Applied Behavior Analysis & Autism Studies Careers
Find out what careers you can achieve with an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) & Autism Studies degree from MBU, and how you can get there!
ABA & Autism Studies Careers
These are just some of the many careers an Applied Behavior Analysis & Autism Studies BA can prepare you for. Select a career to learn about the job, average salary, employment outlook, required education level, and more.
ABA and clinical practice
Educational and social services
Use the resources below to find more career profiles on these and hundreds of other jobs you could achieve with an ABA & Autism Studies BA.
Career Spotlights
Registered Behavior Technician
Implements Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) treatment plans and tracks the patient’s reaction to and progress in treatment.
Education: High school diploma (bachelor’s degree preferred) + certification
Workplaces: Inpatient and outpatient mental health centers, schools, in-home
Median Pay: $23.61/hour
Job Outlook: 22% (faster than average)
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Develops individualized treatment plans for people with developmental disabilities, brain injuries, or behavioral issues to achieve personal behavior goals.
Education: Master’s degree + state certification
Workplaces: Inpatient and outpatient mental health centers, schools, in-home
Median Pay: $77,145/year
Job Outlook: 22% (faster than average)
Child, Family, & School Social Worker
Provides social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families.
Education: Bachelor’s degree
Workplaces: Government and social services agencies, non-profit organizations
Median Pay: $58,570/year
Job Outlook: 4% (average)
MBU Alumni Employers
Our ABA & Autism Studies majors have gone on to build impactful careers with public and private schools, school districts, community services organizations, therapeutic agencies, and non-profits.
- Connect Behavioral Health, LLC.
- YMCA of the USA (National Resource Office)
- Sunray ABA
- Compassionate ABA Service
- The Early Start Center for Learning and Development
- STEPS Behavioral Health
- Autism Center Of Excellence
- ShisaCare
- Advanceable ABA
- Jefferson County Public Schools
- The Stepping Stones Group, LLC
- Hamilton County ESC
- Wise County Public Schools
- The Behavior Doc
- St. John’s Health
- Spotsylvania County Public Schools
- Bierman Autism Centers
- Papillon Family Health
- Hanover County Public Schools
- The ARC of Loudoun
Alumni Story: Jordan Ellis, ’13
Jordan Ellis graduated from Mary Baldwin University with a Health Sciences degree, where a capstone project analyzing patient flow in Virginia hospitals sparked a focus on healthcare operations. “That’s when I saw how much systems design affects patient care,” Jordan says.
Now a Clinical Operations Analyst at a Richmond healthcare technology company, Jordan works with hospitals to streamline admissions and improve care coordination, including projects that reduce discharge delays and improve emergency department throughput.
What’s your path?
MBU offers dozens of complementary minors, majors, clubs and more to enhance your study of ABA and autism studies and put you on the right path to your dream career.
Consider pairing your ABA & Autism Studies major with:
- A minor in:
- A double-major in:
Build one of these Skill Stacks to gain an edge in the job market:
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Inclusivity
- Collaboration
- Data Fluency
Join one of these MBU clubs or professional organizations for connection and networking:
- Sociology Club
- Social Work Club
- Psychology Club
- Criminal Justice Club
- A Brighter Tomorrow
- Residence Hall Association
- Student Standards Board
- Virginia Association for Behavior Analysis
- International Society for Autism Research
- Behavior Analyst Certification Board
Gain work experience through:
- Course-required 70 hours of practicum experience in a setting serving children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Consider one of our outstanding MBU graduate programs:
Master of Arts
Master of Science
*We offer accelerated pathways in these programs. Earn two degrees faster!
Consider pairing your Elementary Education major with:
A minor in:
- Communication
- Criminal Justice
- English
- Human Resource Management
- Leadership Studies
- Management
- Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
- Subject-specific Education minors
A double-major in:
- Criminal Justice
- Elementary Education
- English
- Public Policy
- Psychology
- Social Work
- Special Education
- Strategic Communications
Build one of these Skill Stacks and gain an edge in the job market:
- Communication
- Creativity
- Inclusivity
- Collaboration
- Problem-Solving
Join one of these MBU clubs for connection and networking:
- Sociology Club
- Social Work Club
- Psychology Club
- Criminal Justice Club
- A Brighter Tomorrow
- Residence Hall Association
- Student Standards Board
- Virginia Association for Behavior Analysis
- International Society for Autism Research
- Behavior Analyst Certification Board
Gain work experience through:
- Course-required 70 hours of practicum experience in a setting serving children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Consider one of our outstanding MBU MEd graduate programs:
Master of Arts in Teaching
Master of Arts
Master of Science
*We offer accelerated pathways in these programs. Earn two degrees faster!
What makes a great
ABA & Autism Studies student?
To be an education student at Mary Baldwin University means learning how to teach with both purpose and compassion. It means growing into an educator who leads with heart, supports diverse learners, and creates a classroom where every student feels valued, understood, and capable of success.Dymond Wright
Planning for Graduate School & Certification
If you plan to continue your education in ABA & autism studies or are interested in a career that requires a graduate degree, thinking about graduate school early can save you a lot of stress in the future.
Some positions require certification by special behavior analyst boards and organizations. Certification can be granted at different levels, and may or may not require graduate education.
Certification during your BA
As an ABA & Autism Studies major, you’ll fulfill the “Pathway 2” coursework requirements necessary to take the certification exam and become a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® (BCaBA®) or a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®).
However, other eligibility requirements set by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®) must be met before taking these exams (including the possession of a master’s degree to become a BCBA®).
Certification during graduate school
If you are looking to become an International Behavior Analyst (IBA)™, you’ll have to pursue certification and a master’s degree through a graduate program with an International Behavior Analyst (IBA)™ Approved Content Provider (ACP)™.
Mary Baldwin’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis is an IBA™ Approved Content Provider™.
In addition to application requirements such as transcripts and recommendations, your application may include taking entrance exams such as the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations).
These tests are much like the SAT or ACT, but at the graduate level, covering general knowledge. Students taking these exams often take weeks or months to study the material and take practice tests. Knowing early if one of these exams will be included in your application will give you more time to prepare.
MBU has two ABA and Autism Studies graduate programs to consider. The Master of Science in ABA also offers an accelerated pathway, where students can complete both their BA and MS in 5 years.
Master of Arts (MA)
Master of Science (MS)
- Applied Behavior Analysis (IBA™ Approved Content Provider™)
Accelerated Pathway
If you are interested in practicing in a school setting you may be interested in MBU’s Master of Teaching in Special Education. This degree will also prepare you for Virginia state teaching licensure.
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
McCree Center for Career Success
Students are encouraged to meet with advisors from the McCree Center for Career Success to explore, prepare for, and secure meaningful internship and work-based learning opportunities aligned with a ABA & Autism Studies major.
Through individualized advising and resources like Handshake, students can identify opportunities, connect with employers, and apply for experiences that build their skills and professional networks.
