “Is BCBA a decent career?” Of course, the answer is yes. The title may cost time and effort, but it may be gratifying in the long run and lead to some of the most unforgettable events.
What Is a BCBA?
A person who has earned a certification in applied behavior analysis is known as a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA). The Behavior Analyst Credential Board provides this certification to BCBAs.
Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) is a method of influencing a person’s behavior using scientific and systematic methods. Many behavior analysts specialize in specific areas such as autism, developmental disabilities, or mental health difficulties and work in schools, classrooms, hospitals, clinics, and organizations.
How to Become a BCBA?
Before they may practice, BCBAs must meet several educational, training, and certification criteria. The following are five steps to becoming a BCBA:
Earn a Master Degree
BCBAs must have a master’s degree in behavioral analysis, education, or psychology from a recognized institution to be eligible for employment. Students who get a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis are prepared to work as independent consultants in education and mental health.
Psychology, child psychology, developmental psychology, early development, emotional effect of disability, behavioral and perceptual development, and other therapeutic courses should all be included in the curriculum.
Undergo Supervised Framework
As part of their master’s degree program, BCBA applicants must complete a 1,000-hour practicum. You’ll need at least 1,500 hours of fieldwork if your degree doesn’t offer a qualifying practicum. Gaining practical experience in a behavior analysis situation is what fieldwork entails.
Get Certified
To become a BCBA, you must pass the national BACB test, which Pearson VUE conducts. The test consists of 160 multiple-choice questions covering fundamental behavior analytic abilities, behavior change concerns, and client-centered duties.
BCBAs must renew their certification every two years by completing 32 continuing education units, such as attending seminars or workshops or doing extra coursework.
Obtain a State License
In addition to their BACB certification, several jurisdictions require BCBAs to get a license. In New York, for example, a licensed behavior analyst (LBA) license is required. To see if you need to apply for a license to practice, look up the regulations in your state.
Apply for BCBA Jobs
You’ll start applying for BCBA employment after you’re certified and licensed. Your practicum or fieldwork experience should be highlighted on your CV, and an excellent BCBA cover letter may help you stand out from the crowd.
What Does a BCBA Do?
A BCBA creates treatment strategies to rectify undesirable behavior while encouraging favorable attributes. They look at how a patient’s motivation influences their behavior and then build an atmosphere that encourages them to make improvements. To monitor and help patients, BCBAs may collaborate with families, teachers, or other psychological specialists.
A BCBA may perform the following function:
- Examining persons that have problems with their actions
- Investigating how environmental changes influence people’s behavior.
- Developing therapy methods to address undesirable behaviors
- Using research concepts to help people modify their habits
- Assisting clients with their therapies in collaboration with behavior analysis assistants
- Patients, their families, and other healthcare professionals participating in the treatment process are all communicated.
How Hard Is It to Become a BCBA?
The BCBA test may be challenging for some applicants, but many study courses and tools are available to help you feel more prepared. In addition, the BACB enables candidates to repeat the test 30 days after their last try.
What Critical Skills Do BCBA’s Need?
Aside from technical talents, you’ll need a distinct skill set to be a good BCBA. It would be best if you worked on the following soft skills:
- Communication Skills
- Analytical Skills
- Time Management Skills
- Active Listening Skills
- Emotional Intelligence
How Much Money Does BCBA Make?
A BCBA’s average annual pay in the United States is $71,825 per year, with salaries ranging from $52,423 to $98,407 per year. The compensation of a BCBA is determined by their experience and the size, nature, and location of the facility where they work. Click the link provided for the most up-to-date salary statistics from Indeed.
BCBA’s Salary in the Different States
- Los Angeles (also includes Long Beach and Anaheim), CA: $138,810
- Sacramento (also includes Roseville and Arden-Arcade), CA: $126,040
- Jacksonville, FL: $125,230
- Salinas, CA: $122,360
- Chicago (also includes Naperville and Elgin), IL: $118,550
- Anchorage, AK: $116,710
- Fresno, CA: $116,490
- Dayton, OH: $115,120
The Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that if you get your BCBA and work in one of these large metro regions, you might be among the top earners in the industry.
Is BCBA a Stressful Job?
While the job we perform for our clients as behavior analysts can be difficult, time-consuming, and demanding, we do it for a fundamental reason: to enable individuals who do not have a voice to live fuller, more independent lives. Burnout can manifest itself in a variety of ways.
Related BCBA Career Path
If you’re not sure if a career as a BCBA is suited for you, investigate the following similar jobs:
Registered Behavior Technician
The Registered Behavior Technician is a behavior analysis paraprofessional qualification. In the United States, the average Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) pay is expected to be over $40,000 per year in 2021.
Behavioral Specialist
A behavioral specialist, sometimes known as a behavior specialist, is a doctor who specializes in behavioral research. In the United States, the typical Behavioral Specialist earns $46,510, and a Behavioral Specialist earns an average hourly wage of $22.36.
School Counselor
A school counselor works in a school counseling program to offer academic, career, college access/affordability/admission, and social-emotional competencies to all students in primary (elementary and middle) or secondary schools. In 2020, the median compensation for school counselors was $58,120.
Psychological Assistant
A psychological assistant is a licensed mental health worker who assists a psychologist in treating patients. the average income for an Assistant Psychologist is £24,707.
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Occupational therapy assistants and aides support patients in developing, recovering, improving, and maintaining everyday life and job abilities. California ($73,930), Nevada ($73,930), New Jersey ($71,680), Texas ($69,420), and Connecticut ($68,780) have the highest mean salaries for Occupational Therapy Assistants.
Best BCBA Online Courses
Here Are Some Best Online Courses for BCBA study:
Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) By Udemy
This exceptionally designed course will assist you in analyzing the behavior of children with special needs. You’ll also learn about some of the steps you may take to cope with various scenarios.
This course will teach you about the following topics: – Basic techniques and procedures utilized in Applied Behavioral Analysis
- How ABA can be used to improve motor skills, language, cognitive, and visuospatial abilities
- How ABA can be used to improve motor skills, language, cognitive, and visuospatial skills
Please make a difference in their lives by acting as a catalyst for change!
BCBA – Board Certified Behavior Analyst practice exams By Udemy
In recent decades, behavior analysis has grown in importance as a professional path, leading to a wide range of opportunities in various sectors for a wide range of people. These analysts operate in a range of fields throughout society. If you want to work as a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst, you’ll be on your way to a brighter future filled with opportunity, science, and education.
Creating Behavioral Change By Coursera
This course will teach you to recognize and change mental and physical health behaviors. We’ll look at the historical backdrop as well as the present science. Fundamental behavioral concepts and essential aspects of scientifically validated individual treatments will be central themes (e.g., motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral therapies).
Behavior Analysis & Therapy and Autism Spectrum Disorders By Class Central
Participants will gain an overview of behavioral therapies for children and adults with autism spectrum disorders in this course. Evidence-based treatment, discrete trial and naturalistic teaching, verbal behavior, alternative and augmentative communication, assessment and treatment of challenging behaviors, social skills instruction, adult and lifespan issues, and behavior analysis as a profession will all be covered in the survey.
Applied Behavior Analysis By PCOM
The online Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Certificate program at PCOM is designed to address the demands of working professionals by providing flexible and accessible access to courses.
Best Colleges for BCBA Study in the USA
Here Are Given Some Best Universities for Study BCBA:
Simmons University
Simmons University provides a Behavior Analysis master’s degree partially online (MS or Ed.S.). With nighttime classes, the program is convenient for working students. The course series satisfies the BACB requirements for taking the BCBA test. The ABA program at Simmons University is cheap and maybe finished in as little as 23 months.
Western Conniecut State University
For students who have full-time jobs, WCSU offers a virtual experience that allows them to complete their studies online. WCSU’s 30 credit hour ABA master’s degree program is one of the best in the country, allowing students to go further into behavior assessment, behavior modification processes, and grant writing. Because of the 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio at WCSU, 66 percent of graduates pass the BCBA test on their first try.
The University of South Florida
For individuals interested in a career in Applied Behavior Analysis, the University of South Florida offers many BACB-approved courses, including ABA in Developmental Disabilities, ABA in Complex Communities, and ABA Ethics. These eight-week courses, established by doctoral-level behavior analyzers, provide the curriculum and practical experience required for the BCBA test. USF has an impressive 92 percent first-time pass record on the BCBA test.
Saint Cloud State University
The first-time pass percentage for individuals taking the BCBA test at Saint Cloud State University is 100 percent! At a 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students are assisted by Ph.D.-level lecturers. The ABAI has accredited the curriculum offered entirely online (Association for Behavior Analysis International).
Ball State University
Students can finish their two-year Applied Behavior Analysis degrees at Ball State University through online and on-campus courses. Ball State has also been recognized as one of the best online master’s degree programs for students interested in ABA, psychology, criminal justice, and social work. Ball State offers a 64 percent passing rate for first-time BCBA test-takers, which is exciting for ABA students.
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1, students in the Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s ABA online master’s program receive a lot of help. The curriculum is 28 months long and includes courses in Science and Human Behavior, Behavior Analysis Measurement and Design, and Behavior Assessment.
Florida Institute of Technology
For individuals interested in a career in ABA, the Florida Institute of Technology offers masters and doctorate degrees. Their master’s degree program is accredited, and it may be done on campus or online. Behavioral and functional assessment, radical behaviorism, ethical and legal considerations for behavior analysis, and corporate behavior management are all topics covered in the BCBA-aligned curriculum.
Caldwell University
Caldwell University provides Applied Behavior Analysis Master and Ph.D. degrees. The curriculum involves a research thesis and a capstone project, and a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio supports students. This curriculum will prepare students for professions in behavioral and developmental services, mental health, and special education.
University of Washington
Students on that route can enroll in the University of Washington’s program. While UW’s program offers online programs for a virtual college experience, the authorized curriculum can be completed in as little as two years. Students at UW may be confident when it comes time to take their BCBA test since they have an 81 percent first-time candidate pass rate.
Central Washington University
Central Washington University equips students on the BCBA track to work with persons with autism, intellectual impairments, traumatic brain injuries, and more through an inexpensive and BACB-aligned Master’s ABA program. Basic ABA concepts, behavioral evaluations and observation, and ethics are only a few of the topics covered in class.
Conclusion
A career in BCBA is a good option for many students because it provides the opportunity to help people and make their lives better. With this type of work, you’ll never be bored as new challenges will always come your way. If you’re interested in pursuing a degree in behavioral psychology or getting into research fields such as addiction, autism, or dementia studies, then this is the perfect career for you.
