Find your perfect college degree
Finding a top-value ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) PhD program can be a hectic task due to the availability of numerous options. To help you, our team of ABA professionals has rounded up the best ABA PhD programs to save you energy and time. Also, it will help you pick the right degree that fits your requirements and build a successful career.
Best ABA PhD Programs
The following ABA PhD programs will help you know the main features of each degree so you can make the right academic decision.
Utah State University
Utah State University offers an excellent Behavior Analysis PhD degree that covers different aspects of human and nonhuman behavior. You can choose the PhD track with a specialization in behavior analysis or a PhD with a BCBA track. The student-to-faculty ratio is 19:1.
If you choose the PhD track with BCBA, you will receive training in applied and experimental behavioral analysis with an ABAI-verified course. It can make an invaluable addition to your professional profile and make you eligible to work in different research and clinical settings.
Earning a simple PhD track in behavior analysis can enable you to work in various academic settings. You have to complete a dissertation project along with relevant courses.
Endicott College
The Endicott College is based in Beverly, Massachusetts. They offer high-value ABA PhD degrees. You can also enroll in their distance learning program to learn at your own pace. It will give you flexibility to manage your academic and professional life.
You have to complete 60 credit hours to earn the degree. 30 credit hours are for coursework, and the other 30 are for clinical immersion and research work. This research-based program can prepare you for scientist-practitioner roles focusing on developmental disabilities, education, and public policy issues.
You must have an accredited ABA master’s degree to enroll in this program. Licensed behavior analysts or individuals with relevant certifications can get preference over other applicants for admission.
Capella University
Capella University offers a PhD degree in behavioral analysis. If you want to attain the highest clinical and leadership position in the field, this program is for you. The seasoned doctoral faculty makes a valuable contribution to the student’s learning. You have to complete 93 credit hours to earn the degree. It contains eleven core courses, one comprehensive exam, one dissertation project, and three elective courses.
Having a master’s degree from an accredited university with a minimum of 3.0 GPA is a must. GRE and GMAT are not required for admission. The online program is also available, so you can pursue a degree without compromising anything if you are a working professional.
Earning this degree will help you build the skills and qualities required to become a competent behavior analyst professional. You can choose to serve in clinical and research organizations at top-level positions.
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas hosts a value-driven ABA PhD program that aims to train individuals to become skilled researchers in behavior analysis. The program allows students to work with advisors, which helps in their professional development.
Furthermore, students must prepare manuscripts for publication by working closely with advisors. The verified course sequence is also offered for students who want to appear in the BCBA exam. The student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1, which positively impacts student’s learning.
University of South Florida
Another reputable institute that you can consider for pursuing the ABA PhD degree is the University of South Florida. This program is the ideal choice for individuals who want to be scientist-practitioners. You will get the chance to work closely with experienced and dedicated faculty.
The courses are designed according to the ABAI accreditation requirements and to help students develop the expertise of ABA practitioners. You will get the chance to learn from the mentorship and teaching experiences of the dynamic faculty. It can also be useful for you if you want to work as a lecturer in a relevant position in the future.
Students must present their research at national and state meetings and complete the dissertation project. The student-to-faculty ratio is 22:1.
Simmons University
Simmons University is situated in Boston, Massachusetts. They offer an online and on-campus ABA doctoral degree. You can choose the modality of the program according to your convenience. The university’s virtual portal helps faculty and students efficiently collaborate. You have to complete 48 credit hours to earn the degree.
The courses in this program are related to experimental research in behavior analysis, behavioral medicine, analysis of verbal behavior, and induced behaviors.
Students get the opportunity to work with the best clinical and research groups. It helps to shape the research skills of students and provides them with valuable insights related to behavior analytic literature. By working with faculty members, you will conduct professional research that will help you write, implement, and publish your research work in peer-reviewed journals.
Best Jobs in Applied Behavior Analysis
Earning a high-level degree in applied behavior analysis can provide you with plenty of career options. While working in this field, you have to help people through behavioral modifications who are struggling with some disabilities. Here are some top jobs you can get in with an applied behavior analysis degree.
Social Worker
As a degree holder in applied behavior analysis, you can work as a social worker with clients who face emotional or social hardships. The primary duties of a social worker are:
- Assess the requirements of clients and connect them with relevant resources
- Work closely with clients to improve their lives
- Diagnose and treat mental and behavioral problems
- Create treatment plans for individuals and work with their families
The average annual salary of the social worker is $65,638.
Professor
After earning an ABA doctoral degree, most individuals opt for the teaching field. You can serve at the university level as a professor. The primary duties of the professor include:
- Create lesson plans related to ABA topics
- Assign assignments and projects to students
- Assist students with research work and grade tests
- Lead seminars and lectures to provide students with understanding related to relevant topics
The average annual salary of the professor is $95,470.
Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists work with patients who have mobility issues due to disabilities or injuries. Some duties of occupational therapists include:
- Create treatment plans for patients using a therapeutic approach
- Evaluate the emotional and physical needs of each patient
- Help patients through different physical exercises according to their requirements and keep track of their progress
The average annual salary of the occupational therapist is $98,549.
School Counselor
If you want to work with children and adolescents and help them overcome different issues, then a school counselor can be the right position for you. Some responsibilities of a school counselor are:
- Work closely with children and discuss their issues
- Create plans to help them overcome issues
- Give presentations to groups of students related to counseling topics
- Address educational, personal, and social concerns and problems of school students
The average annual salary of a school counselor is $60,409.
Researcher
Applied behavior analysis researchers work to improve human behavior by creating different solutions. The researcher’s main duties are:
- Conduct thorough research and conclude certain behaviors
- Publish reports and journals by collaborating with other researchers
- Identify the factors that cause the change in human behavior
The average annual salary of the researcher is $82,276.
Special Education Teacher
If you want to serve students with physical disabilities, you can become a special education teacher. Some of their primary responsibilities are:
- Address emotional and academic issues of students
- Provide specialized instructions to students according to their requirements
- Create personalized learning plans to help students attain academic success
The average annual salary of the special education teacher is $62,599.
Related Questions
Here are some questions that individuals who want to pursue a degree in applied behavioral analysis have. Let’s find out those questions and their answers.
Is ABA a Good Career?
If you want to positively contribute to the lives of others and build a rewarding and flexible career, then ABA can be a good career choice. It provides you with a wide range of career options that you can choose according to your area of interest.
What Is the Highest Level of ABA?
The highest level you can attain in ABA is the BCBA, a professional with the highest level of certification in this field. You can get BCBA certification from the BACB (Behavior Analyst Certification Board). It is a globally recognized body that assures high standards in the behavior analysis practice.
What Are the Three Branches of ABA?
You can consider ABA a systematic approach to understanding human behavior, comprising three branches. The three branches of ABA are applied, experimental, and theoretical.
Conclusion
Earning a doctoral ABA degree can make you eligible for in-demand jobs and also help you add real value to people’s lives. It can help you work for the betterment of society by helping people dealing with disabilities and emotional and mental disorders.
