Top Master’s in Applied Behavioral Analysis Programs of 2025

Applied behavioral analysis is a psychological discipline focused on helping people alter behavior. Applied behavioral analysts (ABAs) often work with individuals with autism and their families to build communication and social skills.

To become an ABA therapist, you’ll need to earn a master’s degree before you become licensed and certified to practice ABA. As a specialized ABA therapist, you can work with individuals with autism or neurodivergence who seek to change aspects of their behavior.

Read on to learn more about ABA therapy and what you can expect from an online master’s in applied behavior analysis.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

There are several factors to consider when evaluating an online ABA master’s program, including cost, program length, accreditation, and career outlook.

During the 2019-2020 academic year, the average tuition and fees for an online master’s in psychology was around $12,000, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). However, the average net price was approximately $11,000 when considering grants and scholarships.

You can explore several options to help lower the cost of a psychology degree, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), loans, grants, Work-Study programs, and scholarships.

Students studying ABA can also take advantage of specific scholarships dedicated to learners in the discipline. These include scholarships offered by foundations, interest groups, and nonprofit organizations, such as the Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis.

A master’s degree in ABA typically requires between 30 and 45 credits and can be completed in around two years. An accelerated online degree program can help you earn a master’s degree in as little as a year, saving you time and money.

Additionally, several schools offer 4+1 programs that allow students to earn a master’s degree in ABA within a year of finishing their bachelor’s program.

When considering an online master’s in ABA, make sure it has programmatic accreditation from the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI).

All ABAI-accredited programs undergo a comprehensive review, which evaluates their mission, curriculum, outcomes assessment, and administration and meeting necessary eligibility requirements.

Currently, there are almost 30 universities with ABAI-accredited master’s programs.

A master’s in ABA can lead to several career paths, including behavior analyst, clinical supervisor, ABA professor, autism specialist, and behavioral therapist.

While ABA therapy historically has focused on the area of developmental disabilities and autism, the scope of the field has expanded.

An accredited master’s in ABA is necessary for those who want to pursue careers as applied behavior analysts. The degree is worth the time and money if becoming an ABA therapist is your goal. These programs help students gain hands-on experience and fulfill other requirements to be licensed and certified.

An online ABA degree offers a blend of theoretical classroom learning and hands-on clinical experiences. Depending on the program, some students can earn their ABA certification in fewer than two years.

A master’s in ABA is a common degree for those aiming to become licensed and certified behavior analysts. If you want to advance even further in your career, increase your salary potential, or conduct behavioral research, you can pursue a Ph.D. in applied behavior analysis.

A Ph.D. in ABA can lead to leadership roles, academic positions like professor or researcher, advocacy work, or work in specialized fields. A Ph.D. typically requires between 3-4 years of full-time study, though the exact program duration may vary based on course load, specific requirements, and research complexity.