Although it does appear to be the case that in academia, behaviorism is not the major force it once was, I maintain that it is very powerful in the applied/clinical area. in fact, the opposite of what your message indicates appears to be true: there are fewer teaching positions in Behavior Analysis. At the same time, there is a growing trend, particularly in the field of autism/PDD and conduct disorders to use Applied Behavior Analysis. In fact, managed care companies around the country will now only fund clinical interventions that are Behavior Analytic! In addition, we are seeing growth in applied behavioral positions. More parents with children who have autism are seeking more programs using discrete trial methodology, and are lobbying legistators for more funding for Behavioral methods and interventions. This growth has resulted in the need to identify qualified Applied Behavior Analysts in school settings, in homes and residential facilities. As such, the ABA has officially condoned the establishment of a separate organization to spearhead and implement a certification program to train and identify such qualified individuals. This program is now in place in several states, and will soon exist across the country. We see more growth in this area, and more need day by day. I urge the individual making the initial request to check these facts, and contact others in the field (at ABA and the ABA listserv) before making any hasty decisions about graduate school. If you are interested in academia and teaching, cognitive science is surely "in vogue" but in terms of the applied area, Behavior Analysis is holding its own, and growing.