The Best Online ABA Graduate Certificate Programs for 2024

Discover quality programs with approved coursework for certification and take the next step in your behavior analysis education and career.

If you want to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or pursue similar careers helping those with autism and other behavioral challenges, you’ll first need the proper education. For those who already have a graduate degree in fields like social work, education, and psychology, earning an online applied behavior analysis (ABA) graduate certificate is a popular way to get this training. With a greater awareness of behavioral issues, many schools have developed online ABA certificate programs to help meet the demand. This rising number of programs is great for students in that it gives them plenty of opportunity to find the right program for them. But it can make it more difficult for you to find an accredited program that properly aligns with your learning preferences and prepares you for your specific career choices. To better help you weigh your options, we’ve identified the best online ABA graduate certificate programs in the country and examined what makes them so special. Continue reading to learn what makes these schools stand out from the rest for the ’23-’24 academic year.

#	School Name	Type	Tuition	Online Programs	School Information	Online Students	Academic Counseling	Career Placement	Students w/Institutional Aid
1	Western Connecticut State UniversityDanbury, CT	Public	$	1	Western Connecticut State University's Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis is an online program that provides students with the opportunity to become professionally competent and proficient in all areas of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® and are prepared for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst Certification Examination. Coursework is online and will cover the science of behavior analysis, process and procedures for implementing behavioral assessment, and research design and procedures. Students will also be required to complete 1,500 hours of supervised independent fieldwork. Program Highlights: Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis Credits: 30 Length: Varies Cost: $7,159.50 per semester Mode: Online Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education and Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation	Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio11/1	Online Student %70%
2	Purdue University GlobalWest Lafayette, IN	Public	$	2	Purdue Global's Online Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Behavioral Analysis provides a focus on providing care to individuals who are developmentally disabled, autistic, or suffering from traumatic brain injuries. Through online coursework, students will learn about concepts and theories and develop assessment and intervention skills. Graduates will be prepared to advance their applied behavioral analysis career or obtain new opportunities in the field. They will also be prepared to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam. Program Highlights: Online Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Behavioral Analysis Credits: 35 Length: 11 months Cost: $420 per credit hour Mode: Online Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission	Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio27/1	Online Student %100%
3	Niagara UniversityNiagara University, NY	Private not-for-profit	$$	1	Graduates of Niagara University's Applied Behavior Analysis Online Master of Arts / Advanced Certificate program will obtain the education and certification they need to meet diverse behavioral needs and deliver meaningful behavioral change. Students will take courses covering concepts and principles of behavior analysis, ethics, research methods and designs, functional behavior analysis, and other behavior assessment techniques. A minimum of 250 hours of supervised, clinical work in applied behavior analysis is also required. Program Highlights: Applied Behavior Analysis Online Master of Arts / Advanced Certificate Credits: 27 Length: Varies Cost: $750 per credit hour Mode: Online Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)	Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio11/1	Online Student %87%
4	University of Nebraska at OmahaOmaha, NE	Public	$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio15/1	Online Student %63%
5	The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA	Private not-for-profit	$$$$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio5/1	Online Student %90%
6	University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati, OH	Public	$$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1	Online Student %65%
7	Regis CollegeWeston, MA	Private not-for-profit	$$$$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio10/1	Online Student %89%
8	University of ArizonaTucson, AZ	Public	$$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio17/1	Online Student %41%
9	Northeastern University Professional ProgramsBoston, MA	Private not-for-profit	$$$$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio15/1	Online Student %68%
10	Arizona State University-OnlineTempe, AZ	Public	$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio25/1	Online Student %100%
11	University of Massachusetts GlobalIrvine, CA	Private not-for-profit	$$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio22/1	Online Student %100%
12	Arcadia UniversityGlenside, PA	Private not-for-profit	$$$$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio10/1	Online Student %50%
13	Slippery Rock University of PennsylvaniaSlippery Rock, PA	Public	$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1	Online Student %80%
14	Saint Joseph’s UniversityPhiladelphia, PA	Private not-for-profit	$$$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio10/1	Online Student %91%
15	Daemen UniversityAmherst, NY	Private not-for-profit	$$$$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio12/1	Online Student %39%
16	Lehigh UniversityBethlehem, PA	Private not-for-profit	$$$$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio10/1	Online Student %35%
17	Bowling Green State University-Main CampusBowling Green, OH	Public	$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio18/1	Online Student %59%
18	Philadelphia College of Osteopathic MedicinePhiladelphia, PA	Private not-for-profit	$$$$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio0/1	Online Student %1%
19	George Mason UniversityFairfax, VA	Public	$$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio16/1	Online Student %61%
20	University of North TexasDenton, TX	Public	$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio25/1	Online Student %51%
21	Texas A & M University-College StationCollege Station, TX	Public	$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1	Online Student %24%

Grad School Spotlight: BCBA Exam Approved Online Program

Want an even closer look at what you’ll learn from top schools offering an online ABA certificate programs? We’ve spotlighted a standout online ABA certificate program below that fulfills coursework eligibility requirements to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam.

Penn State – World Campus

Penn State’s online graduate applied behavior analysis certificate, is made up of 21 credit hours that most students can complete in one year. It’s designed for professionals from a wide range of fields, such as school counselors, teachers, psychologists, healthcare providers, and educational consultants who aspire to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). To best provide this training, the program teaches students evidence-based strategies for working with people who have a range of emotional, intellectual, and behavioral challenges. Specific coursework covers applied behavior analysis principles and concepts, behavior change interventions and management, , single-subject research, and behavior assessments. In addition, the program includes a 5-day course addressing special education ethics that is held on campus during Penn State’s National Autism Conference.

As of May 2023, the cost for Penn State’s ABA certificate program is $1,007 per credit. Students can apply different types of financial aid to their costs, including governmental aid provided to active military and veteran students, and benefits offered to unemployed students through the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program.

FAQs About Online ABA Grad Certificate Programs

When you’re looking for the right online ABA grad certificate program, you’re most likely going to have several questions. Some of these include, how long does it take to complete these programs? How much will I have to pay to get this credential? What will I learn when I enroll? The following section answers these and other common questions about ABA graduate certificate programs available online.

What will I learn in an online ABA graduate certificate program?

Through this program, students gain an understanding of how to assess and create intervention plans to help clients with behavioral disabilities, utilize negative and positive reinforcement when working to modify clients’ problem behaviors, apply legal and ethical standards when doing behavioral analyses, and collect and analyze data to track changes in behavior. The section below lists specific courses that students typically take in online ABA certificate programs as well as the skills they can expect to leave with when they graduate.

Common Courses

Behavior Analytic Assessment

This course helps students identify the types of problematic behaviors certified behavior analysts will assess among their clients and create achievable goals on how these behaviors can be modified. In addition, students will learn how to analyze the environmental factors that may be causing certain behaviors and determine ways they can be changed.

Behavior Analyst Ethics

Students in this class learn about the ethical standards behavior analysts are expected to uphold and the ethical challenges they may face during the course of their work. This class may provide examples of the ethical decision-making process and give students the opportunity to dissect how these choices are made.

Behavior Analysis Concepts and Principles

Students in this class receive an introduction to the concepts and principles of behavior analysis, including strategies for assessing clients’ strengths and weaknesses, types of problem behavior, and conducting a functional analysis and interpreting the results.

Behavior Change Procedures and Supports

This class teaches the strategies that certified behavior analysts use to change the behavior of their clients in addition to how behavior change programs are created, evaluated, and improved as needed. Students will also learn how to monitor people to ensure behavior changes are taking hold in their daily lives.

Research Methods for Behavior Analysis

The focus of this course is on how different research methodologies are used in the special education field. Students may learn how to conduct single-case research and how it is used to perform behavioral interventions.

Can I complete an ABA grad certificate entirely online?

Sometimes. In some programs, students can complete all of their coursework entirely online. But with other programs, ABA graduate certificates are offered on a hybrid basis. This means some classes are conducted on campus and some are offered online. In addition, some programs may provide hands-on training that is completed under the supervision of trained professionals.

How long does it take to complete an online ABA certificate program?

Most programs can be completed in about one year. This assumes a student is enrolled as a full-time student. For students enrolled in a part-time program, it can take two to three years to graduate.

How much do online ABA graduate certificate programs cost?

The amount students pay for an online ABA graduate certificate program is largely dependent on what school they attend as well as what kind of scholarships, loans, and grants they qualify for. I Other factors to consider include enrollment on a part-time or full-time basis and whether or not the student qualifies for in-state tuition. The following list gives you an idea of how much you can expect to pay when you enroll in an ABA graduate certificate program.

Arizona State University

Applied Behavior Analysis Graduate Certificate

Total Credits: 21

$643/credit

Purdue University Global

Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Behavioral Analysis

Total Credits: 30

$420/credit

University of Arkansas

Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis

Total Credits: 18

$437.54/credit

Need help paying for your ABA graduate certificate program? Learn about college financial aid and explore scholarship opportunities.

What are the admissions requirements to get into a grad certificate ABA program?

In order to be admitted to an online ABA graduate certificate program, applicants are generally expected to have at least a 3.0 grade point average in an accredited bachelor’s degree program. However, some programs require a master’s degree, where a similar minimum grade point average requirement may apply. Also, students may be required to do the following:

Submit a resume.
Earn a high score on the GRE, GMAT, CSET, or MAT exams.
Write a personal statement outlining why they want to be admitted to the program and how it will help them reach their career goals.
Submit letters of reference.
Provide proof of proficiency in English.

ABA Grad Certificate vs. Master’s Degree: Which Is Right for You?

Although ABA certificates and master’s degrees cover a lot of the same course material, these programs are somewhat different. Certificate programs allow students to get a glimpse of applied behavior analysis in order to familiarize themselves with topics like assessments, behavioral modification plans, and appropriate consequences for behaviors. In contrast, master’s degree programs go more in depth on the topics covered in the curriculum.

In addition, people who earn ABA master’s degrees may have the opportunity to choose a concentration to focus on that’s not available with certificates. Another key idea for prospective ABA students to keep in mind is that if they want to take the BCBA exam, a certificate program may not be enough to qualify them for the test unless the curriculum includes supervised clinical experiences.

Reasons to Choose an ABA Graduate Certificate

You want to complete your studies quickly.
You want to complete the required coursework for BCBA certification.
You want to expand your knowledge of special education.
You already have an advanced degree in psychology, special education, or a related subject.

Reasons to Choose an ABA Master’s Degree

You want the opportunity to choose a concentration—such as autism spectrum disorders, substance abuse, or emotional and behavioral wellness—in order to become an expert in a specific topic related to applied behavior analysis.
You want to ensure hands-on training during your program that satisfies BCBA fieldwork requirements
You want to gain expertise in applied behavior analysis research.
You’re coming straight from a bachelor’s degree.

Does a master’s sound like the better fit? If so, read our complete guide to online ABA master’s programs.

Accreditation & Verified Course Sequences (VCS) for ABA Online Grad Certificates

For prospective ABA students to ensure they are getting the quality education they need to achieve their career goals, they should enroll in a school that has been accredited. A college or university itself can receive accreditation through organizations like the Accrediting Commission for Schools, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the Higher Learning Commission, or the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. For ABA programs specifically, however, accreditation is granted by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). This organization reviews ABA programs on the quality of their curriculum, administration, faculty, amenities, and student outcomes.

Those who want to earn an ABA certificate should keep in mind that the ABAI does not accredit graduate certificate programs directly. Instead, they approve certificate programs through their Verified Course Sequence (VCS) designation. This is a process that is designed to certify that the curriculum of a program meets the eligibility requirements to sit for the BCBA exam. To receive a VCS, the content of programs must cover certain topics. Current VCS standards exist for two types of programs, Behavioral Analyst Certification Board and Culturo-Behavior Science.