Looking for Masters in Behavioral Psychology Online for 2025? Explore behavioral science graduate degree programs & schools.
To increase your professional understanding of the connections between people’s thoughts and actions, enroll in a graduate program for behavioral psychology.
This academic path may help prepare you for a satisfying career in improving others’ lives through research or counseling.
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’s online Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis is a 33-credit-hour program that can be completed in 18 months. The curriculum offers preparation for the BCBA licensure exam and an optional Autism certificate.
The program has flexible full-time and part-time options. Practical skills can be developed through coursework and on-site practicum experiences.
Arcadia University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Arizona State University offers an online, 30-credit, 10-course MA in Special Education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis.
The program’s ABAI-verified curriculum offers preparation for the BCBA exam. It features 7.5-week courses and an optional practicum for supervised field experience.
Arizona State University has maintained continuous accreditation by the Higher Learning Committee (HLC) of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges since 1931.
Ball State University offers an online Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in Autism. This 30-credit program can be completed in less than 2 years.
The ABAI-verified curriculum offers preparation for the BCBA exam and is QABA-approved. It features flexible 8-week and 16-week courses and asynchronous learning that is ideal for working adults.
BSU is accredited by Higher Learning Commission.
Bay Path University offers an online, 48-credit MS in Applied Behavior Analysis that can be completed in 25 to 28 months.
The curriculum fulfills BACB coursework and supervision requirements for BCBA certification. It features a 6-semester supervised fieldwork experience, remote or on-site supervision, and a capstone project. The program offers flexible learning options for working professionals.
Bay Path University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Daemen University’s MS in Applied Behavior Analysis is a 31-credit program that can be completed in 2 years on campus or 18 months online. The curriculum offers preparation for the BCBA exam and offers flexible evening courses.
The program offers on-campus or synchronous online and hyflex formats. It includes a practicum component and focuses on evidence-based practices in ABA.
Daemen University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Drexel University’s online MS in Applied Behavior Analysis is a 46.5-credit program organized into four 10-week quarters per year.
The ABAI-verified curriculum offers preparation for the BCBA exam and includes core ABA courses and a two-course capstone sequence. It features flexible schedules, live weekly meetings, and faculty expertise in ABA research and clinical practice.
Drexel University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. In addition, each school can offer programs that hold additional, program-specific accreditation.
Florida Institute of Technology offers multiple MS in Behavior Analysis programs. The on-campus options include Applied Behavior Analysis, Organizational Behavior Management, and a combined ABA+OBM program. An online MA in Behavior Analysis Practice is also available.
All programs offer preparation for BCBA-certification and emphasize research-based practices in their respective fields.
Florida Tech is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Commission on Colleges.
George Mason University’s online MEd in Special Education offers two graduate certificate tracks: Autism Spectrum Disorders and Applied Behavior Analysis.
This 30-credit program includes courses in applied behavior analysis, classroom management, and collaborative teamwork and training in evidence-based practices for supporting individuals with disabilities. The ABA track meets ABAI and BACB requirements, offering preparation for BCBA certification.
George Mason University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC).
National University’s online MS in Applied Behavioral Analysis is a 45-quarter-unit program that offers preparation for the BCBA exam.
The curriculum covers behavioral analysis principles, intervention strategies, and ethical practices. It features a research-based capstone project, focusing on practitioner self-care and cultural competency. The program offers internship placement assistance upon completion.
National University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
Northeastern University’s online MS in Applied Behavior Analysis is a part-time program that can be completed in 18 to 24 months.
This ABAI-verified, 30-credit curriculum includes courses in behavior assessment, intervention, and ethics. It offers practical experience through a supervised fieldwork component and preparation for the BCBA certification exam.
Northeastern University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Pepperdine University’s online MS in Applied Behavior Analysis is a 30-unit program with a duration of 12 to 15 months. The ABAI-verified curriculum offers preparation for the BCBA exam and includes 6 units of supervised field placement.
A minimum of 20 hours of BCBA-supervised clinical training is required per month. The program offers four start dates annually and features synchronous and asynchronous components.
Pepperdine is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges—Senior College and University Commission.
Purdue University Global offers an online, 45-quarter-credit Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis that can be completed in 1 year. The curriculum emphasizes practical, hands-on experience and real-world scenarios and includes optional fieldwork experience.
Courses explore psychological and behavioral concepts and theories and evidence-based strategies and develop expertise in intervention and assessment.
Purdue Global is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Simmons University’s online MS in Behavior Analysis is a 40-credit program that can be completed in 20 months.
The ABAI-verified curriculum offers preparation for the BCBA exam and includes 8 core courses and 2 practicum courses. A thesis research project is completed during the practicum. The program features experiential learning, faculty mentorship, and flexible online classes.
Simmons University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and by national and regional discipline-specific agencies in the health care field.
Southeast Missouri State University offers an online MA in Applied Behavior Analysis. The 42-credit-hour, cohort-based curriculum offers preparation for BCBA certification and includes supervised fieldwork and courses in ABA principles, research methods, and ethics.
The program features a verified course sequence by ABAI and offers an accelerated option for eligible undergraduates.
Southeast Missouri State University is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Southern Illinois University’s MS in Behavior Analysis and Therapy is a 45-credit-hour program available on campus or fully online. The program offers flexible learning options and graduate assistantships for on-campus students.
Its ABAI-accredited curriculum provides BCBA-certification preparation though coursework, clinical experience, and research. It culminates with a supervised internship and the choice between a thesis or research paper.
Southern Illinois University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and through the Open Pathway.
Texas A&M University offers an online, 36-credit program for an MEd and MS in Special Education designed for professionals in education, behavior, or disability fields. The curriculum includes core courses in Applied Behavior Analysis, offering preparation for BCBA certification.
The program offers flexible online learning and prepares graduates for diverse roles in special education. It can be completed in 2 years.
Texas A&M University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Texas Tech University offers an online, 36-credit-hour, ABAI-verified MEd in Special Education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis. The program offers fall and spring start dates, with a 6-credit transfer limit.
The curriculum offers preparation for the BCBA exam and training in high-level ABA skills. Courses cover behavioral principles, assessment, and interventions.
Texas Tech University is accredited with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The Chicago School offers a flexible, online MA in Applied Psychology with ten concentration options, including Applied Behavior Analysis.
The 36-credit curriculum culminates in an Applied Research Project. It offers the opportunity to develop practical skills in psychological theory, research, and ethical decision-making in preparation for leadership roles or doctoral studies.
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology has been accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) since 2011.
The University of Cincinnati offers a 30-credit, online MEd in Foundations in Behavior Analysis that can be completed in 5 semesters. The program focuses on applied behavior analysis in educational and clinical settings, with courses addressing various disability categories.
The ABAI-verified curriculum covers behavioral assessment, intervention strategies, and ethical practices, offering preparation for the BCBA exam.
The University of Cincinnati has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1919.
The University of Dayton offers a 30-credit, online MS in Education in Educational Leadership that can be completed in 24 months. Flexible pacing and evening classes are available to support busy schedules.
The curriculum covers leadership strategy, administration, and community relations and includes a 200-hour internship requirement, offering preparation for educational leadership roles. An optional 42-credit track for principal licensure is available.
The University of Dayton is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
The University of Kansas offers an online MA in Applied Behavioral Science for working professionals that can be completed in 2 to 3 years. The 30-credit program features synchronous and asynchronous components.
The curriculum includes eight BACB-verified courses that offer preparation for BCBA certification. Courses cover research methodology, behavioral principles, ethics, and various applications.
The University of Kansas is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Nevada – Reno offers an online MS in Behavior Analysis accredited by ABAI. This 37-credit program can be completed in 20 months. The curriculum offers preparation for BCBA certification, including research training, exam preparation, and practical training coordination.
The program requires the completion of 24 credits of core courses, 7 credits of research, and 6 credits of practicum. No GRE is required for admission.
The University of Nevada, Reno is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
The University of South Florida offers an online MA in Applied Behavior Analysis that can be completed in 5 semesters. The program includes a verified course sequence for BCBA exam preparation, practicum seminars for supervised fieldwork, and independent research courses.
The curriculum offers preparation for board certification and addresses the nationwide shortage of behavior analysts.
USF s accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Commission on Colleges.
The University of Washington offers an online Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis. This program requires 56 to 62 credits that can be completed in 2 to 3 years. It features synchronous online classes, with full-time and part-time options available.
The ABAI-verified curriculum offers preparation for the BCBA exam and includes coursework in behavioral principles, assessment, and interventions.
The University of Washington is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and is a member of the Association of American Universities.
The University of West Florida offers an online MA in Exceptional Student Education with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis. The program requires 30 to 33 credit hours and can be completed in 18 to 24 months. Courses are 8 to 16 weeks long, with start dates each semester.
The curriculum meets requirements for BCBA, QBA, and IBA certifications. It covers evidence-based strategies, research evaluation, and advocacy for diverse learners.
The University of West Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
In every walk of life, there are people who may benefit from the support of trained therapists, counselors and behavior experts. That’s why, as a professional in behavioral psychology, you may have the option to be selective about the setting where you work and the demographic to whom you provide services.
Click on an area of interest to jump to that section.
Think about the kind of career that you’d like to have, and plan your graduate program accordingly.
In this general degree on behaviorism, you may learn the theories of why people of various ages think and act the way that they do.
You may study how outside stimuli and environmental factors shape the way that we interpret the world and react to it. You may also gain experience in conducting research experiments, writing case studies, and counseling people of varying backgrounds.
A bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Psychology may help prepare you for more advanced studies in the field, but you may also enter the workforce as a research assistant or even a marketing consultant to help companies understand how their communication will be received by potential customers and clients. Supporting the criminal justice and social work fields are other possibilities.
If you’re passionate about helping people find freedom from their substance abuse disorders and other addictions, then an addiction psychology track might be a great fit for you. Like many others who enter this field, you may have personal experience with addiction, so you may want to help others in the same way that someone once helped you.
In your program, you’ll take classes about the science of addiction and various treatment methods that can help. You’ll also study what to do when people have co-occurring mental health disorders. Because substance abuse counseling can be a demanding job, you may also take classes about caring for your own mental and emotional health.
After graduating, you may become a mental health counselor who specializes in addiction treatment. You might work in a rehab facility, a community non-profit, a school, or a private practice.
Are you interested in studying the ways that the brain affects the body and the body affects the brain? If so, consider studying the connections between biology and neuroscience in a biopsychology program.
This is a science-heavy discipline. You may take classes in anatomy and cell biology. You’re likely to take statistics classes and learn how to work with psychological data. The curriculum will also include studies in psychology; the topics may include developmental, social, cognitive, and comparative psychology.
This type of online psychology degree program can help you prepare for a degree as a neuroscience researcher; for example, you could study the ways that people learn new information. You may also go into comparative psychology or provide mental health counseling. For some positions, a doctoral degree, such as either a campus-based or an online PhD in Behavioral Psychology, may be required.
To provide counseling services to a diverse group of clients, consider a master’s program that focuses on counseling psychology. During your workdays, you may talk to people with addiction problems, marital troubles, work stress, and other issues. You may choose to focus your services on kids, teens, or adults.
The curriculum may cover psychology topics like human development, psychological assessments, and social psychology. You might also gain new insight into the counseling process through classes on group therapy, counseling ethics, multicultural sensitivity, and family therapy.
Although this master’s degree won’t qualify you to practice as a psychologist, it may help you get an assistant or analyst position under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. The curriculum may prepare you to take a certification exam so that you may practice independently as a licensed counselor.
If you feel strongly about helping kids and teens work through their problems so that they can succeed in school, then you may have the makings of a great school psychologist. Completing this degree track may qualify you to practice as a school psychologist in your state.
The courses will often cover human development, statistics, educational psychology, behavioral assessments, and crisis interventions. You may also learn about providing services in multicultural settings, conducting assessments and evaluating the programs you implement.
School psychologists usually work in K-12 schools or local school districts. Meeting the requirements for licensure in your state may require completing extra hours on top of the credits for basic psychology master’s programs, so you may be in school for several years.
Are you interested in studying how people interact with one another and their environments? Social psychology students study the ways that people’s surroundings play into their behavioral decisions.
Classes in social psychology address group dynamics, conflict resolution, cultural behaviors, and human development. You may learn how to study the data that others in the field have gathered and how to conduct original research. Drawing value and meaning from sets of data may be an important emphasis of this program.
The research-heavy focus of this program may come in handy because many social psychology students go on to become researchers who study human behavior and relationships. You may also choose to work directly with clients as a social worker, or you may become a political strategist who influences procedures and policies.
The curriculum for your master’s program may help prepare you to understand human thinking and behavior, conduct research, help people adjust their lives, and provide social and emotional supports. Your class list may contain courses similar to the ones below.
In a behavioral psychology program, you may also have fieldwork requirements. You may complete practicums or serve as an intern for one or more semesters.
To improve your chances of landing your ideal job, consider earning industry certifications after completing your master’s degree.
Because pursuing additional credentials demonstrates your commitment to continual professional growth, both employers and clients may appreciate your efforts.
With a master’s degree in behavioral psychology, you may choose to work as a counselor in schools, clinics, rehab centers, private practices or other settings. You might want to specialize in a particular type of therapy, such as marriage, addiction, or youth counseling.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, positions for counselors are on the rise; for example, the number of jobs for mental health and substance abuse counselors is expected to go up by 25% through the next ten years. Some careers in the behavioral psychology field include:
Annual median salary: $80,370
Studying psychology may put you on track to becoming a psychologist who conducts research or counsels clients. Although you may be able to do some psychology jobs, such as school psychology, with a master’s degree, you’ll typically need a doctorate for most licensed positions.
With your master’s, you may be able to work as an assistant to a licensed psychologist, and your degree might also help you achieve your goal of someday earning a psychology doctorate.
Annual median salary: $54,290
If you want to help people turn their lives around after getting caught up in the criminal justice system, then you might want to become a probation officer or a correctional treatment specialist. You may meet with offenders and check in on their progress.
You may need to conduct drug tests, consult friends or family members, create behavior plans, confirm employment status, and connect offenders to community resources. You might be employed by your local or state government.
Annual median salary: $49,610
Using the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy may help people improve their relationships with one another. In individual and group sessions, you may help couples and family members identify their problem areas, find new ways of communicating with each other, and make choices that support the family unit.
This type of therapy may be particularly beneficial for those going through times of transition, such as marital separation, job loss, or the death of a loved one. You may have a private office where clients come to speak with you.
Annual median salary: $50,470
As a social worker, you may help people locate community services, get back on their feet and solve problems of daily living. You may be the main contact person who coordinates various care plans for your clients, or you may provide counseling services.
Having a master’s degree in behavioral psychology may qualify you to complete the process of becoming a licensed clinical social worker in your state. Licensure may bring increased responsibilities and pay. Many social workers are employed by schools, hospitals, human welfare departments, and private practices.
Annual median salary: $46,240
You may become a counselor who specializes in helping people break the habit of engaging in addictive or destructive behaviors. People with substance abuse disorders, alcoholism, and eating disorders often work with this type of counselor.
Your responsibilities may include evaluating patients, creating individualized treatment plans, and providing counseling throughout the treatment process. You might also work with family members or create prevention programs. As a behavior counselor, you may work in a drug rehab facility, a hospital, a school, a health clinic, or a private practice.
Annual median salary: $42,930
As a counselor, you may help people work through their struggles and personal problems. You may become a mental health counselor who focuses on treatment for a variety of mental and emotional disorders. Other possible areas of specialization may include personal relationships, work stress, addiction issues, grief, and trauma, or youth counseling.
With your assistance, patients may begin to adjust their behaviors and improve their interactions with others. Your counseling practice may be based in a health clinic, a non-profit agency, or a private office.
Annual median salary: $35,950
Your responsibilities as a rehabilitation counselor typically involve helping people increase their independence. Also, you may be in charge of coordinating care or connecting clients to community resources. You may work with the elderly, people who have disabilities or those who are transitioning out of substance abuse treatment.
The support that you provide may help people learn to manage daily tasks or maintain steady employment. You may work in a long-term care or residential facility, a community agency, a veterans’ center, or a senior center.
If you’re looking for a behavioral psychology mentor or want to connect with others who apply the principles of behavioral psychology in their professional lives, then you may want to join an industry organization.
You may receive access to websites, publications, discussion groups, online classes, conferences, and other resources.
Grad school is a great time to join these groups because you can often receive special membership rates as a student.
Earning the credentials to practice as a behavioral psychologist requires getting a doctoral degree. Here are the steps to become a behavioral psychologist.
Requirements for licensure are set by individual states, so consult your state’s board for details.
To ensure that you may be prepared for certification exams and the workforce, it’s important to attend an accredited college.
Regional accreditation is granted to the school to affirm the quality of its academic programs and organizational structure. This accreditation can only be granted by one of the six regional accreditors that are approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Programmatic accreditation is given to specific degree programs. By attending an accredited school, your curriculum will likely cover the topics that are needed for your licensure exams. A degree from an accredited program may also help you get a good job.
In the field of behavioral psychology, programmatic accreditation may come from:
Whether earned online or on-campus, degrees from accredited programs are duly respected by other universities and employers alike.
Similar to earning a master’s in applied behavior analysis, getting a degree in behavioral psychology doesn’t have to drain your bank account. Financial assistance from the following sources may make going back to school a more affordable endeavor.
Compiling a financial aid package that includes multiple funding sources may help you significantly reduce your tuition obligations. To begin the process, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
As a full-time student, you may be able to earn your master’s degree in two years or less, especially if you choose an online accelerated psychology degree program., with some schools offering one year masters programs online. On the other hand, internship requirements may extend the length of your program, and school psychology programs often take at least three years.
Tuition costs vary widely depending on whether you attend an in-state, out-of-state, or private school, but they may fall in the range of $10,000 to $20,000. Scholarships, grants, and loans may help make graduate school more affordable. To help you keep up with expenses, consider taking online classes while maintaining your full-time job.
With a master’s in behavioral science, you may be eligible to seek state licensure as a substance abuse, marriage and family, behavioral disorder, or mental health counselor. You may also work in a clinical psychology setting as an analyst or an assistant who practices under the direction of a licensed psychologist.
To advance your career in the growing fields of counseling and psychology or work your way toward a doctorate, you may start by pursuing a master’s degree in behavioral psychology. Submitting applications to online programs is the first step toward an education that may better your own life and that of your clients’ lives.
Discover the perfect online behavioral psychology degree for your future—click “Find My Program” to explore.