• Make a Real Impact: Use your skills to help people overcome challenges, learn new behaviors, and live more independent, fulfilling lives. Every day, you’ll see the difference you make.

• Work in a Variety of Places: Whether it’s in a school, clinic, hospital, or someone’s home, you’ll have the chance to work in different environments that keep the job fresh and exciting.

• Keep Growing Your Knowledge: Behavioral analysis is always evolving. You’ll stay sharp by learning new tools, techniques, and research that help you do your best work.

• Be Part of a Team: You won’t work alone—you’ll join forces with families, teachers, doctors, and other professionals who all want the same thing: to help someone thrive.

• Find a Schedule That Fits You: Whether you’re looking for full-time, part-time, or something flexible, there are job options that can match your lifestyle.

A career in behavioral analysis is rewarding, dynamic, and offers flexibility.

With a high school diploma/GED and training:

• Behavior Assistant

Be on the front lines of care! Behavior Assistants work one-on-one with clients, using fun and structured activities to help them learn new skills and improve behavior. They may help with tasks like self-care and communication. They follow a plan created by a Behavior Analyst who will guide and supervise your work. Behavior Assistants work as an important member of a treatment team to help individuals achieve their goals.

With a bachelor's degree: 

• Assistant Behavior Analyst

Assistant Behavior Analysts are hands-on problem solvers. Working under the supervision of a Behavior Analyst, they work directly with individuals, providing support and instruction to help them learn new behaviors and replace challenging behaviors. They help design behavior programs and guide Behavior Assistants in putting those plans into action. With a mix of leadership and client support, this role is perfect for those who love working with people and thinking critically.

With a master's degree or higher: 

• Behavior Analyst

Behavior analysts evaluate, design, and implement individualized protocols to improve an individual’s skills. A primary focus of their work is the evaluation of the relationship between behavior and environmental factors. Behavior analysts apply techniques such as positive reinforcement to assist their clients in developing new behaviors, modifying existing behaviors, and exhibiting behaviors under specific conditions. They develop personalized treatment plans, and work closely with families and teams to help clients reach their goals. If you enjoy understanding human behavior, strategy, and helping people grow, this could be the job for you.

• ​​Program Director (Behavior Analysis)

A Program Director makes sure behavior programs run smoothly. They manage staff, plan services, and make sure clients get the help they need. They also look at how the program is working and find ways to improve it. [Learn more about Management careers→]

Other job titles you may see:

• Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)

• Instructional Aide (with ABA focus)

• ABA Therapist

• Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA)

• Behavior Consultant

• Lead Behavior Technician

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

• Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst (COBA)

• Clinical Supervisor (ABA)

• ​​Clinical Director (ABA Services)

From entry-level to advanced positions, there are various roles in behavioral analysis to fit your interests and education level.

• Watch and Learn: Behavior analysts carefully observe how people act and look for patterns that may explain challenges or successes.

• Create Smart Plans: They design step-by-step strategies to help people build new skills, reduce problem behaviors, and reach personal goals.

• Put Plans into Action: They work directly with clients—often using fun, structured activities—to teach and support positive behavior.

• Track What Works: Progress is always monitored, and plans are updated as needed to make sure each person gets the best results.

• Team Up for Success: Behavior analysts partner with families, teachers, doctors, and others to make sure everyone is working toward the same goals.

Behavior analysts use behavior science and compassion to help people grow, learn, and succeed—one small step at a time.

• Autism Treatment Centers

• Outpatient Clinics

• Mental Health Centers

• Schools and Special Education Programs

• Residential Treatment Facilities

• Hospitals and Developmental Centers

• Group Homes

• In-Home Therapy Services

• Vocational and Transition Programs

• Early Childhood Intervention Programs

• Addiction and Recovery Programs

• Crisis Stabilization Units

• Correctional and Juvenile Justice Facilities

• Telehealth and Virtual Services

• Private Practice or Consulting

Behavior analysts work in various settings to reach clients where they are.

• Children with Autism: Helping develop communication and social skills.

• Individuals with Developmental Disabilities: Promoting independence and daily living skills.

• People with Mental Health Conditions: Supporting behavior change and coping strategies.

• Families and Caregivers: Providing guidance and support.

• Organizations: Improving employee performance and satisfaction.

Behavior analysts work wherever there are people who need support with learning new skills or changing behaviors. They help individuals succeed at home, school, work, and in the community.

There’s more than one way to get started in behavioral analysis—and you don’t need a master's  degree to begin making a difference!

Behavior Assistant: You can begin right out of high school with a diploma or GED and the completion of a 40-hour training course. Your employer will usually help you access this course.  

Assistant Behavior Analyst: To become an assistant behavior analyst, you will need a bachelor’s degree, usually in psychology, education, disabilities studies or similar. You may obtain your behavior-analytic coursework through one of two sources: an Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) accredited undergraduate program or a Verified Course Sequence.

• ABAI-Accredited Undergraduate Program (Pathway 1): Behavior-analytic undergraduate programs that have been accredited by ABAI have met ABAI’s accreditation standards, which include standards for the curriculum, faculty, and resources, among other areas. 

• Verified Course Sequence (Pathway 2): The other option for completing behavior-analytic coursework is through a Verified Course Sequence. A Verified Course Sequence is a set of courses that have been verified by ABAI as having met the BACB’s behavior-analytic coursework requirements. 

Behavior Analyst: The easiest way to meet the educational requirements is by earning a master's or a doctoral degree from a program that is recognized or accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). 

You can also meet educational requirements by earning a master's  degree in behavior analysis or in a similar field and then completing specific, graduate-level coursework in behavior analysis.

To work in behavioral analysis, different credentials are available based on your education and experience. Each one plays an important role in helping clients thrive.

Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) Certification: Complete a 40-hour training, pass a competency assessment, and register with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).

Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) Regardless of your bachelor’s degree major, you must complete verified behavior analysis coursework through a BACB-approved program and have 1,000 hours of experience in order to obtain the national credential through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA): With a master's degree in behavior analysis or a related field you can qualify for national certification from the BACB.

Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst (COBA): Anyone who is already a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and wants to legally practice behavior analysis in the state of Ohio must become a Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst (COBA) with a credential issued by the Ohio Board of Psychology. You must hold both BCBA and COBA credentials to practice independently in Ohio.

Click here to learn more about licenses, credentials, and certifications.