The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) is the organization that oversees training programs at the bachelor, master, and doctoral level. Programs that are ABAI accredited have undergone a review process and met the ABAI standards for accreditation. A university must have each program accredited, so one program may be accredited while the other is not. ABAI requires programs to exist for five years before they can become accredited.
When a university program is ABAI accredited, students can be confident that they will participate in the Verified Course Sequence and field experience required to learn the knowledge and skills to earn BCBA certification. Doctoral programs also include coursework and experiences with research including a dissertation.
Since 2009, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has become increasingly regulated. Currently, 38 states have requirements regarding licensure or requirements for who can work as an ABA therapist. This increase in regulation, as well as a steady increase in demand for BCBA certification since 2010, has resulted in standards and accreditation.
This article includes the ABAI Accredited Doctoral degree programs.
Read about ABAI accredited B.A. and masters programs here.
ABAI Accredited Doctoral Degree Programs
There are 10 ABAI accredited doctoral degree programs. All the programs are held on campus and students must attend in person. Some combine master’s coursework and doctoral courses and research. The goal of doctoral programs is to prepare students to be able to conduct, document, and present research, so there is a focus on conducting and presenting research. The capstone project for the PhD is a dissertation, and each program requires students to work with a faculty member to plan, implement, and defend a dissertation on a research question of their choice.
Caldwell University
- Caldwell, NJ
- Campus
Program:
PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: On campus
Length: Not listed
GRE Required: No
Tuition: $1,085 per credit hour, not including fees
Accreditation: ABAI
Program Overview: The Doctor of Philosophy in ABA prepares students to be leaders in the field of ABA. Students complete coursework, applied research, and complete their dissertation to apply ABA principles to individual and social conditions. The core coursework for the PhD focuses on practice and research, supporting individuals in complex environments, supervision and training of others, conceptual understanding of topics, and independent research. Students may have the opportunity to work at the Caldwell University Center for Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis.
Florida Institute of Technology
- Melbourne, FL
- Campus
Program:
PhD in Behavior Analysis
Modality: On campus
Length: 92 credit hours beyond a bachelor’s degree
GRE Required: No
Tuition: $1,310 per credit hour, not including fees
Accreditation: ABAI
Program Overview: The mission of the PhD in Behavior Analysis is to produce behavior-analytic researchers, instructors and practitioners who approach their work from a “radical behaviorist perspective.” Graduates are expected to contribute to the field of behavioral research and inform practice with research. After completing the PhD, graduates may pursue work in academia with a clear research focus. Applicants must have completed or be completing a master’s degree in behavior analysis and/or be a BCBA already. Students must successfully complete and defend a dissertation.
The Ohio State University
- Columbus, OH
- Campus
Program:
PhD in Special Education
Modality: On campus
Length: 3.5 to 4 years for full-time students
GRE Required: No
Tuition: $805.63 instructional fee per credit hour, $1802.44 non-resident surcharge
Accreditation: ABAI
Program Overview: The PhD in Special Education is focused on preparing students to be leaders in the field. It is a full-time program with a focus on preparation in research, teaching, and service. Students gain skills in conducting research, writing for publication, advanced applied behavior analysis, college teaching, and service. Students identify an area of specialization and work with their advisor. For the program, ABA is an area of specialization and students take coursework to prepare for the BCBA credential.
Teacher’s College, Columbia University
- New York, NY
- Campus
Program:
PhD in Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: On campus
Length: 75 credit hours
GRE Required: No
Tuition: $2,049 per credit hour, not including fees
Accreditation: ABAI
Program Overview: The Teaching as Applied Behavior Analysis PhD focuses on teacher training in which all instruction is based on scientific evidence and procedures to meet students’ individual learning and language development needs. In the PhD program, students build on their understanding of research which culminates in a dissertation that investigates a topic of interest and relevance. Dissertations must make contributions to applied and basic science. Students are engaged in generating and presenting research. Areas of research include: effective classroom practices, language or verbal development, classroom interventions, and more. Students who apply for the PhD must have taken the 12 core Master’s courses offered through Teacher’s College as a foundation for doctoral work. And, PhD students must be dually certified in New York State for teaching children birth through grade 6.
University of Kansas
- Lawrence, KS
- Campus
Program:
PhD in Behavioral Psychology
Modality: On campus
Length: Not listed
GRE Required: No
Tuition: $7,866 in-state tuition; $18,862 out-of-state tuition, not including fees
Accreditation: ABAI
Program Overview: The PhD in Behavioral Psychology program provides courses in the principles of behavior, experimental methods, and research design. Through a junior colleague model students work closely with advisors as they design and conduct research, prepare manuscripts, and present and publish. Students take one course in each of seven content areas and two practicum courses. Students must pass competency exams, and complete and defend a dissertation.
University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Omaha, NB
- Campus
Program:
PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: On campus
Length: 3 years
GRE Required: No
Tuition: $365 per credit hour for residents; $1,045 per credit hour for non-residents
Accreditation: ABAI
Program Overview: The PhDin ABA program includes clinical and research training. Doctoral students take courses in principles and concepts that they apply in clinical and research practice. Students are supervised in grant writing with the opportunity to submit grants for funding. They have the opportunity to specialize in autism, behavioral pediatrics, community outreach, feeding disorders, or severe behavior disorders. Students receive a stipend, health benefits, and a tuition waiver for up to 12 credits per semester.
University of Nevada
- Reno, NV
- Campus
Program:
PhD in Behavior Analysis
Modality: On campus
Length: 89 credit hours
GRE Required: Yes
Tuition: $9,071 per semester for more than 7 credit hours, not including fees
Accreditation: ABAI
Program Overview: The PhD in Behavior Analysis trains doctoral students to teach, research and work as administrators or consultants in public and private sectors. Each student has a primary research advisor that they work with through the research and dissertation process.
University of North Carolina
- Wilmington, NC
- Campus
Program:
PhD in Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: On campus
Length: 53 credit hours, includes a master’s degree; 36 hours of doctoral level coursework
GRE Required: No
Tuition: $5,278 annual tuition for in-state students, $21,369 annual tuition for out-of-state students, not including expenses and fees
Accreditation: ABAI
Program Overview: In their first two years, students in the PhD in Psychology program complete the course sequence to be eligible for the BCBA certification. Students complete a master’s research thesis and are mentored by a faculty member. During their doctoral work, students gain additional experience in research and practice, complete advanced coursework, and implement and defend their dissertation. At least two years must be completed at UNCW and one year must be spent in residence.
West Virginia University
- Morgantown, WV
- Campus
Program:
PhD in Psychology with a specialization in Behavior Analysis
Modality: On campus
Length: Not listed
GRE Required: No
Tuition: $5,013 per semester for residents; $14,076 per semester for non-residents, not including fees
Accreditation: ABAI
Program Overview: The mission of the PhD in Psychology with ABA specialization is to produce researchers who can work effectively in various academic or applied settings. Students are trained in research, theory, and application to develop skills in experimental and applied analysis of behavior. Students who enter the program with a bachelor’s degree must complete a M.S. in Psychology or M.S. in Behavior Analysis before completing doctoral coursework.
Western Michigan University
- Kalamazoo, MI
- Campus
Program:
PhD in Behavior Analysis
Modality: On campus
Length: 30 credit hours of coursework, 12 dissertation credit hours
GRE Required: Recommended
Tuition: $9,544 per semester, not including fees
Accreditation: ABAI
Program Overview: The PhDin Behavior Analysis program prepares students for roles as researchers or practitioners. Students complete master’s level coursework and additional training in behavior-analytic course, research, as well as practical and field work training. Students are prepared to teach and research at the college level, or take systems-oriented applied positions in human services or professional positions in organizations. Students work with faculty members on research and dissertation projects.