Last updated: March 9, 2026

ABA Programs in Kentucky (2026)

Kentucky's ABA landscape pairs the University of Kentucky's intensive on-campus master's with Eastern Kentucky's fully online certificate path — plus a dedicated state licensing board under KRS 319C and access to the Cincinnati metro job market just across the river.

Taylor Rupe

Founder & Editor

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

ABA Programs in Kentucky (2026)

Key Takeaways

  • The University of Kentucky offers a 37-credit on-campus M.S. in ABA at $801/credit for residents (~$29,637 total) — currently pursuing APBA accreditation and training students for behavioral consultation across schools, centers, and clinical settings.
  • Eastern Kentucky University provides a 100% online 21-credit ABA certificate at $636–$689/credit — designed for professionals with existing master's degrees who want to add BCBA credentials without a second degree.
  • UK also offers an online graduate certificate in ABA for students who need BCBA coursework with more scheduling flexibility than the on-campus master's.
  • Kentucky has its own dedicated Applied Behavior Analysis Licensing Board under KRS 319C — a standalone board (not embedded in psychology or counseling), reflecting the state's commitment to regulating ABA as a distinct profession.
  • Northern Kentucky gives graduates access to the Cincinnati metro job market — BCBA-certified professionals in the Lexington–Louisville–Cincinnati triangle earn $58,000–$76,000 with Kentucky's low cost of living.

The University of Kentucky's M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis is the state's premier full master's option — a 37-credit on-campus program through the College of Education that trains graduates for behavioral consultation in schools, centers, and clinical settings. UK is actively pursuing APBA (Association of Professional Behavior Analysts) accreditation, which would add another credential layer beyond BACB verification.

Eastern Kentucky University takes a different approach with its fully online 21-credit ABA certificate. Housed in the Psychology Department (not Education), it's designed for professionals who already hold a master's degree and want to add BCBA coursework without earning a second degree. EKU's flat online tuition regardless of residency makes it accessible to students nationwide.

Kentucky stands out for having a dedicated Applied Behavior Analysis Licensing Board — separate from the psychology, counseling, or social work boards. This standalone structure under KRS 319C gives behavior analysts their own regulatory voice, which is relatively uncommon among states. Kentucky's geographic advantage is also notable: the state touches Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, and Northern Kentucky is effectively part of the Cincinnati metro — giving graduates access to multi-state job markets.

University of Kentucky & EKU: Master's and Certificate Paths

School Tuition (In-State) Format Length Accreditation
University of Kentucky — M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis $801/credit (~$29,637 total, 37 credits) On-campus only 2 years BACB-Aligned; pursuing APBA accreditation
Eastern Kentucky University — Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online) $636–$689/credit (~$13,356–$14,469 total, 21 credits) Fully online 1–1.5 years BACB-Aligned

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

Lexington

In-State Tuition

$801/credit (~$29,637 total, 37 credits)

Out-of-State

$2,000/credit (~$74,000 total)

Format

On-campus only

Full-Time

2 years

Field Hours

1,500 supervised experience hours

Concentrations

Applied Behavior Analysis — behavioral consultation, school-based ABA, clinical intervention, BCBA Pathway 2

  • Kentucky's flagship university — UK brand recognition across the Southeast and Midwest
  • Pursuing APBA accreditation — working toward an additional credential beyond BACB verification
  • 37-credit program meets BCBA Pathway 2 coursework eligibility requirements
  • College of Education focus on behavioral consultation in school and community settings
  • No GRE required — streamlined admissions process
  • Lexington location provides access to UK Healthcare and Central Kentucky employers
  • Also offers an online graduate certificate for students needing just BCBA coursework
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 3.0

Eastern Kentucky University — Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)

Richmond (Online)

Online Available

In-State Tuition

$636–$689/credit (~$13,356–$14,469 total, 21 credits)

Out-of-State

$636–$689/credit (~$13,356–$14,469 total, flat online rate)

Format

Fully online

Full-Time

1–1.5 years

Field Hours

Small number of supervised experiential learning hours included; 1,500 total hours completed separately

Concentrations

Applied Behavior Analysis Graduate Certificate — BCBA coursework for professionals with existing master's degrees

  • 100% online — complete from anywhere with flat tuition regardless of residency
  • Designed for professionals who already hold a master's degree — add BCBA without a second degree
  • Psychology Department home — behavioral science foundation rather than education framework
  • 21 credits focused purely on BCBA-required coursework — efficient and no unnecessary padding
  • Lower GPA requirement (2.75) than most programs — accessible admissions
  • Includes supervised experiential learning hours within the certificate
  • EKU is one of Kentucky's largest regional universities with strong online infrastructure
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 2.75

Kentucky's Dedicated ABA Licensing Board (KRS 319C)

Licensed Behavior Analyst

Issued by: Kentucky Applied Behavior Analysis Licensing Board (under KRS 319C)

  • Current BCBA certification from the BACB in good standing — must maintain active status
  • Master's degree meeting BCBA educational requirements
  • Application through the Kentucky ABA Licensing Board
  • Background check
  • Kentucky has a standalone ABA licensing board — separate from psychology, counseling, or social work
  • Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst credential available for BCaBA holders

Renewal

Biennial renewal. Must maintain BCBA certification in active status with the BACB. Continuing education per BACB standards.

Visit Licensing Board →

BCBA Pay in Louisville, Lexington & the Cincinnati Corridor

BLS Median

$47,130

Entry Level

$34,000–$41,000

Experienced

$58,000–$76,000 (BCBA-certified, Louisville and Lexington metros)

Top Earners

$80,000–$100,000+ (clinical directors, multi-site supervisors)

Kentucky's BLS median of approximately $47,130 for the broader behavioral health counselor category is below the national average, but Kentucky has one of the lowest costs of living in the country. A BCBA earning $65,000 in Lexington or Louisville has purchasing power comparable to $80,000+ in Nashville or $90,000+ in D.C. Northern Kentucky residents can also access Cincinnati-area salaries ($65,000–$85,000) while maintaining a Kentucky cost of living — a significant advantage. Louisville and Lexington are the primary job markets, with Northern Kentucky serving as a secondary hub linked to Cincinnati.

ABA Careers Across the Bluegrass and Into Ohio

BLS Employment

5,870

Projected Growth

19% nationally through 2034

Top Employers

UK Healthcare, Norton Children's Hospital (Louisville), Cincinnati Children's (NKY), Trumpet Behavioral Health, Kentucky Autism Training Center (U of L)

Kentucky's ABA job market benefits from its geographic position at the crossroads of the Southeast and Midwest. Louisville's Norton Children's Hospital is a major pediatric employer, and Lexington's UK Healthcare system offers clinical and research ABA positions. Northern Kentucky's proximity to Cincinnati — including Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (one of the top pediatric hospitals nationally) — effectively doubles the job market for Kentucky BCBAs in that region. The Kentucky Autism Training Center at the University of Louisville provides statewide resources and employs behavior analysts in training and consultation roles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kentucky established a standalone Applied Behavior Analysis Licensing Board under KRS 319C — separate from the boards governing psychology, counseling, or social work. This is relatively uncommon and gives behavior analysts their own regulatory voice. The Board sets standards specifically for ABA practice rather than having behavior analysts regulated by professionals from adjacent fields.
Yes, but you'll need an Ohio license as well. Ohio requires separate licensure through its State Board of Psychology. The good news: both states require BCBA certification as the foundation, so your coursework and fieldwork from a Kentucky program transfers. Many Northern Kentucky BCBAs hold dual licensure. Living in Kentucky while working in Cincinnati gives you access to higher Ohio salaries with Kentucky's lower cost of living and state income tax.
Yes — EKU's 21-credit ABA certificate provides the BACB-required coursework, but the BACB still requires a master's degree for BCBA certification. If you already hold a master's degree in psychology, education, or a related field, the certificate adds BCBA coursework without a second degree. If you don't have a master's yet, you'll need UK's full M.S. program instead.
Not yet — UK's M.S. in ABA is currently pursuing APBA (Association of Professional Behavior Analysts) accreditation, not ABAI accreditation. The program is BACB-aligned and meets all coursework requirements for BCBA exam eligibility. If ABAI accreditation is your priority, you may need to look at out-of-state programs or online options from ABAI-accredited schools.
If you already have a master's degree, EKU's online certificate at $636–$689/credit for 21 credits (~$13,356–$14,469 total) is the most affordable option. If you need a full master's, UK's in-state rate of $801/credit for 37 credits (~$29,637) is the only Kentucky-based option — but out-of-state online programs may be cheaper depending on residency.