At MSP we are proud to offer a Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in combination with our MA program or as a stand alone certificate for those who already posses an MA in psychology or a related social science field. Many individuals who complete their certificate go on to become a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst, most often known for working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). However, there are many other career opportunities for individuals with their ABA certificate. Here are 5 careers you could pursue with a Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis.
1- Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA):
The most common use for a Certificate in ABA is to sit for the BCBA Exam. These individuals go on to work in therapeutic settings to help solve behavior-related problems. Behavior analysts work in diverse settings including hospitals, outpatient clinics, mental health agencies, schools, homes, and residential treatment facilities. In Michigan, there is a growing need for BCBA’s to provide treatment for children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
2 – Special Education Teacher:
The emphasis that ABA places on the science of behavior and learning allows it to be a powerful tool for special education teachers. Since many children with learning disabilities are prone to have behavioral problems the addition of an ABA certificate to an educator’s background can help them create a more impactful learning environment for their students. It also creates a deeper understanding of behavior which can assist the educator in better understanding and empathizing with their students.
3 – School Counseling:
School counselors are often faced with helping identify students who are struggling with with their coursework and creating a plan to help these students improve (Individualized Educational Program). Being able to understand behavior modification and intervention is a powerful tool for these individuals to have in their toolkit when developing these plans. In addition to being an individual advocate, school counselors can also be part of a team of professionals including special education teachers, speech and occupational therapists who may be utilizing ABA techniques in their roles. By having their own training in ABA this allows the school counselor to better communicate with the rest of the students team.
4- Market Research Analyst:
Since a Certificate in ABA trains the individual to complete assessments and evaluate human behavior, many companies will hire an individual with a background in ABA to evaluate their customers to create targeted marketing campaigns. The ABA background also facilitates a greater knowledge of how the organization can create a desired behavior change with their marketing.
5 – Human Resource Manager:
A subfield of ABA that is rapidly gaining popularity is Organizational Behavior Management which utilizes ABA principles to help solve workplace issues including turnover and performance. These methods help not only improve the economic success of the organization but also increases employee satisfaction. Additionally, during the hiring process a HR professional with ABA training is more likely to pick up on verbal and non-verbal cues that other might not to help ensure the be best candidate is selected.
Since ABA is fully focused on behavior and behavior is foundational to all we do as human-beings, these are only a few examples of what you could do with a Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis. More information about ABA and MSP’s certificate program can be found here.
