Why This Matters

  • THERE WILL BE NEARLY 200,000 PSYCHOLOGIST JOBS BY 2029

    There were 192,300 psychologist jobs in 2019, and that’ll grow to 198,000 by 2029. Include therapists and analysts, and the number of jobs is even higher.

  • BEHAVIORAL PSYCHOLOGISTS CAN SPECIALIZE IN A DOZEN AREAS

    Behavioral analysts may choose to specialize in a dozen officially recognized areas, such as education, sports, and clinical behavior. Your degree program can start you toward a chosen specialty.

  • EARN AN ADDITIONAL $17,752 PER YEAR WITH A MASTER’S

    The average salary for a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is $61,600, compared with Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts’ (BCaBAs) $43,848 average salary. A master’s degree is required to become a BCBA.

Our Research

We reviewed many master’s in behavioral psychology degrees, including on-campus, online, and dual-mode programs. Online programs often require at least some in-person clinical experience, and they may have a short on-campus component.

All of the degree programs listed are regionally accredited, and many are also accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). To earn a BCBA credential, you must complete an accredited degree.

We evaluated each program on the basis of flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score for each program on a scale from 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.

  • 50 hours to write this article
  • 182 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 355 education programs we compared

The Top 50 Master’s in Behavioral Psychology Degree Programs

Best Master's in Behavioral Psychology Degree Programs
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What You Should Know About This Degree

The master’s in behavioral psychology is a specialized degree that prepares students specifically to pursue careers as Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA). Those who want to go on further can later complete a doctoral degree in the field and become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst – Doctoral (BCBA-D). A master’s degree and coursework in behavioral counseling are required to become a BCBA.

Students who already have a master’s degree in a related field, such as psychology or counseling, don’t need to complete a full master’s in behavioral psychology. A certificate program in behavioral psychology is sufficient in this situation. Certificate programs aren’t eligible for financial aid due to federal guidelines, however.

Because behavior analysis involves working directly with people, these master’s degrees commonly include a supervised practicum that must be completed in person. You may be able to complete the practicum in a setting near you, but consider how this time requirement will fit into your schedule when evaluating online program options.

Upon completion of a master’s in behavioral psychology, you must pass a certification exam before earning the BCBA credential. Some states also have their own licensure requirements, but most rely on the BCBA to regulate professionals in the field.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when considering a master’s in behavioral psychology:

  • Are courses offered synchronously or asynchronously? Online programs usually include both synchronous and asynchronous courses. All enrolled students attend synchronous ones at the same time (although remotely), while asynchronous coursework is completed on the students’ own schedules. Consider how you’ll fit both types of courses into your schedule as you evaluate online degree options.
  • What licensing or certifications are required? You have to pass a certification exam to become a BCBA after graduating from your degree program. Some states also have licensing requirements, although many don’t. Check with your state to see whether it has specific licensing requirements outside of what the BCBA requires.

When you have a list of potential degree programs, check their admissions requirements and deadlines. You can get these details directly from programs or their websites.

Also consider how you’ll cover the cost of tuition. Ask program counselors about scholarship opportunities and other financial aid provisions. If you’re employed, your employer might provide tuition reimbursement.