20 Best Online Master’s in Behavioral Psychology

The University of South Florida offers an excellent Master of Arts in applied behavior analysis program. It is a one-and-a-half-year program, after which students can take the board-certified behavior analyst examination and begin working in the field. The program combines online classes with required practicums and supervision, which you can take in your local community.

Some courses that students take are Observational Methods and Functional Assessment, ABA Basic Principles, Ethics in ABA, and Behavior Theory. Students combine these classes with a range of clinical experiences each semester.

Each student must find and secure a practicum site before applying to the program. Then, they must complete 1,500 hours of experiential work before reaching the requirement for graduation. 

The program lasts five semesters, although students can take longer if needed. The program is extremely affordable, too. At $600 per credit, total tuition costs $24,600 for the entire program. Compared to other master’s programs, especially programs that lead to lucrative careers, USF’s ABA program is a steal. 

Kansas University’s Master of Arts in applied behavioral science is the second-best program in the nation. Graduates from this program have become counselors, clinicians, case managers, human resource managers, and more. Kansas University’s program is as dynamic as the ABA profession, providing a wide range of online classes.

Kansas University’s MA program comprises 30 credit hours. This number includes 18 credit hours of core courses, six hours of electives, and between three and nine hours in a practicum and writing a thesis. Some classes are Conceptual Foundations, Experimental Analysis of Behavior, and Principles of Behavior Analysis. 

To apply for this program, students must provide an official transcript from all of the universities they attended, a complete resume, a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 or higher GPA, three letters of recommendation, and a personal interest letter. While the GRE isn’t required, students should take it, especially if they lack good grades or professional experience.

Applied behavior analysts work in many environments with all types of clients. Some work with recovering addicts, while others work with soldiers recovering from PTSD. Ball State University’s Master of Arts in applied behavior analysis focuses on preparing students to work with people on the autism spectrum.

Graduates from this program have become ABA therapists, teachers, school counselors, and more.

Some classes that students take are Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavioral Consultation, Professional Issues in Applied Behavior Analysis, and Verbal Behavior. These classes will prepare you to work as an ABA therapist in many contexts, but especially for working with patients with autism. 

If you’re primarily focused on working with patients with autism, you can enroll in Ball State University’s 15-credit autism graduate certificate. While ABA therapists are in demand across the board, the United States is facing an unprecedented rise in the rates of autism. With the graduate certificate, you’ll be prepared and certified to work with these patients and stand out from the crowd. 

Simmons University offers an excellent Master of Science in behavior analysis. Among other things, the university boasts that 85% of its students passed the Behavior Analyst Certification Board examination on their first attempt. This statistic is excellent, especially considering that the average pass rate nationwide is 65%.

So how does Simmons University prepare students so well for the exam? First, it focuses on mentorship. Students work well by having goals, but they work even better when they have experienced professionals informing them of the best ways to reach their goals.

Simmons University encourages each student to have a mentor who supervises and advises them throughout the program.

At Simmons University, students take core courses, mentoring classes, and practicums throughout the 23-month master’s program. Some classes that students take are Methodologies for Behavioral Change, Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavioral Assessment, and Verbal Behavior.

Students can choose to take Autism Spectrum Disorder, a course that focuses on working with patients on the autism spectrum. 

Behavioral psychology takes many forms. Some psychologists are therapists, while others are counselors. These two professions make up most of the behavioral psychology field. But there are many professions and programs adjacent to behavioral psychology, and these professions are just as vital. 

George Mason University offers a fantastic Master of Education in special education program. Students in this program must choose between an autism spectrum disorders certificate and applied behavior analysis certificate to supplement their master’s degree.

The former certificate is ideal for teachers who want to teach, while the latter certificate caters to people who wish to double as a counselor or therapist.

Some core courses in this program are Introduction for Special Education, Computer Applications for Special Populations, and Special Education Research. Some courses in the autism spectrum track are Characteristics of Individuals with Autism and Interventions for Individuals with Autism. Some classes in the ABA track are Empirical Bases, Applications, and Verbal Behavior.

Oregon Institute of Technology’s Master of Science in applied behavior analysis program is Oregon’s first program of the kind. And, for your convenience, it’s all online.

The program has graduated hundreds of behavior analysts, some of whom work in hospitals, clinics, schools, and in the government. Others have used their skills to aid them in business, governance, and sports.

Some classes that students take in this program are ABA and Health, Organizational Behavior Management, Clinical Behavior Analysis, and ABA and Education. Like other ABA programs, students supplement their online coursework with clinical experience. Students must secure a placement in a practicum in a nearby location, where they complete the hours required for BCBA certification.

Want to apply for this program? If so, you must complete an online application and submit the required materials. Prospective students must have a 3.0 or higher GPA in their undergraduate degree, a relevant undergraduate major, an updated resume, and letters of recommendation. Students can apply for any term, but the school suggests you enter during the fall semester. 

St. Cloud State University offers an excellent Master of Science in applied behavior analysis. St. Cloud stands out for having the only online ABA program accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International. And if that isn’t impressive enough, the faculty have connections to over 120 agencies across the nation and world. Students can connect to those agencies for approved practicum experiences and post-graduation work. 

To graduate from this program, students need to maintain a 2.75 or higher GPA. They also must choose between two tracks. In Plan A, students write a thesis and take 45 credit hours of classes. In Plan B, students instead take a comprehensive exam and 46 credit hours of courses. 

Besides coursework, students must complete a 750-hour clinical internship in an approved setting. This internship is invaluable to a student’s success and their professional careers. It is with this internship that students can narrow down their desires and find where they best fit in applied behavioral science.

In Bay Path University’s Master of Science in applied behavior analysis program, students can complete their coursework 100% online or in a hybrid format. If students opt for the hybrid format, they can complete classes in Concord, East Longmeadow, or Sturbridge, Massachusetts. 

Some courses that students take are The Science of ABA: Concepts and Principles, Ethical Practice in Applied Behavior Analysis, Pre-Supervision in ABA, and Research Methods in ABA. Like all of the programs on this list, students must also enter a clinical internship. Bay Path University requires its students to go above and beyond with 2,000 hours of supervised independent fieldwork. 

Prospective students must complete an application, official transcripts with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, an updated resume, two letters of recommendation, and a 300-500 word professional statement. The university offers several financial aid options, and the university is known for being responsive to students requesting assistance. 

Like many programs on this list, Drexel University’s Master of Science in applied behavior analysis program focuses on working with patients with autism. While autism rates are rising, much of what scientists are noticing is that autism isn’t a new condition—it just hasn’t been recognized and identified until recently. But with the rise of diagnosed patients, ABA therapists are high in demand.

Students at Drexel’s ABA program learn extensively from the AJ Drexel Autism Institute, which focuses on all aspects of autism spectrum disorders. Some classes students take are Fundamental Elements of Behavior Change, Behavioral Interventions, An Analysis of Verbal Behavior, and Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. 

To gain admission into Drexel University’s program, students must have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject with a 3.0 or higher GPA. Students must also submit a completed application, an updated resume, two letters of recommendation, a personal essay, and official transcripts from all attended institutions. 

Southeast Missouri State University’s Master of Arts in applied behavior analysis program stands out for a few reasons. First, it’s quite affordable at $365 per credit hour. At SMSU, students can get a graduate degree without going too far into debt. Second, it’s flexible. 100% of the courses are online, but beyond that, students can take each class at their convenience. There are no set schedules.

Some core classes of this program are Methods for Studying the Behavior of Individuals, Basic Principles in Applied Behavior Analysis, and Conceptual Topics in Applied Behavior Analysis. Prior to graduation, students take a master’s final comprehensive examination. This exam will test you on everything you learned from online classes and your clinical practicum.

To join this program, applying students must turn in their official transcripts with proof of a 3.0 or higher GPA, two letters of recommendation, and a letter of intent. Undergraduates should note that SMSU offers an expedited program in which students begin the master’s program during their senior year of undergraduate school. This option allows you to hurry your schooling and reach your professional goals quickly. 

You’ve probably noticed by now that many of these programs focus on working with people with autism and other cognitive disabilities. It’s a burgeoning field, and the need will stick around for decades to come. The University of Houston-Victoria has a Master of Education in special education applied behavior analysis, which focuses specifically on teaching and interacting with people with disabilities.

This program is equal parts education, learning about psychology, and learning the specifics of teaching and interacting with special education students. Some classes students take at this program are Foundations of Educational Research, Behavior Intervention Procedures for Educators, and Introduction to Special Education.

Like the other programs on this list, the University of Houston-Victoria prepares its students for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst examination.

Before graduating, students must take an additional, comprehensive exam that’s part of the program. The university might require you to take the exam on its campus, but the rest of the courses are available online. 

Northeastern University is well known for its Bouvé College of Health Sciences. And one of the principal programs at the College of Health Sciences is the Master of Science in applied behavior analysis. This program is accessible anywhere, anytime, and it can be completed in as little as 24 months.

Of note, this program asks students to develop a portfolio as a capstone project. That way, students will be able to present the work they’ve accomplished in job interviews concisely.

Students begin this program with basic core classes like Behavior Assessment, Service Administration, Research and Design Methods, and Systematic Inquiry. They then continue to more advanced courses like Programmed Learning and Advanced Programming Seminar. Alongside each student’s studies, they must enroll in a two-part practicum.

Graduates of this program work in several fields, including healthcare services, education, community services, and business development. This degree is versatile, and Northeastern’s extensive alumni network is at your disposal when you’re looking for work.

McNeese State University offers a program with a slightly broader scope than most of the programs on this list. The school offers a Master of Arts in psychology with a concentration in applied behavior analysis. The program imparts all of the skills required to be an ABA therapist, and it also can act as an excellent stepping stone for a doctoral degree if you wish to become a psychologist.

The two-year program includes classes like Conceptual Foundation of Behavior Analysis, Single-Subject Methodology, Verbal Behavior, and Ethics for Behavior Analysts. As you can see, the majority of the program’s classes focus specifically on behavior analysis, but it does include the leading theories of psychology as a whole.

To gain admission into this program, applying students must have a 2.5 or higher undergraduate GPA, official transcripts, a minimum score of 285 on the Quantitative and Verbal Sections of the GRE, and an undergraduate background in a related field.

The University of Washington’s Master of Education in applied behavior analysis is an outstanding program. The school boasts that 91% of its students passed the BACB examination on their first attempt, which is perhaps better than any other school on this list. Also of note, students can combine their degree with a master’s of special education, but they would have to be a student for a couple of additional semesters.

The University of Washington program can last two or three years, depending on the wishes of each student. Students can also combine online and on-campus courses if they live near campus. Some classes students take are History and Philosophy of ABA, Measurement in ABA, and Supervision in ABA.

Unlike many schools on this list, the University of Washington does not require its students to participate in a practicum. If they want clinical experience, though, the school provides opportunities for supervision by program faculty.

One constant in behavioral psychology is the concentration on working with students with autism spectrum disorder. ABA therapists have excellent tools that are vital to helping autistic patients increase their cognitive and behavioral abilities.

Russell Sage College offers a fantastic Master of Science in applied behavior analysis & autism. Students can complete this program in as little as two years.

Russell Sage College focuses on providing the clinical experience required of any ABA graduate. Throughout the program, students must accrue 250 or more hours of practicum experience each semester. They may go beyond the 250-hour requirement, but the university will not log any more than 375 hours per semester.

To apply for this program, prospective students must submit official transcripts from all post-secondary schools they attended. Additionally, they must submit two letters of recommendation, a professional statement, and an updated resume. While the two letters of recommendation may come from any faculty member or professional, the school prefers letters from a BCBA or BCBA-D.

National University’s Master of Arts in human behavior is unique in many ways. Boasting four-week classes, students with short attention spans will love this program’s expedited class setup. The program is flexible, too, with year-round enrollment.

Courses begin monthly, so that students can begin at their convenience. The school is also notable for offering tuition to current and former service members.

This program is slightly different from behavior analysis programs. Like the other schools on this list, National University’s program uses and follows leading behavioral psychology theories and methodologies. Unlike other programs, though, NU uses this information to create thriving organizational and business leaders.

Some classes that students take are Stages of Adult Development, Behavioral Research, Personal and Professional Ethics, and Creative Leadership. As you can see, these classes focus more on the soft science aspect of behavioral psychology. Hence, this program is an excellent option for the business-minded leader who wants to be informed by human studies. 

Whether you want a career in business, education, psychology, or sports, the College of Saint Elizabeth’s Master of Arts in applied behavior analysis will give you the tools to reach your goals.

To gain admission to the program, students must provide a personal statement, updated resume, two letters of recommendation, a 3.0 or higher GPA, and official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions.

Enrolled students take courses like Foundations in Applied Behavior Analysis, Applied Ethics, Behavior Change Systems, and Writing for Publication and Presentation. Additionally, students must complete 1500 hours of field experience. These hours must be in an approved setting, but you can most likely find an approved location in or near your hometown.

The College of Saint Elizabeth prepares students especially for roles as a practitioner and educator. Thus, the program emphasizes leading theories like conditioned reinforcement, best practices for teachers, and the environmental influences on a person’s behavior. 

Arizona State University’s Master of Arts in special education is the perfect program for school teachers or people who wish to work as ABA therapists in schools. The program has an applied behavior analysis concentration, uniting the leading theories and practices of education with the hard science behind behavioral psychology.

The breakdown of the program is simple: Ten classes, 7.5 weeks per class, and 30 total credit hours. Some classes students take are Concepts and Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Analytic Assessment, Verbal Behavior, and Philosophical Foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis in Educational Settings.

Prestigious faculty members teach each class, and no matter how far you are from the ASU campus, you’ll feel the presence of an expert through your screen.

Graduates from ASU’s MA in special education program have become ABA therapists, teachers, consultants, early interventionists, clinical directors, and more. As long as you maintain your passion for working with children with disabilities, ASU’s program will launch you toward your professional goals.

The Florida Institute of Technology offers an excellent two-part Master of Arts in Professional Behavior Analysis program. In the first stage, students complete 24 credit hours of online coursework through the Florida Institute of Technology Platform.

Here, you will gain the skills required for clinical work and beyond. Then, students begin a one-year practicum at an approved ABA service agency.

At FIT, students enroll in traditional 15-week semesters. Each semester, students take relevant classes like Introduction to Concepts & Principles of Behavior Analysis, Ethics for Behavior Analysts, Applied Experience in Behavior Analysis, and Supervision & Management Fundamentals. These classes will prepare you for the comprehensive exam required before graduation, clinical practicum, and the BCBA exam.

For $21,495, this program is one of the most affordable offerings on this list. To gain admission to the program, students must submit official transcripts, an updated resume, two letters of recommendation, and the online application. 

Eastern Kentucky University offers an excellent master’s in psychology with a concentration on applied behavior analysis. The program caters to students who aspire to work with patients suffering from behavioral disorders, addictions, and mental health disorders.

The school provides a hefty discount for active military members: While EKU charges $662 per credit hour normally, active service members pay only $325 per credit hour.

To apply for this program, students must submit official transcripts, GRE scores, an updated resume, and two letters of recommendation. Note that Eastern Kentucky University will waive the GRE requirement as long as your undergraduate GPA is 3.0 or higher. Prospective students should have extensive experience in psychology, but the program will consider any student who has taken three or more psychology classes.

Enrolled students take a combination of general psychology and applied behavior analysis courses. Addressing Problem Behaviors, Advanced Topics in Behavior Analysis, Building New Behaviors, and Biological Bases of Behavior are several examples of the excellent classes that students take.