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Project Three Milestone: Career Paths Analysis
Michelle Leasure
Southern New Hampshire University
PSY 108: Introduction to Psychology
Michele Moresten
February 11, 2025
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PSY 108 Project Three Milestone: Career Paths Analysis
Job Summary
The career I have selected for project three is Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
Duties and Responsibilities
A Board-Certified Behavior Analyst specializes in mental health and behavior, holding a
graduate-level certification to offer services concerning behavioral health. They create
therapeutic strategies to improve patients' behaviors and encourage positive traits. The analysts
assess how a patient's motivations affect their actions and provide an environment that promotes
progress. BCBAs work in conjunction with families, educators, and other healthcare
professionals to manage the care of individuals.
Qualifications for the Position
To pursue a career as a BCBA, one must first complete a bachelor's degree prior to applying for
graduate programs. A master's degree in psychology, education, or applied behavior analysis is
then required. Following this, the completion of a graduate program is the minimum educational
criterion for certification. Coursework typically includes subjects such as Psychology, Child
Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Early Development, the Emotional Impact of
Disabilities, and Behavioral Therapies. The next step involves acquiring fieldwork experience,
with a minimum of 1,500 hours needed to qualify for certification. After gaining the required
experience, candidates must pass the BCBA examination, which lasts four hours and consists of
160 questions assessing their knowledge of behavior analysis. Lastly, obtaining a state license is
necessary.
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Main Industry or Business Sector
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst primarily finds employment in hospitals, non-profit
organizations, mental health facilities, and government institutions.
Relation to Psychology
BCBAs often apply interpersonal, communication, and active listening skills. While interacting
with clients, they may utilize critical thinking and problem-solving methods to provide support
and ensure their clients receive proper care. When demonstrating certain qualities, clients can
feel more at ease and trust their therapist; for example, through active listening, clients may
perceive that their therapist is genuinely trying to understand their issues.
Connections to Emotional Intelligence
Self-Awareness and Self-Regulation
Job aspects requiring self-awareness include managing the available time during client
interactions and any financial limitations. Self-regulation is necessary for keeping abreast of the
latest research and best practices in behavior analysis.
Social Awareness and Conflict Resolution
Key components demanding social awareness involve possessing strong verbal and report
writing abilities as well as understanding proper referral procedures. Conflict resolution skills are
important when discussing the patient's care and progress with their family, educators, or
healthcare providers and advising ways to address behavioral challenges.
Ethical Judgment and Empathy
Elements of the role that necessitate ethical judgment include ensuring client confidentiality,
steering clear of conflicts of interest, and delivering the highest quality of care. Empathy is
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essential for developing a treatment plan that addresses the client’s social, emotional, cognitive,
and physical requirements.
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References
Campbell. (2023, June 7).
How To Become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
.
Indeed.com. Retrieved February 14, 2024, from
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-
development/how-to-become-bcb
