A master’s degree and the BACB’s Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) designation are the standard credentials for working as a full-authority independent ABA.
A qualifying master’s and certification in ABA is …
- An absolute requirement for licensure in many states
- Acceptable in other states as a pathway to becoming licensed
- Something many employers expect to see on a resume
- Often a required credential for insurance reimbursement under autism insurance mandate laws
To qualify for BCBA® certification, you’ll need to earn a master’s degree in behavior analysis, education, or psychology that includes BACB-approved curriculum.
And if your program doesn’t have BACB’s required course content built-in, you’ll find yourself scrambling to complete the courses separately after earning your degree.
So the question becomes: How do I find a top-quality master’s degree in applied behavior analysis that has the required courses already built in?
Accreditation Through ABAI – and Soon APBA – is the Baseline for a Great ABA Master’s Program
Choosing a graduate program that has been fully-accredited by the Behavior Analysis Accreditation Board of ABAI or the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) is the most streamlined path to BCBA® certification– and to starting your career as an ABA. Why? Because all these programs are sure to include the exact coursework you’re required to complete and some of the necessary on-the-ground experience you’ll need before being eligible to take the certification exam. And none of them will require you to have your coursework submitted for review or attestation. They’ve already been through all the checks.
These programs have all the courses you need for BCBA® certification. Choose any program on this list and there’s no worrying about meeting additional coursework requirements.
What’s up With ABAI and APBA in ABA Degree Accreditation?
If you have been paying attention to the field of ABA over the past few years, it’s likely that the introduction of APBA, the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts, into discussions of accredited master’s programs is something of a surprise. In fact, it’s pretty likely that you haven’t even seen them mentioned in your internet research on the topic— most guidelines haven’t been re-written to include this new accreditor yet.
Big changes are underway in the accreditation landscape for ABA training. Fortunately, you don’t need to figure all that out yourself since ABAI and BACB are managing the changes behind the scenes, working directly with schools offering ABA graduate programs.
APBA has been around as a professional organization for ABAs since 2007 but just got into the accreditation game in 2024. The group intends to offer a choice, while still meeting the same mission and focus for programs designed to prepare ABA practitioners. They have been recognized by BACB as an appropriate specialty accreditor since 2023.
Of course, it takes time to evaluate and approve programs, so it may be a couple more years before you see APBA-accredited programs popping up. But there’s a good chance you’ll find many schools that currently have non-accredited programs with the Verified Course Sequence (VCS) eventually wearing the APBA stamp of approval.
Still, we know there’s a lot more to consider when selecting a program, so we’ve done some digging to find the information you need. We pored over university disclosure pages and sifted through data published in the National Center for Education Statistics database to find answers to the questions you’re most likely to have:
- How much will the program cost?
- What degree majors do these schools offer – ABA, psychology, education?
- What’s required to get into the program?
- How likely is it that I’ll have some direct interactions with my professor?
- What other similar programs are offered?
How We Made Our Selections for the Top Master’s Degrees in ABA Today
Top Master’s Programs in ABA, Psychology, and Education for Behavior Analysts – State-by-State
Other Questions People Ask About Top Applied Behavior Analysis Master’s Degree Programs
How We Made Our Selections for the Top Master’s Degrees in ABA Today
There are many paths to getting your educational requirements met for BCBA® certification (at least 14, if you count up all the different tiers and variations in the BCBA® handbook), but for our purposes and yours, the best choices are the most straightforward. That means ABAI-accredited master’s programs that will qualify you to take the BCBA® exam without any additional post-graduate work to get the necessary coursework in.
Though the Verified Course Sequence (VCS) system is sunsetting at the end of 2025, there are currently over 200 graduate schools that offer master’s programs with the VCS.
But there are only 29 schools with ABAI-accredited master’s programs. That’s a pretty elite group to start with. And that’s what you’ll find here.
Baseline Selection Criteria
We looked at the more than 200 graduate schools that offer a BACB-approved Verified Course Sequence (VCS) as part of a master’s degree in ABA, Psychology or Education. We identified the 20 schools we believe deserve special recognition for meeting the following criteria:
- Offer at least one program fully-accredited by the Behavior Analysis Accreditation Board of ABAI
- Have a student to faculty ratio of no more than 25:1
- Annual graduate school tuition rates in-line with the national average for public institutions adjusted for location
While the basic criteria are straightforward, clearly there’s more that goes into making a top school than just having the right coursework, low costs, and attractive student to faculty ratios. As we looked over the list, we found other factors jumping out that tend to separate top schools from the rest.
Experienced Instructors are Key to Making an ABA Master’s Program Exceptional
It doesn’t do you much good to have easy access to instructors if they don’t have the level of experience in the field it takes to impart hard-earned knowledge based on real results with diverse clients. Top schools always have top faculty. These are names you regularly see published in places like The Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior and The Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, and keynoting conference presentations at ABAI’s Annual Conference. More often than not, they stay involved through research, but also active practice with real-world clients.
What Sort of Practicum Standards Do Top ABA Degrees Come With?
You already know you’re expected to get at least 1500 hours of supervised fieldwork before you can qualify for your BCBA®. While you won’t necessarily complete it all in the course of your graduate program, the top ABA master’s include practicum and internship opportunities to get you started.
It takes a lot of practice to master ABA and truly learn what your classes are designed to teach you. And it all starts with having plenty of opportunities to apply that knowledge with actual patients in the real world under the guidance of instructors and staff while you’re still a graduate student.
Why Are Close Community Ties So Important in ABA Education?
Along the same lines, top schools typically go above and beyond when it comes to lining up diverse field placement opportunities. ABA is a field with enormously wide applications across populations and industries. Different students have different career goals, not all of which are going to be met in one place.
In many cases, the best ABA universities have school-run clinics or treatment programs on campus that students can participate in to serve the community.
So expect a variety of choices when the time comes to get your on-the-ground experience, from private behavioral therapy clinics to school districts to industrial and workplace applications to healthcare facilities.
Why Should You Consider Research Efforts When Looking At Top ABA Schools?
For top schools to draw in top instructors with experience in the field, they need to ensure those practitioners can scratch their itch for discovery and investigation. Unlocking new techniques, developing new treatments from experimental evidence, and staying at the forefront of the profession requires active support for research.
So you’ll find that top schools have well-funded and active research programs. Those should include the opportunity for student participation so you graduate ahead of the curve as ABA practice evolves.
Top Master’s Programs in ABA, Psychology, and Education for Behavior Analysts – State-by-State
Different career paths in ABA may call for a tailored education.
ABA is a remarkably useful therapeutic and instructional toolset. It has applications everywhere from animal training to special education to addiction therapy to urban planning.
While these fields all share a burning need for up-to-date approaches in ABA, much of the connective tissue between behavior analysis and the roots of the field will differ. So you will find that there are different ABA programs for people on different career paths. We know the best program for a student of psychology interested in practicing ABA isn’t going to be the same for someone who wants to apply ABA principles in the classroom as a teacher.
To help you make an informed decision about which program is best for you, we identified the key features most important to prospective students, organized it, and presented it in a way that allows you to more easily compare your options.
This list features programs that our editorial staff hand selected to present as top recommendations. We believe the many aspects of a program that come together to create an exceptional student experience can’t be reduced to numbers alone, so no formula was used to attempt to score or rank these programs. Instead, they represent our top picks based on a thoughtful review of the things we know matter most to students. Each one of these programs offers something unique, and all come highly recommended. We stand behind the principal of editorial integrity and make these recommendations independently and without compensation.
ALABAMA
Jacksonville State University (public)
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Jacksonville, AL
Website
Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (on-campus)
Total Tuition Costs: $16,692
Student to faculty ratio: 1.4 to 1
Credits to complete: 39
Also offers: Applied Behavior Analysis Minor
- Study both experimental and applied behavior analysis
- Students have the opportunity to practice discussion of major psychological principles and current research findings in class
- Develops critical thinking and professional skills
- Offers students the option to participate in faculty research and related community services projects
- Access to both animal and human research facilities on campus
- Graduate master’s stipends are $1,600 per month with up to 2 years of support depending on funding
As the only graduate program in the JSU Department of Psychology, you know that ABA is going to be the sole focus of your instructors at Jax State. Long reputed as the friendliest campus in the south, you’ll find that carrying over to the level of support and assistance you get from both faculty and staff throughout your studies.
Auburn University (public)
Department of Psychological Studies
Auburn, AL
Website
Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (on-campus)
Total Tuition Costs: $27,450
Student to faculty ratio: 21 to 1
Credits to complete: 45
Also offers:
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
- Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience
- Boasts a 100 percent pass rate for graduates on the BCBA® exam
- An on-campus ABA Clinic offers students experience in early intervention autism practice as well as caregiver and staff training
- Other practicum placements can occur in home-based services, public schools, pre-schools, and through foster care and juvenile corrections facilities
- Delivers a full 1,500 practicum hours as part of the program
- An empirical capstone project ensures mastery of practical skills in ABA treatment
- Rated as an R1 Doctoral Status university with very high research activity, including in ABA
- A number of Agency Fellowships are awarded each year to qualified ABA master’s students
It’s a mark of distinction for Auburn’s ABA program that every enrolled student in the past five years has both made it through to graduation and passed the BCBA® certification exam. That tells you what kind of personal support and attention you will experience as a Tiger. In fact, every student in the program is automatically considered for available fellowship openings, with no separate application needed—the school is watching out for your finances as well as your education.
CALIFORNIA
California State University – Los Angeles (public)
Department of Special Education and Counseling
Los Angeles, CA
Website
Master of Science Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (on-campus)
Total Tuition Costs: $17,368
Student to faculty ratio: 13 to 1
Credits to complete: 52
Also offers:
- Certificate Program in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Services
- Master of Science in School-Based Family Counseling
- Master of Science in School Psychology
- Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling
- Master of Arts in Special Education
- PhD in Special Education
- Program only accepts 24 students per year to deliver a personalized and elite course of instruction
- Program faculty all hold current doctoral-level BCBA-D® credentials
- Several scholarship options, such as Project PEDS, are available to assist students covering tuition expenses
- A number of internship programs are run jointly with school districts to offer exposure to the education behavioral practice environment
Master all the principles and applications of ABA from the counseling perspective in this program committed to delivering ABA training in line with national certification standards… and to prepare you for the next step, a doctoral program in the field. Studying in sunny LA also opens up a world of diversity in population treatment, so you will get a multicultural education with your MS in ABA that few other schools can rival.
FLORIDA
Florida Institute of Technology (private)
School of Behavior Analysis
Melbourne, FL
Website
Master of Science Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (on-campus)
Master of Arts in Behavior Analysis Practice (online)
Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis + Organizational Behavior Management (on-campus)
Total Tuition Costs: $21,384
Student to faculty ratio: 4.8 to 1
Credits to complete: 33/44
Also offers:
- Bachelor of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Master of Science in Organizational Behavior Management (OBM)
- PhD in Behavior Analysis
- Behavior Analyst Graduate Certificate
- Assistant Behavior Analyst Graduate Certificate
- Enjoys a 95 percent pass rate on the BCBA® exam
- Explore current ABA applications through in-depth class discussion with experienced instructors
- Engage in research studies into current mysteries of human behavior at the Scott Center for Autism Treatment on campus
- A flexible schedule with daytime, evening, and weekend class schedules makes attendance easy
- Experience internship opportunities at thriving local hospitals and clinics
- Receive one-on-one attention from professors at a school with an exceptionally favorable student/faculty ratio
- First rate research, classroom, treatment, and observation facilities are available
- A chapter of the Behavior Analysis Students Association puts you together with peers for lifelong networking
FIT offers ABA master’s programs both online, through their BAP (Behavior Analysis Practice) MA and in both Melbourne and Orlando for maximum flexibility for students in Florida and beyond. You’ll get that training in every case from professors who are deeply involved in research, professional services in ABA, and community activities. Students participating in research projects run by those professors often have the opportunity to publish in respected ABA journals, including the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Analysis in Practice, and Behavioral Interventions.
Florida State University (public)
College of Arts and Sciences
Panama City, FL
Website
Master of Science Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (on-campus)
Total Tuition Costs: $17,316
Student to faculty ratio: 7.5 to 1
Credits to complete: 39
Also offers: Bachelor of Science in Psychology
- Graduates have a 95 percent pass rate on the BCBA® exam
- Available at both Panama City and Tallahassee campuses
- Through innovative, tech-connected classrooms, students and faculty at both campuses attend the same classes simultaneously
- All students in the limited access program get a tuition waiver while working in paid assistantships with approved agencies
- No GRE required for admission
As a central part of the thriving behavior analysis scene in the Florida Panhandle, the FSU program in ABA has a long-standing track record of students who achieve some of the highest pass rates on the BCBA® exam in the world. That speaks to the quality of instructors, the wealth of field placements (including the Panama City on-campus Early Childhood Autism Program), and advanced research projects hosted by the university. With strong financial support tied to hands-on engagement at approved behavior analytic agencies, you build your professional expertise alongside theoretical studies of behaviorism.
University of South Florida (public)
Department of Child and Family Studies
Tampa, FL
Website
Master of Science Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (on-campus)
Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis (online)
Total Tuition Costs: $19,395
Student to faculty ratio: 6 to 1
Credits to complete: 45/41
Also offers:
- PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Master of Science in Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health
- Master of Arts in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling
- Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
- Behavioral Health Concentration in MPH, MSPH, and PhD in Public Health Programs
- Graduate Certificate in Positive Behavior Support
- Graduate Certificate in Translational Research in Adolescent Behavioral Health
- Minor in Addictions Studies
- Minor in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Certification in Addictions and Substance Abuse Profession
- Has BACB pass rates of 70 percent for online and 89 percent for on campus degrees
- Online degree program can be completed in only 5 semesters and was ranked #1 in 2023 for Online Master’s Programs and as the top Master’s in Behavioral Psychology by Intelligent
- A wide range of practicum sites open up many different practical experiences in ABA treatment during the program
- Scholarships through Project MABAS support students planning to work with kids in high-need schools
- All listed program faculty are doctorally-qualified BCBA-D® practitioners
- The schools also offers continuing education to help graduates keep their skills current throughout their careers
- Hosts a chapter of Beta Chi, the Bulls Organization for Behavior Analysis, a student-run group for support and networking
USF comes with a full-spectrum of support for aspiring behavior analysts, from the undergraduate minor to two available master’s options, to a PhD, and finally with post-graduate continuing education courses to support ABAs for their entire career. The university is a well-known center for bridging the gap between science and practice, combining cutting-edge research in the field with extensive internship and practicum options. In the multicultural stew of South Florida, there’s no better place to hone your cultural sensitivity along with your comprehensive ABA education.
ILLINOIS
Southern Illinois University (public)
Rehabilitation Institute
Carbondale, IL
Website
Master of Science Degree in Behavior Analysis and Therapy (on-campus, online)
Total Tuition Costs: $21,150
Student to faculty ratio: 5.7 to 1
Credits to complete: 45
Also offers:
- Minor in Behavior Analysis and Therapy
- PhD in Psychology
- Graduates have a historical 75 percent pass rate on the BCBA® exam
- As a designated R1 research institution, students at SIU have unparalleled opportunities for contributions to ABA through meaningful research participation
- The school boasts a 100 percent rate of career placement for master’s graduates
- Faculty-led research projects are available to students across topics and environments in ABA
- An empirical thesis or pre-approved research project offer two paths to degree completion
- Opportunities at the SIUC Autism Center, Project 12-Ways, the Smoking Lab at SIU, and with Tri-County Special Education offer in-depth internship and practicum training
- A wide range of graduate assistantships are available to offset the cost of tuition
SIU’s rigorous program extends from the classroom to the real world to give you the tough preparation you need to blend the latest theory and research with hands-on behavioral treatments. Your supervised internship can take place at any one of a number of approved facilities in the region, with a range of emphasis areas extending from autism, to addiction, to brain injuries, to special education. It’s an opportunity to take your ABA career in the direction you desire well before you actually graduate.
KANSAS
University of Kansas (public)
Department of Applied behavioral Science
Lawrence, KS
Website
Master of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science (on campus, online)
Total Tuition Costs: $20,850
Student to faculty ratio: 0.2 to 1
Credits to complete: 30
Also offers:
- Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of General Studies in Applied Behavioral Science
- Minor in Applied Behavioral Science
- PhD in Behavioral Psychology
- PhD in Behavioral Psychology/Master of Public Health
- Graduate Certificate in Community Health and Development
- Has an 88 percent rate for graduates taking and passing the BCBA® exam
- Unique practicum opportunities are available with the online degree program that combine high-quality field training under supervision
- Funding available through the Flora E. Thompson Fund and Baer, Wolf, and Risling Outstanding Graduate Student Awards to help support your studies
- Graduate research and teaching assistantships offer another path to cutting your tuition expenses
- Department founded the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, the leading publication for the profession today
- Receives over $10 million in research awards to fund cutting-edge projects in ABA
KU is one of the pioneering institutions behind the modern field of behavioral research and ABA practice. That makes it one of the ideal places to get your graduate education in the field. The university cultivates an environment where differences are valued and every individual in the community is supported. With a particular focus on community health and development, the school offers a shot into not only some of the foundational knowledge behind ABA in the place it was discovered, but also a look at the leading edge of new applications and techniques.
LOUISIANA
McNeese State University (public)
Department of Psychology
Lake Charles, LA
Website
Master of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis (on-campus)
Total Tuition Costs: $26,158
Student to faculty ratio: 4.5 to 1
Credits to complete: 58
Also offers:
- Master of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis (online—not accredited by ABAI)
- Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology
- A 100 percent BCBA® exam pass rate puts McNeese in a tie for the number one spot worldwide!
- Opportunities at the MAP outpatient treatment center allows on-campus students to get direct experience delivering assistance with ABA
- All coursework is taught by BACB-approved faculty with extensive experience in their fields
- A five-course internship sequence delivers more than 1500 hours of supervised practicum experience
- Merit-based graduate assistantship awards assist students with financial support through the program
- Students often participate in the annual LaBAA and TxABA conferences
- Special facilities including a rat laboratory and vivarium are available for research projects on campus
Community engagement is a key piece of the McNeese difference when it comes to ABA training. That’s why the McNeese Autism Program is a success for both local families and for ABA students. High-quality care across five parishes is combined with ongoing learning and research opportunities. This is all combined with a school that is serious about making education affordable and effective.
MARYLAND
University of Maryland – Baltimore County (public)
Department of Psychology
Baltimore, MD
Website
Master of Arts in Human Services Psychology: Applied Behavior Analysis (on-campus)
Total Tuition Costs: $32,688
Student to faculty ratio: 8.7 to 1
Credits to complete: 36
Also offers:
- Master of Professional Studies in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
- Master of Arts in Learning and Performance Technology
- Post-Master’s Certificate in College Teaching and Learning Sciences
- PhD in Applied Developmental Psychology
- PhD in Human Services Psychology
- Offered in partnership with the Kennedy Krieger Institute Department of Behavioral Psychology
- Only fifteen minutes from downtown Baltimore and a half-hour from the DC Beltway, the school offers easy access for students around the region
- Practicum options available in neurobehavioral inpatient and outpatient care as well as pediatric feeding disorders
- Partners with The Shafer Center for on-site training in autism treatment
- The UMBC Psychology Training Clinic is a noted community resource for Baltimore-area individuals in need of treatment
- Distinguished lecturers visiting from around the country contribute to an ABA program plugged-in to the latest research in the field
- Virtual open houses allow prospective students to meet staff and explore the program before investigating in-person
A gap in fully-accredited behavior analysis graduate degrees in the mid-Atlantic region prompted the creation of the UMBC program. And true excellence in education since it was created earned it a spot on this list. An innovative approach to teaching ABA methods and a thriving research community ensure the knowledge and expertise you build here will be second to none.
MASSACHUSETTS
Endicott College (private)
The Institute for Applied Behavioral Science
Beverly, MA
Website
Master of Science Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (online, hybrid)
- Autism
- Childhood Clinical Disorders
- Public Schools
- Mental Health
- Organizational Behavior Management
Total Tuition Costs: $27,280
Student to faculty ratio: 13 to 1
Credits to complete: 40
Also offers:
- Master of Education Applied Behavioral Analysis
- Master of Education in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis (Severe/Moderate)
- PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Minor in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Graduates have a 71 percent pass rate on the BCBA® exam
- Experienced faculty are drawn from many behavior analytic specialties
- Offers a free BCBA® exam prep course
- Deliver collaborative research experiences alongside experts in the field
- Offers a 5th year master’s program to cut time off your graduate studies if also earning a bachelor’s at Endicott
- Peer tutoring can help students master tough concepts with community support
- A Mixer for Masters social event allows students and faculty to get to know each other outside the classroom environment
- The DEIB Journal Club meets once per quarter and explores considerations of DEIB
Academics, research, and professional development anchor Endicott’s flexible ABA master’s program. The school offers particular support for distance-learning students through the Open Door series of presentations that opens up a two-way dialogue as well as offering practical information on courses, library use, and remote learning skills. Task forces covering DEIB and Quality Assurance constantly evaluate and attempt to improve educational offerings at the school, keeping a high-quality program at the top of its game. Although Endicott doesn’t hold full ABAI accreditation yet, we thought it was strong enough to make the list anyway, which really tells you something!
Simmons University (private)
Department of Behavior Analysis
Boston, MA
Website
Master of Science Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (on-campus, online)
Educational Specialist in Applied Behavior Analysis (on-campus, online)
Total Tuition Costs: $45,000
Student to faculty ratio: 10.3 to 1
Credits to complete: 40
Also offers:
- Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Behavior
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Master of Social Work
- PhD in Behavioral Analysis
- PhD in Social Work
- Online students have a 74 percent pass rate for the BCBA® exam, while on campus graduates pass 89 percent of the time
- Can be completed in as few as 20 months of full-time study
- No GRE required for admission
- Scholarships ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 for qualified applicants are available
- A faculty of established ABA practitioners will build strong relationships with each student to ensure their success
- Has the best student/teacher ratio of any program on our list
A rigorous, practice-based curriculum at Simmons drills down into the full range of applications for ABA, spanning different domains, populations, and clinical settings. A strong focus on contemporary research in the curriculum grounds this training in the latest developments, so you can be sure of graduating with the most up-to-date skillset. Available as either an MS or an EdS, you have the option to take your program focus either in the direction of general ABA treatment or specializing in working in educational settings.
MICHIGAN
Western Michigan University (public)
Department of Psychology
Kalamazoo, MI
Website
Master of Arts Degree in Behavior Analysis (on-campus)
Total Tuition Costs: $43,092
Student to faculty ratio: 16 to 1
Credits to complete: 36
Also offers:
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
- Bachelor of Arts in Student Organization
- PhD in Behavior Analysis
- Graduates have a 71 percent pass rate on the BCBA® exam
- Explores core specialty areas in autism and developmental disabilities, health or safety, behavioral pharmacology, experimental analysis of behavior, or behavioral neuroscience
- Research facilities include non-human behavior labs, child and adult studies labs, simulation labs, and organizational behavior management labs
- Practicum placements are available in autism, behavioral medicine, performance management, and various in- and out-patient clinical sites
- Various financial supports are available from the Graduate College to assist with tuition costs
Extensive research powers the BA program at this discovery-driven institution, exposing students to new concepts and ideas even as they lay the foundations for their ABA careers. Faculty have launched projects in such fields as behavioral gerontology, the behavioral pharmacology of addictive drugs, and behavioral economics. This means faculty with expertise in a wide range of specialty areas you can tap into. This is why WMU may be your midwestern school of choice for getting a strong graduate education no matter what aspect of ABA interests you most.
MINNESOTA
St. Cloud State University (public)
Department of Behavioral Health and Counseling
St. Cloud, MN
Website
Master of Science Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (on-campus, online)
Total Tuition Costs: $27,924
Student to faculty ratio: 11.4 to 1
Credits to complete: 52
Also offers:
- Bachelor of Science in Addiction Counseling
- Bachelor of Science in Community Psychology
- Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Master of Science in School Counseling
- PsyD in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Minor in Community Psychology
- Addictions Certificate
- An exemplary 93 percent pass rate on the BCBA® exam highlights the strengths of this program
- On campus practicum treatment opportunities for ASD come at the Offerdahl Autism Discover Center
- An Assistive Technology Lab helps ABA students explore the latest in high-tech solutions
- The Education Abroad program offers a chance to student in South Africa, Italy, or England
- Hosts a campus chapter of the Student Organization of Behavior Analysis
- Online participants draw a global cohort to St. Cloud studies, offering you a chance to get a multicultural perspective without ever leaving the North Country
St. Cloud brings both depth and flexibility to your ABA training, with on-campus or online options that draw on the same expert faculty members and advanced research projects to form a stable academic base. The school also has strong relationships with a number of community treatment organizations, including public schools systems, nonprofit clinics, and autism treatment programs where you can complete practicum and internship placements.
NEVADA
University of Nevada – Reno (public)
Department of Psychology
Reno, NV
Website
Master of Science Degree in Behavior Analysis (on-campus, online)
Total Tuition Costs: $12,744
Student to faculty ratio: 1.8 to 1
Credits to complete: 36
Also offers:
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology (Behavior Analysis concentration available)
- Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience
- Master of Science in Cognitive and Brain Sciences
- Master of Science in Integrative Neuroscience
- PhD in Behavior Analysis
- PhD in Clinical Psychology
- PhD in Cognitive and Brain Sciences
- PhD in Integrative Neuroscience
- PhD in Social Psychology
- Minor in Psychology
- No GRE required for admission
- Each student is assigned to one of the core behavior analysis faculty members for academic advising immediately
- Applied research projects in areas such as service delivery, interdisciplinary research, systems analysis, cultural behavior analysis, verbal behavior, and more are available
- The online degree option can be completed in as few as 20 months
- Training coordinators guide students at each point in lining up and performing required fieldwork courses
- Students can perform functions such as FBAs, skills assessment, and interventions across Washoe County through work at the on-campus Behavioral Education and Consulting Services (BECS)
- Career-boosting workshops assist you in planning and searching for positions
The BA program at UNR takes the position that students should be empowered to advocate for their own path toward degree attainment and pursuing certification and licensure as an ABA. To that end, you’ll find a wealth of support coming from both staff and faculty to help you take your education the direction you want it to go. A range of community outreach efforts, such as through the Psychological Services Center, the Spectrum Learning Center, and BECS will expose you to the many possibilities for ABA practice in Nevada and beyond.
NEW JERSEY
Caldwell University (private)
Department of Applied Behavior Analysis
Caldwell, NJ
Website
Master of Arts Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (on-campus)
Total Tuition Costs: $45,570
Student to faculty ratio: 4.2 to 1
Credits to complete: 42
Also offers:
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology
- PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Minor in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Post-master’s Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate
- Graduates taking the BCBA® exam in 2022 had a 100 percent pass rate
- The Caldwell University Center for Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis is a crown jewel for the university’s clinical training in ABA
- Offers a fast-track combined BS in Psychology/MA in ABA path for undergraduates
- Offers graduates expertise in the areas of developmental services and special education
- Accepts transfers of up to 12 credits from graduate psychology, education, or other closely related fields
- A collaborative approach to learning and research offers support and confidence to every student in the program
You can’t talk about the Caldwell MA in ABA without talking about the highly-respected Caldwell University Center for Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis. The Center pops up in student reviews of the program time after time. An on-campus resource for assessment and intervention for individuals with ASD, it’s led by qualified BCBA-Ds® from the faculty, and offers a central proving ground and learning center for ABA students. As a popular practicum option, it delivers the latest in evidence-based practices for treating ASD through behavioral interventions.
NEW YORK
Columbia University (private)
Department of Health Studies & Applied Educational Psychology
New York, NY
Website
Master of Arts Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (on-campus)
Total Tuition Costs: $100,157
Student to faculty ratio: 7.3 to 1
Credits to complete: 47
Also offers:
- PhD in Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis focus
- Advanced Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Students have a stellar 78 percent pass rate on the BCBA® exam
- Research-based instruction rests on constantly measured responses and state-of-the-art ABA sciences
- Program blends cognitive science and behavior studies with an emphasis on classroom applications
- Graduates are dual-certified in ABA and general and special education Pre-K to 6th Grade in New York State
- Internationally recognized as a training ground for teachers, researchers, and leaders in early education and language development interventions for ASD
- All students are placed in full-time internships at designated CABAS schools in the area
- Most students accepted into the program are funded to some level
- Research efforts are ongoing in areas like verbal behavior development, instructional design, and observational conditioning
Part of the Teachers College at Columbia, the CU ABA program has a particular focus on ABA in the world of education. In fact, each graduate from the MA program not only is qualified to it for the BCBA® exam, but also to become a certified general and special ed teacher in New York State. They’ll take on a path through either of those professions with the skills used by both, giving grads from Columbia dual and complementary skillsets working with kids from either the teaching or the clinical treatment perspectives.
OHIO
The Ohio State University (public)
College of Education and Human Ecology
Columbus, OH
Website
Master of Arts in Educational Studies – Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis Specialization (online)
Total Tuition Costs: $26,248
Student to faculty ratio: 2.7 to 1
Credits to complete: 34
Also offers:
- Bachelor of Science in Education
- Master of Arts in Educational Psychology
- PhD in School Psychology
- EdS in School Psychology
- PhD in Educational Psychology
- PhD in Educational Studies, Special Education
- PhD in Counseling Psychology
- Offers optional add-on teacher licensure endorsement for K-12 intervention specialist certification in Ohio schools
- Both graduate associateships and scholarships provide funding opportunities for students
- Teachers in this fully-online program often can arrange to perform field experience and thesis research in their own classrooms, making it a great fit for working professionals in the field
- Customized specializations ensure you will focus your studies on your own area of interest
- Faculty are dedicated to fostering the development of competent scholars and practitioners, holding both national and international awards in their fields
- Campus centers such as the Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy open up research opportunities for students
- Get support from resources like the Academic English Writing Program to support your thesis work and other academic needs
- Other student opportunities come through affiliations with groups like the American Educational Research Association and the Council for Exceptional Children
As a research-based program with an emphasis on learning and behavior programs for students with disabilities, this degree draws educators from around the Midwest who either want to up their ABA game in special ed, or transition to full-time ABA treatment. Research and practice are the watchwords here, but the expertise the program has in dealing with working teachers means that you can optimize your time and easily balance your current work with the rigorous curriculum.
TEXAS
University of North Texas (public)
Department of Behavior Analysis
Denton, TX
Website
Master of Science Degree in Behavior Analysis (on-campus)
Total Tuition Costs: $23,184
Student to faculty ratio: 5.7 to 1
Credits to complete: 48
Also offers:
- Bachelor of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis (online – VCS, but not ABAI-accredited)
- Minor in Behavior Analysis
- Graduate Academic Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Program graduates have a 77 percent pass rate on the BCBA® exam
- First program in the nation to receive ABAI accreditation
- Research programs are subsidized by a substantial stake from the Beatrice H. Barrett Research Program endowment
- Learn from world-class faculty members with legendary academic and practical experience
- Students have access to significant resources including an extensive library, on-campus computer labs, student health-care, and amenities like gyms
- A wide range of departmental projects are available for students to work on to increase research and clinical skills
- Campus hosts student networking and support groups such as Behavior Analysis Student and Alumni Association and the Organization for Reinforcement Contingencies with Animals
- Several scholarships such as the Donald L. Whaley Memorial Scholarship and Douglas P. Field Scholarship for Graduate Student Research are open to students
The UNT program was the first of its kind in the nation, and still leads the pack in many respects, attracting students from around the country and around the world. Legendary faculty members stand ready to advise and assist students in mastering the principles, theory, and research methods of applied behavior analysis. You’ll come away with a strong knowledge of systematically applying those tools in natural environment as well as practical experiences in autism intervention, education, and functional analysis—the right qualifications for licensure as an ABA and certification as a BCBA®.
University of Houston – Clear Lake (public)
College of Human Sciences and Humanities
Houston, TX
Website
Master of Arts Degree in Behavior Analysis (on-campus)
Total Tuition Costs: $21,489
Student to faculty ratio: 11 to 1
Credits to complete: 39
Also offers:
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology
- Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Sciences
- Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology
- Master of Science in Psychology
- Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
- Master’s in School Psychology
- Minor in Behavior Analysis
- Graduates have a 100 percent pass rate on the BCBA® exam
- Gain hands-on experience in real-world settings like the Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities
- GRE scores not required for application
- The program includes a particular focus on treating individuals with developmental disabilities
The high degree of preparation in the essentials of conceptual and applied behavior analysis is what makes Clear Lake stand out on our list. The 100 percent pass rate they enjoy on the BCBA® exam means that graduates here stand out, too. Schools, hospitals, and clinics across the South who employ ABAs prize grads from UHCL. Plenty of students also go on to doctoral studies in the field, with a solid grounding in theoretical issues in ABA today as well as extensive practical experience in practicum and internship placements at local partner agencies or on campus.
OSLO, NORWAY
Oslo Metropolitan University – Oslo Met
Department of Behavioural Science
Oslo, Norway
Website
Master of Science in Behavioural Science (on-campus)
Total Tuition Costs: $39,276
Student to faculty ratio: 23 to 1
Credits to complete: Unknown
Also offers:
- Bachelor’s in Social Education
- Bachelor’s in Psychology emphasis on behaviour analysis
- Numerous research groups including in the fields of experimental study in complex human behavior, behavioural principles, and applied and experimental behaviour analysis in clinical practice offer students opportunities to specialize
- School includes centers such as the Bridge-Building Initiative and network like the Network for Educational Research to boost interdisciplinary learning
- The school has offered training and research to support Norway’s welfare society for more than 200 years
- Many courses in the behavioral science programs are available in English
If you are looking for a more exotic, but still excellent, option to get your ABAI-accredited coursework fix, Oslo Metropolitan is the obvious choice. Their emphasis on behavior analysis, social work, and behavioral science in general is a clear fit for the track that most future ABAs are on. With only the behavioural science master’s program at the graduate level, you know that the entire focus of the school is right in your lane.
Other Questions People Ask About Top Applied Behavior Analysis Master’s Degree Programs
There are a few points around identifying graduate programs in ABA, education, and psychology that meet the curriculum standards for BCBA® certification that can be a bit confusing – Verified Course Sequence? … ABAI recognition versus accreditation?
We’ll help you sort some of it out by answering questions that frequently come up among applicants looking at ABA degree programs that will meet the requirements for BCBA® certification.
Do I Need To Choose an ABAI-Accredited Program To Earn My BCBA®?
Applied behavior analysis may be unique in modern professional mental health education in that there’s no real requirement that you attend a fully accredited program for licensure. However, fully accredited degrees are your best indicator that the education is geared to the high standard of BCBA® certification, and the best assurance of overall program quality.
But that doesn’t mean it’s the wild west out there if you’re considering non-accredited options. Instead, you’ll need to consider something like accreditation, even if goes by a different name. That means you must take an officially approved set of courses – a Verified Course Sequence – as part of your degree or certificate in order to qualify for certification.
What Does VCS Mean?
VCS stands for “Verified Course Sequence,” which was a somewhat convoluted way of saying “Classes Needed for BCBA® certification.” It describes a set of classes that meet requirements for:
- Faculty qualifications
- Hours of instructions
- Curriculum content
The Verified Course Sequence has long been considered the baseline curriculum requirement for BCBA® certification, whether as part of a master’s program or non-degree certificate. It’s not an indicator of quality, but provides schools with a way to assure students their education will be accepted by BACB.
Since this list is meant to highlight truly exceptional programs, we looked beyond just VCS-inclusive programs to those that are either ABAI-recognized or fully accredited.
It’s worth noting that the VCS system is in the process of sunsetting, and new programs are not being awarded VCS status going forward.
What Happens if I Pick a Non-Accredited Master’s Degree for BCBA® Qualification?
You still have options.
Accreditation, from ABAI (Association for Behavior Analysis International) and now APBA (Association of Professional Behavior Analysts), ensures that a school has the exact courses you need for BCBA® certification – the VCS. But so does ABAI recognition, which signifies that a program is either eligible for accreditation or actively going through the accreditation process. And so does the attestation process, which involves having a specially appointed VCS coordinator at your school confirm that the courses you have taken match the behavior-analytic coursework needed for BCBA® certification.
Currently, without a VCS coordinator at your school to make that attestation, your only remaining option is to ask BACB to individually evaluate the courses you have taken. But that fallback option is going away at the end of 2025 as the VCS system sunsets.
Why Is the VCS System Going Away?
As the standard-bearers for ABA education and professionalism, the goal of ABAI and BACB is to move away from a check-box style method of approval that simply looks at course content, to one that is based more on overall quality standards and the inclusion of supervised experience within the program. This is what’s driving the push toward official recognition and accreditation under what’s being called the Tiered Model of Education, and away from the VCS system.
It’s also the case that the process many students were facing for getting their coursework evaluated and approved was quite cumbersome and time-consuming. With ABAI now pre-approving schools through official recognition and APBA joining in as a second accrediting agency for the field, it will open up the bottleneck and reduce the administrative load on both schools and the BACB.
If VCS is Sunsetting, Will My Coursework From a Non-Accredited Program Be Recognized?
Nothing is happening quickly with the VCS system transition and most students won’t be affected even when changes do take effect. That means students selecting non-accredited VCS-inclusive programs don’t have to worry about any issues having their coursework verified as meeting BCBA® certification standards. In fact, the attestation process that almost all VCS schools are already using is simply going to become the default option—a VCS coordinator at your school will attest that your coursework meets ABAI and BACB standards for BCBA® certification.
What’s going away at the end of 2025 is the non-standard path in which students submit courses directly to BACB for evaluation to determine eligibility for BCBA® certification. This was an option that relatively few students were pursuing anyway. And though the long-term goal may be to eventually see all schools hold accreditation, the change coming in 2026 is far less dramatic. It’s simply allowing for a tiered system in which students attending non-accredited and non-recognized VCS-inclusive programs can still have their coursework approved through the attestation process that’s currently in place.
Do I Need a Bachelor’s in ABA To Get Into a Top ABA Master’s Degree Program?
No, most master’s degrees in ABA, even at the most elite levels, don’t require that you major in the field to be accepted. Most state that they will accept applicants from any background.
That said, you will almost always have a better shot at acceptance if you at least have a major in a related field. Education, psychology, or almost any social or behavioral science degree is a good bet.