The VCS system officially ended on December 31, 2025, and what replaced it changes how you should think about choosing an ABA graduate program. This page explains what happened, what the new pathways actually require, and why the programs listed here represent the most credentialing-secure route to BCBA certification today.
For years, the Verified Course Sequence was one of the most practical tools available to prospective ABA graduate students. The concept was simple: the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) reviewed graduate course sequences and verified that they met the BACB’s minimum content requirements for BCBA certification eligibility under what’s known as Pathway 2. If a program had the VCS designation, you could enroll with confidence that your coursework would count toward your certification application without any additional review or guesswork.
It solved a real problem. Graduate students researching programs had no easy way to evaluate whether a given curriculum would actually satisfy the BACB’s requirements. The VCS gave them a clear signal: this program has been checked. At its peak, hundreds of programs across the country carried the VCS designation, and it became the de facto standard for how students and employers alike evaluated whether a master’s program in ABA was “legit.”
There was always a caveat, though. The VCS was a content-hour verification, not a quality review. It confirmed that a program covered the required topic areas for the minimum number of instructional hours. It didn’t evaluate faculty credentials, research output, clinical training quality, student outcomes, or exam pass rates. ABAI was explicit about this on their own website: “The VCS status indicates that a training program offers the minimum coursework required for certification eligibility; it does not indicate any quality measures of the program.” In other words, the VCS told you a program met the floor. It said nothing about the ceiling.
That distinction matters more now than ever, because the VCS is gone.
Why the VCS Ended
In January 2023, ABAI and BACB jointly announced that the VCS system would sunset at the end of 2025. The last day to apply for BCBA certification using the VCS course-by-course review process was December 31, 2025. ABAI stopped accepting new VCS applications on January 1, 2025, and discontinued the VCS system entirely on December 31, 2025.
The shift reflects something bigger than just a change in administrative process. ABA is growing up as a profession. Look at fields like nursing, social work, and licensed counseling: programmatic accreditation is the standard there. Degrees from accredited programs are recognized, trusted, and expected. The ABA field has been moving in that direction for years, and the VCS sunset accelerates that transition. The message is clear: the long-term future of BCBA certification runs through accredited programs, not through individually verified course sequences.
That doesn’t mean Pathway 2 disappeared overnight. It didn’t. But it does mean the landscape has fundamentally changed.
Pathway 2 Today: The Coursework Attestation Process
Pathway 2 still exists, and it remains a valid route to BCBA certification. The BACB has announced that Pathway 2 will be discontinued after December 31, 2031. What changed is how coursework is verified in the meantime.
Instead of the ABAI’s VCS system confirming eligibility upfront, each student now goes through a process called the Pathway 2 Coursework Attestation. The university must designate a full-time, BCBA-certified faculty member in the program’s department as the Pathway 2 Program Contact. When a student completes their coursework, that faculty contact reviews their records and submits a formal attestation to the BACB confirming the coursework meets requirements.
Here are the key things to understand about how Pathway 1 and Pathway 2 now compare:
| Pathway 1 (Accreditation) | Pathway 2 (Attestation) | |
|---|---|---|
| How coursework is verified | Program accreditation or recognition (peer-reviewed; verified before enrollment) | Faculty attestation per individual student (after coursework is complete) |
| Who verifies | ABAI or APBA (independent accreditation body) | Pathway 2 Program Contact (full-time BCBA faculty member at your university) |
| Valid through | Accredited programs: program-specific periods, qualifying beyond 2032. Recognized programs: December 31, 2031. | December 31, 2031. Eliminated after that date. |
| 2027 coursework update | Built into accreditation review cycle | Programs must meet updated 6th Edition TCO requirements by January 1, 2027 |
| After December 31, 2031 | Accredited programs continue to qualify | No longer available. Only Pathway 1 qualifies. |
There’s also a practical difference in what you can verify before you enroll. With a VCS, students could look up a program’s status before applying. Under the attestation system, there’s no centralized directory equivalent. Programs can state their curriculum meets Pathway 2 requirements, but no independent body is confirming that upfront the way ABAI once did.
And here’s the critical piece that many students don’t yet realize: after December 31, 2031, the BACB has stated that applicants for BCBA certification must apply via Pathway 1 only. Completing a degree from a recognized Tier 2a or 2b program will no longer qualify after that date. Only degrees from ABAI- or APBA-accredited programs will qualify.
Pathway 1: Why ABAI Accreditation Is the Clearest Path Forward
Pathway 1 has always been the cleaner option for students who want certainty. If you earn a degree from an ABAI-accredited or recognized program, or an APBA-accredited program, your degree itself satisfies both the degree requirement and the coursework requirement for BCBA certification under Pathway 1. There’s no separate attestation process, no content-hour audit, no Pathway 2 Program Contact to track down. The accredited program is your documentation.
The ABAI uses a tiered system to classify programs. Here’s how the tiers compare:
| Tier | Designation | Degree Types Covered | Qualifies for Pathway 1 Through |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | ABAI-Accredited | All degree levels | Program-specific accreditation periods; qualifies beyond 2032 |
| Tier 2a | ABAI-Recognized | Master’s and doctoral programs | December 31, 2031 |
| Tier 2b | ABAI-Recognized | Bachelor’s and undergraduate programs | December 31, 2031 |
One more distinction worth noting: neither a former VCS designation nor any self-reported program claim carries the same standing as ABAI accreditation or recognition. Programs currently operating under the attestation system may claim to meet Pathway 2 standards, but only ABAI accreditation and ABAI recognition represent independent, peer-reviewed quality evaluations. As ABAI’s own documentation states, those are “the only established, peer-review quality designations for behavior analysis training programs.”
What This Means for the Programs on This Page
The list below reflects this new reality. We’ve organized it into two tiers.
Tier 1 features ABAI-accredited programs: the most rigorously reviewed, most credentialing-secure option available. If you’re planning your ABA education and want to maximize your certainty about certification eligibility regardless of when you graduate and regardless of where the field’s requirements land in 2027, 2032, or beyond, an accredited program is your strongest choice.
Tier 2 features ABAI-recognized programs (Tiers 2a and 2b): programs that have completed ABAI’s recognition process and currently satisfy Pathway 1 requirements. These are quality programs with a peer-reviewed designation. Students planning to graduate and apply before 2032 will find these programs fully viable.
Programs that previously held VCS status but have not yet achieved ABAI accreditation or recognition are not included in the tiered list, but many are currently in the application pipeline. We’ll continue to update this resource as the accreditation landscape evolves.
One thing doesn’t change: if you’re going to invest the time and money into an ABA graduate degree, it’s worth choosing a program that will still be relevant when you apply for your BCBA, when you’re renewing it five years later, and when the field looks different than it does today.
Each state section below shows three categories where applicable: ABAI-accredited programs (Tier 1, the highest ABAI quality designation, with program-specific accreditation periods), ABAI-recognized programs (Tier 2a/2b, valid for Pathway 1 through December 31, 2031), and programs currently pursuing ABAI recognition. APBA began accepting accreditation applications on January 20, 2026. Check the APBA website directly for any newly accredited programs before enrolling.
Graduate Programs by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Alabama
ABAI-Accredited Programs
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- M.S. in Psychology, Emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis
ABAI-Recognized Programs
University of Alabama in Huntsville
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)
- Recognition through December 31, 2027.
Alaska
ABAI-Accredited Programs
University of Alaska Anchorage
- M.S. in Clinical Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis Track
- B.A./B.S. in Psychology, Concentration in Behavior Analysis
Arizona
Pursuing ABAI Recognition
- M.S. in Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis
- Eligible to apply. Full application not yet submitted.
Arkansas
No ABAI-accredited or recognized programs are currently listed for Arkansas. Verify against the live ABAI directory before publication.
California
ABAI-Accredited Programs
California State University, Los Angeles
- M.S. in Counseling, Emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
California State University, Sacramento
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
Colorado
Pursuing ABAI Recognition
University of Colorado at Denver
- M.A. in Special Education, Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Eligible to apply. Full application not yet submitted.
Connecticut
ABAI-Recognized Programs
Eastern Connecticut State University
- B.S. in Psychology, Concentration in Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
- Recognition through December 31, 2026. As of March 2026, ABAI also lists this program as under review for initial accreditation. Students should confirm program status directly before enrolling.
Pursuing ABAI Recognition
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Under review.
Delaware
No ABAI-accredited or recognized programs are currently listed for Delaware. Verify against the live ABAI directory before publication.
District of Columbia
No ABAI-accredited or recognized programs are currently listed for the District of Columbia. Verify against the live ABAI directory before publication.
Florida
ABAI-Accredited Programs
Florida Institute of Technology
- Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis (Melbourne campus, on-campus)
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis, Organizational Behavior Management, and ABA/OBM (Melbourne campus, on-campus)
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis (Orlando campus, on-campus)
- B.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis (Melbourne campus, on-campus)
- Each program holds separate accreditation. Verify your specific campus and degree before enrolling.
Florida State University, Panama City
- M.S. in Psychology: Applied Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
- M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis and Clinical Science (On-Campus)
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
Pursuing ABAI Recognition
- B.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Eligible to apply. Full application not yet submitted.
- M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)
- Eligible to apply. Note: USF’s on-campus M.S. is already ABAI-accredited. This application covers the online format separately.
- M.S. in Behavior Analysis
- Eligible to apply. Full application not yet submitted.
Georgia
ABAI-Recognized Programs
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
- Recognition through December 31, 2027.
Pursuing ABAI Recognition
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Under review.
Hawaii
No ABAI-accredited or recognized programs are currently listed for Hawaii. Verify against the live ABAI directory before publication.
Idaho
No ABAI-accredited or recognized programs are currently listed for Idaho. Verify against the live ABAI directory before publication.
Illinois
ABAI-Accredited Programs
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- M.S. in Behavior Analysis and Therapy (On-Campus)
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis, Chicago Campus (On-Campus)
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis, Dallas Campus (Hybrid)
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)
- Accreditation is program- and format-specific. The DC and SoCal campuses are currently listed by ABAI as eligible to apply, not accredited. Verify your specific campus before enrolling.
Pursuing ABAI Recognition
- M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Eligible to apply. Full application not yet submitted.
- M.S. in Education, Specializing in Behavior Analysis
- Eligible to apply. Full application not yet submitted.
Indiana
Pursuing ABAI Recognition
- B.S. in Psychology in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)
- Under review.
Iowa
Pursuing ABAI Recognition
- M.Ed. in Special Education, Specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Under review.
- M.A. in Special Education with a Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Under review.
Kansas
ABAI-Accredited Programs
- Ph.D. in Behavioral Psychology (On-Campus)
- M.A. in Applied Behavioral Science (On-Campus)
- M.A. in Applied Behavioral Science (Online)
- Two separately accredited master’s programs: one on-campus and one online.
Kentucky
Pursuing ABAI Recognition
- M.S. in General Psychology, ABA Concentration
- Under review.
Louisiana
ABAI-Accredited Programs
- M.A. in Psychology with a Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis (On-Campus and Online)
ABAI-Recognized Programs
- Ph.D. in Psychology, Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
- Recognition through December 31, 2027.
Maine
No ABAI-accredited or recognized programs are currently listed for Maine. Verify against the live ABAI directory before publication.
Maryland
ABAI-Accredited Programs
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
- M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
Pursuing ABAI Recognition
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Under review.
Massachusetts
ABAI-Accredited Programs
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis (two separately accredited programs)
- Verify your specific format holds current accreditation before enrolling.
- M.S. in Behavior Analysis (Online)
- M.S. in Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
- M.S. in Behavior Analysis (Online)
- Two separately accredited programs.
ABAI-Recognized Programs
- M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis (Hybrid)
- Recognition through December 31, 2028.
Pursuing ABAI Recognition
- M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Eligible to apply. Full application not yet submitted.
Michigan
ABAI-Accredited Programs
- Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
- M.A. in Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
ABAI-Recognized Programs
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Recognition through December 31, 2027.
Pursuing ABAI Recognition
- M.Ed. in Special Education with a Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Under review.
University of Michigan Dearborn
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Under review.
- M.S. in Psychology, Clinical Behavioral
- Eligible to apply. Full application not yet submitted.
Minnesota
ABAI-Accredited Programs
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis (two separately accredited programs)
Pursuing ABAI Recognition
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)
- Under review.
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
- M.A. in Special Education with an Emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Under review.
Mississippi
No ABAI-accredited or recognized programs are currently listed for Mississippi. Verify against the live ABAI directory before publication.
Missouri
ABAI-Accredited Programs
University of Missouri, Columbia
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
ABAI-Recognized Programs
- M.A. in Behavior Analysis
- Recognition through December 31, 2027.
Pursuing ABAI Recognition
- M.A. in Disability Studies, Applied Behavior Analysis
- Eligible to apply. Full application not yet submitted.
Washington University in St. Louis
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Eligible to apply. Full application not yet submitted.
Montana
ABAI-Accredited Programs
Montana State University Billings
- M.S. in Special Education, Advanced Studies, ABA Emphasis (On-Campus)
Nebraska
ABAI-Accredited Programs
University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Munroe-Meyer Institute
- Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
Pursuing ABAI Recognition
University of Nebraska Omaha / University of Nebraska Medical Center Munroe-Meyer Institute
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Eligible to apply. Full application not yet submitted.
Nevada
ABAI-Accredited Programs
- Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
- M.S. in Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
- M.S. in Behavior Analysis (Online, via Global Institute for Behavior Analysis)
- B.S. in Psychology, Behavior Science (On-Campus)
- Multiple separately accredited programs. Verify your specific format before enrolling.
Pursuing ABAI Recognition
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- M.Ed. in Special Education with an Emphasis in ABA
- Under review.
- M.Ed. in Special Education, ABA in Special Education Sub-Plan
- Under review. Note: UNR’s doctoral and M.S. programs in Behavior Analysis are already ABAI-accredited. This application covers a separate degree program.
New Hampshire
No ABAI-accredited or recognized programs are currently listed for New Hampshire. Verify against the live ABAI directory before publication.
New Jersey
ABAI-Accredited Programs
- Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
- M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
Pursuing ABAI Recognition
- M.A. in Behavior Analysis
- Under review.
New Mexico
Pursuing ABAI Recognition
- M.A. in Special Education with a Concentration in Behavior Analysis
- Eligible to apply. Full application not yet submitted.
New York
ABAI-Accredited Programs
Teachers College, Columbia University
- Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
- M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
ABAI-Recognized Programs
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)
- Recognition through December 31, 2027.
State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)
- Provisional recognition through December 31, 2027.
Pursuing ABAI Recognition
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Under review.
Long Island University (Post Campus)
- M.A. in Behavior Analysis
- Eligible to apply. Full application not yet submitted.
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism
- Eligible to apply. Full application not yet submitted.
St. Joseph’s University, New York
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Eligible to apply. Full application not yet submitted.
SUNY Upstate Medical University
- M.S. in Behavior Analysis Studies
- Eligible to apply. Full application not yet submitted.
North Carolina
ABAI-Accredited Programs
University of North Carolina Wilmington
- Ph.D. Program in Psychology in Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
- M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
Pursuing ABAI Recognition
University of North Carolina Charlotte
- M.Ed. in Special Education and Child Development, Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Eligible to apply. Full application not yet submitted.
North Dakota
Pursuing ABAI Recognition
- M.S. in Special Education with Applied Behavior Analysis Emphasis
- Eligible to apply. Full application not yet submitted.
Ohio
ABAI-Accredited Programs
- Ph.D. in Educational Studies, Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis in Special Education (On-Campus)
- M.A. in Educational Studies, Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
Oklahoma
No ABAI-accredited or recognized programs are currently listed for Oklahoma. Verify against the live ABAI directory before publication.
Oregon
No ABAI-accredited or recognized programs are currently listed for Oregon. Verify against the live ABAI directory before publication.
Pennsylvania
ABAI-Accredited Programs
Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg
- M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
Pursuing ABAI Recognition
- M.Ed. in Special Education with a Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Under review.
- M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (Graduate Non-Degree)
- Eligible to apply. Full application not yet submitted.
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)
- Eligible to apply. Full application not yet submitted.
- M.S. in Special Education, Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Eligible to apply. Full application not yet submitted.
Rhode Island
ABAI-Accredited Programs
- M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
South Carolina
No ABAI-accredited or recognized programs are currently listed for South Carolina. Verify against the live ABAI directory before publication.
South Dakota
Pursuing ABAI Recognition
- M.Ed. in Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis
- Under review.
Tennessee
Pursuing ABAI Recognition
- M.S. in Instruction and Curriculum Leadership, Concentration in ABA
- Under review.
- Ed.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Eligible to apply. Full application not yet submitted.
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Eligible to apply. Full application not yet submitted.
Tennessee Technological University
- M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction, Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction, Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Eligible to apply. Full application not yet submitted.
Texas
ABAI-Accredited Programs
University of Houston, Clear Lake
- M.A. in Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
- M.S. in Behavior Analysis (On-Campus, with partially online options available)
University of Texas at San Antonio
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
Pursuing ABAI Recognition
University of Houston, Victoria
- M.Ed. in Special Education, Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Under review.
Utah
Pursuing ABAI Recognition
- M.Ed. in Special Education with an Emphasis in ABA
- M.S. in Special Education with an Emphasis in ABA
- Eligible to apply. Full application not yet submitted.
- M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Eligible to apply. Full application not yet submitted.
Vermont
No ABAI-accredited or recognized programs are currently listed for Vermont. Verify against the live ABAI directory before publication.
Virginia
Pursuing ABAI Recognition
- M.A. in Psychological Sciences, Concentration in Behavior Analysis
- Under review.
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Eligible to apply. Full application not yet submitted.
Washington
ABAI-Recognized Programs
- M.Ed. in Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
- M.Ed. in Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)
- Each format holds separate recognition through December 31, 2027.
West Virginia
ABAI-Accredited Programs
- Ph.D. in Psychology, Behavior Analysis Specialization (On-Campus)
- M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
- B.S. in Psychology, Behavior Analysis (On-Campus)
Wisconsin
No ABAI-accredited or recognized programs are currently listed for Wisconsin. Verify against the live ABAI directory before publication.
Wyoming
No ABAI-accredited or recognized programs are currently listed for Wyoming. Verify against the live ABAI directory before publication.
Ready to find the right ABA program for you? Browse accredited and recognized programs above, or explore all of our featured school partners to compare options by location, format, and degree level.
