Best ABA Programs in Austin (2026)
The ABA and BCBA programs an Austin student can actually attend, what behavior analysts earn in the Austin metro, the local employers hiring RBTs and BCBAs right now, and the Texas LBA license you need to practice.
Key Takeaways
- Behavior analysts in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro earn a BLS median of $66,780 (the category that includes behavior analysts), about 12.5% above the $59,350 national median. BCBA-specific pay runs higher, with Glassdoor and Indeed reporting Austin BCBA averages near $88,000 to $100,000.
- Austin has real campus options: the University of Texas at Austin offers a BACB-approved one-year M.Ed./M.A. in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, St. Edward's University runs a fully online M.Ed. in ABA from South Austin, and Texas State University in San Marcos has a hybrid M.Ed. with an ABA concentration about 30 miles south.
- If you want fully online, you can earn a Texas-based ABA master's from Austin through UNT (ABAI-accredited), Texas Tech, and Texas A&M-San Antonio.
- Austin is the home base of the ABA industry. Action Behavior Centers is headquartered here and runs centers across Mueller, South Austin, North Austin, Sunset Valley, and Cedar Park, alongside Behavioral Innovations, BlueSprig, Hopebridge, Centria, Dell Children's, and the big school districts.
- To practice independently in Austin you need a Texas Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) credential through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), which requires BCBA (or QBA) certification plus a background check.
Austin is one of the fastest-growing ABA markets in the country, and it has a claim no other Texas city can make: the largest center-based ABA provider in the state, Action Behavior Centers, was founded here in 2016 and still runs its corporate headquarters in Austin. That means the metro hires for clinical, regional, and corporate BCBA roles, not just frontline center jobs. Add the metro's booming population, climbing autism diagnosis rates, and Texas's autism insurance mandate (SB 1484), which requires state-regulated health plans to cover ABA therapy, and you get one of the steadiest sources of demand for behavior analysts anywhere in Texas.
For students, Austin is better off than most people assume. The University of Texas at Austin runs a BACB-approved M.Ed. or M.A. in Autism and Developmental Disabilities that you can finish in one year of full-time study and that prepares you to sit for the BCBA exam. If you want to stay in town but study online, St. Edward's University in South Austin offers a fully online M.Ed. in ABA, and Texas State University in San Marcos, about 30 miles south on I-35, runs a hybrid M.Ed. with evening classes built for working professionals in the Austin corridor.
The other thing Austin has going for it is take-home pay. Texas has no state income tax, so a behavior analyst salary in Austin stretches further than the same nominal number in California or New York. The metro median for the broader behavioral counselor category runs above the national figure, and BCBA-specific pay sits comfortably into the $80,000s and $90,000s. Add employer-paid supervision, sign-on bonuses, and tuition reimbursement from the big providers, and the RBT-to-BCBA path here is one of the more financially sensible in the country.
ABA Programs You Can Attend From Austin
All 8 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
University of Texas at Austin: M.Ed./M.A. in Autism and Developmental Disabilities (ABA)
In-State
~$12,036/year in-state
Out-of-State
~$22,952/year out-of-state
Length
~1 year full-time (M.Ed.) or 2 years (M.A. with thesis)
Field Hours
1,500 supervised experience hours
Concentrations
- BACB-approved course sequence through the Department of Special Education, so M.Ed. and M.A. graduates can sit for the BCBA exam
- The M.Ed. applied track can be finished in just one year of full-time study, one of the fastest campus paths to BCBA eligibility in Texas
- The M.A. research track adds a thesis for students aiming at doctoral work or BCBA-D level practice
- Hands-on practicum with children who have autism and developmental disabilities, in the heart of Austin near every major employer
- Direct pipeline into Austin clinics, Dell Children's, and Central Texas school districts
St. Edward's University: M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)
In-State
$37,260 total (flat rate)
Out-of-State
$37,260 total (flat rate)
Length
21 months (30 credits)
Field Hours
1,500 supervised experience hours
Concentrations
- Austin-based private university in South Austin, delivered 100% online with flat tuition regardless of residency
- 30-credit program completable in 21 months, built for working RBTs and educators
- All course fees included in the $37,260 total, so the pricing is transparent up front
- BACB-aligned course sequence that prepares you for the BCBA exam
- Complete your supervised fieldwork at an Austin clinic, hospital, or district while you study from home
Texas State University: M.Ed. in Special Education (Autism/ABA Concentration)
In-State
$551/credit (~$9,920/year in-state)
Out-of-State
~$19,352/year out-of-state
Length
2 years (36 credits)
Field Hours
1,500 supervised experience hours
Concentrations
- Hybrid format with evening in-person classes, ideal for working professionals in the Austin/San Marcos corridor
- About 30 miles south of Austin on I-35, an easy commute or short relocation from south Austin
- On-site practicum at the campus Clinic for Autism Research, Evaluation, and Support (CARES)
- All BCBA-required coursework included, with state licensure following supervision and the exam
- Affordable public tuition in one of Texas's fastest-growing regions
University of North Texas: M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)
In-State
$570/credit (~$13,900/year in-state)
Out-of-State
~$21,300/year out-of-state
Length
2 years (42 credits)
Field Hours
1,500 supervised experience hours
Concentrations
- Home to the nation's first stand-alone department of behavior analysis, founded in 1966
- ABAI-accredited and fully online, so an Austin student never has to set foot in Denton
- First-time BCBA exam pass rates above the national average
- Faculty includes internationally recognized behavior analysis researchers
- Complete your 1,500 supervised hours at an Austin clinic while taking classes online
Texas Tech University: M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)
In-State
$609/credit (~$21,924 total in-state)
Out-of-State
$998/credit (~$35,928 total)
Length
2 years (36 credits)
Field Hours
1,500 supervised experience hours
Concentrations
- ABAI-verified course sequence delivered fully online, so you can study from anywhere in Austin
- 36-credit program, fewer credits than many competitors, which lowers total cost and time
- Strong special education and developmental disabilities focus through the College of Education
- Up to 6 transfer credits accepted, which can shorten the program for students with prior ABA coursework
- Backed by the Burkhart Center for Autism Education and Research
Texas A&M University-San Antonio: M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)
In-State
$317/credit (~$10,461 total in-state)
Out-of-State
$701/credit (~$23,133 total)
Length
2 years (33 credits)
Field Hours
1,500 supervised experience hours
Concentrations
- Most affordable ABA master's in Texas for in-state students, roughly $10,461 total tuition
- Fully online with two concentration options, so an Austin student can finish without relocating
- 33-credit program, one of the shortest credit requirements in the state
- Admits once per year for a Fall start, so plan your application timeline early
- Pairs well with a full-time RBT job at an Austin clinic for unrestricted supervised hours
Sam Houston State University: M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis
In-State
$541/credit (~$19,476 total in-state)
Out-of-State
~$16,749/semester out-of-state
Length
2 years (36 credits)
Field Hours
1,500 supervised experience hours
Concentrations
- ABAI-accredited program, one of only a handful in Texas with full ABAI accreditation
- Both thesis and non-thesis tracks, so you can pick research or a faster clinical path
- One of the most affordable ABAI-accredited ABA master's programs in the country
- Combined ABA and special education curriculum that plays well with school-district jobs
- A relocation rather than a commute from Austin, but worth a look if full ABAI accreditation matters to you
Baylor University: M.S.Ed. in Educational Psychology (ABA Concentration)
In-State
Up to 95% tuition discount for competitive applicants
Out-of-State
Up to 95% tuition discount for competitive applicants
Length
15 months
Field Hours
1,500 supervised experience hours
Concentrations
- Competitive applicants receive up to a 95% tuition discount, making this private program remarkably affordable
- Fastest ABA master's in Texas at just 15 months to completion
- ABAI-verified course sequence with a strong clinical emphasis and small cohorts
- No GRE requirement and individualized mentorship from doctoral-level faculty
- About 100 miles north of Austin on I-35, so it is a relocation that the speed and discount can justify
Texas Behavior Analyst Licensure (LBA/LABA) for Austin Practitioners
The licensing board, exam pathway, and supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.
Licensing Board
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Behavior Analysts Program
(512) 463-6599
To practice as a behavior analyst in Austin you need a state license through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) on top of your national certification. The credential applies statewide, so the rules are identical whether you work in Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, or San Marcos. You need both BACB certification and a TDLR license to bill and supervise legally, and there is no separate Texas exam: TDLR accepts the BACB exam (or the QABA exam, added in December 2024) as meeting the examination requirement.
The two relevant Texas credentials are the Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) for master's-level independent practice and the Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst (LABA) for bachelor's-level practice under supervision. A December 2024 update made Texas one of the first states to accept the Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board (QABA) as a second certifying entity, so an Austin practitioner can now qualify through either the BCBA/BCaBA or the QBA/QASP-S pathway.
Every Austin applicant must pass a criminal history background check as a condition of licensure, and the license renews every two years. If you are an RBT working at an Austin clinic, your RBT credential comes straight from the BACB and does not require a separate TDLR license, but the BCBA who supervises you must hold an active Texas LBA.
Licensed Behavior Analyst
Independent practice of applied behavior analysis: assessment, treatment design, supervision of RBTs and assistants
Hours
1,500
Duration
Associate
Exam: BCBA Exam (BACB) or QBA Exam (QABA); no separate Texas exam
Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst
Practice of ABA under LBA supervision: implement and monitor treatment plans in Austin clinics, homes, and schools
Hours
1,000
Duration
Associate
Exam: BCaBA Exam (BACB) or QASP-S Exam (QABA); no separate Texas exam
Texas does not run a formal reciprocity agreement, but because TDLR ties licensure directly to BACB or QABA certification, relocating to Austin is straightforward. If you already hold current BCBA or QBA certification in good standing, you apply for a Texas LBA by submitting your application, proof of certification, and clearing the background check. There is no extra Texas exam, residency requirement, or repeated supervised-practice period for certified behavior analysts moving into the Austin market.
Behavior Analyst & BCBA Salary in Austin
BLS state median wages by counseling specialty, with national comparison and top-paying metros.
Austin behavior analysts are paid above the national average, and the gap gets bigger once you account for taxes. The BLS Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro data below covers the broader behavioral-disorder and mental-health counselor category (SOC 21-1018), which is the standard proxy for behavior analysts. The metro median of $66,780 sits about 12.5% above the $59,350 national median, and the metro employs roughly 2,930 people in this category, with 10th-percentile pay near $38,950 and 90th-percentile pay around $100,220. BCBA-specific pay reported by employers and job boards runs higher: Glassdoor puts the average Austin BCBA near $100,000, Indeed reports about $88,000, and Behavioral Innovations advertises Austin BCBA roles in the $85,000 to $97,000 range. Because Texas has no state income tax, an Austin BCBA keeps more of that paycheck than a peer earning the same number in California or New York.
Behavioral Disorder & Mental Health Counselors (incl. Behavior Analysts), Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos
National median: $59,350
Top metro: $66,780 (Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos)
BCBA-Certified Professionals, Austin (employer-reported)
National median: $78,000
Top metro: $100,482 (Austin metro)
RBT / Behavior Technicians, Austin (employer-reported)
National median: $37,800
Top ABA Employers and Jobs in Austin
Major employers, mental health shortage context, and loan repayment programs that erase debt for service.
Austin is the corporate home of Texas ABA, and it shows in the job market. Action Behavior Centers was founded in Austin in 2016 and still runs its headquarters here, which means corporate, regional, and clinical BCBA roles all flow through the metro, not just frontline center jobs. Locally, ABC operates centers across Mueller, South Austin, North Austin, Sunset Valley, Bluff Springs, Four Points, and Cedar Park, and its Everest fellowship walks RBTs all the way up to BCBA. Around it sits a dense field of national providers. Behavioral Innovations, a Texas-grown chain with 100-plus centers, advertises Austin BCBA jobs in the $85,000 to $97,000 range with sign-on and retention bonuses. BlueSprig, Hopebridge, Centria Autism, and regional providers like Cultivate Behavioral Health round out the clinic network.
Beyond the clinic chains, two other employer types matter in Austin. The first is healthcare: Dell Children's Medical Center runs the only comprehensive developmental behavioral pediatrics clinic in Central Texas, diagnosing autism and coordinating ABA referrals alongside its behavioral teams. The second is the public schools, which hire behavior analysts and behavior coaches directly. The big districts post these roles year-round: Austin ISD, Round Rock ISD, and Leander ISD all employ BCBAs and special-education behavior staff, and these jobs come with a school calendar plus a path to Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
The engine under all of this is Texas's autism insurance mandate (SB 1484), which requires state-regulated health plans to cover ABA therapy for diagnosed children. Steady coverage means steady demand, which is why the RBT-to-BCBA pipeline works so well in Austin. Most students start as a Registered Behavior Technician at one of the clinics above, earn their 1,500 to 2,000 supervised fieldwork hours on the job while a clinic BCBA signs off, finish an online or local master's, sit the BCBA exam, and then apply for the Texas LBA. Many of these employers pay for your supervision and reimburse part of your tuition, so it is genuinely possible to get certified in Austin without taking on a mountain of debt.
Loan Repayment & Scholarship Programs
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): BCBAs employed by Austin ISD, Round Rock ISD, Leander ISD, Dell Children's, or nonprofit ABA providers qualify for federal PSLF after 120 qualifying payments.
Employer-paid supervision and tuition reimbursement: Austin clinics like Action Behavior Centers, Behavioral Innovations, and Hopebridge advertise paid BCBA supervision, tuition reimbursement, and sign-on bonuses, which cuts your real cost of certification.
No Texas state income tax: More of every Austin paycheck goes toward loan principal, so the same salary pays debt down faster than it would in a high-tax state.
Low-cost in-state programs: Pairing an affordable online master's like Texas A&M-San Antonio (~$10,461 total) or UNT with a paid RBT job is the cheapest realistic route to BCBA from Austin.
How to Choose an ABA Program in Austin
Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.
From Austin the real decision is campus versus online, and which local employer you want to grow into. Use these factors to narrow it down.
If you want a campus program inside Austin: UT Austin offers a BACB-approved M.Ed. you can finish in one year full-time, or an M.A. with a thesis. It is competitive and selective, so apply early and bring a strong application.
If you need to work full-time while you study: go online. St. Edward's (Austin-based, online), UNT (ABAI-accredited), Texas Tech, and Texas A&M-San Antonio all let you keep an RBT job at an Austin clinic and bank supervised hours while you take classes.
If you want a hybrid program close to Austin: Texas State in San Marcos is about 30 miles south on I-35, with evening in-person classes and on-site practicum at its CARES clinic, which suits south Austin commuters.
If cost is the deciding factor: Texas A&M-San Antonio online (~$10,461 total in-state) is the cheapest, and Baylor's up-to-95% tuition discount can make a private, 15-month degree shockingly affordable if you are a strong applicant.
If full ABAI accreditation matters most: UNT is ABAI-accredited and fully online, so you get the gold-standard credential without leaving Austin, and Sam Houston State offers the on-campus ABAI option if you are willing to relocate.
Match the program to the employer you want: school-district BCBA roles at Austin ISD, Round Rock ISD, and Leander ISD reward the special-education-heavy curricula at UT Austin, Texas State, and Texas Tech, while the clinic chains like Action Behavior Centers and Behavioral Innovations care most that you are credentialed and licensed.
Related Pages
ABA Programs in Texas
The full statewide guide to Texas ABA programs and LBA licensure
BCBA Career Guide
What BCBAs actually do day-to-day
BCBA Salary Data
Salary data by state, experience, and employer type
Best Online ABA Programs
National ranking of the top online ABA master's programs
ABA Programs in Houston
ABA programs, salary, and employers in the Houston metro
ABA Programs in Dallas
ABA programs, salary, and employers in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro
Sources
- BLS: Occupational Employment and Wages, Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX (May 2024)
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation: Behavior Analysts
- BACB: Verified Course Sequences
- ABAI: Accredited Programs Directory
- UT Austin: Autism and Developmental Disabilities (BACB-Approved)
- Action Behavior Centers: Corporate Careers (Austin headquarters)
- Autism Speaks: Texas State-Regulated Insurance Coverage (SB 1484)
- Glassdoor: BCBA Salary in Austin, TX