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What is Applied Behavior Analysis?

Get a Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis

The Applied Behavior Analysis B.A.

Behavior analysis is a scientific approach to the study of behavior, focusing on functional relations between behavior and environmental events.

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) uses behavior analytic principles to address socially significant problems and evaluates their effectiveness. The B.A. in applied behavior analysis prepares students for careers that use behavior analysis and for graduate study.

This program provides the background you need to obtain BCaBA® (Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst®) certification and pursue a fulfilling career dedicated to enhancing quality of life through applied behavior analysis. Whether you want to analyze behavioral problems, provide treatment to people with autism, work in behavioral gerontology or consult for agencies like child welfare organizations, an ABA degree from Florida Tech can help you achieve your goals.

The mission of the Undergraduate Bachelor of Arts Degree within the School of Behavior Analysis is to enhance the human condition through behavioral education, research, scholarship, and service delivery by facilitating and reinforcing member actions that lead to these outcomes, enhances the quality of life through outreach and dissemination of behavior scientists and services.
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Why Choose Florida Tech for Applied Behavior Analysis?

At Florida Tech, you'll benefit from personalized attention, small class sizes and outstanding opportunities for hands-on learning. You'll build a solid foundation in behavior analysis while gaining practical experience in behavioral assessment, behavior interventions and skill acquisition program development.

Students at Florida Tech benefit from a close-knit academic environment that fosters collaboration, mentorship, individual creativity and leadership—and ensures personalized attention and support for each student.

Small class sizes mean you'll get to know your peers and your professors. Our faculty members are leaders in their fields and dedicated educators who bring a wealth of experience to the classroom. They serve not only as teachers but as mentors, offering valuable guidance for career paths and graduate school opportunities.

Upon graduation, applied behavior analysis majors will have satisfied all knowledge and experience requirements necessary for eligibility to take the Behavior Analysis Certification Board® (BACB®) BCaBA (Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst) exam.

The Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) is an undergraduate-level certification in behavior analysis. Professionals certified at the BCaBA level provide behavior-analytic services under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) and may supervise the work of Registered Behavior Technicians® (RBTs®).

Beyond the classroom, students can build leadership and professional experience through participation in the Student Government Association, intramural and collegiate sports and over 200 other student organizations.

Of special interest to ABA majors, BASA, the Behavior Analysis Student Association, brings together a community of students interested in behavior analysis to discuss both experimental and applied topics within the field. It’s a great organization for professional development opportunities and networking with peers and professionals in the field.

Internships build your fluency in behavior analysis concepts and their application while you gain hands-on experience. A field internship is included in the degree program, and students often seek additional internship opportunities.

A variety of agencies, businesses and nonprofit groups have provided internships to Florida Tech students, including:

  • The Scott Center for Autism Treatment
  • Children’s Home Society
  • Circles of Care Inc.
  • Space Coast Discovery (formerly Space Coast Early Intervention Center)
  • Health First Memory Disorder Clinic

Research continually advances the field of behavior analysis, and it’s an essential component of the ABA degree program.

You’ll study research concepts and methods early on in your program and put your knowledge into practice as you conduct a research project in conjunction with your senior year field internship.

Scott Center for Autism Treatment faculty members regularly seek out Florida Tech students to aid in the center’s research—a perfect way to engage in behavior analysis training while participating in faculty-led research. 

Additional affiliated institutes and centers serve as focal points for ongoing research in areas such as animal cognition, organizational effectiveness and memory disorders.

Florida Tech’s 130-acre campus is in the heart of the Space Coast; NASA-Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral is just north of us. Our area has one of the largest high-tech workforces in the country—and that means numerous internship and employment opportunities for our students.

At Florida Tech you’ll be minutes from the estuarine habitats of the Indian River Lagoon, home to more than 4,300 species of plants and animals, and just over the causeway from the Atlantic Ocean and its 72 miles of beautiful beaches. The Florida Keys and the Everglades are just a short trip away.

Careers in Applied Behavior Analysis

Whether you enter the workforce directly after graduation or upon completion of a master's or doctoral degree program, a bachelor’s degree in ABA from Florida Tech is the perfect first step.

Behavior analysis is often recognized for its role in enhancing quality of life for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the field also includes a wealth of other subspecialty and career areas, such as:

  • Mental health disorders
  • ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
  • Gerontology
  • Forensics
  • Behavioral gerontology
  • Behavioral pediatrics
  • Health and fitness
  • Behavioral medicine
  • Sports
  • Life coaching
  • Parenting
  • Education/special education
  • Instructional design
  • Training/learning and development
  • External/internal business consulting
  • Human resources
  • Continuous improvement
  • Organizational development
  • Environment/sustainability
  • Animal training

Looking ahead to your ABA career can be exciting! Keep in mind that certain roles may entail additional prerequisites.

You may need a license to practice as an assistant behavior analyst, depending on your location. Florida Tech ABA programs are designed to meet BACB credential requirements, which many states require or accept toward licensure. However, some states may have additional or different requirements for an ABA license. Please see our ABA professional licensing disclosures for more information about behavior analysis licensing.

Florida Tech Career Services assists students, alumni and employers in their search for careers and employee candidates. We help students develop career plans and job-search skills. Explore our Career Toolbox to learn more about our services and access additional resources.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), provides information about specific jobs, including median annual pay, working conditions and job outlook, among other things. Check the handbook for information on the outlook for behavior analysis careers.

Advanced Degree Options

When you graduate with your B.A. in applied behavior analysis, you can choose to go directly into the workforce, or to pursue advanced study in behavior analysis.

Florida Tech’s School of Behavior Analysis is a leader in ABA and offers several options for behavior analysis postgraduate education.

On Campus

Online

Explore the Applied Behavior Analysis, B.A., Curriculum

The Applied Behavior Analysis, B.A., Curriculum

The B.A. in applied behavior analysis offers a solid foundation in behavior analysis and provides a well-rounded liberal arts education.

Guided by highly qualified faculty who care about your success, you’ll begin specializing your sophomore year with a project involving the application of behavioral principles to change a socially significant behavior.

From the philosophical underpinnings of behavior analysis to the use of behavior analytic skills in the real world, the program covers ABA essentials.

Behavior analysis electives let you accumulate practical experience and fieldwork hours or delve deeper into areas of interest within the field, with options related to child advocacy, aging, animal behavior and more.

Your senior-year field internship and research project offer an opportunity to apply what you’ve learned—and build your resume.

Courses include:

  • Applied Behavior Analysis and Exceptional Learners
  • Ethics in Applied Settings
  • Behaviorism and Contemporary Society

Check the catalog for a description of all courses.

Download the Applied Behavior Analysis, B.A. Curriculum now!

Special Access to Unique Opportunities

The Scott Center for Autism Treatment is located on campus

As an applied behavior analysis student, you will have the special opportunity to work in the Scott Center for Autism Treatment, Florida Tech’s autism research center.

Located right on campus, the Scott Center is dedicated to improving the quality of life of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and related disabilities in Central Florida.

Here, you will be given the chance to work alongside staff as they provide ABA-based treatment to children with autism.

Through this meaningful work, you will reinforce what you've learned, build experience and establish important relationships with professionals already working in the field—excellent references for future work opportunities.

Related Programs
(You might also be interested in…)

Add the ABA minor to any on-campus major to learn the essentials of applied behavior analysis. It's a natural complement to any psychology major, and perfect for anyone interested in the study of behavior.

Applied Behavior Analysis Minor

Students interested in ABA are often interested in psychology as well, and may even consider pairing ABA and psychology for a double major.

In the psychology degree programs, concentrations are available in animal learning and behavior, applied social psychology, clinical/counseling psychology or cognitive and neuropsychology.

The B.A. in psychology offers a solid foundation in psychology and provides a well-rounded liberal arts and sciences education through a blend of core courses and electives.
Psychology, B.A.

The B.S. in psychology is designed for students oriented toward the natural sciences and mathematics, incorporating courses in areas such as lab sciences and calculus.
Psychology, B.S.

The forensic psychology B.A. provides knowledge and skills in preparation for careers in several areas of criminal justice in the context of a firm foundation in basic psychology.

Forensic psychology and ABA complement each other with a focus on understanding, predicting and influencing behavior, making them an excellent combination for a double major. Additionally, forensic psychology pairs well with the ABA minor, offering a strong foundation for careers requiring expertise in behavior analysis.

Forensic Psychology, B.A.

This 100% online applied psychology degree provides a solid foundation in psychology and the liberal arts, along with depth in an area of concentration. 

Choose from four different areas of concentration:

Clinical Psychology: Explore the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological disorders, covering topics such as abnormal psychology, substance abuse and social psychology.
Applied Psychology, B.A. – Clinical Psychology

Child Advocacy: Gain the knowledge and critical-thinking and communication skills necessary for a career dedicated to championing the well-being and development of children.
Applied Psychology, B.A. – Child Advocacy

Forensic Psychology: Apply psychology knowledge and skills to assist law enforcement agencies, contribute to criminal investigations and promote justice within the legal system.
Applied Psychology, B.A. – Forensic Psychology

Organizational Psychology: Learn to create a positive work environment with organizational psychology, gaining the skills needed for leadership success.
Applied Psychology, B.A. – Organizational Psychology

Learn more about Applied Behavior Analysis at Florida Tech on the website.

Prepare for a Rewarding Future in ABA

Graduates of the B.A. in applied behavior analysis program are prepared to apply for and take their board certification exam upon graduation.

The Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) is an undergraduate-level certification in behavior analysis. Professionals certified at the BCaBA level provide behavior-analytic services under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and may supervise the work of Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs).

Being a BCaBA means you've demonstrated a recognized level of expertise in applied behavior analysis, and it assures employers that you are well-versed in ABA principles and techniques.

In addition to opening up an array of career possibilities, the BCaBA serves as excellent preparation in both knowledge and experience for those planning to pursue a graduate degree and the master's-level BCBA credential.

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