How to Become a BCBA in Mississippi

Mississippi ranks 50th in the nation for access to mental health care, creating an immediate need for qualified MS BCBA professionals throughout the state. The path to becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst requires deep commitment and thorough preparation. Professionals must complete between 1,500 and 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork and pass a challenging examination that has only a 60% pass rate.

Getting your BCBA license takes work, but the results are worth it. Mississippi’s behavior analysts provide vital support to people with autism, behavioral disorders, and mental health challenges. The certification process requires passing the BCBA examination – a detailed test with 170-175 multiple-choice questions that tests your understanding of applied behavior analysis principles.

This guide outlines every step to become a BCBA in Mississippi. You’ll learn about educational requirements, supervised fieldwork, licensing procedures, salary expectations, and career opportunities. Now is the time to start making a real difference in a state that needs your expertise.

Education Requirements for Mississippi BCBAs

Your experience to become a behavior analyst in Mississippi starts with meeting specific academic requirements set by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). Your educational background is the life-blood to develop specialized knowledge that helps you practice applied behavior analysis.

Mississippi State University and other state universities offer master’s programs that line up with certification requirements. The university’s master’s program in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has recognition from the Association of Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) as a Verified Course Sequence (VCS) program. This recognition shows that graduates meet BACB’s credentialing requirements.

The BACB accepts three educational paths to certification:

1. Earn a master’s degree from an accredited program – The simplest path leads through a master’s degree accredited by the Association for Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) or a master’s/doctoral degree with ABAI recognition. These programs meet all educational requirements for certification.
2. Complete a master’s degree with specific behavior analysis coursework – You can earn a master’s degree in behavior analysis or related fields. The degree must include graduate-level courses covering BACB-mandated content areas.
3. Complete a post-graduate Verified Course Sequence – Students with a master’s degree in related fields can meet educational requirements through a VCS. ABAI verifies these courses to ensure they meet BACB standards.

The second path requires coursework in specific areas totaling 345 hours:

• Ethics Code and Professionalism: 45 hours
• Philosophical Underpinnings and Concepts: 90 hours
• Measurement, Data Display, and Experimental Design: 45 hours
• Behavior Assessment: 45 hours
• Behavior-Change Procedures and Interventions: 60 hours
• Personnel Supervision and Management: 60 hours

Mississippi State University’s VCS follows BACB’s 5th edition task list for BCBA coursework. The university helps students gain knowledge and skills to show competency in applied behavior analysis as outlined by BACB.

BCBA preparation programs combine academic studies with hands-on experience in schools, autism treatment centers, behavioral health clinics, and community organizations. This practical training is vital to develop effective practice skills.

Universities offer on-campus, hybrid, or fully online formats. These options help students progress toward BCBA licensure while managing personal and professional commitments.

A completed VCS meets the coursework requirement but doesn’t guarantee certification. Students must complete supervised fieldwork and pass the certification exam to become certified.

The verification process will change soon. ABAI plans to end the VCS system on December 31, 2025. Starting 2026, universities must verify that coursework meets required standards.

Mississippi State University asks for a bachelor’s degree (or final semester enrollment), a statement of purpose, a resume or curriculum vitae, and three recommendation letters. Students must submit official transcripts.

Psychology, education, sociology, special education, or child development degrees give students a strong foundation. However, students from different academic backgrounds can succeed if they complete the specialized coursework.

Getting Your Licensure and Credentials

The path to becoming a behavior analyst in Mississippi starts after you complete your education. You’ll need both national certification and state licensure. This dual-credentialing process needs careful attention and complete documentation.

Your certification journey starts with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). You must finish supervised fieldwork in applied behavior analysis through one of two options. The first option needs 2,000 hours of Supervised Fieldwork. The second option requires 1,500 hours of Concentrated Fieldwork. Supervised Fieldwork needs supervision for 5% of your hours – at least 100 hours total. The Concentrated Fieldwork path needs 10% supervision time, which means at least 150 supervised hours.

Whatever path you choose, you need supervision every two weeks. You must complete half of the monthly supervision requirement in months with supervision activities. This approach will give a solid foundation as you develop your skills with proper guidance.

The next step is passing the BCBA examination. This test has 170 multiple-choice questions that check your understanding of behavior-analytic principles and practices.

The Mississippi Autism Board handles state licensure after you get national certification. Here’s what you need to submit:

• Completed application form with signed and notarized affidavit
• Application fee of $250 for Behavior Analysts
• Criminal background check processing fee of $35
• Completed fingerprint card
• Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all institutions attended (sent directly from the registrar’s office via mail)
• Verification of current BACB certification

Mississippi also offers a temporary license for an extra $75 fee if you have a signed Supervisory Agreement.

The Mississippi Autism Board meets throughout the year to review applications and give oral examinations (jurisprudence exams). The administrative staff usually processes applications within ten business days. The examination days can only handle about 10 candidates, so submit your application early to get a spot.

After your application review, you’ll take an oral examination. The Board’s website has study materials for applicants.

The Military Family Freedom Act helps military members and their families in Mississippi. The state accepts occupational licenses from other states for military-trained applicants and their family members. Let the Board know if you qualify in this category and complete the required affidavit.

Mississippi residents with licenses from other states can apply through the Universal Recognition of Occupational Licensure Act. This simplified process still requires a criminal background check and fingerprinting.

Your Mississippi Autism Board license stays valid for three years but can’t go beyond your BACB certification expiration date. You must keep your BACB certification current or your Mississippi license will be revoked immediately.

Licensed analysts must register all Behavior Technicians they supervise with the Board within seven days of starting supervision. This includes paying all registration fees.

The BCBA Handbook and BACB instructional videos are a great way to get the latest licensure information. The BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts and the “Recent and Upcoming Changes to BACB Requirements” web page help guide new applicants.

Salaries for BCBAs in Mississippi

Your career as a behavior analyst in Mississippi starts with knowing the financial picture. Mississippi ranks among the lower-paying states for behavior analysts, but the pay stays competitive when you look at the state’s cost of living.

Recent data shows Mississippi BCBAs typically make between $55,000 and $70,000 annually. This puts the state among all but one of these lowest-paying states for behavior analysts: Alabama, Arkansas, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Some sources paint a slightly better picture – one suggests $58,000 to $75,000, while another puts the average yearly BCBA salary at about $57,218.

The numbers tell an interesting story for newcomers to the field. New BCBAs in Mississippi earn around $84,360 per year – that’s about $40.56 hourly or $7,030 monthly. These surprising figures show how much qualified behavior analysts are needed across the state.

Starting salaries can vary quite a bit. The 25th percentile starts at $70,100, while the 75th percentile reaches $85,700. Top performers in entry-level roles can earn up to $125,486 yearly. This shows how much you can earn even early in your career.

Where you work in Mississippi makes a big difference in your pay. The coast and city areas usually pay better than rural parts. Here’s what new BCBAs make in different Mississippi cities:

Seasoned behavior analysts can earn much more, especially in the Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula area. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows experienced BCBAs here earn a median of $91,980. Top earners make $110,550 at the 75th percentile and up to $119,770 at the 90th percentile.

Your BCBA salary in Mississippi depends on several key factors:

1. Experience level – The big jump between new and experienced BCBA pay shows this clearly
2. Location – Coastal and urban areas pay more
3. Work setting – Schools, healthcare facilities, and private practices each have their own pay scales
4. Expertise – Special skills with specific treatments or patient groups can boost your pay
5. Market needs – The shortage of qualified behavior analysts in many areas pushes salaries up

Mississippi’s lower salaries reflect the state’s economy more than the job’s value. States like California or New York pay more because living there costs more. All the same, your money might go further in Mississippi thanks to lower living costs.

The numbers also show great potential to grow your income. Moving from entry-level to experienced roles could double your earnings, particularly in cities where BCBAs are in high demand.

Looking ahead, states with more ABA providers tend to pay better because they compete for qualified professionals. As Mississippi builds up its behavioral health services, salaries throughout the state might keep climbing.

Careers in Mississippi

BCBAs in Mississippi now have more career choices in various settings. The state presents unique challenges and possibilities for qualified MS BCBA professionals as nationwide demand keeps growing.

Mississippi BCBAs can find work in autism treatment centers, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and private practices. Qualified analysts can earn competitive hourly rates from $28.00 to $35.00 or up to $69.00 per hour with experience. Several organizations actively recruit talented professionals, including Full Spectrum ABA in Jackson, The Perfect Child LLC in Biloxi, and Shining Starz ABA in Hattiesburg.

Common job responsibilities listed in Mississippi BCBA postings include:

• Conducting functional assessments and behavioral analyzes
• Developing individualized treatment plans
• Creating curriculum programs and procedures
• Monitoring client progress and adjusting interventions
• Providing family guidance and support
• Supervising assistant behavior analysts and technicians

Qualified candidates need a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis or related fields, current BCBA certification, and state licensure. They must pass background checks. Some employers need you to have a valid driver’s license and current car insurance, especially when you travel between client locations.

Major cities like Jackson, Hattiesburg, and Biloxi show strong growth in BCBA demand. This matches the rising number of autism treatment centers and behavioral health programs in these areas. The Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula metropolitan region stands out with many job listings.

BCBA employment prospects look bright. Mississippi faces challenges in mental healthcare access, yet behavior analysis recognition as an essential service creates new opportunities. Job postings for assistant behavior analysts grew by 131% between 2023 and 2024, suggesting positive field growth.

After getting your BCBA licensure, you can explore opportunities at providers like the 10-year-old Autism Center of North Mississippi in Tupelo, Colorful Minds in Gulfport, or Heale ABA in Tupelo. Each organization provides unique benefits and work environments that line up with your priorities about client populations, treatment approaches, and workplace culture.

Mississippi’s BCBA job market reflects state-specific needs and national trends. Better insurance coverage for ABA services and growing autism awareness mean qualified BCBAs can expect steady career opportunities throughout Mississippi.

Next Steps

The path to becoming a BCBA in Mississippi demands commitment and grit. Your experience will include completing tough educational requirements, supervised fieldwork hours, challenging exams, and directing yourself through state licensure. In spite of that, your work will create lasting change in a state ranking 50th for mental health care access.

Mississippi might rank among lower-paying states for behavior analysts, but your career outlook remains bright. You can earn between $55,000 to $75,000 yearly. Entry-level positions pay well too, with average annual salaries of $84,360. Your location within the state plays a vital role in your earning potential. Coastal and metropolitan areas often pay higher salaries.

Job opportunities exist in autism treatment centers, schools, healthcare facilities, and private practices of all sizes. Cities like Jackson, Hattiesburg, and Biloxi show growing demand for BCBAs. These areas offer multiple ways to advance your career.

Applied behavior analysis has earned recognition as a key healthcare service. BCBAs can look forward to steady career growth across Mississippi. Your expertise will help people with autism, behavioral disorders, and mental health challenges who just need evidence-based care.

The road ahead might look tough, but each milestone prepares you for meaningful work that changes lives in Mississippi. The state’s urgent need for your specialized skills makes this career both personally fulfilling and influential.