Online ABA Masters Programs

Anna Harris

Written by Anna Harris

Marketing Manager | M.Ed in CMHC – William & Mary

Updated & Fact Checked: 02.25.2025

In our increasingly technological society, there’s no need to limit yourself when you’re considering where to pursue your Applied Behavior Analysis master’s program. While traditional brick and mortar schools of learning are valuable, online programs are catching up without sacrificing the quality of the education students receive. ABA is a hands-on field requiring first-hand experience working with individuals experiencing behavioral needs. You might think this makes seeking an ABA masters program online a poor choice. However, as times have changed, online programs have met the challenge, using unique online platforms and matching the students with opportunities in their communities to meet educational and training needs. This article will explore just a few online ABA masters programs.

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ABA Masters Programs Offered Online

Online programs are becoming more and more common. Increases in technology, more awareness, and the need for online offerings during the Covid19 era have created a boom in educational programs offered online. ABA is one area which has benefited from the advent of online university programs, allowing education in the field to reach students and future behavioral analysts like never before. Not all programs are created equal. Below you’ll find 40 programs we have examined and put into four different categories: ABAI-validated programs, no-GRE programs, accelerated programs, and affordable programs.

Online ABA Masters Programs Accredited by ABAI

The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) is the primary membership organization for those in the field of behavioral therapy. The organization promotes the field by offering jobs, events, journals, special interest groups, and many other outreach efforts. They are also one of the only organizations offering a standard for undergraduate and graduate-level education programs in the field of behavioral therapy. As such, any university and program that is approved by the ABAI or has an ABAI-verified series of courses has shown their coursework meets the minimum legal, ethical, training, and academic standards for future certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Here are a few programs with coursework verified by the ABAI.

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’s online MA in ABA has a course sequence verified by the ABAI, meaning 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. Focus is instead placed on practical experience through the practicum and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) examination preparation incorporated throughout the program. The program also touts regular supervision and live meetings with peers and professors; scholarship opportunities; fieldwork giving access to 1,500 hours of supervised practical experience in the field;  and a flat tuition rate for both in-state and out-of-state students.

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Program: 
Online Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis

Modality: Online

Length: 16 Months

GRE required? No

Accredited by ABAI? Yes

Tuition: $808 per credit

Program Overview:
This program’s ABAI-approved coursework totals 30 credit hours and prepares students to sit for the BCBA exam. In addition, students will need to pass a comprehensive exam in order to finish the program, as well as the completion of a capstone project. Students can expect to take coursework in the basic principles of ABA, ethics, practice, and research, among other coursework.

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Program: 
M.S. in Counseling with a Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis

Modality: Online

Length: 48 to 60 credits

GRE required? No, unless GPA does not meet minimum standards

Accredited by ABAI? Yes

Tuition: $925 per credit

Program Overview:
This online program is verified by the ABAI and has a total of 54 to 63 credit hours. Thirty-three of those credits are core courses from the M.S. in Counseling program, and the remaining 21-30 credits are from the ABA track courses. The additional 9 credits are from optional elective fieldwork practice in ABA. The core degree coursework requires all students in the program, including ABA students, to take part in an in-person, 3-day residency, usually during the second semester as part of PYCL 0511, Introduction to Counseling Techniques.

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Program: 
M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis

Modality: Online

Length: 2 to 2.5 years

GRE required? Yes

Accredited by ABAI? Yes

Tuition: $1,409 per credit

Program Overview:
The Chicago School’s M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis is accredited by ABAI and takes 2 to 2.5 years to complete if attended full-time. Not only is it fully online, but it also takes a practical application approach, mixing coursework focused on ethics, theory and philosophy, experimental analysis of behavior, service delivery, and applied behavior analysis. The coursework and practicum requirements qualify students to sit for the exam and pursue certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

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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 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.

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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:
This M.A. program has a coursework series approved by the ABAI. The coursework is designed to work with professionals, offering flexible formats in which students can take between 1 and 3 courses at a time. In addition, coursework is asynchronous, meaning 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.

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Program: 
M.S. in Behavior Analysis

Modality: Online

Length: 20 months

GRE required? No

Accredited by ABAI? Yes

Tuition: $1,125 per credit

Program Overview:
With an ABAI-verified course sequence and coursework that qualifies students to sit for the BCBA exam, students can rest assured this online program has what they need to succeed. The 40-credit program takes as little as 20 months to complete and includes 8 core courses and 2 practicum courses, in which students will complete a thesis research project on top of their practicum.

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Program: 
M.S. or Ed.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis

Modality: On-campus or blended (online classes and in-person meetings)

Length: 38 credits

GRE required? No

Accredited by ABAI? Yes

Tuition: $790 per credit

Program Overview:
National Louis University offers an M.S. or Ed.S. in ABA which is either in-person or blended. The Ed.S. is designed for those who already have a master’s degree in a related field who want to get additional coursework qualifying them to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) examination. The M.S. is for those who are seeking a graduate degree and also qualifies students to sit for the exam.

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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: $526 (for ABA non-degree program); $559 (resident); $817 (non-resident)

Program Overview:
East Stroudsburg offers an M.Ed. in special education, and 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.

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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 and 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.

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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 and 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.

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Program: 
M.A. in Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration

Modality: Online

Length: 58 credit hours

GRE required? Yes

Accredited by ABAI? Yes

Tuition: $1,436.65 per credit; $2,972.00 per 6 credits for residents; $3,308.00 per 6 credits for non-residents

Program Overview:
This program has been approved by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board and accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). Taking 58 credits to complete, the total hours needed include 18 hours of core credits and 40 hours in the concentration, which include a thesis and internship. While the program is offered both online and in-person, practicum and internship placements are in the McNeese Autism Program and/or the Clinical Applied Behavior Analysis Academy. A GRE of 285 is required, as are foundational courses in statistics and psychology.

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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. 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.

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Program: 
M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis

Modality: Online

Length: 18 to 24 months

GRE required? No

Accredited by ABAI? Yes

Tuition: $1,390 per credit

Program Overview:
This M.S. also features coursework verified by the ABAI. Taking between 18 and 24 months to complete, the program can be completed part-time. The school claims to be one of the first masters programs in ABA with the program’s start in 1976. The program went online in 2013. Students gain foundational understanding of ABA in the seven core courses and further knowledge of clinical procedures and research in an additional three courses. Students can choose to complete fieldwork on their own or through the program by enrolling in Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork.

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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:
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.

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No GRE Required Online ABA Masters Programs

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) has long been a hurdle for those seeking to enter graduate-level academia. Despite many schools choosing to focus on different qualifications for admissions to their programs, there are still plenty of universities requiring the standardized test to qualify for entrance. The following programs do not require applicants to take or submit GRE scores, removing one stumbling block toward continued education in ABA.

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. Students searching for a program without this entrance 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.

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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 has multiple degree options available, all of which require students to complete a capstone project and provide opportunities for students 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.

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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. 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.

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Program: 
Applied Behavior Analysis, M.S.

Modality: Online

Length: Minimum of 35 credits

GRE required? No

Accreditation by ABAI? No

Tuition: $860 per credit

Program Overview:
St. Joseph’s online program is 35 credits and also includes a practicum which provides 150 hours of the required 2,000 hours of fieldwork needed to sit for the BCBA exam. Students can choose to complete the additional hours during the program by selecting a site from the school’s approved site list.

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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. 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.

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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. 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.

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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 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.

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Program: 
Autism and Developmental Disabilities Master’s Program

Modality: Online or on-campus

Length: 12 months full-time

GRE required? No

Accreditation by ABAI? No

Tuition: $1,257 (resident) and $1,897 (non-resident) per credit

Program Overview:
The University of Texas at Autism master’s program can be completed as an M.Ed. or as an M.A. and qualifies students to complete the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB) exam. The program combines traditional coursework with practicum and applied intervention research. The coursework totals 36 credit hours students must take to successfully complete the program.

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Program: 
M.Ed. in Special Education and Child Development, Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis

Modality: Online 

Length: 33 credit hours

GRE required? No

Accreditation by ABAI? Yes

Tuition: Between $296.76 and $1,132.04 per credit depending on resident status

Program Overview:
This program’s coursework is ABAI-verified and consists of 33 credit hours. With no GRE score required to apply, the program requires a research program to successfully complete the masters, and coursework is online with mostly synchronous course delivery. UNC Charlotte also offers a 21-credit certificate in ABA.

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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: $730 per credit

Program Overview:
This ABAI-verfied program doesn’t require the GRE to apply, and 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.

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Program: 
M.S.Ed. in Special Education – Autism/Applied Behavior Analysis

Modality: Online 

Length: 39 credit hours

GRE required? No

Accreditation by ABAI? Yes

Tuition: $1,136 per credit

Program Overview:
This 39-credit program combines the coursework of the M.S. Ed. in Special Education’s Autism Spectrum Disorder track and the graduate certificate in applied behavior analysis to create a student experience which gives students the academic qualifications to sit for the BCBA exam. The program is based on the cohort model and has an ABAI-verified coursework sequence.

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Accelerated Online ABA Masters Programs

Graduate school is a significant investment of time, money, and energy. However, some programs in ABA are designed to take less time or offer alternatives for students so that their careers aren’t stalled for long. Here are a few online programs that offer accelerated or shortened programs.

Program: 
M.A. in Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis

Modality: Online 

Length: Minimum 16 months

GRE required? No

Accreditation by ABAI? No

Tuition: $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. 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.

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Program: 
M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis

Modality: Online 

Length: 18 months full-time

GRE required? No

Accreditation by ABAI? Yes

Tuition: $1,111 per credit

Program Overview:
Drexel’s program, with a coursework sequence verified by the ABAI, is organized into four 10-week quarters, allowing for more coursework to be completed in a shorter period of time. With a credit total of 46.5 needed to graduate as well as the completion of a capstone project, the program allows students to take the program either full-time or part-time. Full-time students can complete the program in 18 months. There are also weekly live discussion opportunities with faculty and peers.

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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. 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.

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Program: 
M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis

Modality: Online 

Length: 8 to 16 weeks

GRE required? No

Accreditation by ABAI? Yes

Tuition: $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. With a total of 30 credits needed to graduate, students can complete the program in 8 weeks or 16 weeks. Students will take part in asynchronous classes, which are offered with less than 20 students to allow for individualization.

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Program: 
Online M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis

Modality: Online 

Length: 12 to 15 months

GRE required? No

Accreditation by ABAI? Yes

Tuition: $1,945 per credit

Program Overview:
This program from Pepperdine can be completed in 12 to 15 months. Featuring both synchronous and asynchronous classes, the coursework is verified by the ABAI. During the practicum portion of the program, students gain hands-on experience working in the field at supervised placements.

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Program: 
M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis

Modality: Online 

Length: 1 to 2 years

GRE required? No

Accreditation by ABAI? Yes

Tuition: $695 per credit

Program Overview:
The M.Ed. from the School of Professional Studies 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.

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Program: 
M.Ed. in Foundations in Behavior Analysis

Modality: Online 

Length: 20 months

GRE required? No

Accreditation by ABAI? Yes

Tuition: $761 per credit (non-resident)

Program Overview:
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.

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Program: 
M.A. in Behavior Analysis Practice

Modality: Online 

Length: As short as 6 semesters

GRE required? No

Accreditation by ABAI? No

Tuition: $970 per masters credit and $510 per certification credit (program is made up of combined masters and certification courses)

Program Overview:
Florida Tech’s online program totals 33 credit hours and allows students to graduate in as early as six semesters. ABAI-verified coursework includes live weekly meetings with co-instructors. The program consists of credit hours specific to the master’s degree as well as credits from the school’s Graduate Certification in Behavior Analysis Practice. Master’s credits are $970 each whereas the certification credits are $510 per credit, cutting down the total cost and bringing the total tuition cost closer to $22,350, according to the program’s webpage.

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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: $630 per credit

Program Overview:
This degree from Lehigh University starts students on the path to qualify to take the BCBA exam. The program can be attended on a full-time or a part-time basis, and while the average time it takes to complete the program is 2 years, that is based on students taking the program part-time. Full-time students can expect to complete the program in a shorter period of time.

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Affordable Online ABA Masters Programs

The cost of education is, unfortunately, rising. In many schools, the cost per credit in graduate programs comes close to $1,000, sometimes exceeding this price. The following are some comparatively more affordable programs to consider.

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: $427.74 per credit; for accelerated, fees are at the undergraduate rate of $330.09 per credit

Program Overview:
The M.A. in ABA has coursework verified by ABAI. While this particular program from Southeast Missouri State takes 2 years to complete, it offers an accelerated option for students of their undergraduate programs in education, psychology, child development, communication disorders, or working toward an Autism Studies Certificate to take credits in their senior year which count toward both the undergraduate and graduate credits.

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Program: 
Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis Online

Modality: Online 

Length: 1 year

GRE required? No

Accreditation by ABAI? Yes

Tuition: $420 per credit

Program Overview:
With 9 total courses and taking 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. In addition, Purdue’s program costs less per credit than most other programs in this article, with credits costing $420 each and other tuition reduction methods offered by the school, making this one of the more affordable ABA graduate programs.

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Program: 
M.S. in Psychology With an Applied Behavior Analysis Specialization

Modality: Online 

Length: 21 months

GRE required? No

Accreditation by ABAI? Yes

Tuition: $590 per credit

Program Overview:
The ABAI-verified coursework sequence of this program totals 63 quarter credits taking an average of 21 months to complete. The program boasts affordability, with each quarter credit costing $590 each, as of February 2025. The school additionally touts transfer credits and the Believe and Achieve scholarship as ways that make its program more affordable compared to other schools and programs.

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Program: 
M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis

Modality: Online 

Length: 60 credits

GRE required? No

Accreditation by ABAI? Yes

Tuition: $510 per credit

Program Overview:
Capella University’s M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis comes with a specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is a 60-credit program with 10 core courses and 2 specialization courses. Each credit costs $510, according to the website as of January 2025. Additionally, the program coursework meets BACB eligibility and includes BCBA exam preparation.

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Program: 
M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis

Modality: Online 

Length: 2 years

GRE required? No

Accreditation by ABAI? Yes

Tuition: $495 per credit

Program Overview:
This online program from Mary Baldwin University offers students the chance to pursue a degree with coursework verified by the ABAI. It typically takes about two years to complete and includes fieldwork opportunities. Mary Baldwin University’s graduate programs cost $495 per credit hour, as of January 2025. It takes 37 credits to complete the program, making this an affordable program compared to others of its kind.

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