Hawaii has few ABA master’s programs, but they are closely aligned with the realities of the archipelago: formats are mostly online on local time, with close mentoring and a culturally responsive focus designed for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. This design responds to a behavioral health landscape shaped by geographic dispersion and the need for community-based services on each island.
In parallel, the Department of Health’s Behavioral Health Administration drives initiatives to expand care in mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance use; graduate programs plug into this coordinated framework and help students align their practicum (when applicable) with schools, Med-QUEST providers, and community health centers on their own island.
Quick Facts
● ABAI/VCS-Aligned Programs in Hawaii: 1
● Fully Online ABA Master’s Programs: 1
● Average Program Length: 2 years
● Tuition Range (per unit): $650–$1,402
Masters Programs in Hawaii to Become a BCBA
Becoming a BCBA® in Hawaii follows three clear steps:
- complete a master’s degree that includes a Verified Course Sequence (VCS),
- accumulate supervised fieldwork hours, and
- pass the national exam (via Pearson VUE).
With growing demand in autism intervention, early intervention, and supports for developmental disabilities, these master’s programs offer a direct, applied pathway to meet BACB requirements and put skills to work in real-world settings across the islands.
Online ABA Masters Programs in Hawaii
For those who work or live on the Neighbor Islands, the online format is the most direct way to advance without relocating: some programs are asynchronous (self-paced), while others add live sessions for real-time interaction.Beyond “flexibility,” what stands out is how you learn: case-consult seminars where students bring data from their own sites (schools, clinics, agencies) and receive immediate feedback; remote supervision with video review on secure platforms; and employment–practicum bridges that allow supervised hours to count at the same place where you already work. Added to this are virtual labs for data analysis and simulations to practice clinical decisions before applying them with local families.
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
- Honolulu, Hawaii
- 31 hours
- Online
Program:
Master of Education in Special Education. Specialization Track in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Modality: Online
GRE Required: not specified
Length: 31 credit hours
Tuition: $650 per credit hour for in-state residents and $1,402 for out-of-state residents. With a total of 31 credit hours required, the total program cost is around $20,150 for in-state students and $43,462 for out-of-state students. Does not include additional fees, materials, or personal expenses.
Program Overview
The ABA specialization combines a common core (professional courses + capstone) with an ABA elective block. The university notes that, in this track, students may add supervised practicum credits if they wish to complete hours with academic support, and that learning is organized with regular faculty interaction on schedules compatible with in-service professionals.
Key Highlights
- Flexible track-based sequence: ABA is one of the official M.Ed. routes (alongside Leadership & Research and Interdisciplinary), maintaining the 31-credit minimum for the degree.
- Option for an ABA-specific practicum that combines fieldwork with integrative seminars.
Additional Considerations
- The specialization site indicates the ABA Track may include 4–12 additional credits if you complete supervision/fieldwork within the program itself; confirm your exact credit plan and timeline with advising.
- The academic unit publishes updated information about its ABA offerings and transitions from prior programs (e.g., historical VCS pages); review current notices before applying.
Accreditation
- Institutional: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) — UH Mānoa is accredited; recent reaffirmation with active status.
- Program-Specific: the track page does not indicate independent ABAI accreditation for the M.Ed.; check the VCS Directory for the most recent status of verified sequences.
BCBA Legislation in Hawaii
Hawaii regulates the profession through a state license for behavior analysts, administered by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA). To obtain the license, applicants must hold an active BACB® certification, complete a background check, and maintain continuing education; behavior technicians must work under licensed supervision. Regarding coverage, the state’s autism benefits law includes ABA when medically necessary, and Medicaid (QUEST Integration) funds ABA services for minors under EPSDT rules. In practice, professional work requires the combination of a state license + BACB® credential + compliance with insurer and public program requirements.
BCBA Demand in Hawaii
Demand is strong on O‘ahu (Honolulu and surrounding areas) and remains high on neighboring islands with fewer providers (Maui, Hawai‘i Island, Kaua‘i). The expansion of telehealth access has helped reach non-O‘ahu islands, though some vacancies remain difficult to fill outside the metropolitan area, making job and career growth prospects favorable throughout the archipelago.
