How To Become a Behavior Analyst 

Behavior analysts use their expertise in assessment to conduct research, serve clients, and strive to change behavior to improve individuals’ lives. They measure a variety of environmental factors that influence client behavior and create specialized treatment plans to promote adaptive behavior.

Behavior analysts are trained to treat a wide range of mental and behavioral health issues. They may also use behavior analytic techniques to help clients, and even animals, achieve diverse wellness goals. In addition, they may work with other health care professionals and insurance providers in identifying the needs of a client to ensure that proper care is provided. 

Behavior analysts treat individuals living with behavioral conditions such as:

While many behavior analysts assist clients with ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders, many also treat clients with different needs in a variety of fields. Areas where behavior analysts may contribute their knowledge include:

The first step in becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® is gaining the required education. Graduate programs in behavior analysis typically cover topics such as behavioral assessment, behavioral research, and behavioral intervention. To prepare for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst^® (BCBA^®) examination, graduate students must complete comprehensive coursework and supervised fieldwork requirements, which may or may not be included as part of a graduate program. 

After earning a graduate degree and gaining the required number of field experience hours, a passing grade on the BCBA® exam is required to earn certification. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®) offers a BCBA® credential for aspiring graduate-level practitioners.

Simmons University offers an online master’s in behavior analysis program that provides students with a rigorous curriculum needed to take the BCBA® exam. The Simmons course sequence, which is verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), also delivers experiential training and preparation through its experiential learning courses (i.e., practicum).

The practicum courses allow students to gain clinical and research experience in the field. Placement specialists are available to assist students in finding a clinical site in or near their communities. This immersive experience enables them to establish professional connections and make a difference where they live.

Explore the Simmons Master of Science in Behavior Analysis online program now. 

The U.S. demand from 2022-2023 for employees credentialed as a BCBA® or BCBA-D® rose 14%, with California, Massachusetts, Texas, Florida, and Georgia ranking as the top five states with the highest demand, nationwide. ¹

As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® professional, you could work in settings such as:

Behavior analysts may have different job titles depending on the particular role or company in which they work. When researching careers, you may want to look for behavior analysis positions such as: 

¹ Source: Behavior Analyst Certification Board. 2024. US employment demand for behavior analysts 2010 – 2023.