I get a lot of repeat questions about my journey into the world of ABA and my path to BCBA. I decided to write a blog as an easy way to find answers, and I will update every couple of months as things change!
This section was written in July 2020.
Have you done your coursework?
Yes-I graduated from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va with a graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis in August 2018. My entire program was online.
How did you find your center/why did you decide to work at a center?
I found my center through a student of mine. I had a child in my class who received services at the center. I got to know the BCBA through his IEP and I really loved the way she approached behavior. We had a wonderful working relationship when I was a teacher, so when I decided to leave the classroom I knew I wanted to work at her center.
Why are you working part-time/how is the salary?
It is difficult to find full-time jobs as an ABA therapist. As mentioned above, the center that I knew I wanted to work at only had part-time positions available. I do run a Teachers pay Teachers store that helps supplement my income. That, paired with my husband’s salary and our own personal financial situation, gave me the freedom to pursue a part-time position. That being said, before the pandemic I was working 30 hours a week, so I’m “part-time” but still making a decent income.
What is the process to become a BCBA?
There are several routes for becoming a BCBA. I already have a degree in special education and coursework in ABA through my graduate certificate, which meets part of the requirements for the Behavior Analytic Coursework track. I am now in the phase of supervision Once I complete that I can take the exam.
Some people begin their supervision while they are earning coursework. I graduated in August 2018 but did not decide to pursue BCBA until March 2020 (more to come on that particular part of my journey-look for a blog/podcast series around October 2020). For that reason, I am doing supervision on its own. It will likely take me another year to complete supervision. The pandemic has affected this, but I am still hoping to be done with supervision by September 2021 and I will try to sit for the exam next fall. I might end up having to retake courses, but only time will tell.
How do you get your supervision hours in? Did you have to pay to get supervision hours?
I am able to get supervision at my job at the ABA center and I don’t have to pay my BCBAs, which is one of the big perks to why I wanted to work at a center. When I was in the classroom, I struggled to find an affordable way to get supervision and I could not picture working in an ABA clinic at night or on weekends while teaching, so moving to an ABA center was the best option for me.
What is my end goal?
My short-term end goal would be to be a BCBA at the center that I work at. I would possibly consider being in a public school at some point in my career, but I am not interested in a hospital or any other type of setting.
July 2022 Update
I finished my supervision in May 2021 and was approved to take the exam in the same month. I took the test for the first time in June 2021 and I did not pass. I retook the exam in July 2021 and passed on that attempt. I was licensed by my state in August 2021 and I have been a part-time BCBA at my center since then.