The University of Houston’s three new programs in Applied Behavior Analysis are available online or in person at UH’s Katy campus.
The University of Houston is expanding its behavioral health offerings this fall to provide students with comprehensive training in a high-demand field with the goal of better serving the community.
The UH College of Education is offering three new programs in Applied Behavior Analysis, an evidence-based therapy used to support individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.
“Our goal is to train highly skilled individuals so they come out of our programs and can provide really effective treatment for our diverse community and our learners with autism and developmental disabilities,” said Charlotte Carp, program director and a board-certified behavior analyst.
While UH began offering ABA-related courses in fall 2024, this marks the first time students can complete a full program in the discipline. The new programs — available online or in person at UH’s Katy campus — include:
- A minor for undergraduate students
- A Master of Education in Special Populations, with a specialization in ABA
- A post-baccalaureate certificate in ABA for working professionals with a bachelor’s degree
These programs aim to address the growing need for behavior analysts across the state — with Texas ranking third nationwide for demand in 2024. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board reported that Texas’ need for board-certified behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts increased 62% and 228%, respectively, between 2023 and 2024.
Salaries for these roles range from $63,000-$77,000 annually, according to Salary.com.
This comes as autism diagnoses are rising, as one in 36 8-year-olds were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in 2020 compared to one in 150 in 2000, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Carp attributes this prevalence to earlier screenings, improved assessments and a change in how autism is defined.
ABA differs from other therapeutic approaches due to its foundation in behaviorism.
“A lot of other therapies focus on the cognitive aspects and how mental processes really affect behavior,” Carp said. “For ABA, it’s really looking at not necessarily the mental processes but how the environment and behavior interact. If we can change the environment, we can change behavior.”
Looking ahead, UH faculty plan to launch an additional certificate program by next fall for students who have a master’s degree, further expanding access to ABA training.