10 Best Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs for ABA

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This article profiles the 10 best online ABA bachelor’s degree programs. These are all from accredited colleges and universities.

If you’re right out of high school and might be interested in a career in ABA, this list might help narrow down the options. You want a degree that is high-quality, affordable and convenient. The degrees on this list are ranked according to affordability, and many of them offer online options.

What exactly is applied behavior analysis? The field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has to do with learning about behavior. ABA professionals study behavior. Then they use what they learn to help their clients improve their behavior. A bachelor’s degree in applied behavior analysis is often the first step in this career. This list of degrees is a great way to get started.

This article mentions Behavior Analyst Certification Board examination. This exam is for people who want certification as an applied behavior analyst. To be eligible to take this exam, you complete a sequence of board-certified courses. Few board-certified assistant behavior analyst online programs are available, especially from accredited institutions.

The degrees below are accredited, affordable degrees. Read to the end to find FAQs about online options for a bachelor’s degree in applied behavior analysis!

Ranking the Top Online Bachelor’s in Applied Behavior Analysis Degrees

For this list, we looked at 15 regionally and nationally accredited colleges and universities. Those we looked at offer board-certified assistant behavior analyst online programs. They might also offer closely related degree programs. All but two of the ABA programs on our list meet certification exam criteria. That means these qualify as BCaBA certification programs online. In other words, the program adheres to the standards of BCBA certification. They offer the course sequence required to sit for the exam. We ranked the board-certified assistant behavior analyst online programs according to affordability. We based this on out-of-state tuition.

Featured Programs

Pepperdine University
Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis
OnlinePsychology@Pepperdine
Earn your master’s in applied behavior analysis in less than 2 years online at Pepperdine. Experience clinical training and prepare to sit for the board certified behavior analyst exam. GRE not required.
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10. Saint Joseph’s University

Autism Behavioral Studies

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Website

BCaBA programs online – Saint Joseph’s University!

Undergraduate Tuition: $47,940

Saint Joseph’s University offers a high-quality degree. This degree is much like an applied behavior analysis bachelor’s degree. However, it is not a typical bachelor’s degree in applied behavior analysis. But it may be just what you need if you are looking for BCaBA certification programs online. The degree is a bachelor’s in autism behavioral studies. Saint Joseph’s University offers the required 10-course sequence. This is good news for students who plan to sit for the BACB examination. A few of the goals for this degree are that students understand:

the causes and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder

the needs of students with autism spectrum disorder

how those needs can be met

what it means to conduct themselves in an ethical and professional manner

how to analyze and change harmful behavior

Saint Joseph’s University ranks third in best colleges for veterans. It also ranks eighth in best regional universities in the North.

9. Mary Baldwin University

Online Bachelor’s in Autism Studies and Applied Behavior Analysis

Staunton, Virginia

Website

Mary Baldwin University’s online ABA degree programs – accredited and affordable.

Undergraduate Tuition: $31,110

Mary Baldwin University earns a spot on our list for accreditation and affordability. MBU was the first Virginia university to offer the major in autism studies and ABA. This online ABA degree program is also available on campus. It prepares students for careers in the applied behavior analyst field. Coursework covers topics like

ABA ethics and professional standards

behavior assessment

behavior change procedures

data collection and research design

Courses in the autism sequence include:

characteristics and assessment of autism spectrum disorders

social skills instruction

Mary Baldwin ranks with major publications like U.S. News & World Report. In fact, current rankings include tying for #29 in top performers on social mobility.

8. Ball State University

Online Bachelor’s in Applied Behavior Analysis (Autism)

Muncie, Indiana

Website

Ball State University’s online ABA program is BACB-approved.

Undergraduate Tuition: $27,132

Ball State University offers an online bachelor’s in applied behavior analysis program. It is one of the most affordable online ABA degrees available. Several undergraduate options are offered. This includes:

the minor in autism spectrum disorders

the applied behavior analysis specialization

the minor in applied behavior analysis

The minor in ABA prepares students for careers in ABA. The course content is approved by the BACB. It prepares students for the Board-Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) exam. This 15-credit minor is offered entirely online, as is the entire degree. Ball State ranks with major publications like U.S. News & World Report. It tied for 284th place in the list of best national universities. It also tied for 191st in top performers on social mobility.

7. University of Arizona Global Campus

Online Bachelor’s in Applied Behavioral Science

San Diego, California

Website

Study human behavior at the University of Arizona Global Campus.

Undergraduate Tuition: $12,160

The University of Arizona Global Campus offers accredited online ABA degree programs. This includes the online bachelor’s in applied behavior analysis. This completely online degree program offers courses one at a time that run five weeks in length. Courses include:

applied behavioral sciences

introduction to applied behavioral science

psychological assessment

research methods

statistics for the behavioral and social sciences

This program does not lead to licensure or BCaBA certification online. This is different from most of the other programs on the list. Of note: the University of Arizona, a nonprofit school, recently acquired Ashford University. Ashford University used to be a for-profit school. It now exists as the University of Arizona Global Campus.

6. Central Methodist University

Online Bachelor’s in Applied Behavior Analysis

Fayette, Missouri

Website

Central Methodist University’s online ABA bachelor’s degree is designed to meet the standards needed to sit for the national exam.

Undergraduate Tuition: $25,780

Central Methodist University offers one of the best online ABA degree programs available. The applied behavior analysis bachelor’s degree is an online program. It prepares students to work with children who have:

autism

developmental delays

other related conditions

BCaBA degree classes may be completed online. Classes include:

behavior assessment

behavior change procedures

leadership and management in ABA

research and data analysis methods

verbal behavioral analysis

The BCaBA degree program prepares students for the national accrediting examination. Rankings for Central Methodist by U.S. News & World Report include:

#78 in best regional universities in the Midwest

#15 in top performers on social mobility

5. University of West Florida

Online Minor in Applied Behavior Analysis

Pensacola, Florida

Website

Affordable online ABA bachelor’s degree ! University of West Florida.

Undergraduate Tuition: $19,241

The University of West Florida now offers an online minor in ABA. It is ABAI-approved. The minor can be put together with another online degree. This fully online degree is designed to prepare students for

BCBA certification

BCaBA certification

RBT certification

The cohort begins every semester. This means students may jump in and start taking classes immediately. Coursework for the undergraduate minor meets requirements for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board Fourth Edition Task List. These BCaBA courses cover topics like:

functional applications of behavior analysis in health science

health science essentials of behavior analysis

methodology in behavior analysis in health science

problem identification and functional assessment in health science.

UWF ranks with U.S. News & World Report as the 36th best regional university and 56th best value school.

4. Purdue University Global

Online Bachelor’s in Psychology – Applied Behavior Analysis

Indianapolis, Indiana

Website

ABA schools online! Purdue University Global’s online ABA programs.

Undergraduate Tuition: $14,478

Purdue University Global offers an online bachelor’s in psychology. It prepares students to sit for the Board-Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst examination. That makes this one of the best options for BCaBA certification online. Courses run 10 weeks in length and require approximately 15-18 hours of study per week. BCaBA courses offered through the online program include:

autism spectrum disorders in young children

clinical psychology

exceptional needs children

personality development

program design and evaluation

Purdue Global accepts transfer credit from community colleges. This is among the best online ABA schools for a bachelors in ABA.

3. Capella University

BS in Psychology – Applied Behavior Analysis

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Website

Capella University offers an online bachelor’s in psychology – applied behavior analysis for those interested in BCaBA programs online.

Undergraduate Tuition: $14,148

This online bachelor’s in psychology with a specialization in applied behavior analysis. It is for those who want to hone their professional skills. It is for those who want to be prepared for employer’s expectations and the needs of the people they will work with. In this program, students will learn how to:

evaluate behavior

understand collected data

identify which areas need to be changed

plan for change

put plans into action to help people with behavioral issues

This program serves as preparation to take the BCBA examination. That makes this one of the top BCaBA online programs. This program includes “exam preparation software.” This is especially useful since it is an online program. Students can plan on one to three courses per 10 weeks. Capella University’s online bachelor’s in psychology – applied behavior analysis is one of the best online bachelors in ABA.

2. Troy University

Online Bachelor’s in Psychology – Applied Behavior Analysis Minor

Troy, Alabama

Website

Troy University’s online ABA programs include courses approved that meet the BCBA certification standards.

Undergraduate Tuition: $8,112

Troy University offers a psychology degree. It is a great option for those interested in an online bachelor’s in applied behavior analysis program. In fact, the online bachelor’s in psychology offers four minors. One of these is in applied behavior analysis. The BCaBA courses in the ABA minor meet the BCBA certification standards. This is one of the best BCaBA online programs. The program offers small class sizes and a rigorous curriculum. It is available on several campuses as a hybrid or in an entirely on-campus program. It is also available in the online format we highlight here. Troy is ranked with major publications like U.S. News & World Report. It comes in 51st among best regional universities in the South and 48th among best value schools.

1. Bellevue University

Online Bachelor’s in Behavioral Science

Bellevue, Nebraska

Website

The most affordable on our list! Bellevue University’s online ABA program.

Undergraduate Tuition: $7,851

Bellevue University offers the most affordable degree on our list. It is not strictly an online applied behavior analysis bachelor’s degree. Also, it does not lead to certification. Still, it is a very similar degree. This is an online bachelor’s in behavioral science. In this degree program, students learn about how to analyze individuals’ behavior. They learn how to design plans to make changes take place in that individual’s behavior, and in their life. Bellevue University offers a convenient option. Someone can transfer in with an associate’s degree. Then they can earn the bachelor’s degree as part of an accelerated cohort where one course is taken at a time. Bellevue University ranks #139 in top performers on social mobility with US News & World Report. This degree comes in at #1 for top online applied behavior analysis bachelor’s degree programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is applied behavior analysis?

Applied behavior analysis is a relatively new field. According to the BACB (Behavior Analyst Certification Board), it began in the early 20th century. It has been used since the 1950s. It has mostly been applied to help those on the autism spectrum, so it is well known in that area, but it is useful for many different problems.

Applied behavior analysis uses the study of behavior to help people stop behaviors that are harmful and gain new behaviors that are more beneficial. According to the website, thousands of scientific studies over time have determined that behavior is very much a product of circumstances, especially of what happens directly after the behavior. If the circumstances surrounding a particular behavior change, the behavior itself will often change. It is up to the behavior analyst to determine how best to accomplish this. Often, this will be accomplished by observing and collecting data, analyzing the data, coming up with a plan to modify harmful behaviors, and putting that plan into practice.

According to Autism Speaks, behavior analysts often use positive reinforcement, which connects a positive behavior with a reward of some kind. When the desired behavior takes place, the reward is given. Behavior analysts must also understand the principles of antecedent-behavior-consequence, or what leads up to the behavior, the behavior itself, and what happens after the behavior, since, as noted above, the events immediately following a particular behavior may influence whether that behavior is repeated.

For children, according to Child Mind Institute, applied behavior analysis is often play-based. That means that a child and a therapist will not be sitting at a desk, but playing with toys on the floor in a way that the child will find engaging. Often, the ABA therapist is trained to be very engaging, fun, and even silly in order to help the child enjoy their time learning new behaviors.

What is a BCaBA?

BCaBA stands for Board-Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst. According to the BACB , the BCaBA is an applied behavior analysis certification at the undergraduate level. The board-certified assistant behavior analyst always works under the guidance of a BCBA (Board-Certified Behavior Analyst.) They may, however, be supervisors of RBTs (Registered Behavior Technicians.)

How is a BCaBA different from an RBT?

RBT stands for Registered Behavior Technician. According to the BACB website, this is a paraprofessional certification. In order to qualify, you don’t need a degree, but you do need to be eighteen years old, have a high school diploma, complete a 40-hour training, and pass a background check and an initial competency assessment. Then, after taking and passing the RBT exam, you must still be supervised, meet ethics requirements, and renew every year.

How do I become a BCaBA?

To become a BCaBA, you must have earned a degree, taken the proper BCaBA coursework, and completed supervised experience. Once the requirements are met, you can apply and then, if accepted, you can take the BCaBA exam. Once you have passed the exam, you can practice as a BCaBA. As noted above, this will be under the supervision of a BCBA. However, in order to maintain your status as a BCaBA, you must continue to be supervised, meet ethics requirements, meet continuing education requirements, and recertify every two years.

How much will I make with an online bachelor’s in applied behavior analysis degree?

BCaBAs, according to Zip Recruiter, make an average of $70, 844 a year. This works out to $34 an hour, which is slightly above the national average. The website lists the highest-paying states for BCaBAs. The top 10, in order, were Washington, Maryland, Kentucky, New York, Nebraska, Virginia, New Hampshire, Colorado, South Carolina, and Delaware. The five highest-paying cities were San Mateo, California; Berkeley, California; Daly City, California; Richmond, California; and Green River, Wyoming.

Once I’m a BCaBA, how can I advance my career?

Usually, the next step is to become a BCBA (Board-Certified Behavior Analyst.) This will put you in a more supervisory role. This requires a master’s degree or certificate that contains the courses required by the BACB, and you must take and pass the exam to become a BCBA. Zip Recruiter lists $89,075 per year, or about $43 per hour, as the national average salary for BCBAs.

What kind of person should be a BCaBA?

According to I Love ABA, if you want to be an ABA therapist and plan to work with children…

You must genuinely enjoy being around children.

You must have good interpersonal skills.

You must be consistent and take your job seriously.

You must become invested in the progress of those you are helping.

You must continue to improve your own skills in the area.

Another important factor is that you have a passion for helping others, because, at its heart, that is what this field does. You must go into the field with an understanding of its challenges, as well. ABA can have frequent setbacks and difficulties, and it is important that a prospective ABA therapist recognize this.

What jobs can I get in ABA?

Drexel University lists several jobs that are available in the field of ABA. One career possibility is working as a board-certified assistant behavior analyst. This is described in more detail above. Another career option is to work as a special education teacher. This will require more certification. Working as a wellness coach is also an option. A wellness coach is hired to help someone get their life more in order. This may mean helping them with their work-life balance, their exercise habits, or other parts of their life that they wish to change. There are several more career options related to ABA. However, some of them require additional degrees.

Is an online bachelor’s degree respected?

According to Northeastern University, online bachelor’s degrees are becoming more and more popular, leading to more respect in the workplace. Also, employers recognize that online degrees require self-discipline and self-motivation. This means that those who complete them have those skills. Employers are not likely to look down on your online degree. They are more likely to admire the motivation it took to earn that degree.

ABA Staff
January 2024

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