“I’m in an ABA Graduate Program … Now What?”

Hopebridge Fellowship Program Covers Fieldwork Hours and Other BACB Guidelines for Behavior Analysis Students

Beginning a graduate program in behavior analysis is an exciting time!

It’s a big deal to work toward your master’s degree and make the choice to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). While the coursework in applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a large piece of the puzzle, once you enroll, you may find yourself wondering, “What’s next?”

We have heard from students that the process of becoming a BCBA can lead to some confusion. Some (RBT) enrolled in school found it difficult to navigate the specifics of Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) requirements for those not yet familiar with them.

At Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers, we care as much about our budding clinicians’ growth as we do our children’s development. Our talent acquisition team and clinical leadership have put countless hours into creating a well-rounded Fellowship Program that not only sets up students for success in their future BCBA careers but also provides much-needed answers and support for every step along the way.

To answer some of your burning questions so you can get to your BCBA endgame, we turned to Talent Acquisition Partners Will Osment and Chelsea Lester. Together, they shared their top advice for ABA graduate students as you embark on your educational journey.

Advice for ABA Graduate Students Seeking Fieldwork Hours

Outside of behavior-analytic graduate coursework, supervised fieldwork makes up the biggest part of training to become a BCBA. Understanding the BACB guidelines regarding ABA fieldwork is crucial, and the provider you choose to supervise your hours can also enhance your experience. It is beneficial to find a place that not only meets the minimum requirements, but also one that supports your overall learning and educational goals.

“We want to make sure we’re not creating overnight BCBAs. The Hopebridge Fellowship Program gradually eases students into the role so it’s not a big shock when one day they wake up as a BCBA,” said Will.

Chelsea echoes this sentiment: “Rather than just giving out fieldwork hours, we’re setting up a solid generation of clinicians by honing in on a curriculum.”

Here are their top tips for students as they consider their approach to ABA fieldwork:

1. 1. Seek out supervision from the start of your graduate program.
      BACB requirements allow students to begin obtaining their supervision as early as day one of their qualifying graduate level behavior analytic coursework. Though it is possible for fieldwork to be completed after a master’s program, Will and Chelsea recommend students begin accruing fieldwork hours as soon as possible. To get the most out of the opportunity, you may want to begin your search even before schooling begins for a provider who can support your goals, that way you can accrue hours alongside your coursework.
   2. Accrue fieldwork hours while on the job.
      Many ABA providers can offer supervision hours for students; however, some may have more perks than others. At Hopebridge, a Fellow obtains fieldwork hours while they are getting paid to do their job as an RBT working with the children we serve. Other providers may offer unpaid opportunities or require students to pay for their hours. Make sure you do your research before selecting a provider, and when possible, look for a place where you do not have to cover the cost of the hours.
   3. Don’t attempt to rush your fieldwork hours.
      In our experience, most of the confusion surrounding BACB requirements concerns the time it takes to accrue fieldwork hours, which can lead to unrealistic timelines. Programs are designed to support a full-time working position, but many students do not realize that the BACB allows a maximum of 130 hours per month. Will and Chelsea note that this limit helps maintain clinical excellence, as overwork can lead to burnout and lower quality care. At Hopebridge, our Fellowship Program follows the supervised fieldwork route, which takes approximately 18-24 months and complements most graduate programs.
   4. Consider the curriculum.
      Not all fieldwork hours are created equal—even if they look like it on paper. Your fieldwork is a learning experience, just like your university program. When interviewing for your supervision hours, ask about the curriculum. The Hopebridge Fellowship Program follows a tier system that covers various skillsets throughout each tier, including competencies to determine mastery with each. The clear curriculum and syllabus ensure that each Fellow already has a foundation of knowledge and necessary skills upon passing the exam (check out our top resources to pass the BCBA exam here)
   5. Know the difference between restricted and unrestricted hours.
      Newer ABA students may not fully grasp the difference between restricted and restricted hours, which can lead to unrealistic expectations from a provider. Look into what each type of fieldwork entails and the proper sequencing. Restricted hours apply to direct therapy as a behavior technician. Unrestricted hours can vary depending on the setting, but cover other tasks a BCBA would work on throughout the day. At Hopebridge, unrestricted opportunities might include creating circle time resources, assisting with seasonal activities, family guidance sessions, conducting assessments, writing and revising programs, and data analysis under the guidance of a BCBA. School assignments and conferences do not apply. Hopebridge’s Fellowship Program can guide students through this process, but it requires a certain amount of flexibility. If you are a student beginning a role at Hopebridge, you will start on direct care as an RBT. Everyone starts at this baseline, but once admitted to Fellowship, you will develop a supervision plan with your supervising BCBA and begin working through different tiers. Once you master out of a certain tier, your day-to-day will start to shift. Those who already started accruing fieldwork hours prior to joining Hopebridge will be placed in a tier according to their experience and tenure rather than starting in our first tier.
   6. Take the type of supervision support into account.
      Know what type of supervision you will receive before going into your fieldwork hours. Make sure you have a support system in place. There is a difference between a therapy center experience that provides a controlled environment and hands-on support from multiple BCBAs, versus that of home care with solely virtual supervision. . In addition to a supervising BCBA and a center full of clinicians to lean on for face-to-face support, Hopebridge’s Fellowship program also offers a cohort model that provides a sense of community amongst Fellows, even if they are states away.
   7. Determine whether there are perks beyond supervision.
      Your supervision experience will make a lasting impact on your future role as a BCBA, but there are other elements alongside fieldwork that can also affect the start of your career. When seeking fieldwork opportunities, note whether your supervising provider offers additional benefits beyond obtaining hours or base compensation. For instance, some providers may offer an elevated hourly wage – which sounds exciting at first – but then may not be able to guarantee hours nor supply health insurance. Other questions to ask include: Will the provider cover the cost of your exam? Do they have university partnerships that include tuition discounts? Will you be included in team development opportunities around specialized topics, or do they offer a stipend for conferences? Hopebridge even offers an exam pass bonus for Fellows who pass the BCBA exam on the first or second attempt! All these perks should play into your overall decision.

How does this all come into play in real life? Hopebridge RBT and Fellow Ashton Daniel first learned about Hopebridge’s Fellowship Program from a friend employed by Hopebridge. After hearing about the opportunities for advancement the program offered, he felt it was the right match for him to mold himself into the best BCBA possible and give back to others.

“The Fellowship Program provided clarification on required final verification forms when moving through organizations to ensure all fieldwork hours that need to be submitted to the BACB are accounted for,” said Ashton.

Here’s What to Look For:

Red Flags:
🚩 No fieldwork hour guarantee
🚩 Supervision that comes at a cost
🚩 Entirely virtual supervision
🚩 Elevated pay rate
🚩 Unclear expectations

Green Flags:
🟢 Consistent, manageable fieldwork hours
🟢 On-the-job, paid supervision
🟢 On-site supervising BCBA + Fellowship cohort model
🟢 Fair pay as an RBT + health benefits, pass bonuses, tuition discounts and more
🟢 Clear curriculum, accountability through competencies, and transparency

Enhance Your ABA Graduate Experience with the Hopebridge Fellowship Program

Whether you are about to start your ABA coursework or are already in the thick of it, you should have the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and feel confident in your fieldwork experience. There are a wide range of factors you should consider when approaching your fieldwork hours and choosing a supervising provider.

If you are interested in embarking on a new fieldwork journey, Hopebridge has open positions available across the nation for motivated students like you. We value our Fellows, just as we do our BCBAs, RBTs and other clinicians, and offer a wealth of development and advancement opportunities at all stages of their career. It’s time to make your professional dreams a reality while also making a positive difference for these kids and families!

*Informed consent was obtained from the participants in this article. This information should not be captured and reused without express permission from Hopebridge, LLC.