Last updated: March 9, 2026

ABA Programs in Arkansas (2026)

Arkansas is catching up fast. Ouachita Baptist launched the state's first master's degrees in ABA, the University of Arkansas provides an affordable online certificate, and Act 432 — signed April 2025 — finally created a behavior analyst registration program. Here's what prospective BCBAs need to know.

Taylor Rupe

Founder & Editor

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

ABA Programs in Arkansas (2026)

Key Takeaways

  • Ouachita Baptist University offers the first M.S. and M.A. degrees in ABA in Arkansas — a low-residency hybrid format with one 3-day on-campus intensive and 20+ clinical fieldwork partners across the U.S. and Canada.
  • Ouachita's M.S. requires 42 credits (includes thesis and integrated fieldwork), while the M.A. is 36 credits completable in 22 months — both taught by BCBA and BCBA-D faculty.
  • The University of Arkansas provides a 100% online 21-credit graduate certificate at $449/credit for residents (~$9,429 total) — ABAI-verified and completable in 12 months.
  • Arkansas signed Act 432 in April 2025, creating a behavior analyst registration program through the Arkansas Psychology Board — the state's first regulatory framework for the profession.
  • Northwest Arkansas (Bentonville/Fayetteville) offers the strongest BCBA job market, driven by Walmart, Tyson, and J.B. Hunt corporate headquarters creating demand for family-serving behavioral health professionals.

Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia made history as the first Arkansas institution to offer master's degrees in applied behavior analysis. The Patterson School of Natural Sciences launched both an M.S. (42 credits, thesis-based) and M.A. (36 credits, practice-oriented) in ABA, delivered through a low-residency hybrid format that combines primarily online coursework with one required 3-day on-campus intensive. All faculty are practicing BCBAs or BCBA-Ds, and the program has established 20+ clinical fieldwork partners across the U.S. and Canada.

The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville takes the certificate route — a 100% online, 21-credit graduate certificate that's ABAI-verified and completable in 12 months. At $449/credit for in-state students (approximately $9,429 total), it's designed for professionals who already hold a qualifying master's degree. Students also have access to UArk's ABA Family Service and Research Clinic for practicum opportunities.

Arkansas was one of the last states without behavior analyst regulation, but Act 432 — signed in April 2025 — established a registration program through the Arkansas Psychology Board. This is registration, not full licensure, which is a lighter regulatory framework. BCBA or BCBA-D certification is required to register. Implementation details are still being finalized as the Board develops its processes.

Ouachita's First-in-State ABA Degrees & UArk's Online Certificate

School Tuition (In-State) Format Length Accreditation
Ouachita Baptist University — M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis $654/credit (~$27,468 total, 42 credits) Low-residency hybrid (online + one 3-day on-campus intensive) 2 years BACB-Aligned
Ouachita Baptist University — M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis $654/credit (~$23,544 total, 36 credits) Low-residency hybrid (online + one 3-day on-campus intensive) 22 months BACB-Aligned
University of Arkansas — Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online) $449/credit (~$9,429 total, 21 credits) Fully online (100%) 12 months ABAI-Verified; BACB-Aligned

Ouachita Baptist University — M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis

Arkadelphia

Online Available

In-State Tuition

$654/credit (~$27,468 total, 42 credits)

Out-of-State

$654/credit (~$27,468 total, flat rate)

Format

Low-residency hybrid (online + one 3-day on-campus intensive)

Full-Time

2 years

Field Hours

1,500 supervised fieldwork hours (integrated with 20+ clinical partners across U.S. and Canada)

Concentrations

Applied Behavior Analysis — thesis research, clinical practice, BCBA certification preparation, integrated fieldwork

  • First institution in Arkansas to offer a master's degree in applied behavior analysis
  • M.S. includes thesis or capstone project — designed for students considering doctoral studies
  • 42-credit curriculum integrates supervised fieldwork hours directly into the program
  • 20+ clinical fieldwork partners across the U.S. and Canada — national reach for practicum placement
  • All faculty are practicing BCBAs or BCBA-Ds — practitioners teaching practitioners
  • Low-residency format: primarily online with one 3-day on-campus intensive in Arkadelphia
  • Flat tuition rate of $654/credit regardless of residency
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 3.0

Ouachita Baptist University — M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis

Arkadelphia

Online Available

In-State Tuition

$654/credit (~$23,544 total, 36 credits)

Out-of-State

$654/credit (~$23,544 total, flat rate)

Format

Low-residency hybrid (online + one 3-day on-campus intensive)

Full-Time

22 months

Field Hours

1,500 supervised experience hours (completed separately through clinical partners)

Concentrations

Applied Behavior Analysis — practice-oriented, applied research project, BCBA certification preparation

  • Completable in just 22 months — one of the faster ABA master's programs available
  • 36 credits focused on practice rather than research — no thesis required
  • Applied research project during final two semesters replaces traditional thesis
  • Flexible, practice-oriented structure designed for working professionals
  • Same BCBA/BCBA-D faculty as the M.S. program
  • Low-residency hybrid format with one 3-day on-campus intensive
  • Flat $654/credit regardless of residency — ~$23,544 total
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 3.0

University of Arkansas — Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)

Fayetteville (Online)

Online Available

In-State Tuition

$449/credit (~$9,429 total, 21 credits)

Out-of-State

$1,216/credit (~$25,536 total)

Format

Fully online (100%)

Full-Time

12 months

Field Hours

1,500 supervised experience hours (completed separately; clinic practicum available)

Concentrations

Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate — professional ethics, concepts and principles, behavioral assessments, interventions

  • 100% online delivery — complete from anywhere in 12 months
  • ABAI-verified course sequence — meets all BCBA coursework requirements
  • University of Arkansas brand — the state's flagship R1 research institution
  • $449/credit for in-state students — ~$9,429 total for 21 credits
  • ABA Family Service and Research Clinic available for practicum opportunities
  • Curriculum & Instruction department home — education-focused ABA framework
  • Designed for professionals with existing master's degrees seeking BCBA credentials
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 3.0

Act 432 — Arkansas's New Behavior Analyst Registration (2025)

Registered Behavior Analyst

Issued by: Arkansas Psychology Board (under Act 432, signed April 2025)

  • Current BCBA or BCBA-D certification from the BACB in good standing
  • Registration through the Arkansas Psychology Board
  • Act 432 signed in April 2025 — Arkansas's first behavior analyst regulatory framework
  • This is a registration program, not full licensure — a lighter regulatory framework
  • Implementation details and fee schedules are being finalized by the Board
  • Assistant behavior analyst registration expected for BCaBA holders

Renewal

Renewal requirements being established as the registration program is implemented. Expected to align with BACB certification cycle and continuing education standards. Contact the Arkansas Psychology Board for the most current requirements.

Visit Licensing Board →

BCBA Pay in Little Rock, NWA & Fort Smith

BLS Median

$44,530

Entry Level

$32,000–$38,000

Experienced

$52,000–$68,000 (BCBA-certified, Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas)

Top Earners

$72,000–$90,000+ (clinical directors, private practice)

Arkansas's BLS median of approximately $44,530 for the broader behavioral health counselor category is well below the national average, but Arkansas has one of the lowest costs of living in the country — approximately 15–18% below the national average. A BCBA earning $60,000 in Little Rock has purchasing power comparable to $72,000–$75,000 in a city at the national average. Northwest Arkansas (Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers) commands slightly higher salaries due to the region's economic growth driven by Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt headquarters. Fort Smith and the rest of the state run lower.

Northwest Arkansas's Corporate-Driven ABA Demand

BLS Employment

2,860

Projected Growth

19% nationally through 2034

Top Employers

Arkansas Children's Hospital (Little Rock), NWA Behavioral Health, Autism Speaks network providers, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, regional school districts

Arkansas's ABA job market is split between two regions. Little Rock — as the capital and largest city — anchors the central part of the state, with Arkansas Children's Hospital as a premier pediatric employer. Northwest Arkansas (the Bentonville-Fayetteville metro) is one of the fastest-growing regions in the South, driven by Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt corporate headquarters. These companies' well-compensated workforces create strong demand for family behavioral health services. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock provides additional clinical and research ABA positions. School-based demand is growing statewide. Arkansas's new registration framework under Act 432 is expected to formalize the workforce and may increase employment data as practitioners register with the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

The M.S. (42 credits) includes a thesis or capstone project and integrates supervised fieldwork hours directly — better if you're considering doctoral studies or research. The M.A. (36 credits) is practice-oriented with an applied research project instead of a thesis, completable in 22 months — better for working professionals who want the most efficient path to BCBA certification.
Act 432 created a registration program, which is a lighter regulatory framework than full licensure. Registration typically involves less state oversight and fewer additional requirements beyond BACB certification. This reflects Arkansas's approach to ABA regulation — establishing a baseline framework that may evolve into more comprehensive licensure over time. BCBA or BCBA-D certification is required to register.
The UArk certificate provides ABAI-verified coursework meeting BCBA requirements, but you still need a qualifying master's degree to sit for the BCBA exam. If you already have a master's in a relevant field, the 21-credit certificate adds ABA coursework for under $9,500 in-state — very efficient. If you don't have a master's yet, look at Ouachita's full degree programs instead.
Northwest Arkansas — Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, and Springdale — is one of the fastest-growing metros in the country, driven by Walmart's global headquarters, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt Transport. These corporations employ hundreds of thousands of workers whose families need behavioral health services. The region's growth has outpaced its behavioral health workforce, creating strong demand for BCBAs. The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville anchors the educational infrastructure.
Almost — Ouachita's program is primarily online but requires one 3-day on-campus intensive in Arkadelphia. This is a minimal on-campus commitment compared to traditional programs. Fieldwork is completed through one of 20+ clinical partners located across the U.S. and Canada — you don't need to be in Arkansas for practicum placement, which makes the program nationally accessible.