ABA therapy, which stands for Applied Behavior Analysis is a system that teaches clients with autism to learn and unlearn different behaviors and helps them improve their social and behavior skills implementing a reward system along with other strategies.

While there is no official "Certified ABA Therapist" credential, applied behavior analysis professionals provide behavior modification and autism therapy services. They will have bachelor's or master's degrees in applied behavior analysis or related fields such as child development, occupational therapy, psychology, etc. In addition to licensing and other required credentials for their specific field, therapists should earn a certification by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB). The BACB's certifications include Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA). Along with education, training, and experience, employers and clients will usually require the BCBA or BCaBA certifications.

To be eligible for the BCBA or BCaBA certifications, candidates must have earned a bachelor's (for a BCaBA) or master's degree (for BCBA) in ABA or a related field, completed a BACB approved sequence of coursework, performed a required number of hours of supervised fieldwork, and pass the certification exam.

Behavioral Intervention in Autism
Graduate Certificate

Choose from Two Tracks:
Behavioral Intervention in Autism Track
BCBA Certification Preparation Track
BACB Approved Coursework

Developed in collaboration with the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, this award-winning BACB approved program is one of the very few in the country available entirely online for individuals interested in expanding their knowledge of behavioral intervention for autism. With a critical shortage of skilled early intervention professionals in the United States, UMass Lowell's autism program is meeting the growing demand for specialists is this field. This online Autism Certificate program offers two track options.

The BIA Certificate track is the 4-course Graduate Certificate Program in Behavioral Intervention in Autism, designed to provide professionals working in education, child care, speech and language disorders, and mental health and human services with an understanding of autism and related development disorders, as well as an introduction to behavioral methods and how and where such methods can be used. This track has also attracted a large number of parents of autistic children. Applicants for this track must have a bachelor's degree.

The BCBA Certification Preparation track is the 5-course Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA) preparation program, which involves a sequence of online autism courses approved by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB) to meet coursework requirements towards national certification as a Behavior Analyst. Applicants for this track must have a master's degree in ABA or a related field.

• Curriculum and Instruction / Autism Studies - MEd
• Psychology - BA
• Children's Learning & Development - BA

The "America's Best Colleges" 2011 edition of U.S. News & World Report has ranked Saint Joseph's University among the top 15 master's universities in the north for the 13th consecutive year.

Behavior Analysis
Graduate Certificate

Qualify for BCBA Certification
BACB Approved Coursework

The BACB approved post-graduate Certificate in Behavior Analysis online program is designed for professionals pursuing careers as a behavior analyst, behavior manager or consultant in the justice system, school system, or community services. This program focuses on developing new and innovative investigative approaches and techniques to the study of behavior and motivation. Graduates of this program will be trained to effectively work with behavioral problems and disorders in children, adolescents, and adults. This program provides the BACB approved sequence of coursework toward BCBA certification eligibility.

Special Education / Autism - Master of Science
SJU’s online Autism Spectrum Disorder Specialization — available as part of our online Master’s in Special Education degree— gives students the advanced education to provide early intervention, special education, and habilitation services to children and adults with  ASD.

• Criminal Justice / Behavior Analysis - MS
• Business Intelligence / Behavior Analysis - MS

Applied Behavior Analysis
Graduate Certificate Plus Field Experience

BCBA Certification Preparation
BACB Approved Coursework
Supervised Field Experience Included

This BACB approved post graduate certificate program is designed to assist behavior analysts and those working in related fields with updating their licensure and further expanding their expertise related to developmental disabilities, geriatric conditions, behavioral and learning difficulties, and mental illness. This certificate prepares students to sit for the examination to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Applicants must have a master's degree in a related field and five years' experience. The program can be completed in under a year, depending on field supervision availability.

• Behavior Analytic Theory
• Measurement, Evaluation, and Ethics
• Human Performance Engineering I & II
• Intervention Design
• Intervention Evaluation
• BCBA Supervised Practicum*

*Completing supervised practical work experience required by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board while enrolled in an approved program, such as this one, can lead to a significant reduction of required field experience hours (1,000 versus 1,500).

• Child & Adolescent Psychology - Graduate Certificate
• School Psychology - EdS

Psychology / Applied Behavioral Analysis
Master of Science

Qualify for BCBA Certification
BACB Approved Coursework

Pursuing a Master of Science in Psychology from Kaplan University offers students a unique opportunity to blend the rich, academic tradition of psychology with exciting, contemporary applications of the science. The BACB approved program will focus on the processes that underlie the individual human experience and behavior, as well as core knowledge, theories, and research in the field. Students of the Applied Behavioral Analysis specialization will focus on the developmentally disabled, the autistic, and individuals with traumatic brain injuries. Students will utilize behavioral concepts and theories, and develop assessment and intervention skills.

Psychology / Applied Behavioral Analysis - Bachelor of Science
The BACB approved Applied Behavioral Analysis specialization will explore behavioral development from birth to adolescence. Students will extensively examine design, analysis, and application of learning theories and behavioral principles to understand what motivates human behavior. They will learn the skills required for a myriad of jobs, including working with autistic children and adults with special needs and assisting certified behavioral analysts who conduct research or create behavior modification programs.

The BS in Psychology program offers an Advanced Start option. If you earned an associate's or bachelor's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college, and you are interested in a career that focuses on human behavior and development, the Advanced Start Bachelor of Science in Psychology is for you. The degree is also designed to prepare you to pursue graduate studies in psychology. Full-time students can complete this program in as little as 2 years.

• Psychology / Child Development - BS
• Early Childhood Development - BS

Play Therapy - Graduate Certificate
Help your youngest, most vulnerable clients improve their mental well being with a therapeutic approach that's entirely natural to them - play. Capella's five-course graduate Play Therapy certificate, one of few available online, addresses the core academic content areas required by the Association for Play Therapy to earn its Registered Play Therapist (RPT) and Supervisor (RPT-S) credentials. You will learn play therapy theory, methodology, and applications with expert faculty who live (and love) what they teach. The faculty leaders who created the courses - and all instructors in the program — are registered play therapists or registered play therapist supervisors. Whether you're in psychology, counseling, social work, speech therapy, or a related discipline, this Play Therapy certificate can help you deepen your therapeutic connection with the kids you serve.

Child and Adolescent Development - Master of Science
The Child and Adolescent Development curriculum is designed to provide you with the knowledge, theory, and best practices needed to promote and support the development of children and adolescents. Courses cover such topics as prenatal, child, and adolescent development; familial, societal, and cultural influences; psychological and educational measurement theory; and research methodology. People likely to be interested in this specialization include professionals working in social services, health care, government, and education who wish to pursue leadership positions in organizations that serve children and adolescents.

• Addiction Counseling - MS
• Counseling Psychology - MS
• Studies in Human Behavior - MS

What does an ABA Therapist do?

The ABA Therapist works in varied settings such as the home, schools, learninig centers, hospitals and more. Whether working with a child or adult, the ABA Therapist develops a rapport with the client and learns his/her likes and dislikes. The ABA Therapist must know what truely drives the client, so that the right motivation can be provided to encourage learning.

Once that foundation has been built, the therapist can move forward with providing regular one-on-one therapy sessions to teach new skills and reduce or manage challeging behavior. The therapist constantly observes and records the client's progress. All therapy information should be shared with the parents and program supervisor. If there are multiple therapists working with the autistic child or adult, they should be informed of progress as well. Assessments are made and strategies are proposed based on effectiveness of the therapy.

Preparing for a Career in ABA Therapy

While there is no official "Certified ABA Therapist" credential, applied behavior analysis professionals provide behavior modification and autism therapy services. They will have bachelor's or master's degrees in applied behavior analysis or related fields such as child development, occupational therapy, psychology, etc. In addition to licensing and other required credentials for their specific field, therapists should earn a certification by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB). The BACB's certifications include Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA). Along with education, training, and experience, employers and clients will usually require the BCBA or BCaBA certifications.

Career Outlook for ABA Therapists

The demand for qualified Autism professionals is very strong , as diagnoses of ASD have increased significantly in recent years and there is still a lack of trained ASD-specific professionals. More than 500,000 individuals under the age of 21 are currently diagnosed with autism. According to the U.S. Department of Education, autism is expected to have a continued growth rate of 10 percent to 17 percent annually. The Centers for Disease Control estimates an increase from 1 in 150 to 1 in 110 children have an autism spectrum disorder. Such dramatic numbers and a shortage of qualified autism specialists create a strong demand for trained professionals. In fact, according to the Florida Association of Behavior Analysts, there are 4 job openings for every BCBA.

Salary for ABA Therapists

ABA Therapists can earn an hourly rate of $14.16 to $19.55 with overtime rates of $20.72 to $29.75/hour. Payrate depends largely on experience.

To be eligible for the BCBA or BCaBA certifications, candidates must have earned a bachelor's (for a BCaBA) or master's degree (for BCBA) in ABA or a related field, completed a BACB approved sequence of coursework, performed a required number of hours of supervised fieldwork, and pass the certification exam.

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