Last updated: March 9, 2026

ABA Programs in Alaska (2026)

Alaska pays behavioral health counselors more than any other state — $79,220 BLS median — and the University of Alaska Anchorage offers the Last Frontier's only graduate ABA training through a rigorous 48-credit M.S. in Clinical Psychology with a dedicated Behavior Analysis track.

Taylor Rupe

Founder & Editor

B.A. in Psychology, University of Washington — Seattle

ABA Programs in Alaska (2026)

Key Takeaways

  • The University of Alaska Anchorage offers a 48-credit M.S. in Clinical Psychology with a Behavior Analysis track at $513/credit for residents (~$24,624 total) — Alaska's only BCBA-qualifying graduate program.
  • UAA also provides an undergraduate concentration in Behavior Analysis within the B.A./B.S. in Psychology — preparing students for BCaBA certification and graduate ABA programs.
  • Alaska has required state licensure since 2014 through the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (DCBPL) — both Licensed Behavior Analysts and Licensed Assistant Behavior Analysts.
  • Alaska's $79,220 BLS median salary for behavioral health counselors is the highest in the nation — reflecting extreme workforce shortages across the state's vast geography.
  • UAA delivers courses through a mix of in-person, synchronous online, asynchronous online, and hybrid formats — critical flexibility for students in a state where distance is a constant factor.

The University of Alaska Anchorage is the sole provider of ABA graduate training in the state. The M.S. in Clinical Psychology with a Behavior Analysis track is a 48-credit program housed in the Psychology department, with coursework aligned to ABAI standards and designed to prepare graduates for the BCBA examination. At $513/credit for in-state students, the total cost runs approximately $24,624 — competitive for a clinical psychology degree that doubles as BCBA preparation. The program is designed for completion in 2 years full-time or 4 years part-time, with fall admission and a February 1 application deadline.

UAA's program stands out for its delivery flexibility. Courses are offered in-person, synchronous online, asynchronous online, and hybrid formats — a necessity in a state where students may be hundreds of miles from campus. The curriculum includes strategies of behavior change, behavioral assessment, interventions for challenging behavior, ethics for behavior analysts, and single-subject research designs, plus a 6-credit applied clinical skills practicum. Students choose between a thesis option (6 credits) or thesis-equivalent option (3–6 credits of individual research).

At the undergraduate level, UAA offers a concentration in Behavior Analysis within the B.A./B.S. in Psychology — preparing students for BCaBA certification or graduate ABA programs. Alaska has licensed behavior analysts through the DCBPL since 2014 (HB 361), requiring BACB certification plus a state license for both full and assistant behavior analysts.

UAA's Clinical Psychology ABA Track — The Last Frontier's BCBA Pipeline

School Tuition (In-State) Format Length Accreditation
University of Alaska Anchorage — M.S. in Clinical Psychology, Behavior Analysis Track $513/credit (~$24,624 total, 48 credits) Mixed modality (in-person, synchronous online, asynchronous online, hybrid) 2 years (4 years part-time) ABAI-Verified Course Sequence; BACB-Aligned

University of Alaska Anchorage — M.S. in Clinical Psychology, Behavior Analysis Track

Anchorage

Online Available

In-State Tuition

$513/credit (~$24,624 total, 48 credits)

Out-of-State

$1,180/credit (~$56,640 total)

Format

Mixed modality (in-person, synchronous online, asynchronous online, hybrid)

Full-Time

2 years (4 years part-time)

Field Hours

1,500+ supervised experience hours (6-credit applied clinical skills practicum included)

Concentrations

Behavior Analysis — strategies of behavior change, behavioral assessment, interventions for challenging behavior, ethics, single-subject research designs

  • Alaska's only graduate ABA program — the sole in-state path to BCBA certification
  • Clinical psychology degree with dedicated behavior analysis track — dual professional preparation
  • ABAI-verified course sequence meets all BCBA certification coursework requirements
  • Mixed modality delivery: in-person, synchronous online, asynchronous online, hybrid — critical for Alaska's geography
  • Thesis or thesis-equivalent options — choose research depth that fits your goals
  • 6-credit applied clinical skills practicum with diverse clinical and community placement settings
  • Undergraduate behavior analysis concentration also available for BCaBA preparation
  • February 1 application deadline for fall admission — reviewed once per year
Visit Program Website → GRE: Required · Min GPA: 3.0

DCBPL Licensing Since 2014 — HB 361 Framework

Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA)

Issued by: Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (DCBPL)

  • Current BCBA certification from the BACB in good standing
  • Master's degree with behavior analytic coursework meeting BACB requirements
  • Supervised experience in accordance with BACB standards
  • Passed the BCBA examination
  • Application to DCBPL with required fees and criminal background check
  • Alaska enacted behavior analyst licensing through HB 361 in 2014
  • Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst (LABA) credential available for BCaBA holders
  • Temporary license available for individuals who have completed education and fieldwork but are awaiting BCBA exam results

Renewal

Biennial renewal through the DCBPL MY LICENSE online system. Must maintain BACB certification in active status and meet continuing education requirements aligned with BACB standards.

Visit Licensing Board →

Nation-Leading Pay: $79,220 Median & What Drives Alaska's Premium

BLS Median

$79,220

Entry Level

$48,000–$58,000

Experienced

$72,000–$95,000 (BCBA-certified, Anchorage and Fairbanks)

Top Earners

$100,000–$130,000+ (clinical directors, remote service premiums, tribal health systems)

Alaska's BLS median of $79,220 for behavioral health counselors is the highest in the nation — roughly $20,000 above the national average of $59,190. This premium reflects the extreme difficulty of recruiting and retaining behavioral health professionals in a state where distances are enormous, winters are harsh, and the population is sparse. Anchorage anchors the majority of positions, with Fairbanks, Juneau, and the Mat-Su Valley as secondary markets. Remote and rural positions — particularly those serving Alaska Native communities — often command additional premiums, housing allowances, and relocation bonuses. The high cost of living in Alaska (approximately 25% above the national average) partially offsets the salary advantage, but BCBA purchasing power remains among the strongest in the country.

Behavioral Health Careers Across Alaska's Vast Geography

BLS Employment

1,580

Projected Growth

19% nationally through 2034; Alaska growth constrained by recruitment challenges

Top Employers

Providence Alaska Medical Center, Alaska Behavioral Health, Southcentral Foundation, Alaska Department of Education, tribal health organizations

Alaska's ABA workforce is concentrated in the Anchorage metro, which contains roughly 40% of the state's population. Providence Alaska Medical Center is the largest hospital in the state. Alaska Behavioral Health (formerly Alaska Children's Services) provides community-based behavioral health services. Southcentral Foundation and other tribal health organizations serve Alaska Native communities — a critical and growing demand sector. The Alaska Department of Education employs BCBAs in school-based behavioral support roles. Telehealth is transforming ABA access in rural Alaska, where communities may be hundreds of miles from the nearest road system. The combination of high salaries, extreme workforce shortages, and unique service delivery challenges makes Alaska one of the most unusual — and potentially rewarding — ABA job markets in the country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Alaska's $79,220 BLS median — the highest nationally — reflects three compounding factors: extreme workforce shortages (few behavior analysts want to relocate to Alaska), vast geography that makes service delivery expensive and logistically challenging, and high cost of living that requires elevated salaries to attract talent. Rural and remote positions often add premiums, housing allowances, and signing bonuses on top of already-high base salaries. BCBA-certified professionals willing to serve Alaska's underserved communities are in exceptionally high demand.
Partially — UAA delivers courses through mixed modalities including synchronous online, asynchronous online, and hybrid formats. However, the 6-credit applied clinical skills practicum requires in-person supervised experience at approved sites, which may be available in your community depending on local ABA providers. Contact UAA's Psychology department to discuss practicum placement options outside Anchorage.
Tribal health organizations like Southcentral Foundation and regional tribal health corporations actively recruit BCBAs. These positions often include competitive salaries, student loan repayment programs, housing assistance, and the opportunity to provide culturally responsive behavioral services in communities with significant unmet need. Telehealth is increasingly used to extend BCBA services to remote villages. Cultural competency and willingness to work within Indigenous community frameworks are essential qualifications.
UAA's M.S. in Clinical Psychology with the ABA track is a 48-credit program — larger than typical 33–42 credit standalone ABA master's programs. The trade-off: you get broader clinical psychology training alongside specialized behavior analysis coursework, which can be advantageous for positions requiring both clinical and behavioral expertise. The program includes thesis or thesis-equivalent options, adding a research component that standalone ABA programs often lack. If you want the fastest, most streamlined path to BCBA certification, an online ABA master's may be more efficient. If you want deeper clinical training in Alaska's only in-state program, UAA is the clear choice.
Yes — many accredited online ABA master's programs accept students from Alaska. Affordable options include Mississippi State ($558/credit, in-state rate for all students), University of Central Oklahoma ($292/credit), and Utah State ($488/credit). These programs allow you to complete coursework remotely while accumulating supervised fieldwork hours at local Alaska sites. Given Alaska's high BCBA salaries, even higher-tuition programs can offer a strong return on investment for Alaska-based graduates.