Last updated: March 9, 2026

ABA Programs in Nebraska (2026)

Nebraska's ABA training runs through one powerhouse collaboration: the University of Nebraska Omaha and the Munroe-Meyer Institute at UNMC. Their joint program has maintained a 90%+ BCBA pass rate since 2010, and Nebraska's brand-new licensing law — effective September 2024 — finally gives the state a regulatory framework.

Taylor Rupe

Founder & Editor

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

ABA Programs in Nebraska (2026)

Key Takeaways

  • The UNO/UNMC joint M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis is a 51–54 credit intensive program with a 90%+ first-time BCBA pass rate since 2010 — one of the most consistent track records nationally.
  • Clinical training takes place at the Munroe-Meyer Institute — one of the nation's premier facilities for neurodevelopmental disability research and treatment, providing unmatched practicum depth.
  • UNO also offers an online graduate certificate in ABA — a shorter path for professionals with existing master's degrees who need BCBA coursework.
  • Nebraska enacted the Applied Behavior Analysis Act in 2023, and DHHS began licensing behavior analysts in September 2024 — making Nebraska one of the newest states to regulate the profession.
  • Nebraska's BLS median of $64,410 for the behavioral health counselor category exceeds the national average — combined with a cost of living well below the national average, BCBA purchasing power in Omaha and Lincoln is substantial.

Nebraska's ABA education is anchored by a collaboration between two University of Nebraska campuses. The UNO Psychology Department and the Munroe-Meyer Institute at UNMC jointly operate an M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis that requires 51–54 credit hours over two years of full-time study. The program's 90%+ BCBA pass rate since 2010 speaks for itself, and clinical training at Munroe-Meyer — one of the country's leading centers for neurodevelopmental disabilities — provides practicum experiences that most programs simply cannot match.

The program trains students to provide person-centered, culturally responsive, and collaborative services for individuals across the lifespan, with a strong emphasis on neurodevelopmental disabilities. UNO also offers an online graduate certificate for professionals who already hold a qualifying master's degree and need BCBA coursework.

Nebraska is one of the newest states to license behavior analysts. The Applied Behavior Analysis Act passed in 2023, and the Department of Health and Human Services began accepting applications in September 2024. Regulations are still relatively new, but the framework requires BCBA certification as the foundation for state licensure — aligning with the standard model used by most states.

UNO-UNMC's Joint Program & the Munroe-Meyer Advantage

School Tuition (In-State) Format Length Accreditation
University of Nebraska Omaha / UNMC — M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis $363/credit (~$18,513–$19,602 total, 51–54 credits) On-campus (full-time) 2 years ABAI-Verified; BACB Pathway 2 Aligned
University of Nebraska Omaha — Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online) $363/credit (estimated; varies by residency) Fully online 1–1.5 years BACB-Aligned

University of Nebraska Omaha / UNMC — M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis

Omaha

In-State Tuition

$363/credit (~$18,513–$19,602 total, 51–54 credits)

Out-of-State

$900/credit (~$45,900–$48,600 total)

Format

On-campus (full-time)

Full-Time

2 years

Field Hours

1,500 supervised experience hours (Munroe-Meyer Institute, local schools, community agencies)

Concentrations

Applied Behavior Analysis — neurodevelopmental disabilities, behavioral health, person-centered services, lifespan interventions

  • 90%+ first-time BCBA exam pass rate maintained since 2010 — one of the most consistent records nationally
  • Clinical training at the Munroe-Meyer Institute — a nationally recognized center for neurodevelopmental disability treatment and research
  • Joint program between UNO Psychology Department and UNMC — combining academic rigor with medical center resources
  • 51–54 credits is more intensive than typical 30–36 credit programs — deeper preparation across research and clinical skills
  • Practicum sites include Munroe-Meyer, local school districts, and Nebraska community agencies
  • Designed for BCBA Pathway 2 eligibility under 2026+ BACB requirements
  • Mission emphasizes person-centered, culturally responsive, and collaborative practice
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 3.0

University of Nebraska Omaha — Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)

Omaha (Online)

Online Available

In-State Tuition

$363/credit (estimated; varies by residency)

Out-of-State

$900/credit (estimated; online rates may differ)

Format

Fully online

Full-Time

1–1.5 years

Field Hours

750–1,000 practicum hours (if completing full BACB sequence; completed separately)

Concentrations

Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate — BCBA coursework for professionals with existing graduate degrees

  • Fully online format — accessible from anywhere in Nebraska or nationally
  • Designed for professionals with existing master's or doctoral degrees
  • Provides BACB-approved course sequence coursework when completing all six required courses
  • Same UNO Psychology Department faculty as the full M.S. program
  • University of Nebraska's online infrastructure supports working professionals
  • Shorter commitment than the full 51–54 credit M.S. — efficient path to BCBA coursework
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 3.0

Nebraska's Brand-New Licensing Framework (September 2024)

Licensed Behavior Analyst

Issued by: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

  • Current BCBA certification from the BACB in good standing
  • Master's degree meeting BACB educational requirements
  • Application through Nebraska DHHS — licensing began September 2024
  • Applied Behavior Analysis Act enacted in 2023 — Nebraska is one of the newest states to regulate ABA
  • Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst credential available for BCaBA holders
  • Detailed fee schedules and regulations still being finalized as the licensing framework matures

Renewal

Renewal requirements align with BACB certification cycle. Must maintain BCBA certification in good standing. Continuing education per BACB standards. Specific state renewal fees and timelines are being established as the new licensing framework develops.

Visit Licensing Board →

BCBA Salaries in Omaha & Lincoln — Above the National Average

BLS Median

$64,410

Entry Level

$38,000–$46,000

Experienced

$62,000–$80,000 (BCBA-certified, Omaha metro)

Top Earners

$85,000–$110,000+ (clinical directors, Munroe-Meyer research positions)

Nebraska's BLS median of approximately $64,410 for the broader behavioral health counselor category exceeds the national average of $59,190 — making Nebraska one of the better-paying states for this occupational category. Combined with a cost of living approximately 10–12% below the national average, BCBA purchasing power in Omaha is substantial. A $70,000 BCBA salary in Omaha has purchasing power equivalent to roughly $80,000+ in Minneapolis or $85,000+ in Denver. Lincoln salaries are slightly lower than Omaha but benefit from the same cost-of-living advantage.

ABA Careers at Munroe-Meyer, Children's Hospital & Beyond

BLS Employment

2,630

Projected Growth

19% nationally through 2034

Top Employers

Munroe-Meyer Institute (UNMC), Children's Hospital & Medical Center (Omaha), Nebraska Department of Education, Boys Town, Quality Living Inc.

Omaha drives most of Nebraska's ABA positions, anchored by the Munroe-Meyer Institute at UNMC — which serves as both the primary training site and a major employer of behavior analysts. Children's Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha is the state's largest pediatric facility and employs BCBAs in clinical and research roles. Boys Town — the nationally known youth care organization headquartered outside Omaha — provides residential and community-based behavioral services. Lincoln's market is smaller but benefits from state government agencies and the University of Nebraska system. The brand-new licensing law is expected to expand the formal ABA workforce as practitioners who previously operated without state credentials obtain licensure.

Frequently Asked Questions

At 51–54 credits, the UNO/UNMC M.S. is significantly larger than the typical 30–36 credit ABA master's. The extra credits go toward deeper research training, more intensive practicum preparation, and broader clinical competencies. The result: a 90%+ BCBA pass rate since 2010. The trade-off is time (2 full years) and cost — but the outcomes justify the investment.
The Munroe-Meyer Institute at UNMC is one of the nation's leading centers for neurodevelopmental disability research, treatment, and training. It houses clinics for autism, behavioral health, feeding disorders, and more — providing ABA students with diverse practicum settings under one roof. Most ABA programs place students at external sites; Munroe-Meyer provides an integrated clinical ecosystem that few programs can match.
The Applied Behavior Analysis Act passed in 2023 and DHHS began accepting licensure applications in September 2024. The framework is operational but relatively new — detailed fee schedules and some regulatory specifics are still being finalized. If you're applying, contact DHHS directly for the most current requirements. The core requirement is straightforward: BCBA certification from the BACB.
The UNO online graduate certificate provides BACB-approved coursework, but you must complete all six courses in the BACB sequence plus a practicum of 750–1,000 hours. You also need a qualifying master's degree — the certificate alone doesn't satisfy the degree requirement. If you already hold a master's in psychology, education, or a related field, the certificate adds the specific ABA coursework needed for BCBA eligibility.
Nebraska's BLS median of $64,410 exceeds Kansas ($57,760), Iowa ($46,820), and is competitive with Colorado ($58,240) — especially after cost-of-living adjustment. A $70,000 BCBA salary in Omaha stretches significantly further than the same salary in Denver. Nebraska also offers higher pay than most of the surrounding Great Plains states. The main limitation is job volume: with about 2,630 behavioral health counselor positions, Nebraska's market is smaller than metro-heavy states.