Behavior Interventionists: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of behavior interventionists 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 behavior interventionists to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of behavior interventionists 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 behavior interventionists.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Behavior Interventionists?
Do behavior interventionists need a degree? What kind of experience do behavior interventionists 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 behavior interventionists to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Behavior Interventionists
Jobs Postings for Behavior Interventionists By Education
- Bachelor's degree: 1,580 (44%)
- No Education Listed: 1,302 (36%)
- Master's degree: 540 (15%)
- High School or GED: 116 (3%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 33 (1%)
A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of behavior interventionists. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 44% of positions. In 36% of job listings no education level was listed and in 15% of postings a master's degree was required.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Behavior Interventionists
Jobs Postings for Behavior Interventionists By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 339 (51%)
- 2-3 Years: 258 (38%)
- 4-6 Years: 32 (5%)
- 7-9 Years: 4 (1%)
- 10+ Years: 38 (6%)
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 behavior interventionists. In 51% of job postings for Behavior Interventionists, employers were looking for candidates with 0-1 years of experience. In 38% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience, while 10+ years of experience was sought in 6% of job postings for behavior interventionists.
What Kind of Degree Do Behavior Interventionists Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for behavior interventionists, 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 21 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective behavior interventionists, and in 2023 a total of 75,335 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 behavior interventionists.
Top Degree Programs for Behavior Interventionists
Top 5 Degree Programs for Behavior Interventionists (2023)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Early Childhood Education and Teaching. | 30,483 |
| Special Education and Teaching, General. | 22,620 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other. | 6,310 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs. | 3,547 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas, Other. | 2,396 |
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Early Childhood Education and Teaching. | 30,483 |
| Special Education and Teaching, General. | 22,620 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other. | 6,310 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs. | 3,547 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas, Other. | 2,396 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals in Elementary Special Education Programs. | 1,748 |
| Sign Language Interpretation and Translation. | 1,399 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities. | 1,354 |
| Special Education and Teaching, Other. | 1,237 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism. | 1,118 |
| American Sign Language (ASL). | 928 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities. | 535 |
| Education/Teaching of the Gifted and Talented. | 481 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals with Hearing Impairments Including Deafness. | 348 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals with Speech or Language Impairments. | 244 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals with Vision Impairments Including Blindness. | 193 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals with Emotional Disturbances. | 139 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed. | 114 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. | 80 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries. | 57 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals with Orthopedic and Other Physical Health Impairments. | 4 |
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Degree Options for Behavior Interventionists
Empower your students by maximizing their learning as an Ohio special education teacher in grades K-12.
- Class Type: Online coursework
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Class Type: 100% online
- Years To Complete: 3
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Skills Do Behavior Interventionists Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by behavior interventionists 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 behavior interventionists, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Behavior Interventionists
Based on 3,095 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Behavior Interventionists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Special Education | 2,893 | 93% |
| Individualized Education Programs (IEP) | 1,459 | 47% |
| Lesson Planning | 551 | 18% |
| Disabilities | 528 | 17% |
| Classroom Management | 474 | 15% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Behavior Interventionists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching | 1,607 | 52% |
| Communication | 1,342 | 43% |
| Planning | 484 | 16% |
| Writing | 459 | 15% |
| Progress Reporting | 440 | 14% |
Based on 3,095 job postings related to behavior interventionists, special education was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 93% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for individualized education programs (iep), lesson planning, disabilities, classroom management and curriculum development were also highly sought.
As for common skills, teaching was the most desired skill found in job postings for behavior interventionists, followed by communication, planning, writing, progress reporting and management.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Special Education | 2,893 | 93% |
| Individualized Education Programs (IEP) | 1,459 | 47% |
| Lesson Planning | 551 | 18% |
| Disabilities | 528 | 17% |
| Classroom Management | 474 | 15% |
| Curriculum Development | 468 | 15% |
| Learning Styles | 432 | 14% |
| Instructional Strategies | 361 | 12% |
| Effective Communication | 332 | 11% |
| Educational Assessment | 320 | 10% |
| Behavior Management | 286 | 9% |
| Autism Spectrum Disorders | 284 | 9% |
| Differentiated Instruction | 245 | 8% |
| Learning Strategies | 238 | 8% |
| Student Services | 212 | 7% |
| Data Collection | 199 | 6% |
| Personal Care | 191 | 6% |
| Philosophy Of Education | 180 | 6% |
| Student Engagement | 180 | 6% |
| Pedagogy | 176 | 6% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching | 1,607 | 52% |
| Communication | 1,342 | 43% |
| Planning | 484 | 16% |
| Writing | 459 | 15% |
| Progress Reporting | 440 | 14% |
| Management | 427 | 14% |
| English Language | 325 | 11% |
| Training And Development | 300 | 10% |
| Mathematics | 296 | 10% |
| Research | 284 | 9% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 280 | 9% |
| Lifting Ability | 261 | 8% |
| Multilingualism | 258 | 8% |
| Leadership | 230 | 7% |
| Problem Solving | 218 | 7% |
| Parent Communication | 200 | 6% |
| Goal Setting | 194 | 6% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 178 | 6% |
| Spanish Language | 165 | 5% |
| Ethical Standards And Conduct | 162 | 5% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about behavior interventionists? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for behavior interventionists.
What do behavior interventionists do?
How much do behavior interventionists make?
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