What Does a Behavior Analyst Do?

Behavior analysts use the science of behavior to determine why behavior occurs, by assessing the environment, and identifying variables that cause behavior to increase or decrease. Using this information, they develop individualized interventions to help change the behavior in a desired direction, and improve outcomes. Behavior analysts may work with people, animals, organizations, or communities, and may conduct research or provide clinical services. Behavior analysts in applied settings often oversee clinical caseloads and provide supervision and training to clinical staff. 

Behavior analysts may work in a wide range of clinical and research areas. While many behavior analysts work in educational settings with neurodiverse individuals (e.g., intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, autism, acquired brian injury, ADHD, etc.), behavior analysts may also work in other areas of research and clinical practice, including: behavioral medicine; organizational behavior management; applied animal training; higher education; and sustainability, among others. For a list of specialized areas of behavior analytic research and practice, click here to review the Special Interest Groups of the Association for Behavior Analysis International.

The first step in becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) is gaining the required education. To prepare for the 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 that meets the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®) degree and coursework eligibility requirements, and gaining the required number of supervised fieldwork hours, a passing grade on the BCBA® exam is required to earn certification. 

Simmons University offers an online master’s of science in behavior analysis program that provides students with a rigorous curriculum to prepare for the BCBA® exam. Additionally, students develop research skills in practicum courses as they plan, conduct, and analyze outcomes of their thesis research project. The Simmons Online MS Degree Program was designed to meet the BACB® BCBA® Certification Pathway 2 coursework requirements. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements to qualify for BCBA® Certification. Explore the Simmons Master of Science in Behavior Analysis online program now. 

The U.S. demand from 2023-2024 for employees credentialed as a BCBA® or BCBA-D® rose 58%, with California, Massachusetts, Texas, New Jersey, and Florida ranking as the top five states with the highest demand, nationwide.¹

As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® professional, you could work in a variety of clinical or research settings, including schools, hospitals, and other organizations.

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 Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2025). US employment demand for behavior analysts 2010 – 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2025.