Last updated: March 9, 2026

Accredited ABA Programs in Minnesota (2026)

Minnesota's ABA landscape centers on St. Cloud State University — the only ABAI-accredited program in the state — with the University of Minnesota adding a research-intensive alternative. New state licensure took effect January 1, 2025, making this a pivotal moment for Minnesota behavior analysts.

Taylor Rupe

Founder & Editor

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

Accredited ABA Programs in Minnesota (2026)

Key Takeaways

  • St. Cloud State University holds ABAI accreditation — the only program in Minnesota with this distinction — offering a 45–46 credit M.S. at just $241/credit for in-state students (~$11,000 total).
  • The University of Minnesota offers a 33-credit in-person M.Ed. in ABA through the College of Education — leveraging the U of M's Tier 1 research infrastructure and pursuing ABAI tiered recognition.
  • Minnesota's behavior analyst licensure took effect January 1, 2025 through the Board of Psychology — making it one of the newest licensing frameworks in the country, with BCBA certification as the primary pathway.
  • The Twin Cities metro area drives the majority of Minnesota's ABA job market — with BCBA salaries ranging from $68,000 to $88,000 and strong demand from healthcare systems like Gillette Children's and Fraser.
  • St. Cloud State's in-state tuition of $241/credit makes it one of the most affordable ABAI-accredited ABA programs in the entire country — less than half the cost of most competitors.

St. Cloud State University is the cornerstone of ABA education in Minnesota. Its ABAI-accredited M.S. program combines rigorous behavioral science training with remarkable affordability — at $241/credit for in-state students, the total cost of approximately $11,000 is among the lowest for any accredited ABA program nationally. The 45–46 credit curriculum goes well beyond minimum BACB requirements, producing graduates with deeper preparation.

The University of Minnesota provides a complementary 33-credit M.Ed. option rooted in its College of Education and Human Development. While not yet ABAI-accredited, the program is pursuing tiered recognition and benefits from the U of M's extensive research network. It's an in-person program, so it's best suited for students in the Twin Cities area.

The biggest recent development is Minnesota's new licensure law, which took effect January 1, 2025. The Board of Psychology now oversees Licensed Behavior Analyst credentials, requiring BCBA certification as the foundation. This gives Minnesota graduates a clear, structured path to independent practice — something the state lacked until very recently.

ABAI-Accredited & Research Programs in Minnesota

School Tuition (In-State) Format Length Accreditation
St. Cloud State University — M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis $241/credit (~$10,845–$11,086 total, 45–46 credits) On-campus with some hybrid components 2 years ABAI-Accredited; BACB-Aligned
University of Minnesota — M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis $1,125/credit (~$37,125 total, 33 credits) In-person (Twin Cities campus) 2 years BACB-Aligned; pursuing ABAI tiered recognition

St. Cloud State University — M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis

St. Cloud

In-State Tuition

$241/credit (~$10,845–$11,086 total, 45–46 credits)

Out-of-State

$367/credit (~$16,515–$16,882 total)

Format

On-campus with some hybrid components

Full-Time

2 years

Field Hours

1,500 supervised experience hours (practicum included in curriculum)

Concentrations

Applied Behavior Analysis — behavioral assessment, intervention design, ethical practice, research methodology

  • Only ABAI-accredited ABA program in Minnesota — the gold standard for BCBA preparation
  • Remarkably affordable: $241/credit in-state puts total cost around $11,000 — among the cheapest accredited programs nationally
  • 45–46 credit curriculum goes well beyond minimum BACB requirements for deeper preparation
  • Practicum experience integrated into the program — supervised fieldwork built into your degree
  • Lower GPA requirement (2.75) than most ABA programs — more accessible entry point
  • Small cohort sizes ensure individualized mentoring from faculty with active research agendas
  • Out-of-state tuition ($367/credit) is still very affordable compared to most ABA programs
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 2.75

University of Minnesota — M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis

Minneapolis

In-State Tuition

$1,125/credit (~$37,125 total, 33 credits)

Out-of-State

$1,775/credit (~$58,575 total)

Format

In-person (Twin Cities campus)

Full-Time

2 years

Field Hours

1,500 supervised experience hours (completed through practicum placements)

Concentrations

Applied Behavior Analysis — special education integration, evidence-based intervention, behavioral research

  • University of Minnesota — a Big Ten, Tier 1 research institution with national brand recognition
  • 33-credit M.Ed. is more efficient than St. Cloud's 45–46 credits while still meeting all BACB requirements
  • College of Education and Human Development's special education department provides multidisciplinary training
  • Located in Minneapolis — direct access to the Twin Cities' major ABA employers and clinical sites
  • Pursuing ABAI tiered recognition — program is actively working toward accreditation
  • Research opportunities with faculty studying behavioral interventions across diverse populations
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 3.0

Minnesota's Brand-New LBA License (Effective January 2025)

Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA)

Issued by: Minnesota Board of Psychology

  • Current BCBA certification from the BACB in good standing
  • Master's degree in behavior analysis, psychology, education, or a related field
  • Minnesota's licensure law took effect January 1, 2025 — one of the newest in the country
  • Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst (LABA) credential also available for BCaBA holders
  • Application through the Minnesota Board of Psychology
  • Background check required as part of the application process

Renewal

Licensure renewal details are being finalized by the Board of Psychology as the new law is implemented. BCBA continuing education requirements through the BACB are expected to satisfy state CE requirements.

Visit Licensing Board →

Behavior Analyst Earnings in the Twin Cities & Greater Minnesota

BLS Median

$52,780

Entry Level

$38,000–$45,000

Experienced

$68,000–$88,000 (BCBA-certified, Twin Cities metro)

Top Earners

$92,000–$115,000+ (clinical directors, healthcare system roles)

Minnesota's BLS median of approximately $52,780 for the broader behavioral health counselor category is near the national median, but BCBA-certified professionals in the Twin Cities consistently earn $68,000–$88,000. Healthcare system roles at organizations like Gillette Children's, Hennepin Healthcare, and Mayo Clinic can push compensation above $90,000. Minnesota's cost of living is moderate — below coastal cities but slightly above the national average in the Twin Cities — meaning these salaries provide solid purchasing power, particularly in suburbs and greater Minnesota.

Where BCBAs Work in Minnesota — Healthcare, Schools & Private Practice

BLS Employment

7,540

Projected Growth

19% nationally through 2034

Top Employers

Fraser (largest ABA provider in MN), Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, Behavioral Dimensions, Lovaas Institute — Midwest, Hennepin Healthcare

Minnesota's ABA job market is anchored by the Twin Cities metropolitan area, which accounts for the majority of behavior analyst positions in the state. Fraser — Minnesota's largest provider of autism and behavioral services — is a dominant employer, operating multiple locations across the metro. Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul is a nationally recognized pediatric facility employing behavior analysts in clinical and research capacities. The new state licensure framework (effective 2025) is expected to formalize practice requirements and potentially expand insurance coverage for ABA services, which should further drive demand. Greater Minnesota, including Rochester (home to Mayo Clinic), Duluth, and St. Cloud, offers growing but more limited opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — at $241/credit for in-state students (approximately $11,000 total for 45–46 credits), St. Cloud State is one of the most affordable ABAI-accredited ABA programs in the country. Many popular online programs charge $500–$800/credit, putting their total costs at $15,000–$30,000+. The trade-off is that St. Cloud's program is primarily on-campus, so you need to be in central Minnesota.
Very new. Minnesota's behavior analyst licensure law took effect January 1, 2025, making it one of the most recently established licensing frameworks in the country. The Board of Psychology oversees the credentials, with BCBA certification serving as the primary pathway. Implementation details are still being finalized, so check directly with the Board for the most current application requirements and fees.
With the new licensure law effective January 1, 2025, Minnesota now requires behavior analysts to hold a state license. BCBA certification alone is no longer sufficient for independent practice. Contact the Board of Psychology for specific exemptions or transition provisions that may apply during the initial implementation period.
The University of Minnesota's program makes sense if you're already in the Twin Cities, want the U of M brand on your resume, or are interested in research opportunities at a Tier 1 institution. The 33-credit curriculum is also more efficient than St. Cloud's 45–46 credits. However, St. Cloud holds ABAI accreditation and costs a fraction of the price — so for most students focused on BCBA certification, St. Cloud is the stronger value.
More limited but growing. Rochester benefits from Mayo Clinic's presence, and Duluth, St. Cloud, and Mankato have ABA service providers. However, the majority of behavior analyst positions — and the highest salaries — are concentrated in the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro. If you're willing to work in the Twin Cities, job prospects are strong. Greater Minnesota may offer opportunities with telehealth-integrated ABA services expanding.