Most Affordable BCBA Degree Programs of 2023
Behavior analysts are professionals who use proven scientific principles and procedures to improve social behavior. They help individuals and groups to build skills and reduce problematic behaviors in both clinical and nonclinical settings. Their interventions can have a significant positive impact on people with autism spectrum disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, dementia, and a wide range of other conditions.
Why This Matters
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DEMAND FOR BCBA-CERTIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS HAS INCREASED SINCE 2010.
According to a study conducted on behalf of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, the demand for behavior analysts is increasing dramatically throughout the United States.
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31 STATES REQUIRE THAT BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS BE LICENSED
A study published in the journal Behavior Analysis in Practice reported a 400% increase in the number of BACB certifications, and linked that growth to the growing number of states requiring licensure in order for behavior analyst services to be available.
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BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS EARN AN AVERAGE YEARLY SALARY OF $69,000
Though salary depends upon numerous variables, including geographic location, years of experience, and work environment, Zippia.com reports that the average annual salary for a behavior analyst in the United States is $69,000.
Our Research
Becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) begins with a graduate-level degree in behavior analysis, psychology, or education, so the programs we’ve included on our list are either Master’s degree programs offered by colleges of education or graduate certificates in Applied Behavior Analysis offered as supplements to Master’s degree programs. All of them meet the criteria for Verified Course Sequence as prescribed by the Association for Behavior Analysis International and meet the coursework eligibility for the BCBA or BCaBA as part of the application for BACB examinations. Many of these programs are offered online, though some are available on campus. In most cases they are offered synchronously, meaning that students must attend classes following a schedule. Programs may allow classes to be taken either synchronously or asynchronously, offering greater flexibility.
Becoming a BCBA relies upon the curriculum you choose meeting the criteria, which at a minimum includes earning a graduate degree in ABA, psychology, or education and then pursuing any of three additional options. Though one of those options accommodates students whose Behavioral Analysis courses were not accredited, this route requires seeking a BACB review. The other two options are to earn a Master’s degree from an ABAI-accredited master’s degree program or to pursue an ABAI-accredited Verified Course Sequence as part of a Master’s degree or as a post-master’s certificate program. In both cases, choosing an ABAI-accredited program is essential.
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.
- 59 hours to write this article
- 151 universities and colleges we assessed
- 393 education programs we compared
The Top 50 Affordable BCBA Degree Programs
What You Should Know About This Degree
There are many treatment models used to help those with special needs, and each has its own approach and application. The Applied Behavior Analysis that is used by those who have BCBA degrees focuses on improving social skills, communication, learning, and competencies in order to reduce challenging behaviors and improve social interactions. It does this through careful analysis of the cause of unwanted behaviors and development of an individualized treatment plan that teaches adaptive behaviors. By contrast, Cognitive Behavior Therapists use talk therapy counseling to teach techniques for managing emotions and resolving conflicts. Those with degrees in CBT help patients to recognize the thought processes that are causing the problem and teaches them coping skills.
Both Applied Behavior Analysis and Cognitive Behavior Therapy are extremely helpful, scientifically-based approaches, they meet different needs. There have also been some studies that point to success in combining the two types of therapy.
Over the last ten years there has been a remarkable increase in demand for behavior analysts who hold BCBA certification. This is due in part to the effectiveness of the approach and in part to reforms to insurance reimbursements for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder and other diagnoses well served by applied behavior analysis.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching BCBA degree programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? Admission to a BCBA degree program requires having completed your undergraduate application, usually with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. In most cases, you will need to have your transcript sent directly from the institution from which you graduated, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and an application fee. Some programs will also require that you take and score well on the standardized Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Those choosing to pursue a certificate program as part of their graduate school curriculum or as a postgraduate supplement will need to provide similar supporting documentation.
- Are courses offered synchronously or asynchronously? Most BCBA degree programs are offered online, with instructional delivery that combines both synchronous and asynchronous approaches. A typical curriculum will offer structured, paced courses combined with live review sessions and faculty and instructional support from researchers, teachers and other professionals in the field.
Because the criteria required for board certification is so high and the work that behavior analysts do is so important, BCBA degree programs maintain high standards and expectations of their students. Students applying to these programs are expected to apply themselves strenuously to their studies and must generally score a minimum of 70% or better in all classes.
By selecting an accredited program, students who are choosing a BCBA Master’s degree program make themselves eligible for federal, state, and local financial aid. Identifying these or other sources of tuition support should be pursued as early as possible in order to be sure that you will have the funding needed before entering a program. Post-graduate certificate programs may not be eligible for federal support.