26 November, 2024
Human behavior impacts almost every aspect of our lives, which is one of the reasons why many individuals dedicate their entire professional lives to studying it. Behavior analysis is the science of behavior, encompassing the causes of behavior patterns and how those patterns can be changed.
What Is Behavior Analysis?
Behavior analysis is the systematic study of human behavior, examining why people act the way they do and how their behavioral patterns can be modified to effect positive change. Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is one well‑known branch of the field, but behavior analysis encompasses a range of approaches, which includes organizational behavior management and developmental interventions that extend beyond ABA practice.
Behavior analysis offers a variety of paths for individuals considering their career options. Many behavior analysis professionals work to improve the lives of people with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodiversities. But behavior analysis can be applied in many ways. For instance, behavior analysts might contribute to workplace optimization, assist teachers with classroom management, develop behavior plans for people in detention or residential settings or support children in meeting developmental milestones.
How Advanced Education Prepares You for a Career in Behavior Analysis
Students aspiring to careers in applied behavior analysis might pursue a Master of Education in Behavior Analysis. This is one of the pathways toward eligibility to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam, leading to certification through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). Becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst demonstrates expertise in delivering behavior-analytic services and supervising other professionals in the field.
Lehigh University’s M.Ed. in Behavior Analysis prepares students for success on the BCBA exam through a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum. This degree program also offers flexibility of asynchronous online learning, making it accessible for a wide range of students. For those who already hold a master’s degree, Lehigh’s Certificate in Behavior Analysis program provides focused preparation for the BCBA exam.
8 Jobs and Salary Potential with a Master’s Degree in Behavior Analysis
If you’re interested in behavior analytics or pursuing a degree in applied behavior analysis, you also might be curious what kinds of careers you can pursue in the field. Behavior analysis is a broad field with many applications and diverse career opportunities.
Behavior analysts work in a broad range of fields, including in education, research and commerce. As such, behavior analysts work with populations that are diverse in age, disability status, gender, racial identity, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. Many behavior analysts seek careers as social workers, patient advocates or counselors for individuals with developmental disabilities or behavioral disorders. They can also work in a broad range of settings and with many different kinds of organizations — from schools and homes to enterprise businesses and government entities.
It’s important to note that a master’s degree in behavioral analysis does not guarantee a certain position or salary. Career opportunities and pay can vary depending on experience, location and other factors. Still, understanding the wide-ranging career paths that students might pursue after obtaining a behavior analysis degree can help you plan your own path.
| Job Title | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapist | $49,200 |
| Clinical Director or Supervisor | $99,600 |
| Developmental Specialist | $53,800 |
| Educational Consultant | $69,900 |
| Forensic Behavior Analyst | $67,500 |
| Health and Wellness Coach | $74,000 |
| Human Resources Professional | $99,300 |
| Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) Specialist | $58,100 |
Source: Lightcast (2025)
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapist
Median Annual Salary: $49,200
Applied behavior analysis therapists specialize in understanding, influencing and modifying behavior in a wide range of settings, including schools, universities, residential care, clinics and other health care facilities. They frequently work with children, using evidence-based techniques to help manage challenging behaviors. Their role often entails collaborating with parents, teachers and caregivers to promote positive change for their clients.
Clinical Director or Supervisor
Median Annual Salary: $99,600
Clinical directors and supervisors lead teams in care settings, overseeing treatment plans and ensuring the quality of behavioral interventions. Often, they are also responsible for staff management, compliance with laws and regulations and the day-to-day operations of their clinic or facility.
Developmental Specialist
Median Annual Salary: $53,800
Developmental specialists, also referred to as child development specialists, focus on helping children meet crucial milestones. They assist parents, teachers, and schools in identifying and addressing potential developmental delays, offering strategies and support to foster growth.
Educational Consultant
Median Annual Salary: $69,900
Educational consultants collaborate with administrators, school districts, educators and families to offer expert guidance on teaching practices and behavior management. They often provide coaching to improve educational outcomes, assess and address behavioral challenges and equip parents and teachers with supportive strategies.
Forensic Behavior Analyst
Median Annual Salary: $67,500
Forensic behavior analysts work within the criminal justice system to address behavioral challenges among detained people. They often assess individuals, create behavior plans and develop strategies to assist staff in managing problematic behaviors. They may sometimes contribute to investigations by providing insight into criminal behavior or by helping law enforcement develop offender profiles.
Health and Wellness Coach
Median Annual Salary: $74,000
BCBAs who pursue a career in health and wellness coaching use their expertise to help clients achieve desired behavioral outcomes. While they are not medical or mental health practitioners, health and wellness coaches often help their clients navigate life challenges surrounding their personal well-being.
Human Resources Professional
Median Annual Salary: $99,300
Human resources professionals serve in a wide range of capacities, and workers with a background in behavior analysis can offer especially valuable insight into hiring, recruitment and employee relations. They may use their expertise in understanding and influencing behavior to help manage interpersonal dynamics and improve organizational culture.
Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) Specialist
Median Annual Salary: $58,100
Organizational behavior management (OBM) specialists apply behavior analysis principles to help employers improve workplace environments and processes. By examining what drives behavior, they might aim to boost productivity, enhance employee experiences or optimize organizational efficiency. OBM specialists work across all industries and may tailor their professional approach to specific organizational needs.
What Do You Learn in a Behavioral Analysis Degree?
Behavioral analysis requires you to understand the drivers of behavior and uncover ways to influence that behavior. Behavior analysis is an empirically driven field, meaning that the ability to demonstrate clear cause and effect relationships is critical.
Lehigh’s Master of Education in Behavior Analysis is designed to provide students with this expertise. The rigorous curriculum also prepares students for the BCBA exam, complying with program requirements laid out by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. Students study subjects such as organizational behavior management, research methods in behavior analysis, behavior assessment and behavior change.
Graduates leave the program prepared for a variety of careers, including but not limited to the roles we’ve discussed above. Behavior analysis is broadly applicable and can be valuable in any field that involves behavior, such as management, human resources, healthcare, sports and social work.
Bridge Theory and Practice With an Online Behavior Analysis Master’s
Lehigh’s Master of Education in Behavior Analysis program equips aspiring leaders with the skills to drive meaningful change through evidence-based analysis and interventions. Our curriculum is designed for professionals who currently have or are working toward the experience requirements needed to sit for the BCBA exam. Through a combination of academic rigor, practical application and a supportive community, you will graduate prepared for an impactful career in a growing field.
The Lehigh College of Education is home to top-ranked academic programs taught by expert faculty. We prepare students for leadership roles in evidence-based, cross-disciplinary inquiry that shapes educational practices on the national and international level. In this rapidly evolving world, the work students do at Lehigh is the very foundation of equity, opportunity and positive transformation for individuals.
Download a brochure to learn more about the program, or start your application today.
To learn more about the online programs at Lehigh University College of Education and download a brochure, please fill out the form. You can also talk one-on-one with an enrollment specialist directly by calling (610) 215-2867 or emailing us at edprograms@lehigh.edu.