Introduction
California is home to many Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) programs designed to assist persons with autism and other developmental disorders. These programs teach proven strategies to improve specific behaviors, communication, and social skills. Early intervention is a noticeable factor, and ABA therapy is becoming an important resource for children.
According to a report (US employment demands for behavior analysts) written by Light Cast, it was discovered that the demand for behavior analysts is increasing. It was reported that the annual nationwide demand for people holding BCBA or BCBA-D certification has increased yearly since 2010, with a 14% increase from 2022 to 2023. Demand was highest in 5 states in 2023 (ordered from most to least): California, Massachusetts, Texas, Florida, and Georgia. These five states account for 40% of the recent demand for behavior analysts, with California alone accounting for 18% of the 2023 demand.
Determining the best program for you as you proceed into advanced education can be such a feat if you are interested in the ABA therapy field. This article will help you with a list of schools that offer ABA Master’s & Certification programs in California.
Key State Takeaways:
- ABAI-Accredited Programs (Pathway 1): 2
- ABAI-Verified Programs (Pathway 2): 8
- Annual Resident Tuition Average: $24,329 (TTL)
- Annual Non-Resident Tuition Average: $35,962 (TTL)
- Typical Program Duration: 2 – 2.5 years
Pathways to Degree Certification
For prospective Behavior Analyst professionals looking for opportunities in the State of California, there are currently two institutions that offer ABAI-accredited Master’s programs in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): California State University, in Los Angeles (on-campus M.S. in ABA) and California State University, in Sacramento (on-campus M.S. in ABA). Both programs offer students the opportunity to achieve Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification through Pathway 1, the preferred route:
- Pathway 1: ABAI-accredited schools in California have their entire program reviewed by the ABAI Accreditation Board, providing them the capability of offering Pathway 1. When a student earns their master’s degree through this approach, the program itself is proof that coursework and degree requirements have been met. Students do not need to rely on additional course validation requirements.
- Pathway 2: If a student decides to take a “coursework” or “Verified Course Sequence (VCA)” approach, they can qualify for BCBA with a recognized graduate degree combined with specific coursework that meets Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) requirements. This means each course must be reviewed and approved on an individual basis, along with (as of January 1st, 2026) required institutional attestation.
On January 1st, 2026, the BACB announced that Pathway 2 was to be discontinued after December 31st, 2031, meaning Pathway 1 will be the only route to BCBA certification. Pathway 1 was already the clear and reliable approach to achieving certification, but this decision places additional uncertainty on Pathway 2 long-term for students deciding how to approach their degree. In essence, students choosing the Pathway 1 route avoid additional attestation and verification requirements, benefit from a standard curriculum, and are future-proofing their eligibility for professional certification.
Affordable ABA Programs Accepting California Students
ABAI-Accredited Programs in California
ABAI accreditation is a formal, program-level quality review done by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) Accreditation Board. The ABAI peer reviews a program’s mission, curriculum, outcomes assessment, administration, resources, and public disclosure components to ensure that the entire degree program has met agreed-upon standards in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis.
California State University – Los Angeles
Program: Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis
Location: Los Angeles, CA.
Program Overview:
Cal State LA’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis is designed to train students in the principles, concepts, and application of behavior analysis within a counseling framework, with focus on incorporating counseling skills into ABA practice and preparing graduates to meet national certification standards, enabling students to pursue doctoral studies.
Unique Components:
- Counseling integration: The degree focuses on applying ABA approaches through counseling and building counseling skills parallel to behavior analysis training.
- Cohort-based approach: Students are assigned to a cohort upon starting, then follow a standard course and fieldwork sequence with limited deviation.
Key Data Highlights:
- Format: On-campus
- Accreditation: ABAI (Pathway 1)
- Credit Hours: 56 (units)
- Resident Tuition: $17,368 (TTL)
- Non-Resident Tuition: $34,864 (TTL)
- Enrollment: 24 students annually
Other Considerations:
- Supervised fieldwork: The program includes three semesters of fieldwork and requires students to accrue 750 hours.
California State University – Sacramento
Program: Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis
Location: Sacramento, CA.
Program Overview:
Sacramento State’s M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis, offered through their Psychology Department, is a master’s program that prepares students to work as behavior analysts in settings such as schools, hospitals, neurorehabilitation environments, and agencies serving individuals with developmental disabilities. The program offers a strong scientist-practitioner approach through close faculty mentorship and research participation opportunities.
Unique Components:
- Research and faculty: Students have opportunities to engage in research using facilities that include human and animal (rat) operant laboratories and dedicated research spaces.
- Cohort scheduling: The program handbook provides course schedules for active cohorts and notes that graduate courses are offered on a multi-year cycle.
Key Data Highlights:
- Format: On-campus
- Accreditation: ABAI (Pathway 1)
- Credit Hours: 40-42 (units)
- Resident Tuition: $18,028 (TTL)
- Non-Resident Tuition: $44,668 (TTL)
- Enrollment: 21 students per class
Other Considerations:
- Internships and jobs: The program offers internship and job opportunities in and around the Sacramento area for students to obtain supervised clinical experience.
Pathway 2 Certification Opportunities in California
For students looking to complete their degree and certification through the Pathway 2 approach, there are 5 educational institutions in the State of California that offer verified courses approved by the ABAI. These programs also offer a designated Pathway 2 program contact that can facilitate attestation for completed coursework:
California State University – Northridge
Program: Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis
Location: Northridge, CA.
Program Overview:
This Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program at California State University, Northridge, offers on-the-ground training in clinical settings, with faculty guidance at every step. You will gain expertise in conducting behavioral assessments, implementing evidence-based interventions, and consulting with parents, caregivers, and school personnel while adhering to ethical guidelines. After successfully completing supervised fieldwork hours and graduation, you can sit for the BCBA examination.
Unique Components:
- Practicum: The program includes a continuing-education practicum option each semester of the two-year program (18 CE units total) for students preparing to sit for the BCBA exam.
- Exam outcomes: Tseng College reports 100% of CSUN ABA graduates passed the 2024 BCBA exam on their first attempt, and that CSUN ranked highly for first-time pass rates in 2024.
Key Data Highlights:
- Format: On-campus
- Accreditation: ABAI (Pathway 2)
- Credit Hours: 37 (units)
- Resident Tuition: $$29,674 (TTL)
- Non-Resident Tuition: $41,149 (TTL)
- Enrollment: Varies
California State University – Fresno
Program: Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis
Location: Fresno, CA.
Program Overview:
Fresno State’s M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis is a full-time, on-campus, two-year graduate program designed to prepare students for professional practice in behavior analysis through graduate ABA coursework, multiple semesters of practicum, and a master’s thesis. The program describes its coursework as a Verified Course Sequence (VCS) aligned to BACB content standards.
Unique Components:
- Small cohort approach: The program has admitted only between 5 and 10 students per year, based on available research and practicum opportunities.
- Master’s thesis: students complete an experimental thesis as the culminating requirement; the curriculum also includes thesis units (PSYCH 299).
Key Data Highlights:
- Format: On-campus
- Accreditation: ABAI (Pathway 2)
- Credit Hours: 44 (units)
- Resident Tuition: $19,676 (TTL)
- Non-Resident Tuition: $39,212 (TTL)
- Enrollment: 5-10 students per class
California State University – Stanislaus
Program: Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis
Location: Turlock, CA.
Program Overview:
The Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis program at Stanislaus State focuses on preparing students to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs). It also integrates theory, research, and practical application of behavior analytic principles and places a strong emphasis on mentoring by experienced faculty.
Unique Components:
- BCBA alignment: The department lists a Verified Course Sequence set, including foundations, ethics, and practicum topics.
- Thesis details: Students are required to complete an empirical thesis at the conclusion of their degree.
Key Data Highlights:
- Format: On-campus
- Accreditation: ABAI (Pathway 2)
- Credit Hours: 40 (units)
- Resident Tuition: $20,616 (TTL)
- Non-Resident Tuition: $38,376 (TTL)
- Enrollment: N/A
Fresno Pacific University
Program: Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis
Location: Fresno, CA (online)
Program Overview:
Fresno Pacific University offers a Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis program that is designed to prepare students for professional practice in behavior analysis and eligibility steps toward the BCBA exam. The program is structured to move students through coursework in a cohort format, delivered fully online, while still requiring in-person practicum hours.
Unique Components:
- Pathway 2: FPU states its program courses are “verified by” ABAI and that ABAI “has verified the following courses” toward BCBA/BCaBA coursework eligibility.
- BCBA Supervised Experiences: The brochure lists a BCBA supervised experiences course (PPP 793B) as part of the program’s course menu.
Key Data Highlights:
- Format: Online, hybrid
- Accreditation: ABAI (Pathway 2)
- Credit Hours: 32 (units)
- Online Tuition: $24,640 (TTL)
- Enrollment: N/A
National University
Program: Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis
Location: San Diego, CA.
Program Overview:
National University’s Master of Science in Applied Behavioral Analysis is a 45-quarter-unit graduate program designed to prepare students to work with individuals on the autism spectrum and other neurodiverse populations and to prepare students to sit for the BCBA exam. The supervised fieldwork, required by the BACB, is completed separately.
Unique Components:
- Pathway 2: NU has a list of ABAI courses that have been verified within the program. These courses contribute to BCBA coursework eligibility requirements.
- Course structure: NU runs on quarters made up of three 4-week classes, with students typically taking one class per month.
Key Data Highlights:
- Format: On-campus, online
- Accreditation: ABAI (Pathway 2)
- Credit Hours: 45 (quarter units)
- Tuition: $21,080 (TTL)
- Enrollment: N/A
Pepperdine University
Program: Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis
Location: Los Angeles, CA.
Program Overview:
Pepperdine’s M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis is designed for students pursuing BCBA preparation through Pathway 2 coursework, pairing a structured graduate curriculum with supervised practicum supported through a large network of clinical sites. The program can be completed in as few as 16 months and has a practicum sequence intended to help students meet the academic coursework requirements for BCBA eligibility.
Unique Components:
- Field placement: The program offers over 50 clinical practicum sites and 6 units of supervised field placement.
- Accelerated program: Pepperdine markets the program as completable in 16 months, with a GSEP average class size of 14 and a 12:1 student–faculty ratio.
Key Data Highlights:
- Format: On-campus, online
- Accreditation: ABAI (Pathway 2)
- Credit Hours: 30 (units)
- Tuition: $48,900 (TTL)
- Enrollment: 14 students per class
University of Southern California
Program: Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis
Location: Los Angeles, CA.
Program Overview:
The Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (MABA) at the University of Southern California aims to produce scientist-practitioners who will lead in providing services to improve the lives of individuals with autism and other populations benefiting from positive behavior change. The curriculum satisfies the requirements of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and entails 42 units, including coursework in behavior analysis, supervised field experience, and an optional thesis or capstone project.
Unique Components:
- Practitioner training: USC emphasizes that students pair in-person coursework with real-world application through practicum sites.
- Program scale and selectivity: The USC catalog notes there are openings for approximately 24 students each year (and USC also publishes annual admissions/outcomes data).
Key Data Highlights:
- Format: On-campus
- Accreditation: ABAI (Pathway 2)
- Credit Hours: 42 (units)
- Tuition: $$103,614 (TTL)
- Enrollment: 24 students per year
San Diego State University
Program: Master in Special Education with Behavior Analysis
Location: San Diego, CA.
Program Overview:
The College of Education at San Diego State University offers a Master’s in Special Education with a concentration in Behavior Analysis and Autism. The program incorporates the BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) coursework and covers the clear coursework for the Extensive Support Needs and Early Childhood credentials in California. For more information, you can contact the program coordinators, Dr. Laura Hall (ljhall@sdsu.edu) and Dr. Bonnie Kraemer (bkraemer@sdsu.edu), or contact the administrative office.
Unique Components:
- Special Education Masters: SDSU states the Behavior Analysis & Autism concentration meets behavior-analytic coursework requirements for BCBA Pathway 2.
- Course sequence: The concentration page lists a Graduate Advisor and a BCBA Course Sequence Contact, which is especially relevant post-Jan-2026 for Pathway 2 documentation workflows.
Key Data Highlights:
- Format: On-campus
- Accreditation: ABAI (Pathway 2)
- Credit Hours: 30-31 (units)
- Resident Tuition: $18,320 (TTL)
- Non-Resident Tuition: $39,180 (TTL)
- Enrollment: N/A
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the ABAI Accreditation?
A: ABA Accreditation is a program-level review conducted by the ABAI Accreditation Board. An ABAI-accredited degree program has gone through a comprehensive peer-review process and met ABAI’s Accreditation Standards, which evaluates the full training program, not just a set of courses. Areas of review include the program’s mission, curriculum, outcomes assessment, administration, resources, public disclosure, and degree program design.
Q: Why does ABAI Accreditation (Pathway 1) make a difference?
Pathway 1 is different because it is built around graduating from an accredited university training program. BACB’s published “Recent & Upcoming Changes” clarifies that Pathway 1 will be the only BCBA eligibility pathway starting January 1, 2032.
Q: What changed for Pathway 2 on January 1st, 2026?
A: Starting January 1st, 2026, ABAI’s VCS system is discontinued, and BACB moved to a Pathway 2 Coursework Attestation model. That means Pathway 2 candidates must rely on their program’s designated Pathway 2 Program. Contact to complete an attestation confirming the candidate’s coursework meets the BACB Pathway 2 requirements.
Q: Can I get a certificate instead of a full Master’s degree?
A: A graduate certificate in ABA (BCBA coursework) is typically a Pathway 2 coursework option. Currently, the requirement hinges on whether the certificate provider can complete the BACB Pathway 2 Coursework Attestation for graduates.