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Online Bachelor's Degree in Psychology in Applied Behavior Analysis

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Earn Your Degree as Early as:
Admissions Requirements
Courses
Ways to Save on Tuition
Career Outcomes
33
Total Courses
$371
Cost per Credit
3.5 years
Average Completion*
15–18 Hours/Week
Course Effort

Bachelor’s in Psychology in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Overview

It’s time to earn your psychology degree in ABA. Move forward in a rewarding career working with children and adults struggling with a range of behavioral health challenges.

  • Explore the design, analysis, and application of learning theories and behavior principles to understand what motivates human behavior.
  • Develop management skills with an optional concentration in business foundations.
  • Get a head start on your next degree — apply credits from your bachelor’s to a Purdue Global master’s. Learn more.

Gain the Skills Employers — and Clients — Need

  • Build an individual understanding of people, how they learn, and what they need in order to devise behavioral interventions to help them succeed.
  • Use applied behavior analysis to treat those with behavior disorders, such as children with autism and those who are affected by trauma.
  • Learn to address complex behaviors and solve social problems.
  • Moderate relationships between individuals, family members, and/or people in the community.

Review College Scorecard data for this program.

View Program Degree Plan and Policies

Distinguished. Experienced. Committed.

As the largest provider of applied behavior analysis bachelor's programs in the United States, we’ve supported the career and educational advancement of many dedicated professionals like yourself. You’ll join a wide network of students, alumni, faculty, and employers.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

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

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Train for BCaBA® Certification Online

ABAI Verified Course Sequence Logo

For the Bachelor of Science in Psychology 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 Assistant Behavior Analyst® (BCaBA®) 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.

  • PS225: Ethics in Applied Behavior Analysis
  • PS340: Exceptional Needs Children
  • PS360: Applied Behavior Analysis I
  • PS365: Applied Behavior Analysis II
  • PS385: Targeted Topics in Applied Behavior Analysis
  • PS410: Screening and Assessment
  • PS430: Program Design and Evaluation

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 for state-specific licensure information.

donut chart with 95% in the middle

Purdue Global Career Outcomes 2020–2021

95% of graduates in Purdue Global’s Bachelor of Science in Psychology - Applied Behavioral Analysis program were employed or continued their education within 18 months of graduation.

Each year, our Center for Career Advancement sends a NACE First Destination survey to our graduating class to learn more about their career choices and potential income within 18 months of graduation. We’re proud of our recent Purdue Global alumni accomplishments.

“Career Outcomes Rate” is not the same as an “employment rate” — it includes graduates who are: (1) employed (whether full or part time); (2) participating in a program of voluntary service, (3) serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, or (4) enrolled in a program of continuing education. This rate may also include graduates employed in jobs unrelated to their degree or who were employed while attending Purdue Global. (9,106 graduates surveyed across associate's, bachelor's, master's, JD, EJD, and DNP programs from July 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020. 7,803 of 9,106 replied.)

What Courses Will I Take?

The curriculum examines the major concepts, values, theories, studies, research methods, and historical trends in psychology as they apply to human behavior, learning, and development.

In your first course, you’ll develop your degree plan with a faculty member to align your degree path with your career outcomes.

Sample Courses

  • Autism Spectrum Disorders in Young Children
  • Personality Development
  • Exceptional Needs Children
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Program Design and Evaluation
See All Psychology Courses

Program Requirements

9
Core Courses
19
Major Courses
5
Elective Courses
33
Total Courses
180
Total Quarter Credits

Concentration Requirements

9
Core Courses
19
Major Courses
1
Elective Courses
4
Concentration Courses
33
Total Courses
180
Total Quarter Credits

1 semester credit hour = 1.5 quarter credit hours

3-Week Trial

Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Try an undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week trial period.

There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply. That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.

How It Works

Students who choose to continue at Purdue Global will be billed for the full first term's tuition, including the 3-week trial. See Notes and Conditions below.

Admissions Requirements

You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You must also complete orientation before you start classes.

Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

View Admissions Requirements

Upcoming Start Dates

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

Explore Other Learning Opportunities

ABA Student Site

This is a one-stop resource site for current students and alumni of Purdue Global’s behavior analysis degree programs.

Student Clubs and Organizations

Students are invited to join organizations such as the Psychology Club, Psi Chi International Honor Society, and Autism Speaks U.

Optional Internship

Gain valuable real-world experience with an optional internship while you earn your applied behavior analysis bachelor’s degree.

Take a Career Assessment

Discover your work interests and use them to chart your ideal career path.

Get a Head Start on Your Master's Degree

Complete your master’s degree sooner with a graduate program pathway. It weaves graduate-level courses into your bachelor’s program, giving you a jump on your master’s degree requirements. You’ll save on time and tuition compared with finishing both programs separately.

Plus, your degrees don’t have to be in the same fields. You can customize your academic journey to support your career goals and interests. To learn more, view the University Catalog or connect with an Advisor.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Earn Credit for Prior Coursework and Experience

The average bachelor's degree student pays $15k and takes 2.3 years to complete their degree.

Get the Credit You Deserve

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, including community colleges.

Prior Work Experience Reduction

You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.

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

Undergraduate tuition savings for military include a 55% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and 38% per credit for veterans.

Prior Military Experience

Earn credit for your military training. The average Purdue Global military student is awarded 54% of the credits needed for an associate's and 45% of the credits needed for a bachelor's.

View the total cost of attendance for your program.

Career Opportunities

The demand for assistant behavior analysts is high. Between 2010 and 2022, the annual demand for individuals with a BCaBA certification increased annually, from 2,204 jobs in 2018 to 6,438 in 2022.

In addition to preparing you for certification exams, an applied behavior analysis degree from Purdue Global can help you pursue a number of career opportunities.

Average Salary

Range

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/.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Download the Program Brochure

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

Prepare yourself for success with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in applied behavior analysis.

View Brochure

Get to Know Our Faculty

Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.

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.

Certification Exams: 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.

Credit Toward Master’s Degree: The University cannot guarantee that students will be granted admission to any future programs. Speak to an Advisor about admissions requirements and transfer credit opportunities and see the University Catalog for the Prior Learning policy.

Completion Time and Average Net Price: Cost and completion times for individual programs may vary. Average institutional completion time for Purdue Global degree students who graduated in the 2022–2023 academic year. Average net price reflects all institutional-level charges for all graduates, including those who transferred to Purdue Global, after application of scholarships, tuition reductions, grants (including federal Pell grants for undergraduate students), employer tuition assistance, and/or military tuition assistance. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2023.

Demand for Behavior Analysts: Source: Behavior Analyst Certification Board, “US Employment Demand for Behavior Analysts: 2010–2022,” https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/BurningGlass2021_210126.pdf. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.

Graduate Program Pathways: To start a Graduate Program Pathway, students should consult with their Student Advisor to confirm eligibility. Not all Graduate Program Pathways are available on all tracks, and some may require students to meet academic standards to continue taking graduate courses in their bachelor’s degree program. Visit the University Catalog for more information.

Largest Providers of Applied Behavior Analysis Bachelor's Programs: Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 2022–2023 Total Bachelor's Degrees Conferred, First Major, Applied Behavior Analysis, https://nces.ed.gov/IPEDS. Based on total number of bachelor’s degrees granted by Purdue Global compared to other degree-granting institutions.

Three-Week Trial: Students who inform Purdue Global they do not wish to pursue the program during the 3-week trial will not be charged. Students who choose to continue at Purdue Global will be billed for the full first term's tuition, including the 3-week trial, and will need to meet other specific requirements. Classes will be applied toward a degree if satisfactorily completed and students select to continue their studies at Purdue Global. No credits are earned if the student withdraws during the introductory period (3 weeks for new qualifying undergraduate students), which begins day one of the first term. Graduate programs and BS in Professional Flight not included. Additional terms may apply to international and non-U.S. citizen students. For further information, see the University Catalog.