Master's Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

BACB Requirement Updates

If you are planning to take the BCBA exam within the next two years, please read the following updates.

Students graduating from our program should apply to sit for the BCBA exam under Pathway 2: Behavior Analytic Coursework. These changes were announced in March 2022. You can read about the updates in their entirety in the BACB March 2022 Newsletter.

Certification before December 31, 2026

If you plan on taking the BCBA exam before December 31, 2026, the exam will be based off the BCBA 6th Edition Test Content Outline.

Certification after January 1, 2027

Beginning January 1, 2027, new certification requirements will apply for BCBA eligibility. The exam will be based on the 6th edition test content outline.

ABA with an Emphasis in Autism

Employment growth projections for Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) are expected to increase – over 18 percent, nationwide – within the next 10 years (Source: Lightcast™ – lightcast.io). If you’re looking to advance in or transition your career to the applied behavior analysis field, Ball State University’s 100 percent online master’s in applied behavior analysis (ABA) with an emphasis in autism can help you. 

The quality and rigor of the ABA courses you will take speak for themselves. Ball State offers multiple pathways to prepare you for this credential, at a lower cost than other highly enrolled master’s in ABA programs.

Why a Master's in ABA with an Emphasis in Autism?

• You can elect to complete the degree in less than two years.
• Our ABA degree is housed within Ball State’s Teachers College, which holds numerous national rankings and recognitions.
• Our degree’s emphasis on autism gives you an advantage in the job market. You’ll take up to three additional courses on autism, which goes above and beyond the Verified Course Sequence (VCS) by ABAI.
• Small class sizes of 25 students or less allow for individual attention from faculty.
• Ball State’s tuition is competitive*:
  • Total Cost for Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio Residents: Less than $16,000
  • Total Cost for Out-of-State Residents: Less than $23,000

 Calculate the Cost of a Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis

It's important to you to understand the expenses associated with your education. We encourage you to use our cost calculator to estimate the costs of your education and plan for your future. Need assistance? Our student success specialists stand ready to support you.

Calculate Your Costs

 Career Outcomes

Your master’s in ABA will translate to several employment sectors including schools, hospitals, mental health centers, behavioral centers, and residential facilities where you’ll help clients improve language, motor, social, and reasoning skills. The skills you learn at Ball State can be immediately applied to your career.

Doors to corporations and industrial settings are now opening where applied behavior analysts teach job skills and promote work performance. The national average salary in the ABA field is $64,000. Below are a few examples of industries that students with a master’s in ABA work in.

• federal or local government
• hospitals or other offices of health practitioners
• local schools
• family services

 Academic Advisor

The role of your academic advisor is more than telling you which courses to take. For starters, they are student success specialists, and they are dedicated to your academic success. You’ll work with the same specialist from application to graduation.

Contact your student success specialist, who can answer questions you have about our program.

 Meet Our Students and Faculty

Learn about the people in our department who strive to make a difference. For a complete list of our faculty and staff, view our Staff Directory.

 Online ABA Graduate Courses

Our program allows you to create a plan of study that fits your life. The 30-credit program can be completed in less than two years, plus course offerings are designed to be flexible. You can choose between an 8-week or 16-week course length, and you can start the sequence of courses any semester.

You can choose to take one or two courses each semester. Your academic advisor will help you create a plan of study that best fits your needs.

For more information on required courses, see the course catalog.

View Catalog

Our course sequence is verified for the BCBA 5th Edition Task List, and students remain eligible to sit for the exam under the 6th Edition through 2027. If you have questions, email online@bsu.edu, call 765-285-1581, or dial toll-free at 1-800-872-0369.

Convenient, Flexible, and Applicable

The 100 percent online master’s in ABA is designed with the working adult in mind. Courses are asynchronous, meaning you can complete them at a pace that fits into your daily routine without worrying about being late to class.

If you’re worried about timing or course work, most students take one or two courses at a time. Or if you’re looking for a flexible way to quickly complete your degree, all of our courses can be completed on an 8-week accelerated schedule.

You can also start your master’s degree by earning either a graduate certificate in ABA or autism, and then earning the second later. Once you have both certificates, you only need one additional course to earn your masters’ in ABA with an emphasis in autism.

Ready to Apply?

Review deadlines, admission requirements, and application materials, then start your application.

Students from Other States

Ball State is authorized by the U.S. Department of Education to accept online students from all U.S. states. However, if you are considering a program that leads to professional licensure, some states may have additional regulations. Review our state authorization website if you live outside of Indiana and contact us if you have questions.