The Guide to Online Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis Programs (ABA)

Autism is one area where behavior analysts apply ABA. According to the CDC, behavioral approaches have the most evidence for treating symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, and ABA is a notable behavioral treatment for autism. If you are interested in helping students in a school setting overcome behavioral and learning disorders to achieve academic success, earning an online master’s degree in ABA may be the right choice for you.

There are three key components to becoming a practicing behavior analyst with a master’s degree: earning a qualifying master’s degree, completing supervised fieldwork and getting board certified. The last component, board certification, involves becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) by meeting the eligibility requirements in the BACB BCBA Handbook and passing the associated exam created by the BACB. For details on the BCBA exam, review exam information directly from the BACB.

According to the BACB BCBA Handbook, every eligibility pathway to BCBA certification requires a master’s degree or higher, and many licensure boards require the certification. Learn more about how to become a behavior analyst. Online programs can suit working professionals who need flexibility. The BACB Handbook notes that behavior analysis courses are usually taught on campus, online or in a combination, and suggests considering which structure fits the way you learn.

ABA Master's Online Admission Requirements

Before you begin the application process, be sure to contact your desired accredited institution for information about any prerequisites you may need to fulfill. Depending on the requirements of the program you are applying to, you may be asked to submit some or all of the following items:

1. Application: Fill out an initial application, which you can find on the website of your accredited institution of choice. Some programs accept applications only online; USF, for example, states that all graduate applications must be submitted online.
2. Bachelor’s degree: You should have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution prior to applying to an ABA program. USF requires a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university.
3. Transcripts: Request transcripts in advance of the application deadline from each postsecondary school you have attended. Submission rules vary: USF and Pepperdine accept unofficial transcripts for initial review but require official ones to complete admission.
4. Personal statement: Write a personal statement, which is typically presented in essay form. ASU Online asks for a statement of your interests and reasons for seeking the degree, and Pepperdine asks for a statement of purpose covering your training, interests and professional goals. Below are some common topics that could be the focus of your essay:
   • Your main academic and personal interests
   • Experiences in school or work that have helped to prepare you for this course of study
   • Why you wish to study for the degree you’ve chosen
   • Why you wish to study at the university
   • Your plans for the future after you earn your degree
5. Résumé/CV: Upload a copy of your most recent résumé or curriculum vitae as part of your application. ASU Online and USF both list a current CV or résumé as required.
6. Letters of recommendation: Submit your letters of recommendation. The number of letters required varies with each school; ASU Online requires one, Pepperdine two and USF three. Be sure to request them well in advance of the deadline.
7. Test scores: Test score requirements vary by program. ASU Online and USF state that Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test scores are not required, and Pepperdine accepts Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores from applicants whose native language is not English.

BCBA Online Programs

When searching for an online ABA program that works for you, check how it connects to BCBA certification. The BACB certifies individual behavior analysts, while the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) accredit degree programs. Under Pathway 1 in the BACB BCBA Handbook, a master’s degree or higher from a program that was accredited by APBA, or accredited or recognized by ABAI under Tier 1, 2a or 2b, meets both the degree and coursework requirements. The program must have held that status when you earned the degree, and for ABAI the degree must have been earned in 2015 or later. You must still complete supervised fieldwork and pass the exam. Under Pathway 2, you need a master’s degree in any field plus 315 hours of behavior-analytic coursework from an institution with a qualifying Pathway 2 Program Contact. Learn more about how BACB certification works.

What to check in an online ABA program

Before you apply, confirm the following with each school:

1. Accreditation for the format you will study in. Use the ABAI accredited programs directory to check a program’s status. ABAI notes that accreditation of a degree program does not extend to all campuses or formats where that degree is offered, so ask whether the online version is covered. Pathway 1 also depends on the program’s status when you earn the degree, so ask whether its status will cover the year you graduate.
2. A Pathway 2 route, if the program does not qualify under Pathway 1. Ask whether the school has a qualifying Pathway 2 Program Contact and whether its coursework covers every content area and hour the BACB requires.
3. Fieldwork. Ask whether supervised fieldwork is part of the program or arranged separately. The BACB BCBA Handbook says that even when you do not receive all of your fieldwork through the degree-granting program, faculty will likely help you identify where to accrue your hours.
4. Exam pass rates. The BACB publishes annual examination pass-rate data for universities with Pathway 2 coursework programs and for ABAI-accredited programs, according to the BACB BCBA Handbook. Ask each school how its graduates have performed.

BCBA requirements: degree, fieldwork and exam

The BACB BCBA Handbook describes four requirements for certification under Pathways 1 and 2, which are based on a master’s degree or higher: a qualifying degree, behavior-analytic coursework, supervised fieldwork and passing the BCBA exam. Your degree must come from a qualifying institution, which in the United States means one listed in the Council for Higher Education Accreditation database. The Handbook also describes faculty (Pathway 3) and postdoctoral (Pathway 4) routes with different experience requirements.

• Supervised fieldwork under Pathways 1 and 2: You must complete 2,000 hours of Supervised Fieldwork, 1,500 hours of Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork (which has more intensive supervision requirements) or a combination of the two, according to the BACB BCBA Handbook.
• The exam: After the BACB approves your application, you schedule the exam through Pearson VUE. The BCBA exam has 185 multiple-choice questions and lasts four hours, according to the BACB examination information page.

The BACB is changing its requirements. According to the BACB’s 2027 BCBA requirements, individuals who apply beginning January 1, 2027, may use one of two pathways: a degree from an APBA-accredited program or an ABAI-accredited or recognized program under Tier 1, 2a or 2b (Pathway 1) or a master’s degree plus behavior-analytic coursework (Pathway 2). For Pathway 1, the program must have held that status when you earned the degree. The same document notes the 2032 removal of Pathway 2. The BACB BCBA Handbook says applicants must meet the requirements in place when they apply, so check the BACB’s current requirements before you enroll.

ABA Master's Online Curriculum

The curriculum and number of credits required to complete a master’s program vary widely depending on your school and specialization. For example, ASU Online lists 30 credit hours for its online program, while the University of Kansas requires 33 for its online applied behavioral science master’s. Requirements you may see include:

• Practical training: USF describes a structured practicum curriculum supporting 1,500 hours of supervised fieldwork.
• Research/thesis: The University of Kansas program includes a research capstone project, while USF describes a non-thesis pathway.

Confirm in each program’s official course catalog whether it includes ABA electives or coursework on the biological foundations of behavior.

Careers in Applied Behavior Analysis

After completing an online ABA master’s program and meeting the BACB’s requirements, the next step is to check whether your state licenses behavior analysts. According to the BACB, BACB certification and state licensure are separate, and licensure is not required in every state. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, psychologists (Standard Occupational Classification, or SOC, code 19-3030), who work in a discipline related to applied behavior analysis, had a median annual wage of $99,110 in the United States in May 2025. That figure covers the broad occupation of psychologists, not behavior analysts specifically. Behavioral approaches, of which ABA is one, are used in many schools and treatment clinics, according to the CDC. Learn more about careers in applied behavior analysis.

According to ASU Online, graduates of its online ABA master’s program may pursue roles in education, behavioral consulting, program management and social services. Other specializations and roles that use behavior analysis include:

1. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD): Behavior analysts specializing in autism apply ABA, which the CDC says includes tracking and measuring progress.
2. Special education teacher: According to O*NET, special education teachers at the middle school level teach academic, social and life skills to students with learning, emotional or physical disabilities. An ABA master’s degree may not lead to teacher certification; ASU Online, for example, states that its ABA degree does not.

Frequently asked questions about online ABA master’s programs

Can I become a BCBA with an online master’s degree?

Yes, if the degree and coursework meet the BACB’s requirements and you also complete supervised fieldwork and pass the exam. Under Pathway 1, the program must have held qualifying APBA or ABAI status when you earned the degree, according to the BACB BCBA Handbook. The Handbook notes that programs may be taught on campus, online or in a combination. ABAI says accreditation may not extend to every format a school offers, so confirm that the online version of the program is covered.

What is the difference between ABA and a BCBA?

Applied behavior analysis is the approach to analyzing and changing behavior described above, according to the BACB. BCBA is a credential. The BACB describes it as a graduate-level certification and says BCBAs are independent practitioners who can provide behavior-analytic services and supervise the work of RBTs, BCaBAs and other professionals.

Do behavior analysts need a state license?

It depends on the state. BACB certification and state licensure are separate, and licensure is not required in every state, according to the BACB’s page on U.S. licensure of behavior analysts. Check the requirements in the state where you plan to work.

Finding the Best ABA Online Master's Program For You

All Online Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis Programs

In searching for the best online ABA program that fits your needs, carefully consider the structure of the coursework and the admission requirements before making your decision. To see whether a program you are considering has Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) accreditation, use the ABAI accredited programs directory, and check the university website to find out if the school offers a BCBA online program as well.