In Rhode Island, ABA master’s programs are supported by a compact ecosystem that is closely connected to professional practice. The state licenses behavior analysts through the Department of Health (RIDOH), which links universities with school districts, clinics, and agencies providing services covered by insurance and Medicaid. This structure allows supervised experience to take place in the same settings where graduates will later work.
A distinctive feature is the presence of state centers for technical assistance and training, which keep programs aligned with real needs in early childhood and developmental disabilities. For students, this translates into seminars and practicum placements tied to state initiatives in child development and special education.
Quick Facts
- ABAI/VCS-Aligned Programs: 1
- Average Program Length: 36 credits
- Tuition Range (per credit): $650–$665
Online ABA Programs That Meet Rhode Island’s BCBA Requirements
Masters Programs in Rhode Island to Become a BCBA
Becoming a BCBA® in Rhode Island follows a clear pathway that is closely integrated with the state’s service system.
Key Steps in Rhode Island:
- Graduate degree + VCS: complete a master’s program that includes a Verified Course Sequence (VCS).
- Supervised practice: accumulate hours under the supervision of a BCBA in local sites such as schools, early intervention programs, or state/insurance-contracted providers.
- National exam: take and pass the BACB exam (Pearson VUE testing centers are available in the state).
- State licensure: apply for a professional license through the Department of Health (RIDOH) to practice as a behavior analyst.
Why this pathway works in Rhode Island:
- Compact placement network: universities typically have agreements with districts and service providers, making it easier to secure practicum sites without extensive travel.
- Active ABA coverage: insurance mandates and public/Medicaid funding sustain service availability, resulting in more practicum opportunities and entry-level positions for graduates.
ABAI Accredited Masters Programs in Rhode Island
The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) grants an accreditation that goes beyond the Verified Course Sequence (VCS): it evaluates teaching quality, student outcomes, and the structure of supervised practice.
In Rhode Island, ABA master’s programs include verified course sequences (VCS) and, in some cases, full ABAI accreditation, the highest benchmark recognized by employers and agencies.
What it offers:
- External recognition of quality across teaching, supervision, and student performance.
- A clearly defined professional pathway for clinical and educational roles, with formally documented practicum experiences.
Note: full ABAI accreditation is selective and may change; it’s recommended to verify current status in the ABAI directory.
Salve Regina University
- Newport and Warwick, Rhode Island
- 36 hours
- Campus
Program:
Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: On Campus
GRE Required: not specified
Length: 36 credit hours
Tuition: $650 per credit hour for both in-state and out-of-state students. With a total of 36 credit hours required, the total program cost is around $23,400. Does not include additional fees, materials, or personal expenses.
Program Overview:
Evening format designed for working professionals: all courses are held on the Newport campus. The curriculum combines foundations, research methods, and applied training with focused elective options (e.g., Autism Spectrum & Other Developmental Disabilities, Organizational Behavior Management, Consultation), allowing students to tailor their experience toward school, clinical, or organizational contexts. Students who choose to complete practicum with Salve receive structured guidance to meet experience requirements and conclude with a project/thesis that integrates fieldwork.
Key Highlights
- After-work schedule: evening classes in Newport make it possible to balance employment and graduate study without sacrificing faculty interaction.
- Community partnerships: agreements with regional centers (e.g., Pathways Strategic Teaching Centers) provide direct practicum experiences for graduate students.
Additional Considerations
- Cohort and mentorship: small groups with close advising for elective selection (including pathways in OBM, consultation, and autism-related topics).
- Cost transparency: annual publication of per-credit tuition for graduate programs and specific mention of the program fee for the M.S. in Behavior Analysis.
Accreditation
- Institutional: Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
- Program-Specific: ABAI Accredited — M.S. in Behavior Analysis (status valid 2022–2029).
Accelerated Rhode Island ABA Masters Programs
Rhode Island offers a “4+1” accelerated pathway that allows students to begin graduate-level coursework while completing their undergraduate degree and finish the master’s with just one additional year. This option—available at Salve Regina University—enables qualified candidates to take advanced credits early, integrate supervised practice, and complete a Verified Course Sequence (VCS) that fulfills the academic eligibility requirement for BCBA® certification.
It’s a route designed for early entry into the field, reducing both time and overall cost, with evening in-person classes that make it easier to combine study with on-site professional experience.
ABA Certificate Programs in Rhode Island
Rhode Island offers graduate-level certificates in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for professionals who already hold a master’s degree in education, psychology, social work, or related fields and seek specialization without completing another full master’s program.
What stands out in the state:
- Locally grounded practicum: several programs include supervised practicum experiences coordinated by the university, with placements in Rhode Island’s school districts, clinics, and community agencies.
- Work-compatible format: concentrated schedules (evening or block courses), close faculty mentorship, and options to “stack” the certificate into future academic pathways or meet state professional requirements.
In short, it’s an efficient route for teachers, therapists, and clinicians who want to formalize their ABA competencies and apply them directly in their current work settings.
Salve Regina University
- Newport / Warwick, Rhode Island
- 24 hours
- Campus
Program:
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (Post-Master’s Certificate) in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: On Campus
Length: 24 credit hours (6 core ABA courses + 2 practicum courses)
Tuition: $665 per credit hour for all students. With a total of 24 credit hours required, the total program cost is around $15,960. Does not include additional fees, materials, or personal expenses.
Program Overview:
Designed for professionals who want to deepen their expertise in ABA and already have graduate-level training and prior experience in behavior analysis. This post-master’s certificate provides the opportunity to gain supervised experience in clinical and educational settings in Newport and Warwick.
Key Highlights
- Compact, focused pathway (24 credits): allows advancement in applied graduate-level competencies without completing a second full master’s degree.
- Professional-friendly schedule: evening on-campus classes concentrated into blocks to accommodate full-time work in local schools or clinics.
Additional Considerations
- Post-master’s admission: intended for graduate degree holders in psychology, education, or related fields; academic coordination tailors the plan to specific professional goals (clinical, school, or organizational).
- Locally anchored practica: placements are arranged with partner sites in Aquidneck Island/Warwick, reducing travel and supporting students’ ability to continue working while studying.
Accreditation
- Program-Specific: ABAI accreditation/verification is published primarily for the M.S. in Behavior Analysis; for the post-master’s CAGS, it is not independently specified on the public website (confirmation with the program is recommended).
- Institutional: Salve Regina University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Salve Regina University
- Newport, Rhode Island
- 18 hours
- Campus
Program:
Minor in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: On Campus
Length: 6 courses | 18 credit hours
Tuition: $1,305 per credit hour. With a total of 18 credit hours required, the total program cost is around $23,490. Does not include additional fees, materials, or personal expenses.
Program Overview:
Open to all majors and designed to add ABA competencies to profiles in psychology, education, and social work. The plan offers three clear tracks depending on your major (Psychology; Education/Special Education; other disciplines) and combines core courses with electives to adapt the application of ABA to different contexts.
Key Highlights
- The university recommends this minor for students considering the accelerated pathway into the M.S. in Behavior Analysis.
- Uncommon applied electives (Animal Training, School Social Work) that expand opportunities in school, clinical, and community settings.
Additional Considerations
- For students planning the accelerated M.S. in Behavior Analysis, completing the minor provides early alignment of coursework.
- Review tuition policies: per-credit charges apply when enrolling in fewer than 12 or more than 17 credits per semester; otherwise, tuition is billed as a block of 12–17 credits.
Accreditation
- Program-Specific: The minor does not indicate ABAI accreditation (which applies to graduate programs); it is an undergraduate credential in ABA.
- Institutional: Salve Regina University is accredited by the HLC.
BCBA Legislation in Rhode Island
Rhode Island requires a state license (LBA/LABA) to practice, administered through the Department of Health. Applicants must hold national certification (BACB®), complete a background check, and renew periodically. The state’s autism insurance mandate includes coverage for ABA when medically necessary, and Rhode Island Medicaid also recognizes and reimburses ABA services under defined clinical criteria.
BCBA Demand in Rhode Island
Demand is concentrated in the Providence–Warwick area and extends across school districts, autism clinics, hospitals, and community providers. Job postings typically list salary ranges between $80,000–$90,000, with higher averages in metropolitan areas and a strong preference for candidates with school-based experience and expertise in severe behavior management.
With active licensing and both insurance and Medicaid coverage in place, the job market in Rhode Island continues to show steady growth.
