Last updated: March 9, 2026

ABA Programs in Louisiana (2026)

Louisiana offers something rare: Nicholls State University combines ABAI accreditation with CABAS designation — one of the few dual-accredited ABA programs in the country — at public university pricing. Plus LSUS's new standalone M.S. in ABA and one of the more rigorous state licensing frameworks.

Taylor Rupe

Founder & Editor

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

ABA Programs in Louisiana (2026)

Key Takeaways

  • Nicholls State University is the only program in Louisiana combining ABAI accreditation (on-campus) and CABAS designation — at just $237/credit on-campus or $385/credit online, completable in 18–20 months.
  • Louisiana State University Shreveport launched Louisiana's first standalone M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis — a BACB-verified program preparing students for both BCBA certification and state LBA licensure.
  • Over 80% of Nicholls State ABA students receive graduate assistantships in their first year — with stipends and 50% tuition reduction, potentially making the program nearly free.
  • Louisiana's Behavior Analyst Board requires a state-specific jurisprudence exam covering Louisiana laws and regulations — a requirement most states don't have — plus a $400 initial filing fee.
  • Louisiana's low cost of living — among the lowest in the nation — makes BCBA salaries of $55,000–$72,000 in Baton Rouge and New Orleans highly competitive in real purchasing power.

Nicholls State University in Thibodaux is Louisiana's standout ABA program. Its on-campus format holds ABAI accreditation (through 2027), and the program is one of the few in the country to also carry CABAS (Comprehensive Application of Behavior Analysis to Schooling) designation — meaning graduates are trained in both clinical ABA and classroom-based behavioral approaches. At $237/credit on-campus with 80%+ of students receiving graduate assistantships, the effective cost can be remarkably low.

LSUS fills a different niche as Louisiana's first standalone M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis — not embedded within a special education or psychology degree. It's BACB-verified and designed specifically for students targeting BCBA certification and Louisiana LBA licensure.

Louisiana's licensing framework through the Behavior Analyst Board is more rigorous than many states. Beyond BCBA certification, applicants must pass a state-specific jurisprudence exam covering Louisiana ABA laws, pay a $400 initial filing fee, and renew annually ($200/year) with up to 32 CEUs biennially. The Board was established in 2013 under Act 351 and has matured into one of the more structured state regulatory frameworks.

Nicholls State & LSUS: Louisiana's Two ABA Program Paths

School Tuition (In-State) Format Length Accreditation
Nicholls State University — M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction, ABA Concentration $237/credit on-campus; $385/credit online (~$8,500–$13,860 total, ~36 credits) On-campus (ABAI-accredited) or online (ABAI-verified VCS) 18–20 months ABAI-Accredited (on-campus, through 2027); CABAS-Designated; BACB-Aligned
Louisiana State University Shreveport — M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis $526/credit (~$18,936 total, 36 credits) On-campus 2 years BACB-Verified; BACB-Aligned

Nicholls State University — M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction, ABA Concentration

Thibodaux

Online Available

In-State Tuition

$237/credit on-campus; $385/credit online (~$8,500–$13,860 total, ~36 credits)

Out-of-State

$385/credit online (~$13,860 total)

Format

On-campus (ABAI-accredited) or online (ABAI-verified VCS)

Full-Time

18–20 months

Field Hours

1,500 supervised experience hours

Concentrations

Curriculum & Instruction — Applied Behavior Analysis concentration, CABAS methodology, BCBA exam preparation

  • Only dual ABAI-accredited + CABAS-designated ABA program in Louisiana — rare combination nationally
  • On-campus tuition of just $237/credit — among the cheapest accredited ABA programs in the country
  • Over 80% of ABA students receive graduate assistantships with stipends and 50% tuition reduction in their first year
  • Completable in 18–20 months — fast track to BCBA exam eligibility
  • Online option at $385/credit (same rate regardless of residency) — ABAI-verified VCS but not accredited
  • Lower GPA requirement (2.5) than most ABA programs — very accessible entry point
  • CABAS training adds classroom-based behavioral expertise beyond standard clinical ABA
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 2.5

Louisiana State University Shreveport — M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis

Shreveport

In-State Tuition

$526/credit (~$18,936 total, 36 credits)

Out-of-State

$1,011/credit (~$36,396 total)

Format

On-campus

Full-Time

2 years

Field Hours

1,500 supervised experience hours

Concentrations

Applied Behavior Analysis — behavioral assessment, intervention, ethics, research methods

  • Louisiana's first standalone M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis — not embedded in education or psychology
  • BACB-verified course sequence ensures BCBA exam eligibility
  • Purpose-built for BCBA certification and Louisiana LBA licensure — curriculum designed specifically for these outcomes
  • Part of the LSU System — carries LSU brand recognition
  • Serves the Shreveport–Bossier City metro and northwest Louisiana ABA market
  • Fall-only admission — application deadline March 30
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 3.0

Louisiana LBA License — Jurisprudence Exam & Board Requirements

Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA)

Issued by: Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board (LBAB)

  • Current BCBA certification from the BACB in good standing
  • Master's degree in behavior analysis, psychology, education, or a related field
  • Pass the Louisiana jurisprudence exam — state-specific exam covering Louisiana ABA laws and regulations
  • Initial filing fee: $400 for LBAs, $250 for SCaBAs (State Certified assistant Behavior Analysts)
  • Background check
  • Board established in 2013 under Act 351 — one of the more mature state regulatory frameworks

Renewal

Annual renewal (licenses expire June 30). Renewal fee: $200 for LBAs, $125 for SCaBAs. Up to 32 CEUs required every two years (20 for SCaBAs). Renewal period begins in May.

Visit Licensing Board →

What BCBAs Earn in New Orleans, Baton Rouge & Shreveport

BLS Median

$43,870

Entry Level

$33,000–$40,000

Experienced

$55,000–$72,000 (BCBA-certified, Baton Rouge and New Orleans)

Top Earners

$78,000–$95,000+ (clinical directors, multi-site supervisors)

Louisiana's BLS median of approximately $43,870 for the broader behavioral health counselor category is below the national average, but Louisiana has one of the lowest costs of living in the country — approximately 15–20% below the national average. A BCBA earning $65,000 in Baton Rouge has purchasing power roughly equivalent to $80,000 in Atlanta or $90,000+ in D.C. New Orleans salaries tend to run slightly higher than the rest of the state due to tourism-driven economic activity and higher demand in the metro area.

ABA Employment Across Louisiana's Major Metros

BLS Employment

5,890

Projected Growth

19% nationally through 2034

Top Employers

Children's Hospital New Orleans, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, Total Spectrum, Baton Rouge Behavioral Hospital, Louisiana ABA providers network

Louisiana's ABA job market centers on New Orleans and Baton Rouge, with Shreveport serving as a secondary market in the northwest. Children's Hospital New Orleans is the state's premier pediatric institution and a significant employer of behavior analysts. The Baton Rouge market benefits from the capital region's healthcare infrastructure and proximity to LSU. Louisiana's established licensing framework (since 2013) with its jurisprudence exam requirement has created a more regulated professional environment than many Southern states, which can benefit salary negotiation and professional standing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Louisiana jurisprudence exam is a 40-question online test covering Louisiana ABA laws and regulations under Act 351. It's required for all LBA and SCaBA applicants. Most candidates who study the Practice Act and Board rules pass without difficulty, but it adds a step that most states don't require. Study materials are typically available through the LBAB website.
No — only Nicholls State's on-campus program holds ABAI accreditation (through 2027). The online format has an ABAI-verified course sequence (VCS), which meets BCBA exam eligibility requirements but doesn't carry the full accreditation designation. If ABAI accreditation matters for your career goals, you'll need to attend in person in Thibodaux.
Over 80% of Nicholls State ABA students receive graduate assistantships in their first year. These typically include a stipend plus 50% tuition reduction. Combined with the already low $237/credit on-campus rate, this can reduce your out-of-pocket cost to well under $5,000 for the entire program. Apply early and indicate interest in assistantships on your application.
Louisiana's $400 initial filing fee and $200 annual renewal are on the higher end nationally. This reflects the LBAB's self-funded regulatory model — the Board operates entirely on licensing fees without state budget appropriation. The trade-off is a well-regulated professional environment with clear consumer protections and a jurisprudence requirement that ensures practitioners know Louisiana-specific rules.
No — Louisiana requires state licensure in addition to BCBA certification. You must apply to the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board, pass the jurisprudence exam, and pay the filing fee before practicing. Practicing without a license is a violation of Act 351 and can result in penalties.