Help improve the lives of clients with autism spectrum disorder and behavior-related issues. Learn advanced behavioral theories and concepts while you pursue a direct path to board certification as a behavior analyst (BCBA®). Earn a degree that employers respect 100% online with the power of Purdue behind you, and put your learning into practice through an optional fieldwork experience.

• The only option on our list with BCaBA® preparation
• Fully 95% of graduates find employment or continue to a master’s program within 18 months
• A 3-week trial period lets you attend class at no cost and with no obligation
• Optional internship placement gives you a head-start on real-world practice experience
• Hosts student organizations like the Psychology Club and Autism Speaks U

Pepperdine University offers a degree in applied behavior analysis (ABA) for students who want to foster meaningful change in the lives of individuals with impaired communication and social interaction skills. The program’s course sequence is verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International, preparing students to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) exam.

• 12 to 1 student to faculty ratio
• One-to-one career advising through the Career Center
• Access to an alumni network of more than 20000
• Flexible access on mobile - tablet - or desktop devices
• Offers clinical placement support
• No GRE requirement for admission

With experienced, licensed ABA professionals teaching in small, collaborative classrooms, it's easy to see why Arcadia's MEd in ABA earns national recognition. A supportive learning environment helps you keep pace with rigorous coursework focused on ABA applications in educational settings, one of the most demanding practice environments in the field.

• Distinguished faculty are licensed BCBAs who bring real-world behavior analysis experience into every online class
• Small class sizes promote active collaboration with instructors and fellow students
• Flexible online format supports full-time or part-time enrollment to fit your schedule
• ABAI-verified course sequence aligned to BCBA licensure exam eligibility requirements
• Optional Graduate Certificate in Autism earnable through elective coursework — no separate application required
• Practicum placement support available to help students pursue the supervised fieldwork hours needed for BCBA certification

ASU’s online learning platform has gotten rave reviews from all kinds of national ranking organizations over the past few years. That instills a lot of confidence when selecting ASU for your online ABA graduate certificate. The MA prepares graduates to craft individualized student support backed by ABA principles, while the certificate comes with just a handful of required courses offering a quick option for students who already hold a graduate degree in an accepted field.

• Faculty drawn from a range of disciplines in cognitive science and psychology
• Develops tools in creating and applying behavior intervention plans based on best practices
• 24/7 tech support and online tutorials for the learning management system
• School is ranked 2nd in the U.S. for employability of graduates among public universities

With more than 50 years of distance learning expertise behind it, Walden is a name you can trust for online education in a hands-on field like ABA. With one-on-one support from enrollment specialists and committed faculty to help you through the program, Walden delivers a supportive, student-entered experience at every stage.

• The unique Believe & Achieve Scholarship™ offers tuition savings for reaching specific goals
• Multiple start dates each year
• More than 90% of faculty hold doctoral degrees
• Offers a broad skillset grounded in core psychology concepts
• Faculty hold active BCBA® certification and incorporate practical firsthand insights
• No application fee and no GRE requirement

NKU's CAEP-accredited College of Education offers two online degree pathways for educators seeking to deepen their expertise in autism and applied behavior analysis. The M.A.Ed. is a 33-credit program that can be completed in as few as 18 months and includes a BACB-approved course sequence that prepares graduates to sit for the BCBA exam. The Ed.S. is a post-master's 33-credit program that builds on the M.A.Ed. for educators who hold Rank 2 teaching certification and who want to advance to specialist-level practice. Both programs are taught by the same faculty and feature flat in-state/out-of-state tuition with six start dates per year.

• BACB-approved course sequence in the M.A.Ed. — directly prepares graduates to sit for the BCBA certification exam upon completion of required supervised fieldwork
• Two-degree pathway (M.A.Ed. → Ed.S.) allows educators to build credentials incrementally at one institution
• M.A.Ed. completable in as few as 18 months with flat in-state/out-of-state tuition and affordable pay-as-you-go structure
• CAEP-accredited College of Education — programs may qualify for Kentucky Rank 2 teaching certification advancement
• Six start dates per year with fully online asynchronous coursework — designed around the schedules of working educators

Launch your career in special education with Campbellsville University's online Bachelor of Science in Special Education – Learning Behavior Disorders Certification (P-12), a CAEP-accredited program that provides initial teacher licensure for Kentucky educators. Designed with a Christian perspective and 100% online coursework, this 122-credit hour program prepares you to support primary through 12th-grade students with learning and behavior disorders while allowing you to complete your degree in four years or less.

• CAEP-accredited program approved by Kentucky's Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) for teacher certification
• Ranked among the top 50 Most Affordable Christian Colleges in the U.S. with over 90% of students receiving financial aid
• Complete 100% of coursework online while gaining hands-on experience through required clinical practice hours and a full semester of student teaching
• Transfer up to 72 credits from previous academic experience
• $1500 scholarship available for Kentucky Community & Technical System (KCTCS) students
• Proud participant in the Yellow Ribbon program welcoming U.S. military service members and veterans
• Campbellsville University integrates Christian servant leadership principles throughout its education programs
• Learn from experienced educators with real-world P-12 teaching experience in an interactive online learning environment

Lehigh University, a private research university based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, offers an online Master of Education in Behavior Analysis through its College of Education. The 30-credit program is designed for professionals working toward eligibility for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification. Coursework is delivered in a fully asynchronous online format, allowing students to complete the program while managing work and other commitments. Graduates are prepared for roles supporting individuals with behavioral and developmental needs across schools, clinics, and community settings.

• Offered by a private research university institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• 30-credit curriculum spanning applied behavior analysis / organizational behavior management / ethics and professional conduct / single-subject research design
• Includes a BACB-verified course sequence that satisfies the coursework requirements for BCBA/BCaBA certification via Pathway 2
• Fully asynchronous online format built for working professionals
• No GRE or GMAT required for admission
• Coursework may also help satisfy educational requirements for Pennsylvania's Behavior Specialist credential
• Faculty include respected researchers such as Dr. Lee Kern who directs the Center for Promoting Research to Practice