ABA Programs in Mississippi (2027)
Mississippi puts two public university ABA pathways on the table: Mississippi State's fully online master's that charges everyone in-state tuition, and Ole Miss's 30-credit M.Ed. for students who want the education framework. Both feed into the Mississippi Autism Board's unique 3-year licensing cycle.
Key Takeaways
- Mississippi State University offers a fully online 40-credit M.S. in Educational Psychology with ABA concentration at $558/credit (~$22,320 total) — and charges in-state tuition for all students regardless of residency.
- The University of Mississippi provides a 30-credit M.Ed. in Special Education with ABA specialization at $534/credit for residents (~$16,020 total) — the cheapest option for Mississippi residents.
- MSU also offers a standalone online ABA certificate for professionals with existing master's degrees who need BCBA coursework.
- The Mississippi Autism Board licenses behavior analysts on a unique 3-year cycle with a $250 application fee — license validity is tied directly to BACB certification expiration, with immediate revocation if BCBA lapses.
- Mississippi BCBAs earn $50,000–$66,000 in Jackson and along the Gulf Coast, but the state's lowest cost of living in the nation gives those salaries outsized purchasing power.
- Most people enter behavior analysis well before the master's. RBT certification takes a 40-hour training, a competency assessment and an exam, and it is how a large share of Mississippi students fund and stage their way into a BCBA program. Here is what RBT certification involves.
Mississippi State University offers the state's most accessible ABA path — a fully online 40-credit M.S. in Educational Psychology with an ABA concentration. MSU charges in-state tuition to all students regardless of residency, making it an attractive option for out-of-state students as well. The program is designed to meet 2027 BACB coursework requirements and includes 10 core educational psychology hours, 24 ABA concentration hours, and 6 hours of practicum. Students are admitted for fall semester only.
The University of Mississippi takes a leaner approach with its 30-credit M.Ed. in Special Education with an ABA specialization. Ole Miss's program is the state's only one housed in an education school, focusing specifically on classroom applications of behavior analysis. At $534/credit for in-state students (approximately $16,020 total), it's the cheapest option for Mississippi residents. MSU also offers a standalone ABA certificate for professionals who already hold a qualifying master's degree.
Mississippi's licensing authority is unique: the Mississippi Autism Board, established by the state legislature in 2015, serves as the dedicated regulator for behavior analysts. The Board uses a 3-year licensing cycle with an important catch — your license cannot exceed your BACB certification expiration date, and certification lapses trigger immediate license revocation. This tight coupling between state licensure and national certification is more aggressive than most states.
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MSU's Online M.S. for Everyone & Ole Miss's Budget-Friendly M.Ed.
All 3 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
| # | School | In-State Tuition | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mississippi State University — M.S. in Educational Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis (Online) | $558/credit (~$22,320 total, 40 credits) | Fully online | |
| 2 | University of Mississippi — M.Ed. in Special Education, ABA Specialization | $534/credit (~$16,020 total, 30 credits) | On-campus and online options available | |
| 3 | Mississippi State University — Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online) | $558/credit (in-state rate for all students) | Fully online |
Mississippi State University — M.S. in Educational Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)
In-State
$558/credit (~$22,320 total, 40 credits)
Out-of-State
$558/credit (~$22,320 total — in-state rate for all students)
Length
2 years
Field Hours
1,500 supervised experience hours (6 credits of practicum included)
Concentrations
- In-state tuition for ALL students regardless of residency — $558/credit, ~$22,320 total
- Fully online delivery — accessible from anywhere in the country
- Designed to meet 2027 BACB coursework requirements — forward-looking curriculum
- 40-credit program includes 10 core educational psychology hours + 24 ABA concentration hours + 6 practicum credits
- Faculty actively pursuing ABAI accreditation — working toward the strongest credential
- Fall admission only — cohort-based structure
- Lower GPA requirement (2.75) than most ABA programs — more accessible entry point
University of Mississippi — M.Ed. in Special Education, ABA Specialization
In-State
$534/credit (~$16,020 total, 30 credits)
Out-of-State
$1,580/credit (~$47,400 total)
Length
1.5–2 years
Field Hours
45 advisor-approved field experience hours (plus 1,500 supervised experience hours for BCBA completed separately)
Concentrations
- Cheapest ABA option for Mississippi residents — $534/credit, ~$16,020 total for 30 credits
- Only ABA program in Mississippi housed in an education school — classroom-focused behavioral training
- Leaner 30-credit curriculum — 10 fewer credits than MSU's 40-credit program
- Emphasis on ethical practice, supervisory training, and classroom applications
- Capstone research project (3 credits) develops analytical skills
- Both on-campus and online delivery options available
- Ole Miss brand recognition across the Southeast — strong alumni network
Mississippi State University — Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)
In-State
$558/credit (in-state rate for all students)
Out-of-State
$558/credit (same rate for all students)
Length
1 year
Field Hours
1,500 supervised experience hours (completed separately)
Concentrations
- Designed for professionals with existing master's degrees in education, psychology, or related fields
- Same in-state-for-all pricing as MSU's full master's program — $558/credit
- Fully online — complete from anywhere while working
- Completable in approximately 1 year — efficient add-on to an existing degree
- Meets BACB coursework requirements for BCBA exam eligibility
- Same faculty as the full M.S. program
Mississippi Autism Board — 3-Year Cycles & Strict BACB Coupling
Licensed Behavior Analyst
Issued by: Mississippi Autism Board
- Current BCBA certification from the BACB in good standing
- Master's degree meeting BACB educational requirements
- Application through the Mississippi Autism Board — $250 application fee for behavior analysts
- $100 application fee for assistant behavior analysts (BCaBA holders)
- Optional $75 temporary license available while application is processed
- No additional state exam required beyond the BCBA exam
- Established by the Mississippi state legislature in 2015
Renewal
License valid for 3 years but cannot exceed BACB certification expiration date — immediate revocation if BCBA certification lapses. 12 hours of continuing education per year (36 hours over 3 years), including at least 1 hour of ethics/legal each year. CE must be approved by BACB or Mississippi Autism Board.
BCBA Earnings in Jackson, the Gulf Coast & Oxford
ABA Careers From Jackson to the Gulf Coast
BLS Employment
2,220
Projected Growth
19% nationally through 2034
Top Employers
Mississippi Department of Mental Health, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Millcreek of Mississippi, Magnolia Speech School (Jackson), Gulf Coast regional providers
Sources
- ABAI — Verified Course Sequence Directory
- BACB — Certificant Data and Exam Pass Rates
- Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024
- Mississippi Autism Board
- Mississippi State University — M.S. in Educational Psychology, ABA
- University of Mississippi — M.Ed. in Special Education, ABA