Last updated: March 9, 2026

ABA Programs in Delaware (2026)

Delaware has no in-state ABA master's program and no behavior analyst licensure — but its location between Philadelphia and Baltimore puts BCBAs within reach of two major metro job markets. Here's how to build an ABA career from the First State using online programs and neighboring institutions.

Taylor Rupe

Founder & Editor

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

ABA Programs in Delaware (2026)

Key Takeaways

  • Delaware currently has no in-state ABA master's program — aspiring BCBAs must use online programs or commute to nearby schools in Pennsylvania, Maryland, or New Jersey.
  • The state has no behavior analyst licensure — making it one of the few remaining states without formal regulation. BCBA certification from the BACB is the de facto credential for practice.
  • Delaware's School Behavior Analyst Standard Certificate requires BCBA or QBA certification for behavior analysts working in public school settings.
  • The Wilmington-Philadelphia corridor gives Delaware BCBAs immediate access to one of the largest ABA job markets on the East Coast — with Pennsylvania and New Jersey positions within easy commuting distance.
  • Delaware's BLS median of approximately $49,690 for behavioral health counselors is below the national average, but cross-border access to Philadelphia-area salaries ($55,000–$75,000+ for BCBAs) substantially expands earning potential.

Delaware is one of the few states with no in-state ABA master's program. The University of Delaware offers undergraduate coursework in applied behavior analysis (PSYC 423), and Wilmington University provides behavioral science degrees at the bachelor's level — but neither institution offers a graduate program designed specifically for BCBA certification. This means Delaware residents pursuing the BCBA credential must look to online programs or commute to schools in neighboring states.

The good news: Delaware's Mid-Atlantic location makes this less of an obstacle than it sounds. Drexel University in Philadelphia (ABAI-accredited) is roughly 30 minutes from Wilmington. Rutgers University in New Jersey and Johns Hopkins in Baltimore are also within reasonable reach. And numerous affordable online programs — Mississippi State ($558/credit), UCO ($292/credit), Ball State, Purdue Global — accept Delaware students.

Delaware has no state licensure for behavior analysts. Insurance companies and employers require BCBA certification as the professional standard, and the Delaware Department of Education requires BCBA or QBA certification for school-based behavior analyst positions through its Standard Certificate system. The lack of licensure means no state application fees, no additional exam, and no renewal bureaucracy — you practice on your BACB credential alone.

No In-State Master's — But Strong Regional & Online Alternatives

School Tuition (In-State) Format Length Accreditation
Drexel University — M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis (Nearby — Philadelphia) $1,178/credit (~$42,408 total, 36 credits) On-campus and online options 2 years ABAI-Accredited; BACB-Aligned
University of Delaware — PSYC 423 Applied Behavior Analysis (Undergraduate Course) Part of standard undergraduate tuition On-campus (undergraduate course) Single semester Regionally Accredited (MSCHE)

Drexel University — M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis (Nearby — Philadelphia)

Philadelphia, PA (30 min from Wilmington)

Online Available

In-State Tuition

$1,178/credit (~$42,408 total, 36 credits)

Out-of-State

$1,178/credit (~$42,408 total, flat rate)

Format

On-campus and online options

Full-Time

2 years

Field Hours

1,500 supervised experience hours

Concentrations

Applied Behavior Analysis — autism spectrum disorder, developmental disabilities, organizational behavior management

  • ABAI-accredited — the strongest credential available for ABA master's programs
  • Only 30 minutes from Wilmington, DE — the closest accredited program to Delaware
  • Drexel's School of Education — strong clinical placements in the Philadelphia metro
  • Online option available for students who can't commute regularly
  • Philadelphia's large ABA job market provides extensive practicum opportunities
  • Co-op and experiential learning culture aligns well with ABA fieldwork requirements
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 3.0

University of Delaware — PSYC 423 Applied Behavior Analysis (Undergraduate Course)

Newark

In-State Tuition

Part of standard undergraduate tuition

Out-of-State

Part of standard undergraduate tuition

Format

On-campus (undergraduate course)

Full-Time

Single semester

Field Hours

Not applicable (undergraduate course)

Concentrations

Applied Behavior Analysis — introductory ABA principles and applications

  • Delaware's flagship university — strong research infrastructure and psychology department
  • ABA coursework provides foundation for graduate ABA programs
  • Center for Disabilities Studies houses the Delaware Network for Excellence in Autism
  • Undergraduate preparation for BCaBA certification or graduate ABA programs elsewhere
  • Newark location offers access to both Delaware and Pennsylvania ABA communities
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 2.0

No State License — School Certificate Requires BCBA or QBA

No State Licensure Required

Issued by: No state licensing body — BACB certification is the de facto credential

  • Delaware does not require state licensure to practice as a behavior analyst
  • BCBA certification from the BACB is required by employers and insurance companies
  • School Behavior Analyst Standard Certificate (Title 14, Section 1585) requires BCBA or QBA certification for public school positions
  • No additional state exam, registration, or fees beyond BACB certification
  • Delaware is among the states that have not enacted behavior analyst licensure legislation
  • Insurance carriers require BCBA certification for ABA service reimbursement

Renewal

No state renewal required. Maintain BCBA certification through the BACB — 32 CEUs every two years. School Behavior Analyst Standard Certificate holders must also meet Delaware Department of Education renewal requirements.

Visit Licensing Board →

BCBA Earnings in Wilmington, Dover & the Philadelphia Corridor

BLS Median

$49,690

Entry Level

$34,000–$42,000

Experienced

$55,000–$72,000 (BCBA-certified, Wilmington metro)

Top Earners

$78,000–$100,000+ (clinical directors, cross-border Philadelphia positions)

Delaware's BLS median of approximately $49,690 for the broader behavioral health counselor category is below the national average of $59,190. However, Delaware's small size and strategic location between Philadelphia and Baltimore mean most BCBAs can access significantly higher-paying positions across state lines. The Wilmington-Philadelphia corridor is functionally a single job market — BCBAs living in northern Delaware can commute to Philadelphia-area positions paying $65,000–$85,000. Dover and southern Delaware have a smaller ABA market with lower salaries but also lower cost of living. Delaware's lack of state income tax on the first $60,000 (and modest rates above that) provides a tax advantage over neighboring Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Mid-Atlantic ABA Careers: Delaware's Cross-Border Advantage

BLS Employment

1,240

Projected Growth

19% nationally through 2034

Top Employers

ChristianaCare, Nemours Children's Health, Delaware Autism Program, Bayada Home Health Care, school districts (Christina, Red Clay, Brandywine)

Delaware's ABA workforce is small but well-connected to the Philadelphia metro market. ChristianaCare is the state's largest healthcare system and employs behavioral health professionals across its network. Nemours Children's Health operates its flagship hospital in Wilmington and is a major employer of behavior analysts working with pediatric populations. The Delaware Autism Program provides statewide educational services. Bayada Home Health Care, headquartered in nearby Moorestown, NJ, employs BCBAs for home-based ABA services throughout the region. Delaware's school districts hire behavior analysts under the School Behavior Analyst Standard Certificate. The real advantage for Delaware BCBAs is cross-border mobility — northern Delaware residents can work in Pennsylvania, and southern Delaware residents can access Maryland positions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Delaware's small size (second-smallest state by area) means its universities have limited graduate program offerings compared to larger states. The University of Delaware — the state's flagship — focuses its psychology graduate programs on other specializations. However, Delaware's proximity to Philadelphia (home to Drexel's ABAI-accredited program), Baltimore (Johns Hopkins), and multiple New Jersey programs means Delaware students have excellent regional access without an in-state option.
Several affordable online programs accept Delaware students. Mississippi State ($558/credit with in-state rates for everyone) and UCO ($292/credit) offer some of the lowest tuition nationally. If you prefer a nearby school with online options, Drexel offers its ABAI-accredited program online, and nearby programs at Rutgers and Penn State also have online components. Choose based on tuition, accreditation status, and whether you want occasional in-person access for practicum support.
Delaware's School Behavior Analyst Standard Certificate (Title 14, Section 1585) is required for behavior analysts working in public school settings. It requires either BCBA certification from the BACB or QBA certification from the Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board. This is a Department of Education credential — not a state license to practice — and applies specifically to school-based positions.
Yes, but you'll need state licenses in those states. Pennsylvania licenses behavior analysts through the State Board of Medicine, and New Jersey requires licensure through the Division of Consumer Affairs. Both states require BCBA certification as the foundation. Many Delaware BCBAs hold multi-state credentials to access the larger Philadelphia and South Jersey job markets — a practical necessity given Delaware's small in-state market.
Not significantly. Employers and insurance companies already require BCBA certification regardless of state licensure status. The practical impact is that Delaware BCBAs have one less administrative layer — no state application, no state fees, no state renewal. The downside is less title protection: technically, anyone could call themselves a "behavior analyst" in Delaware without certification, though insurance reimbursement and employer requirements effectively prevent unqualified practice. If you plan to work across state lines (which most Delaware BCBAs do), you'll need to obtain licenses in those neighboring states anyway.