Applied Behavior Analysis


Your Future In Applied Behavior Analysis

Are you fascinated by how people learn? Does a career helping people improve their quality of life through behavior change interest you? Then pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Behavior Analysis at the University of North Texas may be for you.

People with degrees in Applied Behavior Analysis are competitive for positions in a variety of fields. These jobs generally involve working directly with client populations or helping more experienced behavior analysts with projects and research. You can be credentialed as a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst, which qualifies you to work in:

  • School settings
  • ABA therapy for families who have children with autism
  • Residential and training facilities for persons with disabilities
  • Business and industry

What we offer

Our curriculum teaches you how behavior is affected by events in the social and physical environment, how to change behavior and how to improve lives. We combine theoretical and practical learning to provide an in-depth knowledge base and marketable skills.

You'll gain practical experience through required field work or by joining ongoing application and research projects. Some projects have involved working with:

  • Animals in zoos, homes and agricultural settings
  • Area schools
  • Children with autism
  • The Child Study Center in Fort Worth
  • The Denton State Supported Living Center
  • Easter Seals North Texas
  • Troubled adolescents
  • The UNT Kristin Farmer Autism Center

Our faculty consists of ten nationally recognized experts in the field. They've published extensively in refereed journals and presented research at national conferences.

A Living-Learning Community brings together students who live on campus and want to make a difference in their community. The UNT SERVES! Community enhances students' academic and social experiences.

UNT's Department of Behavior Analysis was the nation's first stand-alone department of behavior analysis and offered the first undergraduate degree in the field. The department has been recognized for its tradition of leadership in teaching, service and scholarship by the Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis. It also serves as the headquarters for the Texas Association for Behavior Analysis.

Our degree program is accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (550 W. Centre Ave.; Portage, Mich. 49024; telephone 269-492-9310). This accreditation means the program meets or exceeds strict academic standards for excellence in education.

What to expect

You'll complete 34 credit hours of formal course work, allowing you to graduate with two majors or several minors in other disciplines. The necessary course work focuses on:

  • Applied behavior analysis literature
  • Behavior change techniques
  • Behavior management
  • Behavior principles
  • Behavior technology
  • Data collection and analysis

The Career Center, Learning Center and professional academic advisors are among the many valuable resources available to you at UNT. The Career Center can provide advice about internships, future employment opportunities and getting hands-on experience in your major. The Learning Center offers workshops on speed reading, study skills and time management. Academic advisors will help you plan your class schedule each semester.

How to enroll at UNT

High school students

We encourage you to fulfill the graduation requirements for the distinguished level of achievement under the Texas Foundation, Recommended or Distinguished Achievement high school program or the equivalent.

In your junior year, take the SAT or ACT and have your scores sent to UNT.

In your senior year, apply for admission at ApplyTexas.org by March 1 and request that your high school transcript be sent to the UNT admissions office.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses can count toward college credit at UNT.

Transfer students

If you're attending a Texas community college, you should consult our online transfer guides, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor or advisor to review your degree plan. Proper planning will allow you to receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.

Our Transfer Center will help you make a successful transition to college life at UNT by connecting you with a peer mentor and other campus resources. Each year, 3,900 students transfer to UNT.