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Right now I work for an in-home agency in PA that only requires I earn my masters degree in education to become a behavior support consultant for them. They have given me some training in ABA. However, I am wondering if I get my BCBA certification, will the amount of job opportunities increase as well as my salary? Is there that much of a difference in salary between having a masters degree versus a board certification?
In addition, my fiance and I are thinking of moving to South Jersey. Is there many agencies down there that hire in-home ABA therapists? If I got my BCBA would I have to work full time or are there agencies that hire BCBA per-diem that would give me 25 hours a week?
Hi Melissa,
I am actually presently starting school in the fall to get my BCBA. I hope the information I tell you is helpful to you. You don't have to work ft as a therapist, but in order to be a ABA therapist you do need your BCBA unless you just want to work respite which is what I am doing currently to work my way through school. The state changed the requirements and now you have to be certified in order to be a ABA therapist. The other option you can do is become a BCaBA which is basically an assistant. Presently if you want to pursue a masters degree in ABA by becoming a BCBA the schools in the state of NJ that offer is are Rowan University which is where I am attending or Caldwell College. Rutgers offers a certification but you need to have your masters before pursuing the certification. You can also get certified by online schools but I would check with BCBA website to make sure they have the correct credentials. I hope this is helpful to you and if you have any other questions please let me know and hope I can answer them.
Amanda
Hi,
If you are doing in home Early Intervention in NJ, (0-3), you do not need a BCBA or your Masters degree. According to State Guidelines, you need a bachelors degree or higher in an education or health related field and at least one yr professional experience working with children with developmental delays or disabilities ages 0-4, OR at least 6 credits in Early childhood or special education coursework. There are plenty of EI agencies in South NJ who hire with an hourly rate around $50-$55 for a Child Development Specialist or Special Educator. I am an ABA supervisor for an EI agency in Northern NJ. Best of luck!
My wife did this and as Jrud said, she did not have any kind of specialized degree. She had 1 year of hands on experience which she also obviously was hired without any degree or certifications. She was paid pretty well. I think $50 an hour or maybe even $75/hour.
No wonder why it is so hard to get a good EIP therapist. When my kids went through with this with lousy therapists. I switched a few but they were more or less the same, clueless with kids.
The only good one I got was the first one, which she moved down to Southern NJ.
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