Last updated: October 9, 2026

ABA Programs in Iowa (2027)

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

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.
The degree is only half of it. Iowa employers hire on the BCBA credential. A master's from an Iowa program makes you eligible to sit the exam; it does not confer certification. You still need supervised fieldwork hours and a passing BACB exam result before you can bill independently. Read up on the BCBA certification path before you compare tuition.

Accredited Programs

Ranked in this guide

Supervised Hours

1,500+

post-graduate

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.

Looking for a specific metro?

See ABA programs by city for metro-level guides with local employers and salary data.

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

All 2 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.

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

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

Iowa City, IA On-campus BACB-Aligned

In-State

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

Out-of-State

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

Length

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

GRE: Not required | Min GPA: 3.0

View University of Iowa — M.A. in Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis' ABA Program

University of Iowa — Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis

Iowa City, IA On-campus ABAI-Verified

In-State

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

Out-of-State

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

Length

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

GRE: Not required | Min GPA: 3.0

View University of Iowa — Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis' ABA Program

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.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Drake University discontinue its ABA program?

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.

Is the University of Iowa's program online?

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.

What's the difference between the M.A. and the certificate?

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.

Is Iowa a good state for BCBA careers despite limited programs?

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.

Can I use an out-of-state online degree for Iowa licensure?

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.