We’ve identified 30 accredited Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis Programs Online. Compare online ABA degrees & Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) schools.
People facing challenging circumstances often struggle with everyday life skills. For those with autism, PTSD, addictions, or dementia, applied behavior analysis can provide a pathway toward success. Specialists in this field help others improve their lives through behavior modification.
Specialists in applied behavior analysis receive the satisfaction of knowing that their efforts make a real difference in people’s lives. Plus, they’re highly employable; this field is expected to grow 25% for the next ten years. To pursue a career in behavioral science, consider earning your master’s degree in applied behavior analysis.
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Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Arcadia University sits on a beautiful seventy-six-acre site that highlights several art galleries and Grey Towers Castle.
Now, considered a national historic landmark, Arcadia University started in 1853 as a public educational facility and has grown into a school that offers more than eighty study areas that can lead to an undergraduate, masters, or doctorate. Some majors offered include biology, criminology, health, business, psychology, and many more.
Arcadia is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Beginning in 1886, Arizona State University is a public postsecondary school that leads the world in research and innovation.
With hundreds of undergraduate programs, graduate, doctorate, and certificate programs, ASU continues to grow and develop new ways to combat issues that relate to economic, community, social, and health issues around the globe. Business, psychology, economics, and engineering are just a few of the majors offered at Arizona State University.
ASU has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1931.
Established in 1918, Ball State University found its home in Muncie, Indiana, and has branched out to include thousands of students over the years on several campus locations.
Ball State University is a public research university that offers a variety of associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees programs in an assortment of majors. Some examples of the majors provided are education, architecture, business, communications, and health.
BSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Bay Path University is a private postsecondary institution that began in 1897. They offer an array of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate programs for students online and on-campus.
Bay Path University is committed to helping empower women around the world. BPU offer forty-degree programs just for women through their American’s Women’s College. They are known for their other exceptional programs, such as digital forensics, health sciences, and educational studies.
Bay Path is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
The California University of Pennsylvania began in 1852 and has grown into a sizeable public university that serves students globally both on-campus and online.
Cal U has more than 200 programs leading to associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral level degrees. Programs such as criminal justice, education, and health sciences are popular among Cal U’s student population. They also have many opportunities for students to participate in several internships and hands-on learning experiences.
Cal U is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Capella University has been offering online degrees to students since they began in 1993. Capella has two pathways for students to earn their degree, flex path, and a guided path. One way to let students work at their own pace and the other holds stricter coursework guidelines. Capella has more than fifty-degree programs that can lead to a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.
Capella is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Drexel University is a private research educational organization that began in 1891. Drexel has programs word-wide that lets student gain either an undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree.
Drexel University has a variety of majors in programs such as business, criminology, behavior health, engineering, and many more. They strive to develop opportunities for students to use hands-on learning research, global networking, internships, and study abroad programs.
Drexel is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Endicott College sits just twenty miles outside of Boston, MA, and is a private postsecondary school that offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees.
Endicott College has been providing quality education since 1939. EC believes the experience in a field of study is just as relevant as the academic requirements. Therefore, they recommend students take part in a four-year internship related to one of their many program majors, ranging from business to art.
Endicott is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Monmouth University is a private college that started in 1933. Over the years, MU has grown into a highly-regarded research educational facility that involves staff and students working to solve global problems relating to health, wellness, and costal matters. Offering both undergraduate and graduate degrees, Monmouth University has a variety of programs for on-campus and online learners.
Monmouth is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Known for its military-friendly programs, National University is a private postsecondary school that began in 1971. They have an extensive collection of program majors that can lead to an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.
National University has more than twenty campuses and online programs offering majors such as business, healthcare, criminal justice, humanities, and more. They also have an accelerated online program that allows faster, more flexible degree options.
NU is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Northeastern University is a private research educational facility that began in 1898. in the Boston area. As a top-rated school by U.S. News & World Report, NU has an array of programs that lead to a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree. Northeastern takes pride in their co-ops education opportunities that give students professional experience as they work towards their degree.
Northeastern University is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. (NEASC).
Giving students access to a better education since 1998, Penn State World Campus offers online degree programs in over 150 fields of study that allow students to earn an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate.
Penn State World Campus is recognized nationally for its program excellence in programs such as business, engineering, homeland security, nursing, and much more. PSWC is also a military-friendly campus.
Penn State World Campus is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Pepperdine University is a Christian university that started in 1937. Known for its excellent academics and the beauty in their location, Pepperdine University encourages students of all faiths to take part in the many degree programs PU has to offer.
Pepperdine U has a pathway to a bachelor’s master’s, and doctorate degrees with curriculums in more than seventy programs, including law, business, education, public policy, and more.
Pepperdine is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges—Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Purdue University offers an MSEd in Applied Behavior Analysis that can be earned entirely online or in a hybrid format. The program uses synchronous classes and a cohort model to help students build relationships with their classmates. Students usually dedicate about 15 hours per week to homework. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for the BCBA exam.
Purdue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Founded in 1927, Regis College is a highly respected educational facility that offers all levels of degree programs, including associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate.
There are hundreds of degree programs offered at Regis College, including nursing, behavior analysis, education, film, and more. Regis students are encouraged to get involved in the many research and volunteer programs on campus. Offering online and in-class courses help RU reach students around the world.
Regis is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
St. Cloud State University encompasses a large area in St. Cloud, MN, that runs along the Mississippi River. Established in 1869, St. Cloud University has grown into one of the largest public educational institutions in the Minnesota area.
Offering more than 200 programs, St. Cloud has a pathway to undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees, both online and in person. Samples of programs offered include applied behavior analysis and Computer science.
St. Cloud is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.
Saint Joseph’s University is a private university founded by leaders of the Jesuit Catholic faith that began in 1851 and a top-rating college (U.S. News & World Report) offering undergraduate and graduate programs. Saint Joseph’s University helps students earn a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate in a variety of program majors. Some of the program options are business, computer science, applied behavior analysis, much more.
SJU is regionally accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Simmons University began in 1899 and has worked to reduce the gender inequities faced by women around the world. Simmons is a private university that offers undergrad programs for women in over fifty majors that can be combined to achieve interdisciplinary studies. They also have coed graduate programs with a focus on nursing, liberal arts, communications, and more.
Simmons is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Southeast Missouri State University is a public educational facility that offers public education to gives students a choice of degree options that can lead to a bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, as well as a multitude of professional certificates. SMSU began in 1873 as a school for teachers and now offers over a hundred majors both on-campus and online, helping them reach students globally.
SEMO is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology started in 1979, offering the idea of a student-centered approach to teaching and learning.
Today it is a private educational organization, and a leader in diversity and inclusive instruction in more than twenty academic areas all and expands all over the world. Offering a path to undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees, CSPP connects students to fieldwork practices around the world.
The Chicago School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
The Sage Colleges is a private educational organization that began in 1916 and now offers a path to a bachelor’s master’s and doctoral degrees across seven school and online learning.
They have more than fifty areas of study that give each student a distinctive learning experience. One of the schools, Russell Sage College, houses its WORLD program, which is a program that helps to empower women across the globe.
The Sage Colleges is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The University of Cincinnati had a rocky start in 1819 but was able to turn the tide to grow into a lucrative public research university.
It is one of the oldest and largest colleges in Ohio and is one of the most alluring campuses in the US. With hundreds of academic programs leading in undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees, UC offers more than eighty programs entirely online.
UC and all regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
The University of Dayton started in 1850 as a small gathering of minds. Today they have advanced into a top-rated, private national Catholic research university (U.S. News & World Report). The University of Dayton has an array of program majors that help students gain a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree. This college values building up the community and helping to make a positive difference in the world.
UDayton is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Established in 1865, the University of Kansas compromises five campuses and several online programs, research and educational centers, and medical facilities.
The University of Kansas is a public learning institution that allows for the advancement of experience and knowledge that leads to a multitude of undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate degrees or a professional certificate. With over 400 programs, students have ample opportunity to use their skills to change the world.
KU has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1913.
University of Nevada – Reno is a public research university that began in 1874. They have a rich history of providing top-rated education on a global level, as listed by The Center for World University Rankings. The University of Nevada – Reno of academic programs that help students earn a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. They also train medical professionals at the university-owned renowned medical school.
UNR is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Established in 1856, the University of South Florida is one of the largest public postsecondary schools in the state. It is a public research university offering an array of degree programs that accelerates a student’s education to an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral level. The University of South Florida excels in programs such as business, technology, education, and health. Their impact on society is felt on a global level.
USF is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Commission on Colleges.
The University of Southern Maine is a influential public educational institution with three campuses in the state of Maine. The university found its beginnings in 1878, but in the form of two separate schools. These schools were merged into one entity in 1970, forming a champion in education that reaches many areas across the globe. They have a variety of programs that lead to an undergraduate, graduate, or doctorate degree.
USM is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Known for its leadership in the areas of medicine, science, and research, the University of Washington started as a flagship land grant in 1861. UW has over one hundred-degree programs that give students a path to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. They have the largest library in the world. This public university has a variety of cultural experience opportunities, including art galleries, museums, and laboratories.
UW is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Walden University began in 1970 as a private education facility for working adults. WU is an online school that paves the way for students to gain a bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral-level education. Made-up of five schools that focus on the areas of education, technology, health science, behavior science, and social work.
Walden is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Western Connecticut State University comprised oof four schools across two campuses. This public university began as a small school for teachers in 1903 and is now part of an extensive university system. Students can earn an undergraduate, graduate, or doctorate degree in a variety of programs. Western Connecticut State is known for its advances in business, arts and sciences, professional studies, and visual and performing arts.
WCSU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a branch of psychological study that deals with behavior modification. As an expert in ABA, you can help people curb their undesirable behaviors and choose positive actions.
ABA relies on evidence-based practices and scientific principles. This type of therapy is often used for people with autism and other developmental disorders. The concepts can also be applied in classrooms, dementia care and personal relationships.
To learn ABA principles, get your master’s degree in this field. Your studies can help equip you with the skills, knowledge, and practical tools needed when working with clients, students, or employees under your supervision.
Graduate-level studies are required before taking the exam to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Your master’s degree program can provide the necessary credit hours, but additional fieldwork may be required after graduation.
As a BCBA, you can apply behavior-modification concepts in clinical and counseling settings. You could also pursue an ABA master’s to improve your skills as a teacher, a healthcare provider or a public health worker.
A master’s degree in this field may be an MS in Applied Behavior Analysis or an MS in Psychology with an ABA concentration. Alternatively, some students choose to earn education degrees, such as a Master of Education or an MA in Special Education, with ABA concentrations.
Whichever path you choose, your coursework can prepare you to better understand human behavior and thinking. You can learn how to help people adjust their behaviors so that they can become more successful in their daily lives.
The following overview provides a general idea of the sort of classes you can expect in an ABA master’s program:
Assessment Methods
Behavior Interventions
Data Analysis and Research
Ethical Practice
Foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis
Human Development
Some schools also require capstone classes and projects before graduation as a way to synthesize students’ learning experiences over the course of the program. Other schools may have a practicum component in which students gain field experience and carry out related projects. The practicum hours may count toward requirements for BCBA certification.
Many master’s graduates choose to pursue clinical work as counselors in private practices, medical centers, community agencies or rehabilitation facilities. Others use their education as behavioral experts in healthcare, education or social work settings.
Those with a particular interest in autism and other developmental disorders may want to work with special-needs populations in therapeutic, healthcare or research roles. You could consider the following ABA careers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, after earning your master’s degree.
Earning a master’s or PhD in applied behavior analysis can prepare you for a fulfilling career in which you help others along a path toward success. Not only can this be personally satisfying, but it can also mean that you have in-demand, professional skills that are applicable in many fields.
Earning a BCBA certification can be an excellent investment to further your career in applied behavior analysis, and become an independent practitioner or private consultant for behavior analytic services.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is a certification awarded by the BACB or Behavior Analyst Certification Board. It is one of the many career paths for applied behavior analysis (ABA) and is an integral certification for professionals who want to take positions in the education sector.
Professionals who want to help others in advancing their careers in ABA should have a BCBA Certification. It is an on-going career path that needs continuous certification to work with clients who exhibit behavior difficulties. It can also enable you to work in various sectors, like social service and professional behavior analysis.
Earning this certification means a professional is efficient in identifying behaviors, managing crisis and assaultive behaviors, and creating behavior plans. Most professionals with BCBA also work as practitioners who assess students who have severe or complex behavioral disorders.
A master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis is the first qualification that you’ll need before you can send your application for a BCBA Certification. Once you’ve submitted all the requirements, the Behavior Analyst Certification Board will review your request for any discrepancies. If there’s none, you’ll go through the BCBA examination.
You need to submit your official and original transcripts, experience in the field of behavior analysis with verification forms, your published article in applied behavior analysis, post-doctoral expertise, and proof of professional credentials. You can only submit your application for BCBA Certification once every 90 days.
BCBA deals with a very intricate field, so the Behavior Analyst Certification Board requires all professionals to go through regular recertification every two years. This policy ensures that your knowledge and practices remain current and meets the industry standard.
BCBA recertification requires a professional to undergo continuing education and training. You also need to meet the ethics requirements of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and conduct self-reporting of all your activities in the field of applied behavior analysis before you can apply for recertification.
Online BCBA programs can help professionals in passing the exam by providing them with insights, tips, ideas, and best practices that can help them earn their certification. It also helps them stay updated with the changes in the standards that the Behavior Analyst Certification Board implements for accreditation or recertification.
Some of these online BCBA programs have a community of professionals who have a keen interest in applied behavior analysis, autism, and even those who want to pass the exam. It creates an environment that aims to advance the practices in behavior analysis or increase your chances of earning certification. The demand for BCBA is growing at a rapid pace and with increasing standards.
With the help of online BCBA programs, you can get a good head start in practical application that you can use to help you pass the exam and earn your certification. It can also help you gain in-depth knowledge on what to expect during the exams with minimal on-campus obligations.
When looking for online programs that can help you in getting BCBA certification, you have to look at every factor objectively.
Some accredited universities offer online BCBA programs. These colleges rely on high-quality education to promote their reputation as an educational leader. The online program that you take should also have regional accreditation to ensure that you are getting the highest standard of learning and practice.
Look for colleges or universities with certification from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board or the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. These organizations closely monitor programs on and off campuses to ensure that they are providing their students with knowledge that meets industry and regional standards.
Some schools offer a bachelor’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. It is a four-year program that goes through strict regular assessment from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.
There are around 35 colleges and universities throughout the United States that have accreditation to offer a bachelor’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. A bachelor’s degree in BCBA aims to provide students with a foundation in applied behavior analysis, together with various skills to understand behavior and social problems.
It also focuses on teaching students how they can successfully apply behavioral interventions to individuals, groups, and communities. Students who choose this program will undergo a curriculum that includes a wide range of topics in the field, such as general education courses, various psychology courses, and core behavioral courses.
It will require students to complete different research projects and submit a thesis from research that they conducted using the practices that they have learned.
A bachelor’s degree is an essential prerequisite for all ABA master’s programs. Other admissions requirements vary among schools but may include:
Although some schools require GRE test scores from applicants, many offer no-GRE master’s programs. Even schools that ask for scores may grant waivers on the basis of GPA or professional experience.
Reputable colleges are accredited by one of the regional accrediting associations that are recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). These include the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Attending a regionally accredited school is important if you want to transfer credits or qualify for financial aid. Some schools also carry national accreditation that applies to their specific style of education. For an online ABA master’s degree, you may want to look for a school approved by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.
Program-specific accreditation indicates that specific degree programs meet accepted industry standards. For an ABA degree, this type of accreditation is granted by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. Although you can take the BCBA exam after graduating from a non-accredited school, earning your degree from an approved program is more likely to fully prepare you for the test.
To help you afford the cost of a master’s degree program, look into your financial aid options. Submitting the FAFSA is a great first step as it will outline what federal resources are available to you. These might include loans, grants or Federal Work-Study.
Your state may have similar resources to assist with your tuition. As with federal financial aid, your FAFSA details may be used to determine your eligibility for state programs. Scholarships and fellowships often come from private sources, such as universities and community organizations. You may be eligible based on your accomplishments, personal characteristics or financial need.
Here are our answers to a few more questions you might have.
Online study is a common approach to getting a master’s degree in this field.
You’ll take similar classes to the ones offered in campus-based programs, and you will complete comparable assignments. Just be sure to choose an accredited college.
The average length of an ABA master’s program is two years. You may be able to speed up your studies with transferred credits, accelerated schedules or self-paced studies.
Full-time programs are quicker than part-time ones, but practicum requirements can add to the length of a program.
Studying for an online master’s in behavioral psychology degree requires that you take classes in human development, psychology, data analysis, interventions, and research.
Many schools expect students to submit a capstone paper or project before graduation. Others have students engage in fieldwork and carry out research or a project in that setting.
Master’s in ABA programs typically meet the educational requirements for the Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam.
Sitting for this test also requires logging fieldwork hours, which may need to be earned outside of the master’s program. If your state has additional licensing requirements, look into whether your program fulfills them.
Board Certified Behavior Analysts are professionals who help others replace negative behaviors with positive ones so they can live life to their full potential.
Through study and certification, BCBA professionals have earned the right to practice independently, and they may also be able to supervise others.
To become a BCBA, you must hold a related graduate degree at the masters or doctoral level. In general, your graduate studies must include classes specifically related to ABA, but some exceptions are made for college faculty and post-doctoral researchers.
The BCBA examination is a multiple-choice test with 150 questions. Just over half of the test is dedicated to Basic Behavior Analytic Skills, such as procedures and systems used in this field.
The rest of the exam focuses on Client-centered Responsibilities, including ethical behavior and the implementation of interventions.
You may have your sights set on clinical practice and earning a master’s degree and BCBA certification can prepare you to work as an independent practitioner. You can provide services for people with behavior disorders and developmental disabilities in private practices, healthcare organizations or community agencies.
Not all ABA professionals choose to work in counseling settings. Others may work with people with disabilities in schools or residential facilities. You could also pursue employment as a social worker, a behavioral consultant or an addiction specialist. Research is another career path that may be open to you.
GRE results are not always a requirement for grad school. Many ABA programs do not ask for any test scores during the application process. Others allow waivers for qualified candidates, such as those with high undergrad GPAs or previous graduate studies.
Scientific research has demonstrated that applied behavior analysis is an effective approach for working with people with autism. For example, ABA therapy may help individuals improve their social or language skills. In fact, autism treatment is one of the most common applications of ABA practices.
The cost of online BCBA programs will vary, but it rarely makes a difference in the quality of education that you will receive from an institution.
An objective evaluation of the school’s reputation, faculty, and flexibility can not only provide you with cheap online BCBA programs but also excellent education that greatly benefits future career advancements.
Applying for student aids that different organizations offer for those who want to earn a BCBA degree can also help in lowering overall costs. These financial assistance programs may also cover other fees and expenses that pursuing a BCBA Certification might incur.
A fulfilling career as an expert in behavior modification could be waiting for you. To become a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst who helps others improve their lives, enroll in an ABA graduate program. Your expertise can make an important difference for people with autism, addictions and other life challenges.
If you’re ready to gain the in-demand skills that you’ll need as a BCBA, it’s time to start filling out applications for applied behavior analysis master’s programs.