Last updated: March 9, 2026

Online ABA Programs in Arizona (2026)

Arizona's two flagship universities — ASU and the University of Arizona — both deliver fully online ABA master's degrees, making the state a national hub for accessible BCBA preparation. Here's how they compare, what licensure looks like, and what behavior analysts earn in the Phoenix and Tucson metros.

Taylor Rupe

Founder & Editor

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

Online ABA Programs in Arizona (2026)

Key Takeaways

  • ASU Online offers a 30-credit M.A. in Special Education (ABA concentration) with BACB Pathway 2 eligibility, an optional supervised practicum course, and ASU's massive online learning infrastructure serving students nationwide.
  • The University of Arizona delivers a 36-unit fully online M.A. at $653/unit — with all 7 BACB-required courses verified, completable in just 24 months.
  • Arizona licenses behavior analysts through the Board of Psychologist Examiners — with a key restriction: all fieldwork hours must be supervised by a state-licensed Behavior Analyst, and Arizona does not recognize intensive or concentrated practicum hour ratios.
  • Neither Arizona program currently holds ABAI accreditation — both are BACB-verified course sequences, meaning they meet exam eligibility requirements but lack the additional accreditation designation. For the smoothest certification path post-2026, consider programs with ABAI accreditation.
  • The Phoenix metro is one of the fastest-growing ABA job markets in the country — with autism diagnosis rates rising alongside Arizona's broader population boom, creating strong demand for BCBA-certified professionals earning $65,000–$85,000.

Arizona stands out as an online ABA education hub. Both of the state's flagship universities — ASU and the University of Arizona — offer fully online ABA master's degrees, serving students nationally. ASU's program sits within special education and includes an optional practicum course, while the University of Arizona emphasizes a 36-unit curriculum with all BACB-verified courses built in.

Arizona's licensure is handled by the Board of Psychologist Examiners, which adds a notable restriction: all fieldwork hours must be supervised by a state-licensed Behavior Analyst (not just a BCBA), and Arizona counts hours at a strict one-to-one ratio — no concentrated or intensive practicum multipliers. This means completing fieldwork in Arizona may take longer than in states with more flexible supervision rules.

On the career side, Arizona's Sun Belt population growth has fueled an expanding ABA job market, particularly in the Phoenix metro area. Organizations like Arizona Autism United, Trumpet Behavioral Health, and Hopebridge are all hiring aggressively, and the state's licensing framework (with reciprocal pathways for out-of-state practitioners) makes it relatively straightforward to start practicing.

ASU vs. University of Arizona: Comparing Arizona's Online ABA Degrees

School Tuition (In-State) Format Length Accreditation
Arizona State University — M.A. in Special Education, ABA Concentration (Online) $512–$700/credit (~$15,360–$21,000 total, 30 credits) Fully online 2 years BACB-Verified (Pathway 2); BACB-Aligned
University of Arizona — M.A. in Special Education, ABA (Online) $653/unit (~$23,508 total, 36 units) Fully online 24 months (6 semesters) BACB-Verified; BACB-Aligned

Arizona State University — M.A. in Special Education, ABA Concentration (Online)

Tempe (Online)

Online Available

In-State Tuition

$512–$700/credit (~$15,360–$21,000 total, 30 credits)

Out-of-State

$700–$1,312/credit

Format

Fully online

Full-Time

2 years

Field Hours

1,500 supervised experience hours (optional SPE 580 practicum course available)

Concentrations

Special Education — Applied Behavior Analysis concentration, capstone project, optional practicum

  • ASU Online — one of the largest and most established online learning platforms in higher education
  • BACB Pathway 2 coursework eligibility — meets all behavioral analytic requirements
  • 30-credit program with 24 credits in ABA concentration, 3 in research, 3 in capstone
  • Optional practicum course (SPE 580) provides qualified BCBA supervision
  • Arizona residents benefit from tuition cap at 11 credits/semester — no increase for additional credits
  • Financial aid available — most ASU students receive some form of aid
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 3.0

University of Arizona — M.A. in Special Education, ABA (Online)

Tucson (Online)

Online Available

In-State Tuition

$653/unit (~$23,508 total, 36 units)

Out-of-State

$653/unit (~$23,508 total)

Format

Fully online

Full-Time

24 months (6 semesters)

Field Hours

1,500 supervised experience hours (completed separately)

Concentrations

Special Education — Applied Behavior Analysis, autism intervention, behavioral assessment

  • Flat $653/unit regardless of residency — affordable for out-of-state students
  • All 7 BACB-required courses are built into the 36-unit curriculum
  • 24-month structured timeline across 6 semesters — clear graduation path
  • University of Arizona's College of Education ranks among the top in the Southwest
  • Also offers a standalone graduate certificate in ABA for students with existing master's degrees
  • Flexible online format with asynchronous and synchronous components
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 3.0

Arizona Behavior Analyst License — Board of Psychologist Examiners

Licensed Behavior Analyst

Issued by: Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners

  • Current BCBA certification from the BACB
  • Master's degree in behavior analysis, psychology, education, or a related field
  • Completion of 1,500–2,000 supervised fieldwork hours
  • All fieldwork hours must be supervised by a state-licensed Behavior Analyst (not just a BCBA)
  • Arizona does NOT recognize intensive practicum hours or concentrated fieldwork ratios — strict one-hour-equals-one-hour policy
  • Passing the BACB BCBA exam
  • Initial license fee: $500
  • Reciprocal licensure pathway available for those licensed for 1+ years in another state

Renewal

Biennial renewal with continuing education requirements per BACB standards. Contact the Board of Psychologist Examiners for current renewal fees.

Visit Licensing Board →

What BCBAs Earn in Arizona's Sun Belt Economy

BLS Median

$58,240

Entry Level

$40,570–$48,000

Experienced

$65,000–$85,000 (BCBA-certified, Phoenix metro)

Top Earners

$90,000–$110,000+ (clinical directors, multi-site supervisors)

Arizona's BLS median of approximately $58,240 for the broader behavioral health counselor category is near the national average. BCBA-certified professionals in the Phoenix metro typically earn $65,000–$85,000, with clinical directors and program managers exceeding $90,000. Arizona's cost of living — while rising — remains below coastal averages, and the absence of a state income tax on behavior analysis (Arizona has a flat 2.5% income tax rate) stretches earnings further. Tucson and Scottsdale also offer growing ABA markets.

Phoenix & Tucson: Arizona's Growing ABA Job Market

BLS Employment

8,650

Projected Growth

19% nationally through 2034; Arizona growth likely higher due to population boom

Top Employers

Arizona Autism United, Trumpet Behavioral Health, Hopebridge, SARRC (Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center), Behavioral Innovations

Arizona's rapid population growth — the Phoenix metro added over 100,000 people annually in recent years — has fueled proportional demand for ABA services. Arizona Autism United (AZA United) is the state's largest dedicated ABA provider, and national chains Hopebridge, Trumpet Behavioral Health, and Behavioral Innovations have all expanded their Arizona operations. The Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) in Phoenix is a nationally recognized research and service organization. Arizona's Board of Psychologist Examiners also offers a reciprocal licensure pathway, making it relatively easy for out-of-state BCBAs to begin practicing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Both are fully online and BACB-verified, but they differ in structure. ASU's program is 30 credits with an optional practicum course — more efficient if you plan to arrange your own supervision. The University of Arizona is 36 units at a flat $653/unit regardless of residency — better value for out-of-state students. Neither program has ABAI accreditation. Choose based on cost structure, credit count, and whether you want ASU's optional practicum support.
Arizona's Board of Psychologist Examiners requires that fieldwork supervisors hold an Arizona behavior analyst license — not just BCBA certification. This is stricter than many states and means your supervisor must be licensed in Arizona specifically (with limited exceptions for out-of-state practitioners). Arizona also counts hours at a strict 1:1 ratio, with no intensive or concentrated practicum multipliers.
No — as of 2026, neither ASU nor the University of Arizona holds ABAI accreditation for their ABA programs. Both have BACB-verified course sequences, which is sufficient for BCBA exam eligibility. However, starting in 2026, the BACB is transitioning to a new attestation system, and programs with ABAI accreditation will have the most streamlined certification path. If ABAI accreditation is important to you, consider out-of-state options or online programs from ABAI-accredited schools.
Arizona offers a reciprocal licensure pathway for behavior analysts who have been licensed for at least one year in another state. Note that BCBA certification alone is not a license — you must hold an actual state license from another jurisdiction. The application still requires a background check and the $500 initial fee.
BCBA-certified professionals in the Phoenix metro typically earn $65,000–$85,000, with clinical directors and multi-site supervisors exceeding $90,000. Arizona's flat 2.5% state income tax rate and moderate cost of living (compared to California or the Northeast) mean these salaries go further than the numbers suggest. Scottsdale and Chandler tend to offer slightly higher salaries than other Phoenix suburbs.