Last updated: March 9, 2026

ABA Programs in Iowa (2026)

Iowa's ABA education runs through one university: the University of Iowa offers both a 39-credit master's and a graduate certificate in ABA. With Drake University having discontinued its program, Iowa's Hawkeyes are the only game in town — backed by a straightforward $120 licensing process.

Taylor Rupe

Founder & Editor

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

ABA Programs in Iowa (2026)

Key Takeaways

  • The University of Iowa offers a 39-credit M.A. in Special Education with ABA concentration — a non-licensure program preparing graduates for BCBA certification and behavioral consultation in education, community, and clinical settings.
  • Iowa also offers a graduate certificate in ABA at $764/credit — an ABAI-verified course sequence for students who already hold a master's degree and need BCBA coursework.
  • Drake University discontinued its ABA program — making the University of Iowa the only institution in Iowa offering ABA graduate education. This limits in-state options but concentrates resources.
  • Iowa licenses behavior analysts through the Board of Behavioral Science with a $120 application fee — licensure enacted in 2018 with 32 CEUs required every two years.
  • Iowa's extremely low cost of living makes BCBA salaries of $55,000–$72,000 highly competitive — Des Moines consistently ranks among the best cities in the country for purchasing power.

Iowa's ABA education options have narrowed since Drake University's Board of Trustees voted to discontinue its ABA master's program. That leaves the University of Iowa as the state's sole provider of ABA graduate education — a 39-credit M.A. in Special Education with ABA concentration and a shorter graduate certificate for students who already have a master's degree.

The 39-credit M.A. is a non-licensure program (meaning it doesn't lead to a teaching license) focused specifically on BCBA certification preparation. The curriculum prepares graduates for behavioral consultation in schools, clinics, and community settings. The graduate certificate provides ABAI-verified coursework at $764/credit — efficient for professionals adding BCBA credentials to an existing degree.

Iowa's licensing framework through the Board of Behavioral Science has been in place since 2018. The $120 application fee is among the most affordable nationally, and renewal aligns with the BACB certification cycle — 32 CEUs every two years with 4 hours focused on ethics. For students looking at out-of-state programs, Iowa's licensing is straightforward: bring your BCBA certification, apply, and pay the fee.

University of Iowa: The State's Only ABA Graduate Programs

School Tuition (In-State) Format Length Accreditation
University of Iowa — M.A. in Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis $764/credit (~$29,796 total, 39 credits) On-campus 2 years BACB-Aligned
University of Iowa — Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis $764/credit (~$16,044 total, ~21 credits) On-campus 1–1.5 years ABAI-Verified; BACB-Aligned

University of Iowa — M.A. in Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis

Iowa City

In-State Tuition

$764/credit (~$29,796 total, 39 credits)

Out-of-State

$1,800/credit (~$70,200 total)

Format

On-campus

Full-Time

2 years

Field Hours

1,500 supervised experience hours

Concentrations

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

  • Iowa's only M.A.-level ABA program — the sole in-state option since Drake's discontinuation
  • University of Iowa is a Big Ten, AAU research institution with national brand recognition
  • 39-credit non-licensure program focused specifically on BCBA certification preparation
  • College of Education's Special Education department — strong multidisciplinary approach
  • No GRE required — streamlined admissions
  • Iowa City provides a college-town quality of life with low cost of living
  • Access to University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics — one of the largest academic medical centers in the Midwest
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 3.0

University of Iowa — Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis

Iowa City

In-State Tuition

$764/credit (~$16,044 total, ~21 credits)

Out-of-State

$1,800/credit (~$37,800 total)

Format

On-campus

Full-Time

1–1.5 years

Field Hours

1,500 supervised experience hours (completed separately)

Concentrations

Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate — BCBA coursework for students with existing graduate degrees

  • ABAI-verified course sequence — meets all BCBA coursework requirements through the new attestation system
  • Designed for students pursuing or holding a graduate degree who need BCBA coursework
  • Efficient path — add BCBA eligibility without a second full master's degree
  • Same faculty and resources as the M.A. program — just fewer total credits
  • Courses contribute toward BCBA certification eligibility
  • Big Ten research university resources and clinical network
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 3.0

Iowa Board of Behavioral Science License ($120)

Licensed Behavior Analyst

Issued by: Iowa Board of Behavioral Science (under the Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing)

  • Current BCBA certification from the BACB in good standing
  • Master's degree meeting BACB educational requirements
  • Application through the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing
  • Application fee: $120
  • Licensure enacted in 2018 — a relatively established framework
  • Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst credential available for BCaBA holders

Renewal

Renewal aligns with BACB certification cycle. 32 continuing education units required every two years, including at least 4 hours focused on ethics. Maintain BCBA certification in good standing.

Visit Licensing Board →

What BCBAs Earn in Des Moines, Iowa City & Cedar Rapids

BLS Median

$46,820

Entry Level

$34,000–$41,000

Experienced

$55,000–$72,000 (BCBA-certified, Des Moines and Iowa City)

Top Earners

$75,000–$95,000+ (clinical directors, healthcare system roles)

Iowa's BLS median of approximately $46,820 for the broader behavioral health counselor category is below the national average, but Iowa consistently ranks among the most affordable states in the country. Des Moines regularly appears on "best value" city lists, and a BCBA earning $65,000 in Iowa has purchasing power comparable to $80,000+ in Minneapolis or $90,000+ in Chicago. Iowa City benefits from the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics ecosystem, which can offer slightly higher salaries for hospital-based behavior analyst positions.

ABA Careers in Iowa's Major Communities

BLS Employment

3,980

Projected Growth

19% nationally through 2034

Top Employers

University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, UnityPoint Health, MercyOne, ChildServe, Iowa Department of Education

Iowa's ABA job market is smaller than most states but concentrated in key areas. Des Moines drives the most positions as the state's capital and largest metro, with UnityPoint Health and MercyOne as major healthcare employers. Iowa City benefits from the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics — one of the Midwest's largest academic medical centers. ChildServe, headquartered in Johnston, is Iowa's primary provider of services for children with disabilities. School-based ABA positions are growing across the state, with the Iowa Department of Education supporting behavioral intervention in public schools. The limited in-state ABA program supply (only the University of Iowa) may actually benefit graduates by limiting local competition for positions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Drake University's Board of Trustees voted to discontinue the ABA master's program as part of broader academic restructuring. The program is no longer accepting new students. This leaves the University of Iowa as Iowa's only institution offering ABA graduate education. Students who need an online option will need to look at out-of-state programs.
No — both the M.A. in Special Education (ABA) and the graduate certificate are on-campus programs in Iowa City. If you need online flexibility, you'll need to consider out-of-state online ABA programs — many of which offer competitive tuition regardless of residency.
The 39-credit M.A. gives you a full master's degree plus BCBA coursework — choose this if you don't already have a graduate degree. The graduate certificate (~21 credits) provides just the BCBA-required coursework — choose this if you already hold a master's degree and want to add BCBA eligibility without earning a second one.
Yes — Iowa's limited ABA program supply actually benefits graduates by reducing local competition for positions. The state's healthcare systems (UnityPoint, MercyOne, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics) all employ behavior analysts, and school-based ABA is growing. Iowa's cost of living advantage means your salary goes further than in most states, and the $120 licensing fee is among the cheapest nationally.
Yes — Iowa's Board of Behavioral Science requires BCBA certification for licensure, not graduation from a specific Iowa institution. If you earn BCBA certification through any BACB-approved program (including online programs from out-of-state schools), you can apply for Iowa licensure with the $120 fee and your BCBA documentation.