Best Online Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Programs in 2024

Are you considering pursuing an ABA degree online? ABA, or Applied Behavior Analysis is a psychiatric methodology used in education, research, and therapy, in areas ranging from addiction recovery to special education to criminal profiling. Its most common use is in behavioral intervention for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and many who pursue certification in ABA therapy go on to do just that.

The right training and certification can open up a host of possibilities, even for students who don’t pursue post-graduate level education. The info below will help you find out how to earn an ABA degree, what schools offer the best programs, what classes you’ll take, and what careers you could go into post-college. Keep reading to learn more.

Top Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for 2024

We have ranked the top schools below. Our Rankings Data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES.) Click the About the Ranking link below for more information about our methodology.

2 Year Schools 4 Year Schools
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About the Ranking
Base Methodology for OnlineColleges.me’s 2024 Online College Rankings
1. Create List of Eligible Schools and Programs
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
• Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• At least one program in the subject area offered partially or fully online.
2. Assign Weightings
After creating the list of eligible schools, OnlineColleges.me data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of affordability, support services, and online program availability metrics. Online program availability and overall affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.
Online Program Availability
• Number of online programs in subject area reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education. Because exact numbers change often and can be difficult to verify, we use a range-based scoring system: 0-5 online programs = 1 star; 6-10 = 2 stars; 11-15 = 3 stars; 16-20 = 4 stars; 21+ = 5 stars. In our design, laptop icons = stars.
• For degree-specific pages, ex: Psychology degrees, we list the current number of online programs available at that school for that degree type, as self-reported by the schools.
Affordability
• Cost – Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on tuition and fees per academic year.
• Students w/ Institutional Aid – Percentage of students who receive financial aid from the school itself.
Support Services
• Academic Counseling – Existence of this service on campus or online.
• Career Placement – Existence of this service on campus or online.
About Our Data
OnlineColleges.me’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: January of 2024
• 1

  Ball State University

  Muncie, IN

  Public $

  Anyone interested in learning more about autism should consider Ball State’s bachelor’s in applied behavior science. The program focuses specifically on the autism spectrum, so graduates gain significant expertise to help individuals with autism. In fact, most graduates work as either behavioral consultants or therapists. BSU offers the program online with a part-time or full-time option, providing flexibility to fit the degree around a full-time job.

  Program Highlights:

  Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis

  • Credits: 120
  • Length: 4 years
  • Cost: $461 per credit
  • Mode: Online
  • Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  14/1

• 2

  Purdue University Global

  West Lafayette, IN

  Public $$

  Purdue offers a robust program in applied behavioral analysis. This psychology degree prepares students to work one-on-one with individuals who have a wide range of behavioral problems. The school also offers an optional concentration in business foundations for those who want to work on the administrative side of behavioral healthcare. The program can be completed fully online with part-time and full-time options.

  Program Highlights:

  Bachelor’s in Psychology in Applied Behavior Analysis

  • Credits: 180
  • Length: 4 years
  • Cost: $371 per credit
  • Mode: Online
  • Accreditation: Association for Behavior Analysis International

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  27/1

Bachelor’s Program Spotlights: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Degrees Online

Whether in-person or online, most ABA degrees are tracks or concentrations in psychology bachelor’s programs. Many psych degree programs offer minors in applied behavior analysis. Not all include the actual licensure process, but nearly all that offer a focus in ABA therapy provide the education required to qualify for the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) exam. Even for students who choose to not pursue licensure, earning an ABA psychology degree can open up a variety of job opportunities.

Classes for Your Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Bachelor’s Degree Online

Not all professionals who earn an online ABA will work in positions that require clinical certification. If you’re interested in pursuing training, degrees, or certification in applied behavior analysis, either online or in person, your first objective should be to identify what kind of program you need to achieve those goals. ABA education is typically a subset of psychiatry or psychology programs and is often divided into clinical tracks and research tracks. The former is designed around earning or preparing for certification, while the latter is intended for those heading for careers outside of direct patient care. Below you’ll find descriptions of five classes that you’ll likely find in many undergraduate ABA courses of study.

• Statistics, Research, and Empirical Analysis

  As a methodology, applied behavior analysis strictly adheres to empirical evidence from reputable research. As a result, much of the coursework involved in earning an ABA degree focuses on reviewing, understanding, and leveraging relevant research. As new developments in the field of psychology are researched and published, ABA professionals should expect to keep abreast of new methods, treatments, and policies. 

• Clinical Ethics

  As part of the healthcare industry, ABA therapists and clinicians are expected to adhere to the same standards of ethical care, patient privacy, and legal compliance as other medical clinicians. What’s more, ABA has been the subject of public controversy in recent years, with autism advocates especially pointing to ABA’s history of less reputable methods. Much has changed over the decades ABA has been in use, and many of those positive changes are owed to an increased focus on ethics in degree programs.

• Psychology, Mental Health, and Psychiatric Treatment

  Likely what most people imagine forms the bulk of ABA studies, a large portion of the coursework focuses on aspects of psychology, including psychological development, exceptional behavior, diagnostic methods, application of treatment, and more. Because it’s so often used for interventions with autism spectrum disorder, there are often classes dedicated to this subspecialty.

• Biology and Neuroscience

  It wouldn’t be a healthcare degree without a healthy dose of biology classes. While ABA professionals are not physicians or surgeons, you’ll still need to learn about how the body and brain interact with the mental and emotional experience of an individual. These classes help students gain a better understanding of the interplay of hormones, brain chemistry, and comorbidities, so they can better apply ABA in their work. 

• Communication

  A surprising amount of coursework in ABA programs revolves around effective communication in various forms — written reports, public speaking (e.g. training and presentations), and direct interactions with patients and caregivers, just to name a few. As much of the work in ABA fields depends on effectively describing problems, treatments, methodology, etc., these skills are critical for virtually every career an ABA student might pursue. Classes may focus on critical reasoning and analysis, empathetic interactions, or a number of other core communication aspects.

Job Outlook: Careers and Salaries with an Online Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Degree

There is a shockingly long list of professions for which ABA graduates can qualify. Obviously, proper training and certification can prepare you to be a clinical therapist, assistant therapist, or even a school therapist. But many of the options are far less obvious, such as animal trainer, HR specialist, market research analyst, and more. Below, find three common jobs that degree-holders pursue, along with salary expectations for these positions.

• Job #1: ABA Therapist

  ABA therapists work with patients, their caregivers, and other healthcare professionals to help treat individuals struggling with behavioral issues. From helping individuals on the autism spectrum develop improved regulation and coping skills to providing rehabilitation support for patients with behavioral disorders to instructing parents and educators on methods for assisting such patients, ABA therapists find plenty of opportunities to change lives in their work.

  ABA therapists can expect an average base salary of more than $20 per hour.

• Job #2: Special Education Teacher

  Surprisingly, many special education teachers come to their roles with psychology/therapy degrees, rather than education degrees. The reason for this is the unique nature of both the needs of their students and the methods required to meet those needs, both of which fall outside the core training provided to standard educators. That said, there’s a fair amount of overlap, and teachers in these roles may have come from either direction — an education degree with a special education emphasis, or a psychology/ABA degree with an education emphasis. Either way, the goal is the same: help students who find themselves requiring the most support to succeed in a school environment.

  Special education teachers earn average base salaries of $58,442 a year.

• Job #3: Social Worker

  Where therapists serve in clinical capacities and special ed teachers serve in a school setting, social workers provide similar support as public servants. Working in welfare, workforce services, child and family services, and similar areas, social workers are often on the front lines of the fights against food shortages, homelessness, domestic violence, substance abuse, and other societal epidemics. Those who want a clinical position will be required to earn a master’s degree, and many states require licensure for social workers. 

  National averages for social worker base salaries are around $62,000 a year.

How Much Do Online ABA Programs Cost?

Like many online degree paths, tuition fees and total costs will vary depending on the school and program. However, earning a degree online typically costs less than on-ground counterparts, considering many schools offer the same, lower-price tuition to online students, regardless of where they live. Keep in mind you may qualify for financial aid for your program as well. Below, find five schools representing a broad spectrum of tuition costs for an ABA degree.

What Should I Look for in an ABA Degree Online Program?

Choosing the right school and program is critical if you want to avoid earning a degree that fails to lead to new job opportunities. If you’re ready to take the leap and enroll in an online ABA program, there are a few details to keep in mind as you search for the right one for you.

• Cost

  As seen above, costs for online education aren’t exactly standardized. Be aware that there’s not necessarily a “correct” answer here: You’ll simply want to have a target tuition in mind as you explore programs, considering only those programs that meet your budget and lifestyle needs. When examined collectively, most reputable institutions will charge somewhere between $300 and $600 per credit hour.

• Program Quality

  Because ABA professions often require certifications or licensure, it’s important to find a program that can provide an educational path to the qualifications you need. When researching programs, look for statistics indicating post-graduation employment in related fields, and also research graduation rates for the schools you’re considering. These two statistics can paint a picture about program quality.

• Faculty Expertise

  ABA therapy has changed a great deal over the past few decades. Many of the original practices and methods are now considered outdated, or in some cases, even unethical. As such, it’s important to find a program taught by faculty who are up to date on the latest research, methodology, and ethical discussions.

• Accreditation Status

  When a school is accredited, it has received scrutiny from an agency that monitors educational standards to ensure it’s delivering on its promises to students. Although online ABA degree programs don’t always have their own programmatic accreditation, be sure to look for the regional or institutional accreditation of every school to which you’re applying.

• Format

  Online ABA degree programs will offer different formats of learning. You may be able to take all classes at your own pace — which is called asynchronous coursework — so you can best fit them into your busy schedule. Alternatively, if you prefer live interactions with your peers and instructors, you can enroll in a program that’s synchronous, meaning lectures are held at scheduled times just as they would be if you were on campus.

Questions to Ask About Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Degree Programs Online

Here are six of the most pressing questions about online ABA degrees, according to our readers.

• Are online bachelor’s degree programs in applied behavior analysis fully online?

  For ABA programs, bachelor’s degrees can often be earned through 100% online education. Even institutions with dedicated physical campuses commonly offer ABA degrees or psychology degrees with an ABA focus. In fact, in many cases, students can even pursue master’s degrees through online programs. However, certification may require additional steps outside of your online coursework, and some programs have in-person clinical or internship requirements.

• What does the admissions process look like for this degree?

  Admissions for online ABA bachelor’s programs tend to follow similar processes to those of other online degree programs. You’ll be expected to submit an application, transcripts from high school or college, SAT or ACT scores, and a personal essay explaining your interest in this discipline. Schools often expect applicants to have at least a 3.0 GPA overall and minimum grades in specific courses, like psychology.

• How long does it take to complete a bachelor’s degree in applied behavior analysis online?

  As a bachelor’s program, online ABA degrees are designed to be four-year programs. Many will require a minimum of 120 credits (the usual baseline for four-year degrees). However, it’s not uncommon for degrees to require significantly more — often 180 credits — for programs that include additional preparation for certification exams.

• What academic and career support services are available to online students earning their bachelor’s degree in applied behavior analysis?

  The most common aspect of online ABA programs that students can expect is certification prep. Most of these degree tracks will at least provide options for those seeking certification, from requirement-centric coursework to advisement and guidance to actual certification in some instances. Considering how important licensure is for some ABA professions, the level of certification prep should be a major factor when choosing a program.

• What are some of the technical requirements of earning an online degree in applied behavior analysis?

  Students can expect that the majority of their studies and coursework will be resource-light from a technology perspective. Unlike degree programs in software development, visual arts, or music composition, ABA students won’t typically need premium-level computer performance to keep up with their assignments. Web browsing, video conferencing, word processing, and media streaming are the technologies requiring the highest resource demands.

• Can I work while pursuing an online applied behavior analysis degree?

  While some programs will be more rigid in structure and timeline, online ABA degree programs can often be undertaken while working and/or balancing other life commitments. Most are designed specifically to facilitate asynchronous distance learning. How flexible a program is will vary by institution, so be sure to research commitment expectations for the programs you’re considering.

Other Degree Options in Psychology

If you are still unsure which path in computer science you want to take, look at these other bachelor’s degree options:

• Bachelors in Behavioral Science
• Bachelors in Child and Adolescent Development
• Bachelors in Forensic Psychology