Best Online Master’s in Behavior Analysis Degree Programs

BEST ONLINE MASTER'S IN BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS

Find top-ranked online master’s in behavior analysis degree programs for students wanting to apply their knowledge in the human resources and education fields and as FBI profilers.

Top 10 Online Master's in Behavioral Analysis

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  1. University of Arizona
  2. University of Cincinnati
  3. University of Nebraska–Lincoln
  4. University of North Texas
  5. University of Nevada, Reno
  6. Nova Southeastern University
  7. Eastern Kentucky University
  8. Simmons University
  9. Southeast Missouri State University
  10. Northern Kentucky University
  1. Eastern Kentucky University 98%
  2. Nova Southeastern University 93%
  3. Regis College 89%
  4. University of Nevada, Reno 88%
  5. University of Arizona 87%
  6. University of Southern Maine 87%
  7. University of Cincinnati 85%
  8. Simmons University 84%
  9. University of North Texas 81%
  10. University of Nebraska–Lincoln 81%
  1. University of North Texas 26 to 1
  2. University of Houston–Victoria 20 to 1
  3. Southeast Missouri State University 19 to 1
  4. University of Cincinnati 19 to 1
  5. Northern Kentucky University 18 to 1
  6. Tennessee Tech 18 to 1
  7. Cameron University 18 to 1
  8. Nova Southeastern University 17 to 1
  9. University of Nevada, Reno 17 to 1
  10. University of Nebraska–Lincoln 16 to 1
  1. Regis College $44,809
  2. Simmons University $43,062
  3. Georgetown College $41,200
  4. Buena Vista University $37,518
  5. Saint Elizabeth University $34,876
  6. Nova Southeastern University $34,570
  7. Shenandoah University $34,490
  8. Daemen University $31,250
  9. William Carey University $14,100
  10. National University $13,320
  1. William James College $34,800
  2. Regis College $28,800
  3. Daemen University $23,928
  4. Shenandoah University $22,080
  5. Simmons University $21,384
  6. Nova Southeastern University $21,153
  7. Saint Elizabeth University $18,018
  8. National University $15,480
  9. University of Cincinnati $13,224
  10. University of Arizona $12,106
  1. Saint Elizabeth University
  2. Daemen University
  3. Regis College
  4. Buena Vista University
  5. University of Houston–Victoria
  6. William James College
  7. Cameron University
  8. Tennessee Tech
  9. Shenandoah University
  10. William Carey University
  1. University of Houston–Victoria 53%
  2. National University 55%
  3. William Carey University 57%
  4. Kentucky State University 65%
  5. Buena Vista University 66%
  6. Saint Elizabeth University 74%
  7. Shenandoah University 74%
  8. Georgetown College 75%
  9. Daemen University 78%
  10. Tennessee Tech 79%
  1. William James College 7 to 1
  2. Simmons University 9 to 1
  3. Shenandoah University 10 to 1
  4. Buena Vista University 10 to 1
  5. Regis College 10 to 1
  6. Daemen University 11 to 1
  7. Saint Elizabeth University 11 to 1
  8. Georgetown College 12 to 1
  9. University of Southern Maine 12 to 1
  10. Kentucky State University 14 to 1
  1. Cameron University $4,740
  2. University of Houston–Victoria $5,111
  3. Southeast Missouri State University $7,461
  4. Kentucky State University $7,700
  5. University of Nebraska–Lincoln $7,770
  6. University of Nevada, Reno $7,923
  7. University of Southern Maine $8,064
  8. University of North Texas $8,295
  9. Tennessee Tech $8,520
  10. Eastern Kentucky University $9,452
  1. Cameron University $3,564
  2. University of Nevada, Reno $5,625
  3. Southeast Missouri State University $5,858
  4. University of Nebraska–Lincoln $6,138
  5. University of North Texas $6,350
  6. University of Houston–Victoria $6,618
  7. Kentucky State University $7,560
  8. University of Southern Maine $7,776
  9. Eastern Kentucky University $9,900
  10. Northern Kentucky University $9,900

Featured Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Behavioral Analysis

Students earning a master’s degree in behavior analysis will put theory to practice in postgraduate programs that are constructed to teach best practices for positive behavior outcomes.

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Both online and on-campus programs have a range of required credits, but most are a minimum of 30 credits, which take about two to three years to complete.

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Students will study positive behavior support, single-subject research designs, and evidence-based practices for helping those with mental, social, or learning disorders. Many programs include a practicum and will prepare students to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam.

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Graduates commonly enter the workforce as behavior analysts, but students can also apply their knowledge in the human resources and education fields and as FBI profilers.

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Learn more about what you can do with a master’s in behavior analysis.

Best Online Master's in Behavior Analysis Degree Programs

Median Salaries of Similar Careers in the U.S.

The following graph depicts the average salaries of similar occupations to Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in the U.S.

Source: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Annual Salary
44740Rehabilitation Counselors
49730Counselors, All Other
53490Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
54880Child, Family, and School Social Workers
62310Healthcare Social Workers

Best Online Master’s in Behavior Analysis Degree Programs

  1. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    64%

    Student body

    40K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1220/25

    Online Degrees

    MA in Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis
    • Required Credits: 21
    • Completion time: 16 months
    • Format: Online
  2. #2

    University of Cincinnati

    Cincinnati , OH
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    34K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1225/26

    Online Degrees

    M.Ed in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 5 semesters
    • Format: Online
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    81%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    22K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1215/25

    Online Degrees

    MS in Special Education

    Concentrations

    • Behavior Intervention Specialist
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    MAEd in Special Education Advanced Practitioner

    Concentrations

    • Behavioral Intervention Specialist
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  4. #6

    Nova Southeastern University

    Fort Lauderdale , FL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    14K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1135/23

    Online Degrees

    MHS in Child Protection

    Concentrations

    • Advocating For The Child As A Behavior Analyst
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    MS in Counseling

    Concentrations

    • Applied Behavior Analysis
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    MS in Developmental Disabilities

    Concentrations

    • Applied Behavior Analysis
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    MS in Criminal Justice

    Concentrations

    • Behavioral Science
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  5. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    98%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    12K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1060/22

    Online Degrees

    MS in Psychology

    Concentrations

    • Applied Behavior Analysis
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  6. #9

    Northern Kentucky University

    Highland Heights , KY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    12K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1075/23

    Online Degrees

    MA in Education in Teacher as Leader

    Concentrations

    • Reading (P-12) — endorsement
    • Environmental Education — endorsement
    • Instructional Computer Technology — endorsement
    • Special Education
    • Learning and Behavior Disorders (LBD) — certification
    • Moderate and Severe Disabilities (MSD) — certification
    • Special Education – non certification
    • Autism & Applied Behavior Analysis — approved course sequence for BCBA
    • Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE) — certification and non-certification
    • English as a Second Language (ESL) – endorsement
    • Gifted & Talented Education — endorsement
    • Elementary Mathematics Specialist
    • STEM Concentration: Computer Science
    • Liberal Arts/Social Sciences concentration: Communication
    • Liberal Arts/Social Sciences concentration: English
    • Curriculum & Instruction
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  7. #10

    William James College

    Newton , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Student body

    <1K

    Online Degrees

    MA in Applied Behavior Analysis
    • Required Credits: 34
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  8. #12

    National University

    La Jolla , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    55%

    Graduation

    47%

    Student body

    25K

    Online Degrees

    MS in Applied Behavioral Analysis
    • Required Credits: 45
    • Completion time: 2.5-3.5 years
    • Format: Online
  9. #15

    Tennessee Tech

    Cookeville , TN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    9K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1150/24

    Online Degrees

    MA in Curriculum and Instruction

    Concentrations

    • Applied Behavior Analysis
    • Curriculum
    • Early Childhood Education
    • Educational Technology
    • Elementary Education
    • Family and Consumer Sciences
    • Library Science
    • Literacy
    • Music
    • Secondary Education
    • Special Education
    • STEM Education
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  10. #17

    Shenandoah University

    Winchester , VA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $34K

    Acceptance

    74%

    Graduation

    64%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1120/22

    Online Degrees

    MS in Applied Behavior Analysis
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion time: 16 months
    • Format: Online
  11. #19

    Daemen University

    Amherst , NY

    Tuition + fees

    $31K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    57%

    Student body

    2K

    Online Degrees

    MS in Applied Behavior Analysis

    Concentrations

    • NYS Licensure and Certification
    • Required Credits: 31
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  12. #20

    Georgetown College

    Georgetown , KY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $41K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    1K

    Online Degrees

    MAED in Learning And Behavior Disorders
    • Required Credits: 36-39
    • Completion time: 26 months
    • Format: Online
    MAED in Learning And Behavior Disorders For Initial Certification
    • Required Credits: 42
    • Completion time: 2.5 years
    • Format: Online
  13. #22

    Buena Vista University

    Storm Lake , IA

    Tuition + fees

    $38K

    Acceptance

    66%

    Graduation

    63%

    Student body

    2K

    Online Degrees

    MEd in Special Education

    Concentrations

    • Mild to Moderate Disabilities
    • K-8
    • 5-12
    • or Both
    • Behavior Disorder/Learning Disabilities
    • Cognitive/Intellectual Disabilities
    • Mild/Moderate
    • Intellectual Disabilities
    • & Behavioral Disorder/Learning Disabilities
    • Required Credits: 30-42
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  14. #23

    Regis College

    Weston , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $45K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    3K

    Online Degrees

    MS in Applied Behavior Analysis
    • Required Credits: 39
    • Completion time: 20 months
    • Format: Online
  15. #25

    Saint Elizabeth University

    Morristown , NJ

    Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    74%

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    1K

    Online Degrees

    MA in Applied Behavior Analysis
    • Required Credits: 35
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
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Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require some adjustment. While you’ll generally learn the same content and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, the medium will likely require you to manage much of this experience independently. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, your ability to harness the technology at your fingertips, and your ability to focus on the lectures, lessons, and assignments at hand. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take it upon yourself to build relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier is actually getting there. Taking the commute out of the equation means getting to class should be a lot more manageable. But that’s where it ends. In general, your online courses will incorporate the very same materials, concepts, and testing methods as would a traditional classroom.

And in many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning or working with remote learning technology for the first time, online college may even be a little more challenging for you. For a few insights on how to manage this new experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will require some adjustment.

While there is much that can be supplanted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing which can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual classroom setting. As you make the adjustment to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face is overcoming this difference in order to the get the most out of your classes. Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.