Online Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

Total Courses

$420

Cost per Credit

1 year

Average Completion*

15 Hours/Week

Course Effort

Online Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Overview

It’s time to earn your master's in ABA. Prepare to help clients with diverse behavior disorders improve their lives and better engage with the world.

Get practical, hands-on experience. Complete an optional fieldwork experience at your workplace or with one of hundreds of our partners nationwide. In addition, courses emphasize real-world scenarios and skills.
Gain expertise in assessment, intervention, psychological and behavioral theories and concepts, and evidence-based practice strategies, and master the legal, ethical, individual, cultural, and social aspects of ABA.
Study at the largest provider of behavioral sciences master's degrees in the U.S. You’ll join a wide network of students, alumni, faculty, and employers.

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See Program Detail Plan and Policies

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Get the support you need through the graduate resource center and ABA student site. You’ll also have access to CBA learning modules to help you prepare for the BCBA exam.

The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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ABAI Verified Course Sequence

For the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program, the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) has verified the following courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst^® (BCBA^®) examination (via Pathway 2). Applicants will need to meet additional Behavior Analyst Certification Board^® (BACB^®) eligibility requirements, including evidence of residency in an authorized country, before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.

PS507: Ethics for Behavior Analysts
PS558: Behaviorism and Philosophical Foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis
PS560: Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
PS561: Concepts of Measurement and Experimental Designs
PS562: Assessment in Applied Behavior Analysis
PS563: Implementing Procedures for Behavior Change
PS564: Clinical Applications, Supervision, and Management

View BACB Exam Pass Rates

Note: Please refer to the BACB’s website for full eligibility requirements (www.bacb.com). Additional information is also located on Purdue Global's State Licensure and Certifications page.

Admissions Requirements

A bachelor’s degree is required to enroll in a graduate program. You will need to provide an official transcript that shows completion of your bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, though an unofficial copy may be provided during the application process. Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

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What Courses Will I Take?

The curriculum includes learning modules to help you prepare for the BCBA certification exam. The degree program culminates with a capstone experience and BCBA certification practice exam.

Sample Courses

Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
Ethics for Behavior Analysts
Assessment in Applied Behavior Analysis
Implementing Procedures for Behavioral Change
Clinical Applications, Supervision, and Management

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Program Requirements

Core Courses

Total Courses

Total Quarter Credits

1 semester credit hour = 1.5 quarter credit hours

Upcoming Start Dates

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

Ways to Save on Time and Tuition

Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.

Transfer Credits

Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions.

Financial Aid

Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.

Grants and Loans

Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.

Corporate Partner Benefits

Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.

Military Tuition Reduction

Graduate tuition savings for military include a 17–30% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and, 14% per credit for veterans for graduate programs.

Prior Military Experience

Earn credit for your military training. We offer credit for ACE-evaluated training and CLEP and DANTES examinations.

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Career Opportunities

Overall employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health professionals in the U.S. is expected grow 18% from 2022 to 2032—much faster than average. According to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, the demand for board-certified behavior analysts increased 23% from 2021 to 2022.

With a master’s in applied behavior analysis, you can advance your career as a clinician who assists clients with a range of behavioral disorders or as a supervisor who oversees assistant behavior analysts, registered behavior technicians, and other behavior analysis professionals.

General labor market and salary data are provided by Lightcast and may not represent the outcomes experienced by Purdue Global graduates in these programs. Purdue Global graduates in these programs may earn salaries substantially different or less than the amounts listed above. Salary and employment outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, education, and opportunities for employment that are outside of Purdue Global's control.

Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.

It is important to understand that requirements for behavior analysts vary by state and can change with little to no warning. Students seeking employment as a behavior analyst should inquire directly to the jurisdiction where employment is desired, as some states require additional licensure or certification. The BACB U.S. state licensure requirements may be viewed at the following link: https://www.bacb.com/u-s-licensure-of-behavior-analysts/. The Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis meets the educational requirements to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam that is required for the Behavior Specialist certification in Pennsylvania. Additional educational requirements for certification may be required in Pennsylvania. It is important to note that, while earning a master’s degree in psychology may qualify you to work in the helping professions, a doctorate degree is required to become a psychologist and a medical degree is required to become a psychiatrist.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

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Program Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

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99%

Faculty members who have advanced degrees

54%

Faculty members who hold a doctorate

484

Faculty publications in 2022–2023

More Than 40,000

Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2022–2023

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2023. 2022–2023 academic year.

Your Path to Success Begins Here

Connect with an Advisor to explore program requirements, curriculum, credit for prior learning process, and financial aid options.

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NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Estimated Graduation Date and Average Completion: Estimated graduation date is based on the assumption that you will enroll in time to begin classes on the next upcoming start date, will remain enrolled for each consecutive term, and will maintain satisfactory academic standing in each term to progress toward completion of your program. Completion time is based on a full-time schedule. Programs will take longer for part-time students to complete.

ABAI^®: Association for Behavior Analysis International^® and ABA International^® are registered trademarks of the Association for Behavior Analysis International.

BCBA^®: Board Certified Behavior Analyst^® (BCBA^®) is a registered trademark of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board^®.

Certification and Licensure: Refer to Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications page for state-specific licensure information. Visit the BACB website (www.BACB.com) for full eligibility requirements. The BACB verifies university training as meeting its eligibility requirements; it does not accredit university programs. Students are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. The University cannot guarantee students will be eligible to sit for or pass exams. In some cases, work experience, additional coursework beyond the Purdue Global program, fieldwork, and/or background checks may be necessary to be eligible to take or to successfully pass the exams.

Job Growth and Demand: Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. Behavior Analyst Certification Board, U.S. Employment Demand for Behavior Analysts, https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Lightcast2025_250204-a.pdf. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.

Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Online