35 Top ABA Graduate Programs (Master's and Doctorate)

Jacksonville State University
School of Human Services and Social Sciences
Jacksonville, AL
Website

• Degrees offered: MS in Psychology with an emphasis in ABA, on-campus
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $9,204 (in-state), $18,118 (out-of-state)
• Student to faculty ratio: 18:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE
• Number of ABA master’s degrees awarded each year: 7

Jacksonville State University prepares students through not only instruction and training, but also through a variety of research opportunities. Our favorite thing about this program is the university’s animal and human research facilities, offering a unique educational experience that is hard to come by anywhere else. Top-performing students of this program receive funding in the form of graduate assistantships and hourly pay in a number of practicum settings.

California State University
Los Angeles, CA
Website

• Degrees offered: MS in Counseling (Applied Behavior Analysis), on-campus
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $7,649 (in state), $16,557 (out-of-state)
• Student to faculty ratio: 25:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: none
• Number of ABA master’s degrees awarded each year: no info available

Students in the MS in Counseling program at California State University are well-prepared to take on jobs as behavioral consultants, case managers, or behavior analysts in a wide variety of settings. Students have the option of taking a comprehensive final examination or completing an original research thesis to round out their master’s program.

Florida Institute of Technology
School of Behavior Analysis
Melbourne, FL
Website

• Degrees offered:
  • MA in Professional Behavior Analysis (PBA), online/hybrid
  • MS in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), on-campus
  • MS in Organizational Behavior Management (OBM)
  • MS in ABA plus OBM (ABA + OBM) focuses on both, on-campus
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $22,588
• Student to faculty ratio: 13:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE may be required
• Number of ABA master’s degrees awarded each year: 109

It’s all about choices. Florida Institute of Technology offers four different master’s level programs in ABA, all of which are designed to produce competent ABA practitioners and consultants qualified to take the BCBA certification exam. Florida Tech is ranked second in the world for its number of publications in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, making this a school that not only produces highly qualified graduates but one that also contributes significantly to the body of ABA literature.

Florida State University
Panama City Campus
Panama City, FL
Website

• Degrees offered: MS in Applied Behavior Analysis, on-campus
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $11,543 (in-state), $25,975 (out-of-state)
• Student to faculty ratio: 24:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE
• Number of ABA master’s degrees awarded each year: 35

One of the most unique things about Florida State University’s ABA master’s degree program is that all students receive assistantships and tuition waivers by being placed in certain approved ABA agencies in high needs areas. This program culminates in a comprehensive examination and the completion of a professional portfolio.

University of South Florida
Department of Child and Family Studies
Tampa, FL
Website

• Degrees offered:
  • MA in Applied Behavior Analysis, online
  • MS in Applied Behavior Analysis, on-campus only
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $10,428 (in-state), $3,982 (out-of-state)
• Student to faculty ratio: 22:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE scores on the general test
• Number of ABA master’s degrees awarded each year: N/A

The MA in Applied Behavior Analysis through University of South Florida is offered online while the MS program is offered exclusively on-campus. These are entirely separate programs, but both meet the eligibility requirements for taking the BACB’s BCBA certification exam. These options offer alternatives designed to meet the needs of both full-time students able to attend class during normal hours and non-traditional students holding down jobs while they work toward earning their master’s in ABA. Both programs require at least 1,000 hours of supervised experiences; on-campus students often complete practicums available throughout the Tampa Bay area.

Southern Illinois University
Rehabilitation Institute
Carbondale, IL
Website

• Degrees offered: MS in Behavior Analysis and Therapy, on-campus program and a blended/weekend program if you reside near Chicago or Joliet
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $14,583 (in-state), $30,369 (out-of-state)
• Student to faculty ratio: 15:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: none
• Number of ABA master’s degrees awarded each year: 51 (part of therapeutic and rehabilitation professions)

The MS in Behavioral Analysis program is delivered as a campus-based program, as well as a blended/weekend program for students living in the Chicago area. We feel there is nothing better than flexibility when it comes to your education options, especially when you’re trying to juggle a busy schedule. Graduates of this program are well-prepared for careers working with children and adult patients who have developmental disabilities and chronic medical conditions.

University of Kansas
Department of Applied behavioral Science
Lawrence, KS
Website

• Degrees offered: MA in Applied Behavioral Science, on-campus
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $10,438 (in-state), $23,134 (out-of-state)
• Student to faculty ratio: 17:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE not required, but encouraged
• Number of ABA master’s degrees awarded each year: 4

The Master of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science through University of Kansas trains researchers and scientist-practitioners to solve human behavior problems, including those related to autism spectrum disorder. This program includes supervised experiences focused on the conceptual foundations of behavioral science and culminates in a master’s thesis.

McNeese State University
Department of Psychology
Lake Charles, LA
Website

• Degrees offered: MA in Psychology with a concentration in ABA, on-campus and online
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $7,575 (in-state), $18,650 (out-of-state)
• Student to faculty ratio: 21:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE
• Number of ABA master’s degrees awarded each year: 14 (psychology general)

Students of McNeese State University have the option of completing the Master of Psychology with a concentration in ABA as an on-campus or online program. Nearly 80 percent of all students of this program receive a graduate assistantship to make covering the cost of education more manageable. All students enrolled in the on-campus program will be placed in an internship position through the McNeese Autism program.

University of Maryland
Baltimore County, Human Services Psychology Program
Baltimore, MD
Website

• Degrees offered: MA in Applied Behavior Analysis, on-campus
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $13,194 (in-state), $20,286 (out-of-state)
• Student to faculty ratio: 19:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE
• Number of ABA master’s degrees awarded each year: 23 (psychology general)

The MA in Applied Behavior Analysis features a partnership with the Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Department of Behavioral Psychology. Instead of a master’s thesis, the MA in ABA requires students to complete a full behavioral intervention, providing a unique learning experience that no thesis paper can compare to.

• Degrees Offered:
  • MEd in Non-Licensure Special Education
  • MEd in Special Education and ABA
  • MEd in Autism and ABA
  • MEd in ABA

• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $11,489
• Student to faculty ratio: 14:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: none

The Institute for Behavioral Studies in the Van Loan School at Endicott College turned out its first graduating class of educators trained in the art and science of ABA in the spring of 2017. Though Endicott doesn’t currently hold ABAI-BAAB accreditation, when you consider the amazing faculty and the fact that the school offers more specialized program options for teachers interested in studying ABA than almost anybody else, it’s no wonder why we couldn’t help but include them on this list.

Simmons University
Department of Behavior Analysis
Boston, MA
Website

• Degrees offered:
  • MS in Behavior Analysis, on-campus, online
  • EdS in Behavior Analysis, on-campus, online
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $20,718
• Student to faculty ratio: 7:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: none
• Number of ABA master’s degrees awarded each year: 61

We love the fact that Simmons College’s Department of Behavior Analysis houses both an MS for general practitioners and an EdS for educators. Students in these programs graduate with everything they need to excel in careers ranging from instructional design and special education (EdS program graduates) to organizational behavior management, behavioral medicine and even animal training (MS program graduates). Students in these programs will gain practical experience at an approved site as part of Simmons’ unique mentoring program—at least 10 hours a week for a total of at least 750 work hours. It’s no surprise that graduates report a first time pass rate of 80% on the BCBA exam compared to the national average of just 65%.

Eastern Michigan University
Department of Psychology
Ypsilanti, MI
Website

• Degrees offered: Clinical Behavioral MS in Psychology
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $16,355 (in-state), $29,075 (out-of-state)
• Student to faculty ratio: 17:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE
• Number of ABA master’s degrees awarded each year: 7

The MS in Clinical Behavioral Psychology through Eastern Michigan University prepares students not only for the BCBA exam, but for licensure and clinical practice as a Limited License Psychologist (LLP) in the state of Michigan. All students will participate in a 500-hour field practicum as part of this program.

Western Michigan University
Department of Psychology
Kalamazoo, MI
Website

• Degrees offered: MA in Behavior Analysis, on-campus
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $14,212 (in-state), $29,118 (out-of-state)
• Student to faculty ratio: 17:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE (verbal and quantitative)
• Number of ABA master’s degrees awarded each year: N/A

The MA in Behavior Analysis through Western Michigan University prepares students for doctoral work or for careers in community mental health and government, or in areas like I/O behavioral management in business and industrial settings, among others. Just some of the research facilities available to students include non-human behavior labs, child and adult studies labs, organizational behavior management labs, and physiological research facilities, providing students with unparalleled exposure to ABA in practice.

St. Cloud University
Department of Community Psychology, Counseling and Family Therapy
St. Cloud, MN
Website

• Degrees offered: MS in Applied Behavior Analysis, on-campus and online
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $8,256 (in-state), $12,084 (out-of-state)
• Student to faculty ratio: 22:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE
• Number of ABA master’s degrees awarded each year: 38

St. Cloud University’s MS in ABA is offered as both an on-campus and online program, providing an option that suits the needs of traditional and non-traditional students alike. The success of this program is evident, as this university has the highest BCBA pass rate of any online ABA program. Many graduates go on to enjoy successful careers treating individuals with autism and other developmental, cognitive and behavioral disorders.

Saint Louis University
School of Social Work
St. Louis, MO
Website

• Programs offered:
  • Master of Science in ABA
  • Post-Master’s Certificate in ABA
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $19,996
• Student to faculty ratio: 9:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: none
• Number of ABA master’s awarded each year: 7

Applied behavior analysis with a social conscious is at the heart of Saint Louis University’s ABA graduate program options. In fact, SLU holds the distinction of having the only ABA program in the nation housed within a school of social work. The university is also the first in the nation to offer a Master of Social Work with an ABA concentration. Though this program has not elected to pursue ABAI-BAAB accreditation, we felt these unique attributes made it deserving of an honorable mention here on our list of top grad programs.

University of Nevada
Department of Psychology
Reno, NV
Website

• Degrees offered: MA in Psychology, Behavior Analysis specialization, on-campus and via satellite programs
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $5,287 (in-state), $19,197 (out-of-state)
• Student to faculty ratio: 21:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE (general scores only)
• Number of ABA master’s degrees awarded each year: 32 (psychology general)

Graduates of the MA in Psychology with Behavior Analysis concentration pursue careers in education and mental health settings, as well as in business and industry in unique niche areas like industrial organizational behavior management. The programs are delivered using a unique junior-colleague model, and focus on behaviorism, basic and applied research in human behavior, basic research in animal behavior, and instructional design and technology.

Caldwell University
Applied behavior Analysis
Caldwell, NJ
Website

Degrees offered:

• M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis
• Combined B.A. in Psychology/M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis
• Post-Master in Applied Behavior Analysis

Also offers a Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis

• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees):
  • MA in Applied Behavior Analysis: $44,775
  • Combined BA in Psychology/MA in Applied Behavior Analysis: $35,940/$32,835
  • Ph.D.: $105,750
• Student to faculty ratio: 12:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE or MAT (students who already hold a master’s degree are exempt from this requirement)
• Number of ABA master’s degrees awarded each year: 21

Students choosing Caldwell University’s MA or combined BA/MA in ABA often pursue careers in special education, developmental services, and mental health services. And with the Caldwell Ph.D. and advanced BCBA-D certification, even more opportunities including leadership roles in industry and academia will start opening up.  We love the fact that Caldwell offers options with ambitious ABA undergraduate students in mind, providing a fast-track to earning a master’s and qualifying to take the BCBA exam. Both programs culminate in an original research thesis focused on their chosen area of ABA.

Queens College of CUNY
New York, NY
Website

• Degrees offered:
• Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis
• Advanced Certificate Program in ABA (for those who already have a master’s)
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $11,090
• Student to faculty ratio: 15:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE scores (for master’s program)
• Number of ABA master’s degrees awarded each year: 17

Whether you already hold a master’s degree or are interested in earning one, Queens College has you covered if ABA graduate studies are what you’re after. Both the MA and the advanced post-master’s certificate in ABA are recognized by New York State as licensure qualifying programs, and both include the BACB Verified Course Sequence required to meet the curriculum requirements for BCBA certification. At Queens College, you’ll also get the experience you need. Whether you’re a conventional graduate student in the MA program or pursuing the post-master’s certificate, you’ll get first hand experience with ABA in practice working alongside expert faculty in the on-site QC ACES (Queens College Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities Evidence Based Services).

Teachers College, Columbia University
Department of Health & Behavior Studies
New York, NY
Website

• Degrees offered: MA in Teaching as Applied Behavior Analysis, on-campus
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $37,164
• Student to faculty ratio: N/A
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE
• Number of ABA master’s degrees awarded each year: unknown; just 15-25 students are accepted into the program each year

The Teachers College of Columbia University offers a master’s in ABA, which prepares students to not only become certified educators capable of working with early learners from birth to age 6 in New York State, but also prepares them for BCBA certification. Students of this unique program attend classes in the evening while participating in paid internships during the day.

Ohio State University
Department of Educational Studies
Columbus, OH
Website

• Degrees offered: MA in Educational Studies, Special Education, with an ABA emphasis, on-campus
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $12,425 (in-state), $32,873 (out-of-state)
• Student to faculty ratio: 19:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: current GRE scores if GPA is less than 3.0
• Number of ABA master’s degrees awarded each year: not available

The Master of Arts in Educational Studies prepares students to work with adults and children with ASD as well as other behavioral and cognitive disorders. Graduates are also eligible to earn a teaching license and bring the important skills they develop in this program to the classroom, in addition to meeting the course requirements for BCBA certification.

University of Cincinnati
School of Psychology
Cincinnati, OH
Website

• Degrees offered:
  • EdS in School Psychology, on-campus
  • Master of Education in Foundations in Behavior Analysis, online
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $14,468 (in-state), $26,210 (out-of-state)
• Student to faculty ratio: 17:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE
• Number of ABA master’s degrees awarded each year: 258 (general school psychology)

The EdS in School Psychology is a specialist-level master’s program that includes two years of full-time study, followed by a 10-month, full-time internship in a school setting. No thesis is required for this program; instead, students complete an internship professional practice portfolio. The University of Cincinnati’s Master of Education in Foundations in Behavior Analysis prepares students with a foundational education in ABA, education, and psychology applicable to working in the classroom and beyond. Graduates of this online program practice in schools and other agencies where they often work with children with autism and other behavioral disorders. Students can complete this program is as little as five semesters (20 months) through a 100% online format.

Lipscomb University
College of Education
Nashville, Tennessee
Website

Degrees offered:
Master of Science in ABA
Master’s in Psychology (with BCBA VCS)
M.Ed. in Special Education (with BCBA VCS)

Stand-alone Verified Course Sequence for BCBA Certification (For those who already have one of the master’s degrees listed above)

• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $22,872
• Student to faculty ratio: 13:1
• Entrance exam required: GRE
• Number of ABA master’s degrees awarded each year: 12

We love Lipscomb University for its reputation as a leader and innovator in education in Tennessee and throughout the nation. And nowhere is this clearer than with the BCBA Verified Course Sequence the school makes available as part of their MS in ABA, or as an add-on certificate for psychology and special education graduate students. It’s even available as a stand-alone course sequence for those who already have a qualifying graduate degree but just need the courses required to take the BCBA exam. In all situations, students get unique Business Essentials foundational courses and opportunities to participate in meaningful research and field work. Financial aid is available to many, and if you’re an educator in Tennessee interested in the M.Ed. or stand-alone VCS, you may qualify for a 26% in-service scholarship.

University of Houston at Clear Lake
School of Human Sciences and Humanities
Houston, TX
Website

• Degrees offered: MA in Behavior Analysis, on-campus
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $9,031 (in-state), $18,337 (out-of-state)
• Student to faculty ratio: 15:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE
• Number of ABA master’s degrees awarded each year: 12

The MA in Behavior Analysis through University of Houston is a unique research-based program that is also focused on producing practitioners capable of providing therapeutic services for those with developmental disabilities. Students complete a variety of hands-on practicum and research experiences in home, school, and clinical settings, including the Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities. All students complete a major research project before graduating.

University of North Texas
Department of Behavior Analysis
Denton, TX
Website

• Degrees offered: MS in Behavior Analysis, on-campus
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $7,183 (in-state), $14,527(out-of-state)
• Student to faculty ratio: 26:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE
• Number of ABA master’s degrees awarded each year: 17

As the very first program in the nation to earn ABAI accreditation, the MS in Behavior Analysis through University of North Texas has earned a reputation as a stellar academic program and has attracted students from all over the world. This program includes a variety of research opportunities, including the Behavior Research Laboratory and the Behavior Analysis Online Research Group.

Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences
Department of Behavioral Science
Oslo, Norway
Website

• Degrees offered: Master of Behavior Science
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): No tuition fees; however, students need money for study material
• Student to faculty ratio: Better than 20:1 (we pride ourselves on the close contact with students)
• Entrance exam(s) required: Bachelor’s degree or similar with a C average; no entrance exam required
• Number of ABA master’s degrees awarded each year: 20 or more

If you’ve been thinking about a study abroad opportunity, OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University –  could be exactly what you’re looking for. It is the third largest university  in Norway, accepting many international students. Many courses are taught in English to accommodate international students. The Master’s in Behavior Science program teaches students about the effective tools and techniques used to start and lead change processes at the levels of the individual and the level of the system. Behavior analysis adds value to all professional repertoires.

Florida Institute of Technology
School of Behavior Analysis
Melbourne, FL
Website

• Degrees offered: PhD in Behavior Analysis, on-campus
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $22,588
• Student to faculty ratio: 13:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE
• Number of ABA doctoral degrees awarded each year: 2

The PhD in Behavior Analysis through Florida Institute of Technology is designed to produce behavior-analytic researchers, practitioners, and instructors. Graduates of these programs often pursue academic positions and continue active research programs that are vital to improving the understanding of behavioral disorders and what therapies are proving to be most effective. A dissertation must be presented and defended as a requirement for graduation.

University of South Florida
Department of Child and Family Studies
Tampa, FL
Website

• Degrees offered: PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis, on-campus
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $10,428 (in-state), $3,982 (out-of-state)
• Student to faculty ratio: 22:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: 40th percentile on the quantitative, verbal, and analytic GRE subtests
• Number of ABA doctoral degrees awarded each year: N/A

The PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis is a research-intensive program that includes literature reviews and a dissertation in an environment where faculty provide supervision and mentorship, fostering a deep understanding of applied behavior analysis and treatment evaluation in action. Students will get a chance to make a meaningful contribution to the body of research and literature by presenting their research at meetings of the Florida Association for Behavior Analysis and the Association for Behavior Analysis International, working with faculty mentors to have their work published. Students will also participate in mentored and independent teaching experiences, both in-class and online.

Southern Illinois University
Rehabilitation Institute
Carbondale, IL
Website

• Degrees offered: PhD in Behavior Analysis and Therapy
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $14,583 (in-state), $30,369 (out-of-state)
• Student to faculty ratio: 15:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: none
• Number of ABA doctoral degrees awarded each year: N/A

Southern Illinois’ PhD in Rehabilitation with a specialization in behavior analysis has a long history of student-centered research. Doctoral students work closely with a faculty member in behavior analysis who will also serve as their academic advisor and chair to their dissertation committee. This unique professor-student collaboration is so fundamental to the structure of this program that upon enrollment students are expected to specify which professors they wish to work with and are ultimately selected for the program on the basis of how well their strengths and goals align with those professors.

University of Kansas
Department of Applied behavioral Science
Lawrence, KS
Website

• Degrees offered: PhD in Behavioral Psychology, on-campus
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $10,438 (in-state), $23,134 (out-of-state)
• Student to faculty ratio: 17:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE not required, but encouraged
• Number of ABA doctoral degrees awarded each year: 28 (total psychology)

The PhD in Behavioral Psychology through University of Kansas prepares students to become highly competent researchers in the field of ABA. The curriculum of this program includes training in applied, basic, and intervention research and operates according to a junior-colleague model that provides a unique mentorship experience for students. Students of the program conduct in-depth research and prepare manuscripts for presentation and publication.

• Degrees Offered: PhD in ABA
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $11,489
• Student to faculty ratio: 14:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: none

Endicott has applied for ABAI-BAAB accreditation, and will soon be counted among the short list of schools with an accredited ABA PhD program. A rare distinction that earned this program a place on our list a little early. This research-based doctorate will give you the educational qualifications for the esteemed BCBA-D credential and prepare you to make real contributions to the field of ABA.

Western New England University
College of Arts and Sciences
Springfield, MA
Website

• Degrees offered: PhD in Behavior Analysis, on-campus
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $24,120
• Student to faculty ratio: 4:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE (verbal and quantitative)
• Number of behavior analysis doctoral degrees awarded each year: 6

Western New England University’s PhD in Behavior Analysis is a world-renowned program that was designed in response to an increasing demand for scientists and practitioners skilled in treating individuals with autism and related disabilities. This program includes both coursework and supervised practical and research experiences. One of the things that make this program special is the partnership the College of Arts and Sciences maintains with the prestigious New England Center for Children, a school with more than 250 children with autism and a faculty of more than 1,000 teachers.

Western Michigan University
Department of Psychology
Kalamazoo, MI
Website

• Degrees offered: PhD in Behavior Analysis, on-campus
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $14,212 (in-state), $29,118 (out-of-state)
• Student to faculty ratio: 17:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE (verbal and quantitative)
• Number of ABA doctoral degrees awarded each year: 8

The PhD in Behavior Analysis through Western Michigan University produces graduates that go on to become leaders in every area behavior analysis is applied – everything from teaching and research positions at a college or university, to professional positions in industrial/organizational behavior management in business and industry, to systems-oriented work in the area of human services. This program is research-intensive, with students spending much of their time working alongside faculty members to receive the kind of mentorship and immediate feedback that would be hard to find in other programs.

University of Nebraska Medical Center
Munroe-Meyer Institute
Omaha, NE
Website

• Degrees offered: PhD in ABA, on-campus
• Students accepted into the program get a full tuition waiver, health benefits, and stipend
• Student to faculty ratio: 3:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE
• Number of ABA doctoral degrees awarded each year: 2.8 mean since 2012 (5 total students admitted each year)

University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Munroe-Meyer Institute prepares students through a program that encourages independent study, investigation, and research in ABA. Graduates go on to assume leadership positions in clinical, research, and academic settings. This ABA doctoral program is the only one in the state of Nebraska. This alone makes it a groundbreaking program in its own right, but add to that the fact that it’s the first in the nation to become integrated with a University Center of Excellence on Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) to serve as an intermediary between the academic community and the public, and you know you have something really special.

University of Nevada
Department of Psychology
Reno, NV
Website

• Degrees offered: PhD in Behavior Analysis, on-campus
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $5,287 (in-state), $19,197 (out-of-state)
• Student to faculty ratio: 21:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE
• Number of ABA doctoral degrees awarded each year: 25 (total psychology)

The PhD in Behavior Analysis through University of Nevada’s Department of Psychology balances basic, applied and theoretical training in ABA. This program follows a junior-colleague model to put doctoral students and experienced professors together in a way that encourages mentorship and collaboration through supervised experience and training designed to teach theory and methodology of behavior analysis, basic and applied research in human behavior, and the philosophies of behaviorism.

Caldwell University
Applied Behavior Analysis
Caldwell, NJ
Website

• Degrees offered: PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis, on-campus
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $17,120
• Student to faculty ratio: 12:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE or MAT
• Number of ABA doctoral degrees awarded each year: 3

The PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis through Caldwell University is designed to prepare students for success in high-demand areas like special education, mental health, and academia. Students will develop research skills and learn how to present their findings in a way that can be used to contribute to the body of ABA literature through a dissertation research study written in American Psychological Association (APA) format.

Teachers College, Columbia University
Department of Health & Behavior Studies
New York, NY
Website

• Degrees offered: PhD in Teaching as ABA, on-campus
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $37,164
• Student to faculty ratio: N/A
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE
• Number of ABA doctoral degrees awarded each year: 122 (education total)

The PhD in Teaching as ABA through Columbia University Teachers College builds on master’s-level research to provide you with a deep understanding of how ABA principles can be used to create the most inclusive and effective learning environment possible for children with ASD and other developmental and cognitive disorders. The program culminates in a dissertation designed to identify and investigate a topic related to the mission of the program. Your dissertation will give you an opportunity to contribute research to both the applied and basic sciences.

Ohio State University
Department of Educational Studies
Columbus, OH
Website

• Degrees offered: PhD in Educational Studies, Special Education, on-campus
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $12,425 (in-state), $32,873 (out-of-state)
• Student to faculty ratio: 19:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE scores
• Number of ABA doctoral degrees awarded each year: N/A

The PhD in Educational Studies, Special Education through Ohio State University is designed to prepare graduates for careers in research and teaching. Students of this program will develop competencies that will prepare them to conduct applied research, contribute literature on public education, teach at the college level, and serve the community.

University of Cincinnati
School of Psychology
Cincinnati, OH
Website

• Degrees offered: PhD in School Psychology, on-campus
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): $14,468 (in-state), $26,210 (out-of-state)
• Student to faculty ratio: 17:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE or GMAT
• Number of ABA doctoral degrees awarded each year: 5

The PhD in School Psychology through University of Cincinnati is comprised of three years of coursework and integrative field experiences, along with a ten-month, full-time internship of at least 1,500 hours. This provides the perfect combination of didactic and experiential learning. Students of this program prepare to become highly competent school psychologists, making significant contributions through practice, research, professional leadership, teaching, and supervision.

West Virginia University
Department of Psychology
Morgantown, WV
Website

• Degrees offered: PhD in Psychology with a specialization in Behavior Analysis (on-campus)
• Estimated cost per academic year (tuition + fees): Tuition is waived for all doctoral students in good standing
• Student to faculty ratio: 3.2:1
• Entrance exam(s) required: GRE
• Number of ABA doctoral degrees awarded each year: 21 (psychology total); 3 of which are behavior-analysis doctoral students

West Virginia University’s PhD in Behavior Analysis prepares graduates to take on positions in academia and applied practice, providing a focus on basic research and theory, and by ensuring graduates come away with an understanding of how the principles of ABA are applied in clinical practice. Students study both experimental and applied analysis, with many graduates going on to contribute to developing new behavioral change technology – everything from interactive software to wearable technology used to improve health and quality of life. While the curriculum consists of basic, conceptual, and applied areas of ABA, students may choose to focus on either basic or applied research.