How to Become a Behavior Analyst

Applied behavior analysts specialize in helping individuals with behavior problems through observation, analysis, and positive reinforcement. This is an ideal profession for empathetic people who are interested in understanding the intricacies of human behavior to help people thrive.

How To Become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

Becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is a multi-step process that requires a specific combination of education, experience, and examination. Here is the typical path to certification:

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree in a field like psychology, education, or a related human services field is the first requirement. This builds the foundational knowledge for your graduate studies.

Step 2: Earn a Qualifying Master’s Degree

To be eligible for the BCBA exam, you must earn a master’s degree from an accredited university that meets the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) requirements. Pepperdine’s online Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program is designed to meet this academic requirement.

Step 3: Complete Supervised Fieldwork

During or after your master’s program, you must complete a set amount of supervised fieldwork (typically 1,500-2,000 hours) as defined by the BACB. This hands-on experience allows you to apply your knowledge under the guidance of a qualified supervisor.

Step 4: Pass the BCBA Certification Exam

Once your education and fieldwork are complete, you must apply for and pass the national BCBA certification examination. This exam tests your competency and knowledge of behavior-analytic principles and practices.

Step 5: Obtain State Licensure (If Required)

Many states, including California, have their own licensure requirements for practicing behavior analysts. After earning your BCBA certification, you must apply for licensure in the state where you intend to work.

What Does a Behavior Analyst Do?

Behavior analysts work with clients to overcome emotional and social problems and disabilities using applied behavior analysis—a type of therapy that decreases maladaptive behaviors and replaces them with adaptive ones.

Applied behavior analysts may work with:

  • Adults and children diagnosed with autism.
  • Students struggling with behavioral problems at school.
  • Adults and children struggling with social problems.
  • Disabled adults having trouble with hygiene, domestic work, punctuality, and/or job competence.
  • People who have suffered through traumatic brain injury.
  • Elderly people having problems related to aging.

Applied behavior analysts help these people by:

  • Conducting an initial behavior assessment.
  • Determining which behaviors need intervention.
  • Assessing biological, medical, or environmental factors.
  • Utilizing positive reinforcement to improve adaptive behaviors.
  • Measuring the effects of behavioral interventions on target behaviors.
  • Evaluating progress and adjusting treatment as necessary.

It’s very challenging work, but being a behavior analyst is also a very rewarding career path, and it can be fulfilling on both a personal and professional level.

Thinking about a Career as a Behavior Analyst?

Pepperdine University offers an online Master of Applied Behavior Analysis that combines interactive course work with real-world, in-person field experiences in your community.

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Behavior Analyst Jobs

Behavior analysts can work with children at schools, at homes helping with outpatient care, at hospitals helping with more severe cases, or at their own private practice. They can also focus their careers by choosing to work with specific clients, like children with autism or the elderly.

Become a Behavior Analyst at Pepperdine University

The online Master of Applied Behavior Analysis at Pepperdine prepares you for a rewarding career helping people tap into their full potential. As a student, you will learn about the latest theories and advancements in applied behavior analysis from esteemed faculty who are effecting real change in the field.

Prepare to Improve Lives

Pepperdine’s online Master of Applied Behavior Analysis doesn’t just prepare you to sit for the BCBA exam—it also prepares you to analyze, treat, and improve behaviors to help people thrive.

FAQs About Becoming a Behavior Analyst

  • It typically takes six to eight years. This includes four years for a bachelor’s degree, plus an additional two to four years to complete a master’s degree and the required supervised fieldwork.

  • A behavior analyst focuses specifically on observable behaviors and their environmental factors, using applied behavior analysis (ABA) to create change. A clinical psychologist has a broader scope, diagnosing and treating mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders using various forms of psychotherapy.

  • Our program focuses on the core principles of ABA, ethical standards, and research-based interventions. To see a full list of courses, please visit our Online MS in Applied Behavior Analysis Curriculum page.

  • Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. For a full list of requirements, deadlines, and steps to apply, please visit our ABA Program Admissions page.