Last updated: March 9, 2026

Top ABA Programs in Georgia (2026)

Georgia's accredited Applied Behavior Analysis degrees — from affordable public options at Georgia Southern ($284/credit) to research-intensive programs at UGA and Georgia State — plus the state's brand-new licensure framework and BCBA salary outlook.

Taylor Rupe

Founder & Editor

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

Top ABA Programs in Georgia (2026)

Key Takeaways

  • Georgia's four main ABA programs are all housed at public universities, keeping tuition affordable — Georgia Southern leads at just $284/credit for in-state students, making it one of the cheapest accredited ABA programs in the Southeast.
  • University of Georgia offers an intensive 5-semester, on-campus M.S. where students earn 100% of their supervised experience hours in UGA's on-campus settings — with nearly all in-state students starting with limited tuition or fees.
  • Georgia launched a brand-new behavior analyst licensing board in 2022 through the Secretary of State's office — applications are open through September 30, 2025, with renewal fees waived until August 2027 to ease initial costs.
  • Columbus State University became Georgia's first fully online ABAI-verified ABA program — ideal for working professionals who need flexibility without sacrificing accreditation quality.
  • Behavior analysts in the Atlanta metro earn a BLS median of approximately $55,320, with BCBA-certified professionals earning $70,000–$90,000 — and Georgia's lower cost of living stretches those dollars further than comparable salaries in the Northeast or West Coast.

Georgia punches above its weight in ABA education. All four of the state's primary programs sit within the public university system, meaning in-state students get accredited BCBA preparation at a fraction of what private universities charge elsewhere. Georgia Southern University in Savannah is the affordability standout at $284/credit, while the University of Georgia in Athens offers an immersive 5-semester research program where students complete all supervised experience hours on campus.

For students in the Atlanta metro, Georgia State University provides urban clinical training and is adding an optional ABA Professional Specialization certificate starting Fall 2025. And Columbus State University fills the online niche as Georgia's first fully online ABAI-verified program.

Georgia's regulatory landscape is still maturing. The state established its Behavior Analyst Licensing Board in 2022 and is actively building infrastructure — applications remain open through September 2025, and renewal fees are waived until August 2027. BCBA certification is required for full licensure, making an accredited ABA program essential.

Accredited BCBA Programs in Georgia — Public University ABA Degrees

School Tuition (In-State) Format Length Accreditation
Georgia Southern University — M.S. in Psychology, Behavior Analysis $284/credit On-campus 2 years ABAI-Accredited; BACB-Aligned
University of Georgia — M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis $399/credit (~$11,002/year) On-campus (intensive) 5 semesters (under 2 years) BACB-Verified; BACB-Aligned
Georgia State University — M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis $408/credit On-campus 2 years ABAI Tier 2A Recognition; BACB-Aligned
Columbus State University — M.Ed. in Special Education, ABA Track (Online) $309/credit Fully online 2 years ABAI-Verified; BACB-Aligned

Georgia Southern University — M.S. in Psychology, Behavior Analysis

Savannah (Armstrong Campus)

In-State Tuition

$284/credit

Out-of-State

$1,160/credit

Format

On-campus

Full-Time

2 years

Field Hours

1,500 supervised experience hours

Concentrations

Behavior Analysis — BCBA preparation, research practicum, supervised practicum

  • Most affordable ABA program in Georgia — $284/credit for in-state students
  • ABAI-accredited with verified course sequence for BCBA exam eligibility
  • Located on the Armstrong Campus in Savannah — smaller cohorts, more individual attention
  • Students can earn practicum hours toward BCBA certification during the program
  • Strong faculty research in developmental disabilities and behavioral assessment
  • Part of the University System of Georgia — eligible for HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships
Visit Program Website → GRE: Required · Min GPA: 3.0

University of Georgia — M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis

Athens

In-State Tuition

$399/credit (~$11,002/year)

Out-of-State

$1,182/credit (~$29,774/year)

Format

On-campus (intensive)

Full-Time

5 semesters (under 2 years)

Field Hours

1,500+ supervised experience hours (all completed in UGA on-campus settings)

Concentrations

Applied Behavior Analysis — autism spectrum disorders, academic interventions, ethics, research

  • Students complete 100% of supervised experience hours in UGA's own on-campus clinical settings
  • Intensive 5-semester format — graduate faster than traditional 2-year programs
  • Almost all in-state students begin paying limited tuition through assistantship support
  • UGA's Mary Frances Early College of Education is one of the top-ranked education schools in the Southeast
  • Strong research emphasis with coursework in advanced ABA, ethics, and autism interventions
  • R1 research university resources — access to labs, grants, and interdisciplinary collaboration
Visit Program Website → GRE: Required · Min GPA: 3.0

Georgia State University — M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis

Atlanta

In-State Tuition

$408/credit

Out-of-State

$1,322/credit

Format

On-campus

Full-Time

2 years

Field Hours

1,500 supervised experience hours

Concentrations

Applied Behavior Analysis — optional ABA Professional Specialization certificate (9 additional credits, Fall 2025)

  • Located in downtown Atlanta — largest ABA job market in Georgia with diverse clinical placements
  • ABAI Tier 2A program recognition — meeting rigorous training standards
  • New optional ABA Professional Specialization certificate launching Fall 2025 (9 credits in 5 focus areas)
  • Graduate research assistantships available that can provide full or partial tuition waivers
  • Georgia State's College of Education and Human Development ranks among the most diverse in the nation
  • Strong connections to Atlanta-area ABA employers and healthcare systems
Visit Program Website → GRE: Required · Min GPA: 3.0

Columbus State University — M.Ed. in Special Education, ABA Track (Online)

Columbus (Online)

Online Available

In-State Tuition

$309/credit

Out-of-State

$858/credit

Format

Fully online

Full-Time

2 years

Field Hours

1,500 supervised experience hours (completed separately)

Concentrations

Special Education with ABA Track — classroom ABA applications, BCBA exam preparation

  • Georgia's first fully online ABAI-verified ABA course sequence — announced in 2024
  • Affordable online option at $309/credit for in-state, $858 for out-of-state
  • M.Ed. in Special Education framework gives graduates dual expertise in education and ABA
  • Ideal for working teachers and professionals who need evening/weekend flexibility
  • Lower GPA requirement (2.75) than most Georgia ABA programs — more accessible entry point
  • No GRE required — reduced barriers to admission
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 2.75

Georgia's New Behavior Analyst Licensing Board (2022)

Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA)

Issued by: Georgia Behavior Analyst Licensing Board (under Secretary of State)

  • Current, valid BCBA certification from the BACB (or BCaBA for assistant-level)
  • Master's degree or higher from an accredited institution
  • Completion of 1,500–2,000 supervised fieldwork hours (per BACB standards)
  • Criminal background check with satisfactory results
  • Application through the Georgia Secretary of State's office
  • Application deadline extended to September 30, 2025
  • No additional state-specific exam required beyond the BCBA

Renewal

License renewal fees are waived until August 31, 2027 to ease initial costs during the board's buildout phase. Standard renewal requirements to be established by the board.

Visit Licensing Board →

How Much Do Behavior Analysts Earn in Georgia?

BLS Median

$55,320

Entry Level

$39,000–$48,000

Experienced

$70,000–$90,000 (BCBA-certified, Atlanta metro)

Top Earners

$95,000–$115,000+ (clinical directors, multi-site managers)

Georgia's BLS median of $55,320 for the broader behavioral health counselor category (SOC 21-1018) sits slightly below the national median, but Georgia's significantly lower cost of living — particularly outside Atlanta — means take-home purchasing power is competitive. BCBA-certified professionals in the Atlanta metro typically earn $70,000–$90,000, and clinical directors overseeing multiple sites can exceed $100,000. There are approximately 7,890 employed in the BLS category statewide, with 16.8% forecasted job growth over the coming decade.

Atlanta & Statewide ABA Job Demand

BLS Employment

7,890

Projected Growth

16.8% growth forecasted (Georgia-specific); 19% nationally through 2034

Top Employers

Hopebridge, Trumpet Behavioral Health, Butterfly Effects, Emory Healthcare, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

Atlanta anchors Georgia's ABA job market, with major national providers like Hopebridge and Trumpet Behavioral Health expanding aggressively in the metro area. Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) and Emory Healthcare also employ behavior analysts in clinical and research settings. Outside Atlanta, demand is growing in Savannah, Augusta, and Columbus as autism diagnosis rates rise and insurance coverage for ABA therapy expands. Georgia's new licensing board signals the state's commitment to professionalizing the field, which should further increase employer demand for credentialed behavior analysts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Georgia Southern University has the lowest per-credit tuition at $284/credit for Georgia residents. Columbus State University is a close second at $309/credit with the added benefit of being 100% online. The University of Georgia at $399/credit is also competitive, and most in-state students receive assistantship support that covers much of the cost.
Yes — Georgia established its Behavior Analyst Licensing Board in 2022 and now requires state licensure for practicing behavior analysts. You need current BCBA or BCaBA certification, a background check, and an application through the Secretary of State's office. Applications are open through September 30, 2025, and renewal fees are waived until August 2027.
Columbus State University became Georgia's first fully online ABAI-verified ABA program in 2024, offering its M.Ed. in Special Education with an ABA track entirely online. The other three programs (Georgia Southern, UGA, Georgia State) are on-campus only. All academic coursework can be done online at Columbus State, but supervised fieldwork hours must still be completed in person.
Georgia's ABA programs generally have strong BCBA exam outcomes, though specific pass rates vary by program and are reported through the BACB. UGA's intensive on-campus format — where all supervised hours are completed in university settings — is designed for high first-attempt pass rates. Georgia Southern's ABAI accreditation also indicates rigorous preparation aligned with BCBA exam content.
The BLS median for the broader behavioral health category in Georgia is $55,320, but BCBA-certified professionals in the Atlanta metro typically earn $70,000–$90,000. Senior BCBAs and clinical directors can exceed $100,000. Georgia's lower cost of living — particularly for housing — means a $75,000 salary in Atlanta provides comparable purchasing power to $90,000+ in cities like Boston, New York, or San Francisco.