In Oklahoma, ABA master’s programs typically combine on-campus/evening or online classes with seminars centered on real cases and frequent mentoring. Small cohort work is common, with faculty who also practice in clinics or school districts, bringing current examples and practical week-to-week feedback.
Two ecosystem supports help everything click in practice: ODMHSAS (the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services), which sets statewide priorities in behavioral health, and OUHSC (e.g., the Oklahoma Autism Network), which offers workshops and resources that universities often fold into their academic calendars. The result: programs with a clear pace, accessible mentors, and formal links to local providers—designed so graduates can move smoothly from training into professional roles in Oklahoma’s schools, clinics, or community agencies.
Quick Facts
- ABAI/VCS-Aligned Programs in Oklahoma: 2
- Fully Online ABA Master’s Programs: 1
- Average Program Length: 1.5 – 2 years
- Tuition Range (per unit): $233–$876
Online ABA Programs That Meet Oklahoma’s BCBA Licensure Requirements
Masters Programs in Oklahoma to Become a BCBA
If your goal is to earn the BCBA® credential in Oklahoma, the state’s master’s programs are structured to guide you through three clear milestones:
- completing a graduate degree with a verified academic sequence,
- accumulating supervised fieldwork hours, and
- passing the national exam.
What makes Oklahoma distinctive is where and how this path unfolds. Practicum experiences are typically organized within settings that already serve families across the state—school districts, providers affiliated with SoonerCare (Medicaid), and specialized autism networks—so what you learn is applied with real clients from early on. Several Pearson VUE testing centers in OKC and Tulsa make the final exam step convenient.
Online ABA Masters Programs in Oklahoma
Designed for those already working in the field, Oklahoma’s online ABA master’s programs prioritize applied learning without requiring relocation. They typically combine asynchronous study with live sessions and case discussions.
Other common features include:
- Small cohorts and predictable schedules, ideal for students working full-time.
- Remote supervision and video review through secure platforms, with feedback on intervention plans, data sheets, and documentation standards used across the state.
- Employment–practicum bridges: partnerships with local providers that make it easier to transition from supervised practice to professional employment.
University of Oklahoma
- Norman, Oklahoma
- 33 hours
- Hybrid + Online
Program:
Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education – Applied Behavior Analysis Emphasis
Modality: Hybrid or 100% Online
GRE Required: not specified
Length: 33 credit hours
Tuition: $320 per credit hour for in-state residents and $876 for out-of-state residents. With a total of 33 credit hours required, the total program cost is around $10,578 for in-state students and $28,892 for out-of-state students. Does not include additional fees, materials, or personal expenses.
Program Overview
OU features three emphasis tracks (ABA, Foundations, and Secondary Transition). In the ABA track, the specialized course block is delivered online with frequent interaction with faculty, replicating the classroom experience from anywhere.
Key Highlights
- Option to “stack” the Graduate Certificate in ABA (21 credits) within the M.Ed. plan, allowing students to document the concentration without duplicating coursework. The certificate can also be pursued independently and is offered fully online in a synchronous format.
- Genuine delivery flexibility: the program offers both hybrid and 100% online pathways, allowing students to choose their preferred level of in-person participation based on schedule and location.
Additional Considerations
- If you choose to complete part of the coursework through the Graduate Certificate in ABA, note that all certificate courses must be taken at OU (no transfers) and must be completed within five academic years to remain valid for credentialing.
- OU provides a tuition estimator and specific online course surcharges (per credit), helpful for calculating the final cost based on your course load and chosen modality.
Accreditation
- Institutional: Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
- Program-Specific: ABAI verification (VCS) is managed through the ABA Graduate Certificate; no independent ABAI accreditation is specified for the M.Ed. with ABA emphasis.
ABAI Accredited Masters Programs in Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, fully ABAI-accredited master’s programs are few, but several offer a Verified Course Sequence (VCS), ensuring that the coursework meets the academic requirements to sit for the BCBA® exam and is delivered under rigorous standards.
What each designation means:
- VCS (ABAI Verified): confirms that you are completing the required coursework for exam eligibility.
- ABAI Accreditation (program-level): goes beyond the VCS; it validates the overall quality of the program, including documented supervision, ethics, applied research, pass rates, and student support.
Practical suggestions:
- Check the current status in both the ABAI Accreditation Directory and the VCS Directory (listings are periodically updated).
- Review faculty clinical experience, practicum partnerships with local providers (including SoonerCare/Medicaid), and recent job placement rates.
University of Central Oklahoma
- Edmond, Oklahoma
- 36 hours
- Campus
Program:
Master of Science in Behavior Analysis
Modality: On Campus
GRE Required: not specified
Length: 36 credit hours
Tuition: $292 per credit hour for in-state residents and $709 for out-of-state residents. With a total of 36 credit hours required, the total program cost is around $10,526 for in-state students and $25,540 for out-of-state students. Does not include additional fees, materials, or personal expenses.
Program Overview
On-campus master’s degree with a professional focus that combines behavior analysis coursework and applied experiences across UCO’s network of clinics and centers in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. The department highlights training in consulting and personnel management to lead teams and behavioral intervention services—beyond direct casework—and access to clinical mentors at the university’s Psychology Clinic.
Key Highlights
- Practice for credit: offers PSY 5900 – Practicum: ABA (1–4 credits) to consolidate competencies in supervised settings.
- Internal academic bridges: the catalog lists an accelerated BS→MS pathway for UCO Psychology students who wish to move early into graduate study.
Additional Considerations
- Structured academic support: upon admission, each student develops a plan of study with program advising to sequence courses and practicum.
- Ecosystem of university services: the College of Education & Professional Studies hosts multiple centers and clinics where training and outreach activities take place.
Accreditation
- Institutional: Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
- Program-Specific: UCO indicates that its coursework is approved by ABAI to meet the academic requirement for certification (VCS); verify current status in the ABAI VCS Directory.
Oklahoma State University
- Stillwater, Oklahoma
- 36 hours
- Campus
Program:
Master of Science in Teaching, Learning and Leadership – Option in Special Education Applied Behavior Analysis Emphasis
Modality: On Campus
GRE Required: not specified
Length: 36 credit hours
Tuition: $233 per credit hour for in-state residents and $876 for out-of-state residents. With a total of 36 credit hours required, the total program cost is around $8,398 for in-state students and $31,952 for out-of-state students. Does not include additional fees, materials, or personal expenses.
Program Overview
On-campus master’s program oriented toward intensive educational intervention that integrates special education principles, positive behavioral supports, and applied behavior analysis. The plan includes focal courses such as Behavioral Assessment and Consultation, Classroom & Behavior Management, and Characteristics & Teaching Methods for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, with a thesis or non-thesis route to align degree completion with professional goals.
Key Highlights
- Flexible completion pathway: option for 6 credits of thesis or professional seminar + electives, per the published graduate guide.
- Applied K–12 focus: the curriculum states direct preparation for classroom management, behavioral assessment, and transition-to-adulthood supports within school settings.
Additional Considerations
- Guidance for ABA career pathways: OSU publishes a dedicated BCBA page with guidelines and the scope of the academic component; it clarifies that the degree with aligned coursework does not, by itself, guarantee certification/licensure.
- Costs and aid: the university provides current graduate cost tables and estimators by term, useful for budgeting and considering assistantships where applicable.
Accreditation
- Institutional: Oklahoma State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
- Program-Specific: the department indicates that its academic preparation follows guidelines for the ABA professional pathway; verify the most recent status on OSU’s BCBA page and official directories.
ABA Certificate Programs in Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, graduate certificates in ABA offer a shorter, focused pathway for professionals in education, psychology, or health. These programs typically operate with small cohorts and evening schedules, designed for those already working in schools, clinics, or community programs.
Online ABA Certificate Programs in Oklahoma
The online option combines short live classes with guided work on real cases from the student’s own environment. Practicum experiences are often arranged within the student’s workplace under local supervision, supported by remote mentoring and follow-up meetings. To make progress easier, many institutions offer multiple start dates and concentrated modules that allow students to complete the program without long breaks. Additionally, several universities allow these credits to be later “stacked” into a related master’s degree, maintaining alignment with SoonerCare operational standards and the state’s recommended best practices.
University of Oklahoma
- Norman, Oklahoma
- 21 hours
- Online
Program:
Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
GRE Required: not specified
Length: 21 credit hours
Tuition: $320 per credit hour for in-state residents and $876 for out-of-state residents. With a total of 21 credit hours required, the total program cost is around $6,731 for in-state students and $18,399 for out-of-state students. Does not include additional fees, materials, or personal expenses.
Program Overview
The certificate spans foundations and ethics through single-case design and Organizational Behavior Management, with a practical focus for education and related-service professionals who want to bring evidence into classrooms and school programs without leaving their current roles.
Key Highlights
- Live delivery (synchronous distance learning): all certificate courses are taught in real time via videoconference, preserving an online format with classroom-style interaction.
- Defined 7-course sequence: includes, among others, Philosophical Assumptions, Principles & Concepts, Ethics, OBM/Personnel Supervision, Behavior Change, Behavior Assessment, and Single-Case Research Design.
Additional Considerations
- Certificate requirements and policies: to formally apply for the ABA certificate, you must earn an A or B in the first two courses in the sequence. In addition, all courses must be taken at OU (no transfers) and be no more than five years old at the time the certificate is awarded; students admitted only to the certificate are not eligible for financial aid.
- Compatibility with other OU graduate programs: current graduate students may integrate the ABA sequence into their master’s within the School of Education, in coordination with their advisor.
Accreditation
- Institutional: Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
- Program-Specific: Verified Course Sequence (VCS) recognized by BACB/ABAI for the academic component of the professional pathway.
BCBA Legislation in Oklahoma
Oklahoma requires a state license to practice as a behavior analyst. The Oklahoma Licensed Behavior Analyst Board (OLBAB) handles applications, renewals, and professional discipline; applicants must hold national BACB certification and meet background-check and administrative requirements.
For private coverage, state insurance law requires state-regulated plans to cover treatment for ASD—including ABA therapy when medically necessary—under Title 36 and related provisions.
For public coverage, SoonerCare (Oklahoma’s Medicaid) funds ABA services under EPSDT for beneficiaries under 21 and details codes, clinical criteria, and operating rules in its policy manual.
BCBA Demand in Oklahoma
Demand is concentrated in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Norman, with growth in school systems, pediatric clinics, and specialized autism providers driven by insurance mandates and active SoonerCare policy. Recent estimates place statewide average salaries in the $70k–$85k range, with variation by city, employer, and experience (e.g., $71k in Oklahoma City; figures around $80k–$82k in other parts of the state).
Taken together, the licensing requirement, ASD coverage mandate, and Medicaid funding sustain a stable market for BCBAs in Oklahoma and support swift job placement for recent graduates.
ABA and BCBA Programs in Oklahoma
| Degree Title | University Name | Program Length | Program Cost | ABAI Recognition | GRE Required | City | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis | University of Oklahoma | 5-6 | ~$300 per credit (in-state) | ABAI Accredited & VCS Approved | No | Norman | OK |
| Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis | University of Oklahoma | 2-3 | ~$300 per credit (in-state) | VCS Approved | No | Norman | OK |
| M.S. in Educational Psychology (ABA Focus) | Oklahoma State University | 5-6 | ~$230 per credit (in-state) | VCS Approved | No | Stillwater | OK |
