7 Best ABA Certification Online Programs
Want to get your ABA certification online? That’s a smart career move. The job market for applied behavior analysts is growing faster across the United States. This growth creates exceptional opportunities for qualified professionals.
You might want to help people with autism, developmental disabilities, or traumatic brain injuries. These specialized programs will give you the credentials you need. ABA certificate programs range from 21 credit hours to more detailed 40-credit curricula, based on your career goals. The online programs let you complete your studies at your own pace, with some taking just five semesters (about a year and a half). Most ABA therapist certification online programs align with the requirements to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam.
This guide will help you explore the 7 best ABA certification programs available online. You’ll have everything you need to make a smart choice about your professional future.
Purdue Global ABA Certificate Program
Purdue Global leads the United States as the largest provider of applied behavior analysis bachelor’s programs in the country. You can get your ABA certification online through their programs. These complete programs help professionals advance their careers to assist people with behavioral disorders, autism, and trauma.
Program Overview
You’ll find several ABA credential options at Purdue Global that match your education level and career goals. The programs are 100% online and perfect for working professionals. Your options include a Postbaccalaureate Certificate (if you have a bachelor’s degree), Postgraduate Certificate (if you have a master’s degree), Bachelor’s in Psychology with ABA concentration, and Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis.
Students learn practical skills in behavioral assessment, treatment intervention, and evaluation using a scientist-practitioner approach. The programs also focus on ethical practice and supervision processes you’ll need for success. Your choice of program connects you to Purdue’s vast network of students, alumni, faculty, and employers in behavioral sciences.
Course Highlights
The ABAI (Association for Behavior Analysis International) has verified all ABA programs at Purdue Global [link_2]. The postbaccalaureate certificate has seven core courses (41 total quarter credits) that help you support people with developmental disabilities, autism, and traumatic brain injuries:
- Ethics in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Exceptional Needs Children
- Applied Behavior Analysis I and II
- Targeted Topics in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Screening and Assessment
- Program Design and Evaluation
Advanced credentials like the postgraduate certificate and master’s program offer higher-level courses (35 quarter credits):
- Ethics for Behavior Analysts
- Behaviorism and Philosophical Foundations of ABA
- Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
- Concepts of Measurement and Experimental Designs
- Assessment in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Implementing Procedures for Behavior Change
- Clinical Applications, Supervision, and Management
These courses help you understand how people learn, design behavioral interventions, and tackle complex behaviors to help your clients succeed.
Certification Eligibility
The programs meet all coursework requirements for certification exams. The postbaccalaureate certificate prepares you for the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® (BCaBA®) examination via Pathway 2. The postgraduate certificate and master’s program prepare you for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) examination via Pathway 2.
Note that besides the verified coursework, you must meet other Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®) requirements, including living in an authorized country. Starting January 1, 2023, the BACB’s Global Certification policies won’t accept applications for BCaBA or BCBA certification from candidates outside the United States and other designated countries.
These ABA programs meet educational requirements across all states, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis and Postgraduate Certificate programs also qualify you to pursue the Behavior Specialist licensure in Pennsylvania.
Tuition and Duration
You can finish the 41-credit postbaccalaureate certificate in about 11 months. The postgraduate certificate needs 35 quarter credits. The master’s program requires at least 45 quarter credit hours and ends with a graduate research project that includes a BCBA certification prep exam.
The postbaccalaureate certificate costs $420 per credit. Purdue Global offers several ways to make your education affordable:
- A 3-week trial period for undergraduate programs with no financial obligation
- Transfer credits from eligible institutions
- Military tuition reductions (55% off per credit for active servicemembers and 38% for veterans at undergraduate level; 17-30% for active servicemembers and 14% for veterans at graduate level)
- Federal financial aid, grants, and loans for eligible programs
- Corporate partner benefits if you work at Purdue Global partner organizations
Multiple start dates throughout the year let you start your ABA certification trip whenever it works best for you.
Arizona State University ABA Certificate
Arizona State University has a fully online graduate certificate in applied behavior analysis that helps professionals build their skills to tackle behavioral challenges. This program will give you evidence-based strategies to help people in a variety of settings.
Program Overview
The ASU graduate certificate in applied behavior analysis needs 21 credit hours that you can complete online. This ABAI-verified program teaches you behavior assessment, intervention implementation, and ethical practice. The curriculum lets you use behavior analytic frameworks to create meaningful changes in people’s lives.
The program stands out because it focuses on ground applications in a variety of settings. You’ll become an expert at working with different populations and learn to provide evidence-based practices to clients, community members, and families. You can complete this as a standalone certificate or along with an online graduate degree.
ASU’s curriculum meets the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s 315 classroom hours requirement of graduate-level instruction that matches the Fifth Edition Task List. This will give a detailed training that meets industry standards for professional certification.
Course Highlights
The 21-credit hour certificate program has seven courses that build specific skills in applied behavior analysis:
- SPE 525: Measurement, Data Display, Interpretation and Experimental Design
- SPE 526: Concepts and Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
- SPE 528: Assessment and Intervention Programming for Skill Acquisition
- SPE 529: Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Change Procedures
- SPE 530: Fundamentals of Organizational Behavior Management
- SPE 563: Philosophical Foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis in Educational Settings
- SPE 567: Ethics of Applied Behavior Analysis
The courses follow a well-laid-out sequence so you master basic concepts before moving to complex topics. Each course lasts about 7.5 weeks. You’ll need 15-20 hours weekly to watch interactive online modules, read materials, take quizzes, and participate in live discussions with peers.
The program’s unique feature is its instructors – all Board Certified Behavior Analysts with experience in clinical, educational, and community settings. You’ll get valuable mentorship from practitioners who know how to apply ABA principles.
Certification Eligibility
After finishing the program, you’ll meet the coursework requirements to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA) examination. The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) has verified that the curriculum meets academic requirements for BCBA exam eligibility.
It’s worth mentioning that you must arrange and complete supervised fieldwork hours separately from your ASU coursework. ASU offers an optional practicum experience (SPE 580) if you want to complete your supervised fieldwork under ASU BCBA supervision.
The optional practicum lets you get up to 500 supervised fieldwork hours in one semester (~30 hours/week). This course costs extra but gives valuable supervised experience that meets BACB requirements.
Tuition and Duration
You can complete the ASU graduate certificate in applied behavior analysis in five semesters, or about a year and a half. Each semester usually has two courses—one in session A (first half) and another in session B (second half)—totaling 6 credits per semester.
The tuition is $543 per credit hour for both in-state and out-of-state residents. With 21 credit hours required, you’ll pay about $11,403, not counting extra fees or materials.
The optional practicum experience has an additional $1,500 course fee. This covers supervision that meets BACB standards for supervised fieldwork.
You can start the program at different times throughout the year. To join, you need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution and a minimum 3.0 GPA. You don’t need GRE scores, which makes it easier for working professionals to apply.
Capella University ABA Certificate
Capella University offers a competency-based Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis. This program helps you become skilled at behavior assessment, intervention development, and professional supervision. The coursework meets industry standards and prepares you for professional certification.
Program Overview
The Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis at Capella has 40 quarter credits with eight well-laid-out courses. Students can build on their previous education with foundational knowledge in behavior analysis.
The curriculum focuses on ethical practice, research methodology, and applied techniques. You’ll learn to identify behavioral issues and design suitable interventions. The program meets specific coursework requirements for Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA) exam eligibility under Pathway 2.
The program is reputable with its structured learning approach, academic guidance, and exam-readiness resources that boost your competence and confidence. Expert enrollment specialists, academic coaches, and scholar-practitioner faculty bring their real-life experience to guide you through your studies.
Course Highlights
Eight carefully ordered courses (5 quarter credits each) build your skills step by step:
- PSY5260: Philosophical Foundations of Behaviorism
- PSY5280: Advanced Concepts in Applied Behavior Analysis
- PSY5330: Organizational Behavior Management: Supervision and Management
- PSY7710: Ethics in Applied Behavior Analysis
- PSY7711: Measurement and Research in Applied Behavior Analysis
- PSY7712: Behavior Analytic Assessments
- PSY7713: Behavior Analytic Interventions
- PSY7715: Applied Behavior Analysis Capstone
The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) has verified these courses meet the requirements for eligibility to take the BCBA examination. Students start with philosophical foundations, move to measurement and assessment techniques, learn intervention strategies, and finish with a capstone experience.
The curriculum teaches you to use assessment models, design culturally appropriate interventions, and manage behavior supervision effectively. These skills help you create positive change for people from different backgrounds in various settings.
Certification Eligibility
The program prepares students for licensure as an Applied Behavior Analyst. It features the 5th edition ABAI verified course sequence and a capstone course that meets educational requirements for the BCBA national credential from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).
Students seeking BACB certification since January 1, 2016, must have a master’s degree in psychology, education, or applied behavior analysis, or hold a degree with a BACB-approved course sequence. The certificate provides coursework requirements, but additional BACB requirements apply for exam eligibility.
Tuition and Duration
Each credit costs $525, making the total tuition about $21,000 without transfer credits. Students also pay a $160 resource kit fee.
Most students complete the Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis within 18 months. Capella’s GuidedPath format sets deadlines and requires weekly online interactions.
The certificate credits can count toward Capella’s MS in Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis degree. This makes it an excellent first step for students planning advanced studies in the field.
PCOM Online ABA Certificate
PCOM’s Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate program offers a 21-credit online curriculum that helps working professionals improve their behavioral assessment and intervention skills. The program works well for professionals who want to build detailed skills while keeping their day jobs.
Program Overview
PCOM gives you two ways to get an ABA certificate online based on your education level. You’ll need a bachelor’s degree for the Certificate of Graduate Studies (CGS), or a master’s degree for the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS). Both paths have similar coursework and meet the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) guidelines.
The program helps people learn behavioral assessment and intervention to create positive changes in learning spaces, homes, and settings of all types. Students learn to support children with neurodevelopmental disabilities like autism and their families in different environments.
Behavioral specialists, teachers, therapists, educational consultants, school psychologists, social workers, clinical psychologists, and medical professionals can benefit from this specialized program. Graduates learn solid skills in behavioral assessment, intervention, and consultation.
Course Details
The program spreads 21 credits over four terms:
Term 1 (Fall):
- ABA 524: Basic Principles in Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credits)
- ABA 525: Behavior Change & Systems Support in Pediatric Settings (3 credits)
- ABA 531: Theories of Learning and Behavior (3 credits)
Term 2:
- ABA 526: Single Case Experimental Design in Pediatric Settings (3 credits)
- ABA 528: Pediatric Behavior Assessment (3 credits)
Second Year Term 1:
- ABA 527: Ethics, Law, and Professional Practice (3 credits)
- ABA 535: Clinical Supervision, Management & Training (3 credits)
PCOM’s program’s strength is because of its delivery format. Students can access most content at their convenience, though they need to join weekly one-hour evening live sessions. This mix of flexibility and interaction helps students work closely with instructors and classmates.
Board-certified behavior analysts and psychologists with extensive clinical experience teach these courses. Students should know that courses offer transferable graduate credit, subject to approval.
Certification Eligibility
Students can use this program’s coursework to qualify for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam. The curriculum meets BCBA exam Pathway 2 requirements. CAGS program students can apply for BCBA certification through the behavior-analytic coursework option.
Getting certified through this pathway means you must:
- Have a graduate degree from a qualifying institution in behavior analysis, education, or psychology
- Complete graduate-level BCBA coursework meeting ABAI’s requirements
- Get a “B” or better in graded courses
- Complete ABAI-defined practical experience in applied behavior analysis
- Pass the certification exam
If you have a bachelor’s degree, PCOM’s Certificate of Graduate Studies (CGS) prepares you for Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) certification, though you’ll need BCBA supervision.
Tuition and Duration
You can finish the full-time program in one year. The online format makes it easier to balance work and life while studying from anywhere.
Students must submit an approved application by December 31, 2026, to qualify under current (2022) coursework requirements. New eligibility requirements for Pathway 2 applications start January 1, 2027.
PCOM’s online approach helps students develop practical skills while keeping their jobs, making it a great choice for getting ABA certification online without career interruption.
UCSB ABA Certificate Program
The University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) provides research-driven ABA certificate programs accessible to students worldwide. These programs prepare professionals of all backgrounds to meet the growing worldwide need for certified behavior analysts.
Program Overview
UCSB’s applied behavior analysis programs excel with their research-driven curriculum that covers a complete range of topics. The programs include everything in ABA theories and concepts, behavior assessments, ethical guidelines, and behavioral interventions. UCSB takes a smart approach to program design. They create options that are both affordable and flexible while maintaining high instructional quality.
UCSB’s programs stand out because they’re accessible worldwide. Many programs have geographical restrictions, but UCSB welcomes students from anywhere in the world. This makes UCSB a perfect choice if you want to get your ABA certification online without relocating. Students access their courses through the Canvas learning platform, where they can find curriculum materials, join discussion forums, and submit assignments.
Course Features
The curriculum builds practical skills through courses focused on several core competencies:
- Core ABA principles and data collection methods
- Ethical codes of conduct that line up with certification boards
- Skill acquisition and behavior reduction interventions
- Assessment techniques including functional behavior assessments
- Supervision program design and evaluation methodology
The programs teach students to implement scientifically verified interventions that create positive changes in people’s lives. Students learn to help clients with autism spectrum disorders through specialized training in assessment and intervention strategies. The coursework emphasizes evaluating behavioral progress using single-case design methodology—a fundamental research approach in applied behavior analysis.
Certification Eligibility
UCSB offers paths that match different certification requirements. BCaBA (Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst) certification requires a bachelor’s degree or current enrollment in one. Students must pass all five courses with a grade of “C” or better.
BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) certification requires a graduate degree (master’s or higher) or current enrollment in one. Students typically need to complete seven courses with a minimum grade of “C”.
UCSB’s programs follow BACB’s 6th Edition Task List, keeping the curriculum current with certification standards. Students can speed up their application processing by requesting a coursework attestation, which UCSB sends to the certification board.
Tuition and Duration
Course tuition costs between $230-$680, and current UCSB students get a 25% discount. Students pay a $45 certificate release fee after completing their courses. The program costs less than many other ABA certificate programs.
Optional supervision classes cost $650 per quarter for students who need supervised field experience. This creates a clear path to meet the supervised fieldwork requirements for certification.
Students must verify they’ve finished all required courses through their PaCE Student Account to get UCSB’s program completion certificate. This certificate differs from BCBA/BCaBA certification. UCSB issues official credentials through their provider, Parchment.
Working professionals can complete their coursework on their own schedule thanks to the fully online format. This flexibility lets students balance their studies with work commitments.
Ball State University ABA Certificate
Ball State University’s ABA certificate program is well-known for its exceptional affordability compared to other online behavior analysis programs. Students get flexible course formats and strong emphasis on autism spectrum disorder. The program gives great value to professionals who want to advance their careers in behavior analysis.
Program Overview
The ABA certificate at Ball State has a 15-credit curriculum delivered 100% online through the university’s respected Teachers College. Students can choose between 8-week and 16-week course options to match their schedule. This flexibility works well for working professionals who need to balance their education with other commitments.
The program’s verification by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) meets coursework requirements for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA) examination. Classes are limited to 25 students, which ensures customized attention from faculty and creates a better learning experience.
Course Highlights
The certificate curriculum has five key courses that help develop detailed behavior analysis skills:
- SPCE 609: Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credits)
- SPCE 611: Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credits)
- SPCE 619: Professional Issues in Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credits)
- SPCE 630: Research Methods for Behavior Analysis (3 credits)
- SPCE 610: Behavioral Consultation (3 credits)
Students learn both theory and practical applications. The courses run asynchronously but promote participation through interactive learning experiences that prepare students for tangible challenges in behavior analysis.
Certification Eligibility
Students who complete the certificate program meet BACB’s coursework requirements for the BCBA exam under Pathway 2. A master’s degree in any field is required to qualify for the BCBA credential.
The program uses the 5th edition Task List. Students can take the exam under the 6th Edition through 2027. Ball State achieved a 53% first-time BCBA exam pass rate in 2024, showing good preparation for certification.
Tuition and Duration
The program costs nowhere near what competitors charge. Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio residents pay less than $16,000, while out-of-state students pay less than $23,000. This represents an excellent investment given the program’s quality and ABAI verification.
Students can finish the 30-credit master’s degree program (which includes the certificate coursework) in less than two years. Taking one or two courses each semester works well for most students, making it easier to manage work responsibilities.
Classes start on January 5, 2026, giving prospective students time to prepare their applications. Ball State’s mix of affordability, flexibility, and quality curriculum makes it an attractive choice for future behavior analysts.
Florida Institute of Technology ABA Certificate
Florida Institute of Technology excels as a leader in behavior analysis education with its ABA certificate program that delivers outstanding exam pass rates. Students can complete this program entirely online, making it perfect to advance their careers in this fast-growing field.
Program Overview
The Online Behavior Analyst Graduate Certificate at Florida Tech works best if you have a master’s degree and want to complete behavior analytic coursework for board certification. Students get expert guidance while learning online to build strong foundations in ABA principles and practice. Graduates can work in schools, early intervention programs, day programs, residential settings, and home-based programs – all offering growing career opportunities.
Course Highlights
The program takes about 20 months to complete with 21 credits spread over five semesters. The core courses are:
- Introduction to Concepts & Principles of Behavior Analysis
- Measurement & Experimental Design
- Ethics in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Assessment & Behavior Change Procedures for Skill Acquisition
- Assessment & Behavior Change Procedures for Behavior Reduction
- Introduction to Organizational Behavior Management
- Conceptual Analysis of Behavior
Students meet online with instructors every two weeks in small groups, creating an engaging learning environment. The program offers these sessions at different times, so you can pick what fits your schedule best.
Certification Eligibility
The program meets BACB® 2027 behavior analytic coursework requirements for BCBA® certification through Pathway 2. Florida Tech’s students excel in certification exams – 78% passed the BCBA exam on their first try in 2023, while the national average stayed at 56%.
Tuition and Duration
The program costs $530 per credit hour, bringing the total to around $11,130. New students can start in Spring, Summer, or Fall semesters. The upcoming deadlines are December 1, 2025 for Spring 2026, April 13, 2026 for Summer 2026, and August 3, 2026 for Fall 2026.
Get Your Start Today
Picking the right ABA certification online program is a crucial step to build a rewarding career in behavior analysis. This piece explores seven exceptional programs that deliver quality education while working around your professional and personal commitments. Each program brings something special to the table. Purdue Global excels with multiple pathway options. Arizona State University features an accelerated timeline. Capella delivers detailed coursework. PCOM strikes the perfect balance between flexibility and collaboration. UCSB makes global accessibility a priority. Ball State renwith exceptional affordability. Florida Tech shows impressive certification exam pass rates.
Your goals will line up with one of these programs, and getting ABA certification unlocks many career opportunities in educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and private practices. The growing need for qualified behavior analysts makes this career path both financially rewarding and helps you achieve personal satisfaction.
You should think over factors like program cost, duration, certification pathways, and support services before making your choice. On top of that, you need to assess if a standalone certificate works better for you or if you’d prefer a program that combines smoothly with a master’s degree to advance your career.
Applied behavior analysis keeps growing as more people recognize its effectiveness in supporting clients with autism spectrum disorders, developmental disabilities, and behavioral challenges. Your expertise can drive meaningful changes in clients’ lives while building a stable, sought-after career.
The information in this guide helps you pick the ABA certification program that matches your educational background, career goals, and personal situation with confidence. Starting a journey to become a certified behavior analyst begins with the right educational foundation—a choice that shapes your professional future over the last several years.