Applied Behavior Analysis (M.Ed.)

• 4+1 Programs

  York College of Pennsylvania offers a variety of 4+1 options for students who wish to earn both a bachelor's degree and an M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis in as few as five years. 

  The following are examples of undergraduate majors that may be paired with Applied Behavior Analysis for a 4+1 degree. Students who are interested in pursuing this opportunity should discuss options with their academic advisors to ensure appropriate course scheduling.

  • Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • Early Elementary Education
  • Early Elementary Education/Special Education
  • Human Services
  • Middle Level Education
  • Middle Level/Special Education
  • Psychology
  • Recreation Leadership
  • Secondary Education, Biology
  • Secondary Education, English
  • Secondary Education, General Science
  • Secondary Education, Mathematics
  • Secondary Education, Social Studies
  • Sociology
• Professional ABA Certificate

  In addition to a comprehensive M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis, York College also offers a fully online post-master's certificate program for behavior therapist candidates. 

  Learn more about the Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate.

• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): An Exciting and Fast-Growing Mental Health Career . . . READ MORE

  Considering a career in mental health? Getting started can be both exciting and a little daunting. It is exciting because of the new experience, knowledge, and career prospects you hope to gain. Yet it can be daunting because of the wide array of programs and types of mental health careers that are out there. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a relatively new and rapidly growing mental health career that you might consider. 

  What do Behavior Therapists Do? 

  Behavior Therapists (also referred to as Board Certified Behavior Analysts or BCBA’s) work in clinical settings to provide clients with the appropriate skills they need to successfully navigate their worlds. Specifically, Behavior Therapists investigate the relationships between a person’s behavior and their environment in order to design interventions that produce this meaningful change and improve their clients’ lives. While ABA is often seen as an approach to support people with autism, Behavior Therapists actually work with many different populations helping to teach and improve a wide variety of behaviors including social skills and communication, feeding and hygiene, and smoking cessation. 

  An In-Demand Career 

  ABA is a rapidly growing field, with demand for BCBAs increasing by 5,852%. since 2010 and by 38% from 2020 to 2021 alone. Just in the state of Pennsylvania in 2021, there were 848 job postings that required applicants to have an ABA certification. According to Payscale.com, the average salary for BCBAs is $64,000. 

  Why such growth? In a word, flexibility. Behavior Analysts practice in a wide range of settings, from traditional clinical mental health agencies to schools, hospitals, and businesses. Within these organizations, Behavior Analysts work in a variety of capacities. For example, BCBAs can work with athletes to improve sports performance, people with autism to help them develop healthier behaviors, mothers and babies learning to breast feed, and even CEOs trying to increase the performance of their employees in a business. If you are looking for an in-demand mental health career path, ABA could be for you. 

  Getting Started in Applied Behavior Analysis 

  Your first step in becoming a Behavior Analyst will be to begin a verified course sequence in a graduate program like the new Applied Behavior Analysis, M.Ed. program offered by York College of Pennsylvania. This program is designed from the ground up to provide you with the knowledge and experience needed to be successful in this rapidly growing mental health career. The ABA coursework at YCP examines ABA from a broad perspective, which will give you the confidence to explore many different career paths. In addition, YCP’s partnerships with practicing BCBAs in South Central Pennsylvania will provide you with invaluable learning experiences and connections to professionals in the field. Upon graduating, you will have the choice to work with a variety of populations and ages focusing on countless skills and behaviors in many different settings, and you will have the skills needed to be successful in whatever career path you choose. 

  Let YCP help you be excited and confident as you embark on your graduate degree and new career path. Take your first steps toward becoming a BCBA – get more information about YCP’s Graduate ABA Program and begin your application today. 

Discover Community Partnerships

York College partners with a number of community organizations and businesses to provide employees with discounted graduate-level education. Please consult with your Human Resources department to determine if your organization is a participating partner.