What do behavior analysts do?
Behavior analysts provide services to individuals, families, group homes, schools,
mental health agencies, hospitals, industrial and business settings, and other agencies
working with individuals who require intensive behavioral training and/or consultation.
Special populations such as individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental
disabilities have been shown to benefit greatly from Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
services. ABA is also frequently used in the field of education for both neurotypical
students and students with disabilities. Behavior analyst professionals are strongly
encouraged by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) to pursue Board Certified
Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) certification.
BCBA and BCaBA certifications are considered the industry standard in this field and
are nationally and internationally recognized.
What is a cohort?
A cohort is a group of students who work through a curriculum together to achieve
the same academic degree. Because they are accepted into the same program, take their
classes together and graduate together, students in cohorts tend to form a strong
support system and professional network that benefit them during their degree program
and beyond.
What are the certification requirements outlined by BACB?
BCBA track requirements
BCaBA track requirements
More information regarding certification can be found at www.bacb.com.
How do I get supervision hours?
The ABA program at CSUSM does not provide supervisor hours or placements for those
hours. CSUSM staff and faculty are not authorized to explain BACB policies and procedures.
All questions about the experience/fieldwork hours should be directed to the BACB: www.bacb.com. The BACB has resources that cover the experience/fieldwork requirements, some recommendations:
- Download, read, and study the Experience Standards
- Read the Pre-Checklist and Tips so you know what you should cover with your supervising BCBAs
- Watch the video on the homepage that gives an overview of the BACB
What are the recent VCS pass rates?
What are the career opportunities?
- Demand for certified behavior analysts is increasing, with the largest demand being
for the BCBA certification
- California has the majority of job opportunities along with Massachusetts and New
Jersey
- There are currently 24 states that have passed laws to regulate behavior analysts
through licensure or certification (19 of those since 2012)
- While demand for the BCBA and BCBA-D certificates are increasing overall, the relative
growth of the BCBA certificate as a requirement for a job, rather than a preference,
is increasing more quickly
What are the expectations of an online program?
Learning through online courses is different than taking traditional courses. Most
dramatically, it places more responsibility on the student to progress through assignments
as described in the course schedule and stay in touch with peers and professors. You
will need the basic technology skills listed below to participate in the online components
of your classes.
- Basic typing proficiency in order to communicate with others (e.g. in online discussion
forums, sharing of work online using a variety of text-based tools) and for submission
of typed writing assignments
- Email proficiency (using CSUSM email account) to communicate with other students,
faculty and staff, including sending and receiving email attachments
- Internet proficiency to access online course materials and CSUSM online resources
What services do you offer to active military, veterans and dependents?
Please visit our military and veteran services page to learn how we can help.
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