What degree do you need to be a behavioral therapist

There are several education requirements to become a behavioral therapist. Behavioral therapists usually study psychology, social work or sociology. 70% of behavioral therapists hold a bachelor's degree and 15% hold a master's degree. We found these by analyzing 6,149 behavioral therapist resumes to investigate the topic of behavioral therapist education more precisely.

The most common colleges for students to pursue their goal of becoming a behavioral therapist are University of California - Davis and California State University - San Bernardino.

For those who would rather stay in your pajamas during the day, we prepared some online courses that can help in behavioral therapist education paths.

We prepared a list of a behavioral therapist certifications that you should consider. The necessary certifications that behavioral therapists must have to succeed are Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

What Degree Should I Get to Become a Behavioral Therapist ?

The most common degree for behavioral therapists is bachelor's degree 70% of behavioral therapists earn that degree. A close second is master's degree with 15% and rounding it off is associate degree with 11%.

What Should I Major in to Become a Behavioral Therapist ?

Most behavioral therapists, 48% to be exact, major in psychology. Some other common majors for a behavioral therapist include social work and sociology majors.

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Most Common Colleges for Behavioral Therapist

Here are the most common colleges for a behavioral therapist career in the US based on their resumes. Advocates often get their degree in University of California - Davis, California State University - San Bernardino, and University of California, Santa Barbara .

University of California - Davis

California State University - San Bernardino

University of California, Santa Barbara

California State University - Northridge

University of Phoenix

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Average Behavioral Therapist Salary by Education Level

Behavioral therapists with a Masters degree earn more than those without, at $40,509 annually. With a Associate degree, behavioral therapists earn a median annual income of $34,876.

Master's Degree

Bachelor's Degree

Some College/ Associate Degree

$0

$9,000

$18,000

$27,000

$36,000

$45,000

Behavioral Therapist JOBS

10 Best Universities For Behavioral Therapists

In a lot of cases, a higher education can mean a higher salary or even a better job. That's why we found out the best colleges for behavioral therapists. We based this list on these metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of students working, ratio of working vs. non-working students 10 years after admission, average cost of attendance and median debt for graduates.

What degree do you need to be a behavioral therapist

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

2. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

7. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

8. SUNY at Albany

Albany, NY • Private

9. San Jose State University

San Jose, CA • Private

10. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

20 Best Online Courses for Behavioral Therapists

Sometimes things are just better when you get to stay in your pajamas all day. That includes school. We found top courses for behavioral therapists from Udemy, Coursera, EDX, and ed2go that will help you advance in your career. Here are essential skills you need to be a behavioral therapist:

  • Behavior analysis
  • Group therapy
  • Treatment plans
If you want to improve behavioral therapists skills these courses could help you in this.

CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Therapists & Coaches

Comprehensive CBT Therapy Training Cognitive Behavior Therapy Practitioner Level Treat Anxiety, Depression & More...

Occupational Therapy Introduction - ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE

How to become occupational therapist, basic Psychology, Physiology & Anatomy, working with disabilities, children adults...

DOG BEHAVIOR & DOG TRAINING: Fix Problems & Animal Behavior

BAD DOG BEHAVIOR? ENROLL NOW! Dog Training, Animal Behavior, Puppy Training, Canine Behavior, Dogs, Puppies/Animals/Pets...

Dog & Cat Behavior Problems

Learn the essential training techniques you'll need to raise a pet dog or cat and fix common behavior problems...

Introduction to CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Online Counselling & Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Training Course...

Crucial Concepts in Dog Behavior & Training

Learn cutting edge and common sense concepts that make dog training incredibly easy and effective...

Creating Behavioral Change

In this course you will learn about understanding and changing mental and physical health behavior. We will examine both the historical context and the current science. Major topics will include fundamental behavioral principles and basic elements of empirically supported individual treatments (e.g, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapies). Lectures and examples will illustrate both the theory and the practice of evidence-based approaches to behavior change. You will engage in...

CBT Cognitive Behavior Therapy Life Coaching Certification

Leverage the Science of Your Mind: Life Coach Practitioner Accredited for 16 CPD/CE Therapeutic Credit Hours...

CBT Cognitive Behavioral Anxiety Management Life Coach

CBT Anxiety Management Cognitive Behavioral Specialization: Enhance emotional intelligence & cope with anxiety and fear...

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Mindfulness

Learn Skills to Live One Mindfully and Begin your DBT Journey...

Cat Behavior Rectification & Cat Health Care: 2 courses in 1

1. Common Cat Behavior Issues and training methods to rectify them 2. Tips for better healthcare of your cat...

CBT Cognitive Behavior Life Coach Certification: Accredited

With CBT: Empower coaching clients to stop self-sabotage, reprogram their mind, master emotions & stop negative thinking...

CBT Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Human Mind Owners Manual)

CBT: Take back your power, stop self-sabotage, reprogram your mind, master your emotions & stop negative thinking...

Simple Solutions for Common Dog Behavior & Training Problems

Learn to address house soiling, chewing, barking, digging, separation anxiety, jumping up, pulling on leash and more...

How to Train a Puppy

Train your puppy the right way with Dr. Ian Dunbar. Includes 13 videos, 4 books, and 16 behavior blueprints...

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Associate Life Coach

CBT: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Life Coaching Associate Coach Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Coaching...

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Practitioner Training

Become a Certified Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Practitioner and elevate your understanding of human behaviour...

Acumen Presents: Dan Ariely on Changing Customer Behavior

How social entrepreneurs can harness the principles of behavioral change to reach more customers and create impact...

AP® Psychology - Course 4: How Behavior Works

This psychology course is all about how behavior works. You will learn the theories of motivation, hunger, eating, the obesity epidemic, and sexual behavior. We will also examine theories of emotion and observe how developmental psychologists study phenomena across a lifespan. We will explore cognitive development, the history of intelligence and testing, and the relationship between creativity and mental illness. The course concludes with in-depth coverage of the fields of personality...

Introduction to Human Behavioral Genetics

Behavioral genetic methodologies from twin and adoption studies through DNA analysis will be described and applied to address longstanding questions about the origins of individual differences in behavioral traits...

Best Behavioral Therapist Certifications in 2022

1. Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)

The Registered Behavior Technician is a paraprofessional who practices under ongoing supervision.

The Registered Behavior Technician is a paraprofessional who practices under ongoing supervision.

  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)

  • Behavior Therapist
  • Behavioral Interventionist
  • ABA Therapist
  • Line Therapist

Details

2. Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

The Board Certified Behavior Analyst is an independent practitioner who also may work as an employee or independent contractor for an organization. The BCBA conducts descriptive and systematic (e.g., analogue) behavioral assessments, including functional analyses, and provides behavior analytic interpretations of the results. The BCBA designs and supervises behavior analytic interventions. The BCBA is able to effectively develop and implement appropriate assessment and intervention methods for use in unfamiliar situations and for a range of cases.

The Board Certified Behavior Analyst is an independent practitioner who also may work as an employee or independent contractor for an organization. The BCBA conducts descriptive and systematic (e.g., analogue) behavioral assessments, including functional analyses, and provides behavior analytic interpretations of the results. The BCBA designs and supervises behavior analytic interventions. The BCBA is able to effectively develop and implement appropriate assessment and intervention methods for use in unfamiliar situations and for a range of cases.

  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 1 year(s)

  • Behavior Therapist
  • ABA Therapist
  • Line Therapist
  • Behavior Technician

Details

Entry Level Jobs For Becoming A Behavioral Therapist

Top 10 Affordable Universities For Behavioral Therapists

If those top 10 were a bit out of your price range, you might want to check these schools instead. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price and mean earnings after 6 years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for behavioral therapists.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

Cost of Attendance Cost of attendance is the estimated annual cost of attending a particular college or university. It includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, and living expenses.

$14,046

2. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

Cost of Attendance Cost of attendance is the estimated annual cost of attending a particular college or university. It includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, and living expenses.

$13,998

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

Cost of Attendance Cost of attendance is the estimated annual cost of attending a particular college or university. It includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, and living expenses.

$18,306

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

Cost of Attendance Cost of attendance is the estimated annual cost of attending a particular college or university. It includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, and living expenses.

$18,136

5. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

Cost of Attendance Cost of attendance is the estimated annual cost of attending a particular college or university. It includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, and living expenses.

$21,034

6. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

Cost of Attendance Cost of attendance is the estimated annual cost of attending a particular college or university. It includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, and living expenses.

$21,623

7. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

Cost of Attendance Cost of attendance is the estimated annual cost of attending a particular college or university. It includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, and living expenses.

$17,645

8. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

Cost of Attendance Cost of attendance is the estimated annual cost of attending a particular college or university. It includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, and living expenses.

$19,434

9. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

Cost of Attendance Cost of attendance is the estimated annual cost of attending a particular college or university. It includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, and living expenses.

$15,576

10. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

Cost of Attendance Cost of attendance is the estimated annual cost of attending a particular college or university. It includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, and living expenses.

$14,469

Top 10 Hardest Universities To Get Into For Behavioral Therapists

Some people like a challenge. Well, we challenge you to get into one of these schools. It's not going to be easy. We know this based on these institutions' admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted and mean earnings of students 6 years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

2. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

4. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

5. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

7. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

8. Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA • Private

9. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

10. Fordham University

Bronx, NY • Private

Top 10 Easier To Apply Universities For Behavioral Therapists

Why make getting a job harder on yourself than it has to be? With these colleges, you're sure to be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores and average salary of students 6 years after graduation in order to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into.

1. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

2. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

3. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

4. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

5. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

6. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

7. Texas Woman's University

Denton, TX • Private

8. College of New Rochelle, The

New Rochelle, NY • Private

9. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

10. Rosemont College

Rosemont, PA • Private

Behavioral Therapist Internship Jobs

Behavioral Therapist Jobs

What do behavior therapist do?

What does a behavioral therapist do? Behavioral therapists are healthcare professionals who help treat mental health disorders. They use their training and knowledge to work with and treat adults and children who experience anxiety, phobias, addictions and different disorders.

What is the difference between a behavioral therapist and a therapist?

Although both groups provided a warm and accepting atmosphere, behavior therapists showed higher levels of accurate empathy, interpersonal contact, and therapist self-congruence. Patients viewed behavior therapists as more authoritarian and believed that psychotherapists encourage greater independence.

What degree do you need for cognitive behavioral therapy?

To become a cognitive behavioral psychologist, you need to earn a PhD or PsyD in clinical, counseling, or school psychology. You will want to earn this degree from a program that includes coursework, clinical training, and research opportunities in cognitive-behavioral theories and treatments.

Is being a behavior therapist stressful?

At the same time, they have to treat each child in accordance with the individual Behavior Support Plan (BSP). The job of an ABA therapist is often emotionally exhausting, which might increase the risk of stress, depression, and burnout.