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

While working with students who have autism or similar disorders can be challenging, the potential reward is immeasurable. A degree in Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA, gives you the tools and skills to help these children and their families. ABA applies the principles and theories derived from studying behavior to solve social, behavioral and learning problems.

By using ABA methods with students, you can help them learn to increase and maintain desired behaviors, acquire new skills, transfer behavior from one situation to another, reduce interfering behaviors and narrow down situations in which these interfering behaviors occur.

Jumpstart Your Career in Behavior Analysis, Explore No GRE Required Online ABAI Programs:

ABAI-Verified, 12-Month Online ABA from Pepperdine

Earn your master’s in applied behavior analysis in less than 2 years online at Pepperdine. Experience clinical training and prepare to sit for the board certified behavior analyst exam. GRE not required.

  • GRE not required 
  • Complete online in as few as 12 months 
  • Prepare to sit for the board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) exam

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Earn your Master’s Degree in Behavior Analysis from Simmons University

Earn your master’s degree in behavior analysis online in 20 months through Simmons’ highly respected program, BehaviorAnalysis@Simmons.

  • Complete Your Master’s in 20 Months
  • No GRE Required 
  • ABAI-verified course sequence

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Autism is a frequently studied specialization in ABA. Persons with this disorder tend to respond well to ABA interventions, with observed improvements in their communication, social relationships, play, self-care, school performance and employment. 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 two key components to becoming a practicing behavior analyst: earning a master’s degree in ABA from an accredited institution and getting board certified. The second component, board certification, involves becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) by obtaining a graduate degree and sitting for, and passing, the associated exam created by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). For details on the BCBA exam, review exam information directly from the BACB.

A master’s degree from an accredited institution is essential to becoming a practicing behavior analyst, and, when combined with state certification, will allow you to become a behavior analyst at varying grade levels. Often, for the busy professional, online BCBA programs offer the most convenient and flexible path to certification without compromising quality and rigor. The course content in such programs often mirrors that of traditional programs.

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. Paper and online forms are both generally accepted.
  2. Bachelor’s degree: You should have a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent from an accredited institution prior to applying to an ABA program.
  3. Transcripts: Request transcripts in advance of the application deadline, and upload one official copy of each transcript from any postsecondary schools you have attended.
  4. Personal statement: Write a personal statement, which is typically presented in essay form. You may be required to submit multiple essays to fully express the intent and purpose of your application. 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.
  6. Letters of recommendation: Submit your letters of recommendation. The number of letters required varies with each school. Be sure to request them well in advance of the deadline.
  7. Test scores: Mail in copies of your test scores. Many schools require GRE General Test scores or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)/International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores for international students, however, some programs do not require test scores. 

BCBA Online Programs

When searching for an online ABA program that works for you, be sure to check to ensure that the program is certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). The certification process involves the BACB reviewing ABA program curriculum to ensure that it follows standards and features up-to-date course content that best prepares students for careers in behavior analysis. Programs that meet BACB standards are able to provide for their students a quality education that can help them take the next steps toward becoming a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst), a qualification that enhances their personal credibility in the field.

Typically, BCBA online programs will place a heavy emphasis on practical application of modern research, methodology and exploration of a variety of ABA techniques and schools of thought.

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. However, a typical master’s program in ABA can include courses in:

  • Intensive practical training
  • Biological foundations of behavior
  • ABA electives
  • Research/thesis

Careers in Applied Behavior Analysis

After completing an online ABA master’s program, the next step is to get licensed, which will enable you to officially work in the field of your choice. Every state has its own licensure requirements to become a school behavior analyst but gaining licensure can be facilitated by earning a degree from a BCBA online program. The median annual wage for psychologists, who are in a discipline related to applied behavior analysis, was $85,330 in May 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many behavior analyst roles are in schools ranging from the elementary level through to high school. Learn more about careers in applied behavior analysis.

Graduates of online ABA master’s programs can pursue other specializations and different roles, including:

  1. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD): Behavior analysts specializing in autism and other developmental disabilities focus on helping children and students improve language, motor, social and self-care skills.
  2. Special education teacher: These professionals educate special needs students, and address their individual differences and needs to promote learning, motivation and self-sufficiency.

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. We’ve made note of the programs with Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) accreditation status and strongly encourage you to check the university websites to find out if they offer a BCBA online program as well.

Teach.com has compiled a comprehensive list of online ABA master’s programs in the United States with their GRE requirements and degree type. Find a school that interests you and find out what it takes to graduate from one of these online ABA programs. Below are the online applied behavior analysis programs of 2023.

Arcadia University

School of Education

Master of Education in Applied Behavioral Analysis

Glenside, Pennsylvania

Name of Degree: Master of Education in Applied Behavioral Analysis

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: N/A

Credits: 36

Concentrations:

Child and Youth Services

Admission Requirements:

  • A graduate application
  • Including personal statement
  • 3.0 GPA
  • Assessment Tests in Reading, Writing, and Math can be submitted when the GPA is below 3.0
  • Baccalaureate students must submit passing scores from: PAPA, CORE, SAT or ACT
  • Official transcripts from all colleges attended
  • Proof of any Pennsylvania teaching certificates
  • 2 letters of recommendation
  • Current clearances for Child Abuse, Criminal Background Check and FBI Fingerprinting
  • TOEFL or IELTS Scores for international applicants
Learn more about the Master of Education in Applied Behavioral Analysis from Arcadia University

Ball State University

Department of Psychology

Master of Arts, Applied Behavior Analysis

Muncie, Indiana

Name of Degree: Master of Arts, Applied Behavior Analysis

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 2+ years

Credits: 30

Concentrations:

Child and Youth Services, Disabilities, Mental Health

Admission Requirements:

  • A graduate application
  • Personal statement
  • 3.0 GPA
  • Official transcripts from all colleges attended
  • 3 letters of recommendation
  • TOEFL or IELTS Scores for international applicants
Learn more about the Master of Arts, Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University

Cairn University

School of Education

Master of Arts, Applied Behavior Analysis

Langhorne, Pennsylvania

Name of Degree: Master of Arts, Applied Behavior Analysis

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 1.5+ years

Credits: 30

Concentrations:

Disabilities, Children and Youth, Mental Health

Admission Requirements:

  • A graduate application
  • Baccalaureate standing
  • Personal statement
  • Spiritual Statement
  • 3.0 GPA
  • Official transcripts from all colleges attended
  • 2 letters of recommendation
Learn more about the Master of Arts, Applied Behavior Analysis from Cairn University

California University of Pennsylvania

Master of Education, Applied Behavior Analysis

California, Pennsylvania

Name of Degree: Master of Education, Applied Behavior Analysis

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: N/A

Credits: 33

Concentrations:

Disabilities, Children and Youth, Adults & Healthy Aging

Admission Requirements:

  • A graduate application
  • Baccalaureate standing
  • Personal statement
  • Spiritual Statement
  • 3.0 GPA
  • Official transcripts from all colleges attended
  • 2 letters of recommendation
Learn more about the Master of Education, Applied Behavior Analysis from California University of Pennsylvania

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

School of Education

Master of Arts in Psychology (Applied Behavior Analysis)

Chicago, Illinois

Name of Degree: Master of Arts in Psychology (Applied Behavior Analysis)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 1+ years

Credits: 36

Concentrations:

Disabilities, Mental Health

Admission Requirements:

  • Graduate application
  • Application Fee
  • Baccalaureate standing
  • Personal statement
  • Spiritual Statement
  • 2.3 GPA
  • Official transcripts from all colleges attended
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Valid Government issued I.D.
Learn more about the Master of Arts in Psychology (Applied Behavior Analysis) from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Drexel University

School of Education

Master's of Science in Applied Behavioral Analysis

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Name of Degree: Master’s of Science in Applied Behavioral Analysis

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 2+ years

Credits: 46-47

Concentrations: N/A

Admission Requirements:

  • Graduate application
  • Application Fee
  • Baccalaureate standing
  • Personal statement
  • 2.3 GPA
  • Official transcripts from all colleges attended
Learn more about the Master's of Science in Applied Behavioral Analysis from Drexel University

McNeese State University

Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Name of Degree: Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 2 years

Credits: 24

Concentrations:

Behavior Analysis, Ethical Conduct

Admission Requirements:

  • Graduate application
  • Application Fee
  • Baccalaureate standing from accredited institution
  • Personal Essay
  • 3.0 GPA
  • Official transcripts from all colleges attended
  • Two letters of recommendation 
  • Interview
  • TOEFL Scores for International Applicants
Learn more about the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from McNeese State University

Northeastern University

Bouve College of Health Sciences

Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis

Boston, Massachusetts

Name of Degree: Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis

Enrollment Type: Part-Time

Length of Program: 1.5+ years

Credits: 30

Concentrations:

Mental Health, Human Services

Admission Requirements:

  • Graduate application
  • Application Fee
  • Baccalaureate standing from accredited institution
  • Personal Essay
  • 3.0 GPA
  • Official transcripts
  • 2 letters of recommendation 
  • TOEFL Scores for International Applicants
Learn more about the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Northeastern University

Nova Southeastern University

College of Psychology

Master of Science in Counseling

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Name of Degree: Master of Science in Counseling

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 2+ years

Credits: 38-63

Concentrations:

Substance Abuse Couonseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, Applied Behavior Analysis, Substance Abuse Counseling & Education

Admission Requirements:

  • Graduate application
  • Application Fee
  • Baccalaureate standing from accredited institution
  • Personal Essay
  • 2.5 – 3.0 GPA
  • Official transcripts
  • 2 letters of recommendation 
  • TOEFL Scores 
Learn more about the Master of Science in Counseling from Nova Southeastern University

Russell Sage College

Department of Psychology

Master's of Education in Applied Behavioral Analysis

Troy/Albany, New York

Name of Degree: Master’s of Education in Applied Behavioral Analysis

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 1.5+ years

Credits: 36

Concentrations: N/A

Admission Requirements:

  • Graduate application
  • Application Fee
  • Baccalaureate standing from accredited institution
  • Personal Essay
  • 3.0 GPA
  • Official transcripts
  • Two letters of recommendation 
  • TOEFL Scores 
Learn more about the Master's of Education in Applied Behavioral Analysis from Russell Sage College

St. Cloud University

Department of Psychology

Master of Science, Applied Behavior Analysis

St. Cloud, Minnesota

Name of Degree: Master of Science, Applied Behavior Analysis

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 1.5+ years

Credits: 45-46

Concentrations: N/A

Admission Requirements:

  • Graduate application
  • Application Fee
  • Baccalaureate standing from accredited institution
  • Personal Essay
  • 3.0 GPA
  • Official transcripts
  • 2 letters of recommendation 
  • TOEFL Scores 
Learn more about the Master of Science, Applied Behavior Analysis from St. Cloud University

Texas A&M University

School of Educational Psychology

Applied Behavior Analysis Certification

College Station, Texas

Name of Degree: Applied Behavior Analysis Certification

Enrollment Type: N/A

Length of Program: N/A

Credits: 21

Concentrations: N/A

Admission Requirements:

  • Graduate application
  • Baccalaureate standing from accredited institution
  • Personal Essay
  • 3.0 GPA
  • Official transcripts
  • Two letters of recommendation
Learn more about the Applied Behavior Analysis Certification from Texas A&M University

University of Cincinnati

Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis

Cincinnati, Ohio

Name of Degree: Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 1 year

Credits: 21

Concentrations:

Disabilities, Child and Youth Services

Admission Requirements:

  • Graduate application
  • Baccalaureate standing from accredited institution
  • Personal Essay
  • 3.0 GPA
  • Official transcripts
  • Two letters of recommendation
Learn more about the Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis from University of Cincinnati

University of Nevada, Reno

Department of Psychology

Master of Arts, Applied Behavior Analysis

Reno, Nevada

Name of Degree: Master of Arts, Applied Behavior Analysis

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 2+ years

Credits: 30

Concentrations:

Disabilities, Children and Youth, Human Services

Admission Requirements:

  • Graduate application
  • Application Fee
  • Baccalaureate standing from accredited institution
  • Personal Essay
  • 3.0 GPA
  • Official transcripts
  • 2 letters of recommendation 
  • TOEFL Scores 
  • IELTS Scores
Learn more about the Master of Arts, Applied Behavior Analysis from University of Nevada, Reno

University of South Florida

Master of Science, Applied Behavior Analysis

Tampa, Florida

Name of Degree: Master of Science, Applied Behavior Analysis

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 2 years

Credits: 44

Concentrations:

Disabilities, Children and Youth, Mental Health

Admission Requirements:

  • Graduate application
  • Baccalaureate standing from accredited institution
  • Personal Essay
  • Official transcripts
  • 3.0 GPA
Learn more about the Master of Science, Applied Behavior Analysis from University of South Florida

University of Southern Maine

Department of Psychology

Master's in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis

Portland, Maine

Name of Degree: Master’s in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 2+ years

Credits: +30

Concentrations:

Disabilities, Children and Youth

Admission Requirements:

  • Graduate application
  • Baccalaureate standing from accredited institution
  • Personal Essay
  • Official transcripts
  • 3.0 GPA
Learn more about the Master's in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis from University of Southern Maine

University of West Florida

College of Education

Master of Education, Applied Behavior Analysis

Pensacola, Florida

Name of Degree: Master of Education, Applied Behavior Analysis

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 2 years

Credits: 47

Concentrations:

Disabilities, Children and Youth, Mental Health

Admission Requirements:

  • Graduate application
  • Application Fee
  • Baccalaureate standing from accredited institution
  • Personal Essay
  • 3.0 GPA
  • Official transcripts
  • 2 letters of recommendation 
  • GRE Scores
Learn more about the Master of Education, Applied Behavior Analysis from University of West Florida

Western Connecticut State University

Master of Science, Applied Behavior Analysis

Danbury, Connecticut

Name of Degree: Master of Science, Applied Behavior Analysis

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 1.5+ years

Credits: 30

Concentrations:

Disabilities, Children and Youth, Mental Health

Admission Requirements:

  • Graduate application
  • Application Fee
  • Baccalaureate standing from accredited institution
  • Essay Response: In a single, double-spaced page please tell us why you believe you are a good “fit” for Western Connecticut State University’s Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program. To evaluate your application, it will be helpful to have the following information such as why do you wish to pursue a career in ABA, what are your goals upon earning a degree, and what are some experiences that you feel prepare you for success in our program (e.g., relevant coursework, GPA, job, etc.)? 
  • 2.8 GPA
  • Official transcripts
  • 2 letters of recommendation
Learn more about the Master of Science, Applied Behavior Analysis from Western Connecticut State University

Last updated July 2023.