Applied Behavior Analysts: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of applied behavior analysts about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for applied behavior analysts to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of applied behavior analysts expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for applied behavior analysts.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Applied Behavior Analysts?
Do applied behavior analysts need a degree? What kind of experience do applied behavior analysts typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for applied behavior analysts to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Applied Behavior Analysts
Jobs Postings for Applied Behavior Analysts By Education
- Master's degree: 15,110 (38%)
- No Education Listed: 11,820 (30%)
- Bachelor's degree: 6,535 (16%)
- High School or GED: 4,841 (12%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 1,351 (3%)
A master's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of applied behavior analysts. According to job data, a master's degree was required for 38% of positions. In 30% of job listings no education level was listed and in 16% of postings a bachelor's degree was required.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Applied Behavior Analysts
Jobs Postings for Applied Behavior Analysts By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 6,224 (41%)
- 2-3 Years: 7,268 (48%)
- 4-6 Years: 1,320 (9%)
- 7-9 Years: 82 (1%)
- 10+ Years: 272 (2%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for applied behavior analysts. In 48% of job postings for Applied Behavior Analysts, employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience. In 41% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 0-1 years of experience, while 4-6 years of experience was sought in 9% of job postings for applied behavior analysts.
What Kind of Degree Do Applied Behavior Analysts Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for applied behavior analysts, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 4 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective applied behavior analysts, and in 2021 a total of 57,186 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective applied behavior analysts.
Top Degree Programs for Applied Behavior Analysts
Top 5 Degree Programs for Applied Behavior Analysts (2021)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Social Work. | 56,801 |
| Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling. | 328 |
| Executive/Career Coaching. | 57 |
| Thanatology. | 0 |
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What Skills Do Applied Behavior Analysts Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by applied behavior analysts to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for applied behavior analysts, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Applied Behavior Analysts
Based on 35,534 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Applied Behavior Analysts
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment Planning | 9,702 | 27% |
| Autism Spectrum Disorders | 9,622 | 27% |
| Psychology | 9,464 | 27% |
| Applied Behavior Analysis | 7,326 | 21% |
| Functional Behavior Assessment | 5,539 | 16% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Applied Behavior Analysts
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communications | 11,340 | 32% |
| Leadership | 5,559 | 16% |
| Research | 4,482 | 13% |
| Management | 4,128 | 12% |
| Planning | 4,128 | 12% |
Based on 35,534 job postings related to applied behavior analysts, treatment planning was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 27% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for autism spectrum disorders, psychology, applied behavior analysis, functional behavior assessment and special education were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communications was the most desired skill found in job postings for applied behavior analysts, followed by leadership, research, management, planning and mentorship.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment Planning | 9,702 | 27% |
| Autism Spectrum Disorders | 9,622 | 27% |
| Psychology | 9,464 | 27% |
| Applied Behavior Analysis | 7,326 | 21% |
| Functional Behavior Assessment | 5,539 | 16% |
| Special Education | 4,641 | 13% |
| Data Collection | 3,787 | 11% |
| Intervention Plans | 3,554 | 10% |
| Social Work | 3,554 | 10% |
| Developmental Disabilities | 3,429 | 10% |
| Visual Basic (Programming Language) | 3,111 | 9% |
| Individualized Education Programs (IEP) | 3,042 | 9% |
| Working With Children | 2,991 | 8% |
| Disabilities | 2,855 | 8% |
| Billing | 2,764 | 8% |
| Mental Health | 2,337 | 7% |
| Deficits | 2,234 | 6% |
| Caregiving | 2,078 | 6% |
| Behavior Management | 2,047 | 6% |
| Data Analysis | 2,046 | 6% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communications | 11,340 | 32% |
| Leadership | 5,559 | 16% |
| Research | 4,482 | 13% |
| Management | 4,128 | 12% |
| Planning | 4,128 | 12% |
| Mentorship | 3,811 | 11% |
| Teaching | 3,712 | 10% |
| Writing | 3,686 | 10% |
| Progress Reporting | 3,678 | 10% |
| Ethical Standards And Conduct | 3,401 | 10% |
| Time Management | 3,031 | 9% |
| Coaching | 2,925 | 8% |
| Problem Solving | 2,876 | 8% |
| Operations | 2,694 | 8% |
| Coordinating | 2,672 | 8% |
| Detail Oriented | 2,469 | 7% |
| Customer Service | 2,325 | 7% |
| Computer Literacy | 2,234 | 6% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 2,190 | 6% |
| Microsoft Excel | 2,169 | 6% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about applied behavior analysts? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for applied behavior analysts.
What do applied behavior analysts do?
How much do applied behavior analysts make?
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