Behavior analysts use applied behavior analysis (ABA) to understand why behavior occurs and develop data-informed strategies that help people build meaningful skills. They work with individuals, families, schools, healthcare providers, and organizations in settings that range from classrooms and clinics to homes and workplaces.
Whether you are exploring an entry-level role or considering a path toward BCBA certification, this article explains what behavior analysts do, where they work, and the education and training options available.
As experts who employ techniques and treatments that drive positive outcomes, behavior analysts serve important functions in numerous environments. But while it’s easy to understand how valuable these professionals are, it’s less clear what their day-to-day work entails. What does a behavior analyst do? What exactly is their role?
“We are problem solvers for things that society needs help with,” says Dr. Sharon Noble, former special education teacher, current professor and UMass Global’s ABA Program Developer.
From Noble’s perspective, there are a number of things those considering becoming a behavior analyst should know. Perhaps her insight will help you understand whether this career is right for you.
Does this field intrigue you? If so, then there are some specific questions you should ask. For instance, “What is a BCBA, exactly?” The answer may surprise you, because it is a more expansive field than you might expect.
Board Certified Behavior Analysts, or BCBAs, are professionals who help solve behavior-related issues in all sorts of environments. Their field, which is called applied behavior analysis (ABA), is often associated with supporting autistic children. However, ABA principles are also used in education, workplace and human-resources settings, organizational performance, and to inform behavior-change technology and digital tools such as mobile app development.
“Behavior is shaped through a learning history of consequences that have been applied to the behavior,” Noble explains. “If we get reinforced from swiping across the screen, we’ll swipe again and continue to do it in the future.”
What does a BCBA do each day? Responsibilities vary by work setting, client needs, and area of practice. However, many BCBAs assess behavior, use data to guide decisions, develop and monitor behavior-support plans, and work with families, caregivers, educators, and other professionals.
Noble says these responsibilities reflect many of the skills and knowledge areas covered in the BCBA Test Content Outline and evaluated on the BCBA certification examination. Common responsibilities may include:
Behavior analysts work in a range of settings, including schools, clinics, homes, community programs, and healthcare facilities. Their work environment often depends on their specialty, employer, and the needs of the people they support. For example, a behavior analyst who works with older adults may provide services in a hospital, nursing home, assisted living community, or a client’s home.
In school settings, behavior analysts may work at one campus or support several schools across a district. They often collaborate with teachers, school psychologists, special education teams, and families to assess behavior, develop support plans, and help students build skills that support learning and daily school life.
Some BCBAs work in clinics or center-based programs, where they collaborate with clients, families, and caregivers to assess behavior and develop individualized support plans. These programs may serve autistic individuals and people with other developmental or behavioral support needs, including ADHD, although services and specialties vary by organization.
BCBAs use a range of behavior-analytic strategies to help clients work toward meaningful goals. The approach they choose depends on the individual, the setting, the assessment results, and the skills or behaviors being addressed.
For example, token economy systems use tokens, points, or similar items that can later be exchanged for preferred activities or items. This strategy can help reinforce a desired behavior. Discrete trial training is another structured teaching approach that breaks a skill into smaller parts and uses repeated practice, prompts, and feedback.
Some behavior analysts may also use acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) within their education, training, and scope of competence. ACT is an evidence-based approach that uses acceptance, mindfulness, and values-based action to build psychological flexibility. Research supports its use for concerns such as anxiety and depression, though behavior analysts should provide these services only when qualified to do so.
Noble, who led a webinar on ACT in behavior analysis, explains how the approach may help qualified practitioners address private events, such as thoughts and feelings, within an ABA framework. “ACT therapy is really the first tool that we have in ABA to address some of the issues in that private, internal space. This includes things like depression, anxiety, and phobias.”
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) can be used in many settings and with different populations. While many behavior analysts work with autistic individuals and people with developmental disabilities, others apply behavior-analytic principles in schools, workplaces, healthcare settings, sports, and community programs. A behavior analyst’s area of practice should reflect their education, training, experience, and applicable legal or licensing requirements.
The following are examples of major ABA subspecialty areas:
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) offers several career paths, with responsibilities and supervision requirements that vary by credential. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) recognizes three main certification levels—Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA), and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)—plus the BCBA-D doctoral designation. Not every professional working in ABA holds one of these certifications, so it is more accurate to refer to them as BACB certification levels, rather than calling all professionals “applied behavioral analysts”. Here’s how the RBT, BCaBA, BCBA, and BCBA-D roles differ in education, responsibilities, and level of supervision:
BACB certification is not the same as state licensure, and legal scope-of-practice requirements vary by jurisdiction.
BCBA salary can vary based on experience, geographic location, work setting, job responsibilities, and whether a role is salaried, hourly, or contract-based. In general, professionals with advanced education and BACB certification may qualify for roles with greater responsibility and higher earning potential.
Indeed's current salary estimates list average annual pay of about $91,000 for Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) in the United States. Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), who provide services under supervision, earn an average of about $45,000 per year. Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBAs) earn an average of about $74,000 annually, although salary data for this smaller credential group can vary widely by market.
There is more than one path into applied behavior analysis (ABA). Your best option depends on your education, career goals, and the type of work you want to do. You may want to begin in an entry-level behavior technician role, complete ABA coursework toward BCBA certification, or prepare to support students in school settings.
University of Massachusetts Global offers fully online programs for students with busy schedules who want to build ABA knowledge and behavioral-support skills. Completing a program does not automatically lead to Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) certification. Candidates must meet the BACB’s current education, supervised fieldwork, application, and examination requirements.
UMass Global’s Registered Behavior Technician Training helps students complete the 40-hour training component required for RBT certification. RBTs provide behavior-analytic services under close, ongoing supervision and may work in homes, schools, clinics, and community settings.
This training can help you prepare for an entry-level role supporting the implementation of behavior-support plans. To earn RBT certification, you must also meet additional BACB requirements, including an assessment, screening, and examination.
The Applied Behavior Analysis Graduate Certificate is a seven-course, fully online program for students interested in a BCBA certification path or using ABA principles in fields such as education and psychology. The coursework meets the BACB’s 2027 behavior-analytic coursework requirement for BCBA Certification Pathway 2.
Students may begin with the certificate and later apply to UMass Global’s Master of Arts in Educational Psychology with an ABA emphasis. If admitted, eligible certificate courses may apply toward the master’s degree.
Students interested in supporting children and adolescents in school settings may consider the Master of Arts in Educational Psychology and Education Specialist in School Psychology with PPS Credential. The program prepares future school psychologists to support students’ academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs.
The Applied Behavior Analysis Emphasis teaches students how to use functional behavior assessments and evidence-based behavioral interventions in K–12 schools. This program may be a good choice if you want to work in school psychology and use behavioral strategies to support student learning and well-being.
Becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) requires graduate-level education, supervised fieldwork, and a passing score on the BCBA certification examination. While entry-level ABA roles may not require a bachelor’s degree, BCBA candidates need a master’s degree or higher.
Your undergraduate major does not need to be in applied behavior analysis. Many future BCBAs study psychology, education, social work, or a related field before pursuing graduate education. A Bachelor of Arts in Psychology or Bachelor of Arts in Social Work can provide a helpful foundation.
Beginning January 1, 2027, students can qualify for BCBA certification through one of two BACB pathways. Students may earn a graduate degree from an accredited or recognized behavior analysis program, or earn a master’s degree or higher in another field and complete qualifying graduate-level ABA coursework. UMass Global’s Applied Behavior Analysis Graduate Certificate meets the behavior-analytic coursework requirement for BCBA Certification Pathway 2. Students must also meet BACB requirements for a graduate degree, supervised fieldwork, application approval, and examination.
After beginning qualifying ABA coursework, candidates complete supervised fieldwork. Depending on the fieldwork type, this requirement is 1,500 to 2,000 hours. Choose a qualified supervisor who can support your career goals and provide consistent guidance. “It should be a mentor-mentee relationship,” Noble advises. “You want your supervisor to be someone who you can really learn from.”
Once the BACB approves your application, you can schedule the BCBA examination through Pearson VUE. You receive an unofficial result at the testing center, and the BACB confirms the outcome through your account and email.
Of course, the learning isn’t done once you pass your exam. The field is constantly evolving as new research emerges. As such, to maintain BCBA certification, you’ll need to complete continuing education, follow BACB ethics and self-reporting requirements, and apply for recertification every two years.
Whether you are starting your career or building on experience, UMass Global offers education and training options to support your next step. Choose Registered Behavior Technician Training if you want to prepare for entry-level work implementing behavior-support plans under supervision. Consider the Applied Behavior Analysis Graduate Certificate if you already have a degree and want to complete ABA coursework for a future BCBA certification path. If you want to support students in school settings, the Master of Arts in Educational Psychology with an ABA emphasis may better match your career goals.
Wherever you’re going, UMass Global starts where you are. With fully online programs designed around work, family, and everything else on your calendar, we’re here to help you take the next step on a path that fits your life and your goals.
Explore our resources for psychology and counseling degrees and learn about career options that fit your future.
Have questions about enrollment, degree programs, financial aid, or next steps?
