Board certified behavioral analysts (BCBA) are in high demand, especially as our understanding of autism spectrum disorders and developmental disorders has grown. Prospective students with a passion for special education have many options when it comes to both online learning and affordability. This article explores 25 affordable Applied Behavior Analysis master’s programs that are 100 percent online, as well as 25 ABA certificate programs.
Before we explore the programs themselves, you may be wondering what you can expect with your salary as a BCBA. The demand for BCBA certification has risen yearly since 2010. From 2022 to 2023, the demand increased by 14 percent, according to a 2024 report from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.
Graduates of an ABA masters program who continue on their journey to sit for the BCBA exam can expect an entry-level salary averaging around $51,000, according to information compiled from ZipRecruiter. The average salary for a BCBA is closer to $75,784, according to the same source. These numbers are similar to estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which puts average salaries for those in fields related to Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder and Mental Health Counseling closer to $60,080.
Featured Online ABA Programs
Affordable ABA Masters Programs
Even if the starting salary for an ABA graduate is fairly reasonable, most future BCBAs likely want to keep their costs low when considering where to begin their journey into ABA. The cost of higher education has skyrocketed, even for programs that claim to be affordable. None of the programs on this list are more than $900 per credit, and we’ve focused on those that are less than $800 per credit.
Program:
Online Master of Arts program in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 20 Months
GRE required? No
Accredited by ABAI? Yes
Tuition: $431.43
Program Overview:
University of South Florida touts an affordable online M.A. in ABA. The cost per credit comes to $431.43, according to their website, putting this program on the cheaper end of programs in this article. The program’s course sequence has been verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), the organization that promotes issues and standards for the field of behavior analysis. That means that the coursework that makes up the program satisfies the requirements set out by the ABAI. The program operates on a cohort model, emphasizing smaller class size and collaboration with peers and professors. No GRE is required to apply, and no thesis is needed to complete the program. BCBA exam prep is incorporated throughout the program, as well as regular supervision and live meetings and access to scholarships and opportunities to pursue fieldwork in the fieldwork.
Program:
M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 2 years or less if accelerated option
GRE required? No
Accreditation by ABAI? Yes
Tuition: Between $427.74 per credit; for accelerated, fees are at the undergraduate rate of $330.09 per credit
Program Overview:
The M.A. in ABA from Southeast Missouri State has a lower cost per credit hour at $427.74. This number can go as low as $330.09 per credit if students take advantage of the accelerated option that allows credits to be counted toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees. With coursework verified by teh ABAI, the program takes around 2 years to complete normally, though it is quicker if students start out at the undergraduate level and choose the accelerated option.
Program:
Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis Online
Modality: Online
Length: 1 year
GRE required? No
Accreditation by ABAI? Yes
Tuition: Between $420 per credit
Program Overview:
Purdue’s program costs $420 per credit, putting it at the cheapest of the programs on this list. The school also offers other tuition reduction methods, making this ABA graduate program more affordable. The program includes 9 total courses and takes an average of one year to complete. Purdue’s ABAI-verified course sequence puts students on the path to qualify to sit for the BCBA exam without taking too much time. Purdue also offers an ABA graduate certificate, which costs the same and takes less time to complete, though it is designed for those who already have a master’s degree.
Program:
M.S. in Psychology With an Applied Behavior Analysis Specialization
Modality: Online
Length: 21 months
GRE required? No
Accreditation by ABAI? Yes
Tuition: Between $590 per credit
Program Overview:
This program from Walden prices itself at $590 per quarter credit, as of February 2025. The school additionally allows transfer credits and offers the Believe and Achieve scholarship in an effort to make the program more affordable. The ABAI-verified coursework sequence of this program totals 63 quarter credits taking an average of 21 months to complete.
Capella University: M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- 60 credits
- Online
Program:
M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 60 credits
GRE required? No
Accreditation by ABAI? Yes
Tuition: Between $510 per credit
Program Overview:
Capella University puts their ABA program at $510 per credit, as of January 2025. Students can choose to complete the program with a specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is a 60-credit program with 10 core courses and 2 specialization courses. Additionally, the program coursework meets BACB eligibility and includes BCBA exam preparation.
Mary Baldwin University: M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- 2 years
- Online
Program:
M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 2 years
GRE required? No
Accreditation by ABAI? Yes
Tuition: Between $495 per credit
Program Overview:
Mary Baldwin’s graduate program costs $495 per credit hour, as of January 2025. It’s 100 percent online and offers students the chance to pursue a degree with coursework verified by the ABAI. Typically, it takes two years to complete this 37 credit program, and that includes fieldwork opportunities built into the program.
Lehigh University: M.Ed. in Behavior Analysis
- 2 years
- Online
Program:
M.Ed. in Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 2 years part-time, less if full-time
GRE required? No
Accreditation by ABAI? No
Tuition: Between $630 per credit
Program Overview:
This degree from Lehigh University isn’t accredited by the ABAI but has kept their tuition costs at $630 per credit. The program starts students on the path to qualify to take the BCBA exam and can be attended on a full-time or a part-time basis. Students can complete the program in 2 years part-time or faster if taking courses on a full-time basis.
Program:
M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 30 credits
GRE required? No
Accredited by ABAI? Yes
Tuition: $570 per credit
Program Overview:
University of North Texas’ M.A. program is designed for working professionals, meaning that it offers a flexible format where clients can take between 1 and 3 courses at a time. Each of those credits is $570 each, so going slower, students can make the program work for them and their finances. Coursework is ABAI-verified and asynchronous, so students can complete coursework at their own pace. Like some online ABA masters programs, the supervised fieldwork required to sit for the BCBA exam is the responsibility of the student and not an official part of the curriculum.
St. Cloud State University: M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- 2.5 years
- Online + Campus
Program:
M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online and on-campus
Length: 2.5 years
GRE required? No
Accredited by ABAI? Yes
Tuition: $732.89 per credit
Program Overview:
St. Clouds ABAI-approved program runs at $732.89 per credit, which is a bit on the higher end of our affordable programs in this article. Coursework focuses on research, academics, professional skills, and clinical skills. In addition to the online program, the school offers on-campus cohorts and the Offerdahl Autism Discovery Center, where master’s and doctoral candidates can get hands-on experience.
Program:
M.A. in Applied Behavioral Science
Modality: Online
Length: 2 to 3 years
GRE required? No
Accredited by ABAI? Yes
Tuition: $795 per credit
Program Overview:
KU’s M.A. in ABA has an ABAI-approved course sequence costing $795 per credit. KU claims to be a pioneer in behavioral research and practice. Currently, the program offers practicum opportunities through Behavioral Health Holdings, which provides students access to ABA sites and supervisors. Students have the opportunity to seek out this opportunity during the clinical practicum (ABSC 872) course.
Arcadia University: Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis
- 18 months
- Online
Program:
M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 18 months
GRE required? No
Accredited by ABAI? Yes
Tuition: $750 per credit
Program Overview:
Arcadia’s ABAI-approved coursework places heavy emphasis on its flexibility, and it comes out lower than some ABA programs at $750 per credit hour. Designed for students who have full-time commitments, the program’s website says students can make their schedule match their lives, not vice-versa. The coursework provides students with the academic credentials needed to sit for the BCBA licensure exam. The program takes 33 credit hours and 18 months to complete.
Program:
M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism
Modality: Online
Length: 2 years
GRE required? No
Accreditation by ABAI? Yes
Tuition: $685 per credit
Program Overview:
This no-GRE M.S. offered by Russell Sage College is middling in its affordability at $685 per credit. The program offers coursework which qualifies students to sit for the BCBA exam and is verified by the ABAI. It takes about 2 years to complete and consists of 30 credits as well as an additional optional 8-credit practicum. Students can also choose the thesis track and apply to assist in research.
Niagara University: Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis
- 34 credits
- Online
Program:
M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 34 credits (including 150 hours of supervised fieldwork)
GRE required? No
Accreditation by ABAI? No
Tuition: $775 per credit
Program Overview:
Niagara’s M.A. requires no GRE for admission consideration and costs $775 per credit. Students searching for a more affordable education without the GRE requirement may also be interested in this program for its emphasis on practical fieldwork. The program provides at least 250 supervised practicum hours which students will need to qualify to sit for the BCBA exam. The coursework provided in the program qualifies students to get a limited permit for continuing their required professional experience needed to become a licensed behavior analyst.
National University: Master of Science in Applied Behavioral Analysis
- 18 months
- Online + Campus
Program:
Master of Science in Applied Behavioral Analysis
Modality: Online or on-campus
Length: 18 months
GRE required? Not required for students with a GPA over 2.5
Accreditation by ABAI? No
Tuition: $464 per credit
Program Overview:
National University’s ABA M.S. takes 18 months to complete and includes 45 quarter credits costing $464 each. Students complete a capstone project to finish out the program. When students have finished the program successfully, National University promises to help place students in an internship to help graduates gain their required fieldwork hours to qualify for the BCBA exam.
Ball State University: M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- 8-16 weeks
- Online
Program:
M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 8 to 16 weeks
GRE required? No
Accreditation by ABAI? Yes
Tuition: Between $696 per credit
Program Overview:
Ball State’s M.A. in ABA is part of the Teacher’s College and includes coursework verified by the ABAI. Credit hours come to $696 each with a total of 30 credits needed to graduate. Students can complete the program in 8 weeks or 16 weeks and will take part in asynchronous classes, which are offered with less than 20 students to allow for individualization.
Bay Path University: Applied Behavior Analysis Masters
- 25-28 months
- Online
Program:
Applied Behavior Analysis Masters
Modality: Online
Length: 25 to 28 months
GRE required? No
Accreditation by ABAI? No
Tuition: $755 per credit
Program Overview:
This no-GRE-required ABA program costs $755 per credit and has multiple degree options available. Each degree option requires students to complete a capstone project, and students are given opportunities to receive supervised practice of up to 2,000 hours. Degree options include a 48-credit M.S. in ABA (which includes coursework and supervision needed to qualify to sit for the BACB Certification Exam); a 51-cred Ed.S. in ABA (for candidates who already have a master’s in a related field); a 57-credit M.S. in ABA with Autism Spectrum Disorders Concentration; a 60 Credit MS in ABA with Supervision, Training and Organization Behavior Management (OBM) Concentration; a 60 Credit MS in ABA with Applied Verbal Behavior Concentration; and a 60 Credit MS in ABA with Trauma-Informed Practice Concentration.
University of Washington: Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis
- 2-3 years
- Online
Program:
Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 2 to 3 years
GRE required? No
Accreditation by ABAI? No
Tuition: $589 per credit
Program Overview:
University of Washington’s ABA M.Ed. doesn’t require a GRE for entrance and offers their online program on both a full-time and part-time basis with credits costing $589 each. Students of the program earn 56 to 62 credits, taking 2 to 3 years to complete. Students receive the academic foundation needed to sit for the BCBA exam as well as between 12 and 18 credits of practicum and internship coursework. The program also offers an optional full supervision package, providing 75 remote group supervision and 75 remote individual supervision as well as 1,500 hours of fieldwork.
Program:
M.Ed. in Special Education with Specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: About 2 years
GRE required? No
Accredited by ABAI? Yes
Tuition: $536 (residents); $868.85 (non-resident)
Program Overview:
BGSU’s M.Ed. offers an ABAI-approved series of courses costing $536 per credit for residents of Ohio and $868.85 per credit for non-residents. In addition, the program offers flexible start dates, with multiple beginning dates throughout the year. Coursework is asynchronous and takes about two years to complete. According to the website, the coursework is BCBA verified and meets pathway 2 criteria, meaning that students will gain the study hours and content knowledge to start their supervised fieldwork component of the certification process. The program does not include the supervised fieldwork in its coursework.
York College of Pennsylvania: Applied Behavior Analysis M.Ed.
- 1-2 years
- Online
Program:
M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 1 to 2 years
GRE required? No
Accreditation by ABAI? Yes
Tuition: Between $695 per credit
Program Overview:
The M.Ed. from the School of Professional Studies provides an ABA program at $695 per credit and provides students with opportunities for practicum hours while studying. The program takes 1 to 2 years to complete, depending on how many classes students take at a time. The coursework is verified by the ABAI and is designed to work with students who are already working full-time. ABA fieldwork and practicum hours may be completed at the student’s current place of employment or at an approved site.
Program:
M.Ed. in Foundations in Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 20 months
GRE required? No
Accreditation by ABAI? Yes
Tuition: Between $761 per credit (non-resident)
Program Overview:
Coming in at $761 per credit for non-resident of Ohio, this ABAI-verified program consists of 10 courses and 30 credit hours, taking around 20 months to complete. Students do not need to visit the campus at any point for residencies, making it truly 100 percent online.
Featured ABA Programs
Affordable ABA Certificate Programs
Another option for those pursuing their certification as a BCBA is the graduate-level certificate. These programs are typically cheaper and shorter than traditional master’s degrees, though they are likely not eligible for financial aid as a traditional degree would be. Earning a graduate certificate is not the same as earning a masters, so the credits in the certificate may or may not satisfy the academic requirements to sit for the BCBA exam. Make sure you check the standards of your state to make sure you are choosing the right option for you.
East Stroudsburg University: Applied Behavior Analysis Certification
- 5 semesters
- Online
Program:
Applied Behavior Analysis Certification
Modality: Online
Length: 21 credits taking 5 semesters to complete
GRE required? No
Accredited by ABAI? Yes
Tuition: $526 (for ABA non-degree program)
Program Overview:
East Stroudsburg’s online ABA certification can be taken as a concentration in the Special Education M.Ed. or it can stand on its own for students who already hold a master’s degree in a related field. The certificate comes out to $526 per credit. Its coursework is approved by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), and it meets the requirements set by the BACB Fifth Edition Task List. Students will need to gather supervised fieldwork hours required to sit for them exam separate from the program.
Florida Tech: Behavior Analyst Certification
- 4 semesters
- Online
Program:
Behavior Analyst Certification
Modality: Online
Length: 21 credits taking 4 semesters to complete
GRE required? No
Accredited by ABAI? Yes
Tuition: $510 per certificate credit hour
Program Overview:
Florida Tech has an ABA certification costing $510 per credit hour that is ABAI-verified and is designed for those who either have an undergraduate degree from an ABAI-accredited program or have a graduate degree in another field and want to specialize in behavior analysis. Program coursework includes principles of behavior analysis, ethics, measurement and experimental design, assessment and intervention, and behavior change procedures.
Lehigh University: Online Certificate in Behavior Analysis
- 1.5-2 years
- Online
Program:
Online Certificate in Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 21 credits; 1.5 to 2 years
GRE required? No
Accredited by ABAI? No
Tuition: $630 per certificate credit hour
Program Overview:
This online certificate in ABA is made up of 21 credits costing $630 each. Lectures are all on-demand videos, and courses focus on areas including basic principles, ethics and professional conduct, organizational and professional management, theory and philosophy, research methods, behavior assessment, and behavior change.
Purdue Global: Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
- 21 credits
- Online
Program:
Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 21 credits
GRE required? No
Accredited by ABAI? Yes
Tuition: $420 per certificate credit hour
Program Overview:
Costing a more affordable $420 per credit, Purdue’s online certificate is designed for those with a graduate degree needing additional coursework in ABA to continue toward taking the BCBA exam. Made up of 21 credits, the program has a coursework sequence approved by the ABAI.
Affordable Masters in Special Ed ABA Programs
Degree programs focusing specifically on ABA have become much more prevalent in the last few years. If you’re looking for a more broad education in special education but still want a program that satisfies academic requirements needed to sit for the BCBA exam, you might consider a master’s degree in special education with a focus in ABA, especially since there are plenty of affordable online programs of this type.
East Stroudsburg University: M.Ed. in Special Education with ABA Concentration
- 51-57 credits
- Online
Program:
M.Ed. in Special Education with ABA Concentration
Modality: Online
Length: 57 (non-thesis track) or 51 (thesis track) credits
GRE required? No
Accredited by ABAI? Yes
Tuition: $559 (resident); $817 (non-resident)
Program Overview:
East Stroudsburg offers an M.Ed. in special education with credits costing $559 for residents of Pennsylvania and $817 for non-residents. Students can choose to either seek a concentration in ABA or pursue the graduate certificate in ABA. Its coursework is approved by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), and it meets the requirements set by the BACB Fifth Edition Task List.
Arizona State University: M.A. in Special Education With a Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis
- 7.5 weeks per class
- Online
Program:
M.A. in Special Education With a Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 30 credits and 7.5 weeks per class
GRE required? No
Accredited by ABAI? Yes
Tuition: $765 per credit
Program Overview:
With tuition at $765 per credit hour, Arizona State’s graduate program in ABA consists of 10 classes, totalling 30 credits and an average of 7.5 weeks per class. The course sequence is verified by the ABAI, and students who complete the program will have the academics that qualify them for the BCBA exam.
Endicott College: Applied Behavior Analysis Program (M.S.)
- 27 months
- Online
Program:
M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 27 months
GRE required? No
Accreditation by ABAI? No
Tuition: $682 per credit
Program Overview:
This no-GRE program takes about 27 months to complete the 40 required credits priced at $682 each. The program also includes exam preparation for the BCBA exam, for which the coursework in the program qualifies students to sit. In addition, students can choose from a number of concentrations, including autism, childhood clinical disorders, mental health, organizational behavior management, and general track.
Program:
M.Ed. in Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration
Modality: Online
Length: 36 credits
GRE required? No
Accreditation by ABAI? No
Tuition: $625 per credit
Program Overview:
PennWest Global offers an Applied Behavior Analysis concentration of its Special Education M.Ed. which requires no GRE for consideration. Costing $625 per credit, the program takes 36 credits to complete, including 15 core credits and an additional 21 credits as part of the concentration. Students can also choose the Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism concentration, which provides both the ABA coursework and further coursework to deepen students’ understanding of autism. Both concentrations provide the coursework needed to sit for the BCBA exam.
Program:
Online Masters in Special Education With a Focus in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 42 credit hours
GRE required? No
Accreditation by ABAI? Yes
Tuition: Between $730 per credit
Program Overview:
This ABAI-verfied program comes to $730 per credit and doesn’t require the GRE to apply. It includes 18 core credit hours and 21 credit hours dedicated to the emphasis in ABA. As with most of the programs on this list, the coursework in the UMass Global program contributes to students being eligible to sit for the BCBA exam.
The University of Arizona: Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis Master of Arts
- Minimum 16 months
- Online
Program:
M.A. in Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: Minimum 16 months
GRE required? No
Accreditation by ABAI? No
Tuition: Between $653 per credit
Program Overview:
This 36-credit program can take as little as 16 months to complete, depending on the method the student chooses, and costs $653 per credit. No GMAT or GRE is required to apply, and no residency is required to complete the program. The program’s coursework is verified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and qualifies students to sit for the BCBA exam. In place of a thesis, students complete an applied graduate project of their choice under the supervision of a faculty member.