Salary

The majority of M.Ed. in Behavior Analysis graduates complete the degree to transition to a career as a behavioral analyst. When working in the United States as a behavioral analyst, you can expect a median wage of around $54,499, with a starting salary around $50,000, according to a survey by PayScale.com. [5] Location plays a big factor in what you can earn, followed by how long you have held your position.

Job satisfaction is high for those working in this sector, and many can command a salary up to $92,183. Holding a BCBA qualification can have a 14% impact on your wages. [5]

Preparation for BCBA certification

A graduate degree can also help you prepare for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification. Those who seek BCBA certification are typically independent practitioners working within behavior analysis. To obtain BCBA certification, you must:: [6]

• Have completed an acceptable graduate degree from an accredited university
• Have completed graduate coursework in behavior analysis and have performed a period of supervised work experience, or a full-time faculty position including research and training in behavior analysis

As such, a master’s degree can help you meet the eligibility criteria. To maintain your BCBA certification, you must also acquire continued education. [6]

Improved employability

A growing number of children are being diagnosed with complex behavioral challenges, largely as a result of improvements in diagnosis. As such, there is an increased need for additional support, with many schools seeking professionals with training in behavior analysis. This means those trained in this sector are becoming highly sought after, with demand for behavior analysts reported as doubling between 2012 and 2014 in nearly every state. [7]

Personal development

Studying for a graduate degree can help you advance your career, build your professional prospects, and increase your earning potential. However, it can also help you develop as an individual, even recently ranking on PayScale’s list of Top 10 Jobs for Do-Gooders at No. 8. [8]

Each university designs its own curriculum, and it is important note the differences between each program. However, to qualify for BCBA credentials, there are very strict requirements for each course.

Given that most M.Ed. in Behavior Analysis students go on to complete their certification, institutions providing this program often will adhere to strict course structures to ensure all of these requirements are met. When looking at program outlines, it is important to check that it meets the BCBA requirements, including the number of supervision hours.

For those looking to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification, these include:

• Ethical and professional conduct (45 hours)
• Concepts and principles of behavior analysis (45 hours)
• Research methods in behavior analysis(45 hours total, including measurement, data analysis, and experimental design)
• Applied behavior analysis (105 hours total, including learning about the fundamental elements of behavior change and specific behavior change procedures; intervention and behavior change considerations; identification of the problem and assessment; behavior change systems; and implementation, management, and supervision)
• Discretionary (30 hours)

It is required that the program features 270 hours of graduate-level instruction and that the set number of hours for each area is maintained. [11]

For those looking to take the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst certification, the requirements include:

• Ethical and professional conduct (15 hours)
• Concepts and principles of behavior analysis (45 hours)
• Research methods in behavior analysis (15 hours total, including measurement, data analysis, and experimental design)
• Applied behavior analysis (90 hours total, including learning about the fundamental elements of behavior change and specific behavior change procedures; identification of the problem and assessment; behavior change systems; intervention and behavior change considerations; and implementation, management, and supervision)
• Discretionary (15 hours)

This is a total of 180 hours required. [11]

While each program will set its admission requirements based on its own criteria, many requirements are universal across all programs. No matter where you apply, you can expect to provide items like transcripts from previous degrees or coursework; standardized test scores; a personal statement or essay; letters of recommendation; and an overview of relevant work experience.

In certain cases, some of these requirements may be waived.

For more information about admissions, please visit our admissions requirements page.

Relevant Industry Associations and Organizations

When conducting your research into relevant associations and organizations, you might be interested in looking further into the following:

• The Association for Behavior Analysis International [14]
• The National Association of Special Education Teachers [15]
• Behavior Analyst Certification Board [16]
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education [17]
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation [18]
• The Mid-American Association for Behavior Analysis [19]
• The Association of Professional Behavior Analysts [20]

Regional accreditation is the most prestigious type of accreditation that an online or traditional college or university can receive. It is granted only after careful consideration by private, not-for-profit organizations tasked with evaluating educational quality.

Regional accreditation is particularly important if you anticipate that you might want to transfer credits from one online degree program to another or use those credits to pursue another degree. Most regionally accredited schools will only accept credits from other regionally accredited institutions of higher learning.

You can learn more on this topic at our regional accreditation page.

Specialized accrediting bodies

M.Ed. programs can receive national accreditation through the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). NCATE partners with school boards, teachers unions, and associations to establish standards to evaluate education degrees. It helps to ensure programs are high-quality and are accountable to nationally recognized performance standards. [17]

Another national organization is the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), which creates standards that ensure education programs are imparting teachers with the knowledge and skills needed for the effective student development. [18]

Finally, for your program to prepare you effectively for the BCBA credential, it is important that your degree meets the standards of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. [21]

Once you have obtained your M.Ed. in Behavior Analysis, you will be prepared to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam. This is a graduate-level certification in behavior analysis. If you are certified to work at the BCBA level, you are considered to be an independent practitioner who can provide behavior analytic services. It is important that you have a graduate degree to apply for this esteemed credential.

The BCBA certification is an internationally recognized standard first established in 1998 to meet the need for a professional credential that could be identified by governments, behavior analysts, and consumers of behavior analysis services. It sets a high standard of what is expected, marks you out as an expert in this discipline, and also helps to protect consumers. It also creates a level of responsibility and accountability. [13]

It is crucial once you are certified that you abide by the Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts. You are also required to re-certify and acquire continued education once you have achieved your BCBA certification. [1]

History of Behavior Analysis

Behavior analysis is not a new concept — in fact, its study can be traced all the way back to Aristotle. But behavior analysis as the scientific field we know today is relatively new. [22]

While behavior analysis has been around for much of history, the scientific study of behaviors gained prominence throughout the 1950s and 60s, bolstered by B.F. Skinner’s book Science and Human Behavior, which was published in 1953. [23]

Growing interest in behavior analysis during this time gave rise to several organizations dedicated to sharing findings and building upon Skinner’s foundation. In 1963, the Experimental Analysis of Behavior Group held its first meeting in London, and by 1964, Division 25 of the American Psychological Association was established as the Division for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior. Just four years later, the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis was founded. [23]

While behavior analysis had become an established field, the academic options for aspiring behaviorists were limited. It wasn’t until 1969 that a doctoral program in behavior analysis was introduced, first offered by the University of Florida and nearly a decade later by West Virginia University. [23]

In 1981, the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies was founded, an organization dedicated to promoting knowledge in behavior analysis. [24] By 1998, the Behavior Analyst Certification Board was established, which helped meet credentialing needs in the field. [25] Today, behavior analysis is a popular focus in education, especially master’s degree programs. In 2014, the number of certified behavior analysts rose to 3,184, a dramatic spike from 1,812 analysts certified in 2012. [26]