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5 Places to Work with a Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis

Applied Behavior Analysis – Five Great Career Options

  • Certified Behavior Analyst
  • Certified Personal Trainer
  • Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor
  • Special Education Teacher
  • Child-Care Center Director, Owner

Applied behavior analysis is the discipline focused on the analysis of human behavior and the subsequent, possible growth and gains people can experience based on that analysis. In other words, it’s a profession all about behavior and its various outcomes. So, what are some great examples of jobs and workplaces in need of this type of worker? Here is just a handful of the ever-growing options found in this sector right now.

Certified Behavior Analyst

Quite possibly the most direct, professional use of applied behavior analysis, or ABA, is performed by today’s certified behavior analyst, or CBA. This professional must be a specialist in the area of applied behavior analysis psychotherapy, or ABA therapy and be able to conduct these therapy sessions in those needing them such as in those with autism. Aside from a degree in applied behavior analysis, those in this position must also gain accreditation from the Behavioral Analyst Certification Board.

Certified Personal Trainer

Personal trainers work with individuals to help them achieve their fitness goals. To excel here, the personal trainer must be able to facilitate an effective system of motivators and goals customized to each of their clients. These abilities also happen to be among some of the key abilities of those educated in applied behavior analysis. As to certification, while there are numerous academic institutions authorized to administer certification, the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association are the official authorities on the certification and vocation.

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor

As this job title suggests, the certified alcohol and drug counselor is a professional who works with those suffering with addiction. The ultimate goal of this professional is to see the addict through to complete recovery, but the road to that ultimate recovery is also full of smaller goals, behaviors, patterns, and more. Per the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to.” Subsequently, those educated in applied behavior analysis often provide the perfect professional fit for the growing demand in this sector.

Special Education Teacher

ABA majors are also a natural fit into many special education teaching positions. In this role, the grad takes on the important position of working with disadvantaged children and/or adults to help them learn and become educated as near to normally as possible. This role requires analysis of behavior, an understanding of human growth and development, and continuous goal-setting, planning, and systemic education administration efforts – all the callings of the ABA major.

Child-Care Center Director, Owner

Child-care services are in steady demand and continue to rise in need parallel to society’s own growth. Running a child-care facility or organization also requires many skills that include knowledge of human behavior, psychology, the ability to work with lots of data and create motivators and positive change, and other characteristics of the ABA graduate. These two facts alone make the profession of today’s child-care center director or owner an attractive option to many with an applied behavior analysis degree.

Related Resource: 10 Best ABA Master’s Degree Programs

The ABA discipline truly is one that can aid the graduate in the job market as well as in basic, day-to-day abilities of working with other people in general. Degree-holders here see many, unique options that many others often do not. These are just five examples of the many venues and functions in which the ABA grad can work today.

Related Resources:

8 New Career Paths for BCBAs