ABA Programs in New Hampshire (2026)
New Hampshire takes a libertarian approach to ABA regulation — no state licensure required — but Connor's Law ensures insurance coverage for ABA therapy. Antioch University New England in Keene provides the Granite State's graduate ABA training, while many NH students tap into neighboring Massachusetts and Vermont programs.
Key Takeaways
- Antioch University New England in Keene offers a 33–39 credit M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis at $1,016/credit — BACB-approved with a weekend intensive format designed for working professionals.
- The University of New Hampshire provides an online B.S. in Applied Psychology with an ABA option — preparing undergraduates for BCaBA certification or graduate ABA programs.
- New Hampshire has no state licensure for behavior analysts — BCBA certification through the BACB is the primary credential, consistent with NH's traditionally minimal regulatory approach.
- Connor's Law (HB 569) requires regulated health insurance plans to cover ABA therapy when delivered by certified professionals — ensuring demand for BCBAs despite the lack of state licensure.
- New Hampshire has one of the highest rates of behavioral health counselors per capita in the country, and BCBAs earn $62,000–$82,000 with proximity to the Boston metro job market driving salaries upward.
Antioch University New England in Keene is New Hampshire's primary graduate ABA training ground. The M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis is BACB-approved and runs 33–39 credits depending on whether students include the optional clinical component. Classes meet on weekends at the Keene campus, with the program starting each August and running approximately seven semesters. At $1,016/credit, it's not cheap — but the weekend format is specifically designed for professionals who can't attend weekday classes.
At the undergraduate level, the University of New Hampshire offers an online B.S. in Applied Psychology with an ABA option. This prepares students for BCaBA certification or positions them for graduate ABA programs. Many New Hampshire students also enroll in Massachusetts-based programs — particularly Simmons University (ABAI-accredited with the highest 2024 pass rate in the Northeast at 86%), Northeastern, and UMass Lowell — given the short commute from southern NH.
New Hampshire doesn't require state licensure for behavior analysts, consistent with its traditionally minimal regulatory philosophy. BCBA certification through the BACB is the de facto professional credential. However, Connor's Law (HB 569) mandates that regulated health insurance plans cover ABA therapy when provided by certified professionals, ensuring robust demand for BCBAs across the state despite the absence of licensure requirements.
Antioch's Weekend M.S. & UNH's Online ABA Bachelor's
| School | Tuition (In-State) | Format | Length | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antioch University New England — M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis | $1,016/credit (~$33,528–$39,624 total, 33–39 credits) | Weekend intensive (on-campus weekends + practicum) | ~3 years (7 semesters) | BACB-Aligned; ABAI-Verified Course Sequence |
| University of New Hampshire — B.S. in Applied Psychology, ABA Option (Online) | Contact UNH CPS for current online rates | Fully online (120 credits) | 4 years (or accelerated for transfers) | BACB-Aligned for BCaBA |
Antioch University New England — M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
Keene
In-State Tuition
$1,016/credit (~$33,528–$39,624 total, 33–39 credits)
Out-of-State
$1,016/credit (~$33,528–$39,624 total, flat rate)
Format
Weekend intensive (on-campus weekends + practicum)
Full-Time
~3 years (7 semesters)
Field Hours
1,500 supervised experience hours (practicum integrated)
Concentrations
Applied Behavior Analysis — ethical practice, assessment, intervention, social justice applications, optional clinical component
- New Hampshire's only graduate ABA program — the Granite State's primary BCBA training path
- Weekend intensive format — classes meet on weekends, specifically designed for working professionals
- BACB-approved and ABAI-verified course sequence meets all BCBA certification requirements
- Antioch's social justice mission infuses culturally responsive practice into ABA training
- Practicum integrated into the program — work with clients before graduation
- Month-long class blocks with weekend on-campus sessions — structured but manageable pacing
- Flat $1,016/credit regardless of residency — no in-state/out-of-state distinction
University of New Hampshire — B.S. in Applied Psychology, ABA Option (Online)
Durham (Online)
In-State Tuition
Contact UNH CPS for current online rates
Out-of-State
Contact UNH CPS for current online rates
Format
Fully online (120 credits)
Full-Time
4 years (or accelerated for transfers)
Field Hours
BCaBA fieldwork requirements (completed separately)
Concentrations
Applied Psychology — Applied Behavior Analysis option, evidence-based ABA practices, behavioral assessment foundations
- UNH's flagship brand — New Hampshire's primary public university
- Online B.S. prepares for BCaBA certification or graduate ABA programs
- Applied Psychology major with ABA specialization — broader foundation than standalone ABA
- College of Professional Studies delivery — designed for adult and online learners
- Pathway to graduate ABA programs at Antioch, Simmons, or other New England schools
- 120-credit bachelor's degree — transferable credits can accelerate completion
No State License Required — Connor's Law Drives Demand Instead
No State Licensure Required
Issued by: No state licensing body — BACB certification is the primary credential
- New Hampshire does not require state licensure to practice as a behavior analyst
- BCBA certification from the BACB serves as the de facto professional credential
- Connor's Law (HB 569) requires insurance coverage of ABA therapy by certified professionals
- Consistent with New Hampshire's traditionally minimal regulatory approach
- No additional state exam, registration, or fees beyond BACB certification
- Employers and insurance companies typically require BCBA certification regardless of state requirements
Renewal
No state renewal required. Maintain BCBA certification through the BACB — 32 CEUs every two years including ethics requirements. Connor's Law insurance coverage is contingent on active BACB certification.
BCBA Salaries in Manchester, Nashua & the Seacoast
BLS Median
$55,620
Entry Level
$36,000–$44,000
Experienced
$62,000–$82,000 (BCBA-certified, Manchester-Nashua corridor)
Top Earners
$88,000–$115,000+ (clinical directors, private practice serving Boston suburbs)
New England's ABA Market: NH, Boston & Beyond
BLS Employment
3,100
Projected Growth
19% nationally through 2034
Top Employers
Granite State ABA Services, Patterns Behavioral Services, Easter Seals New Hampshire, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, New Hampshire school districts
Sources
- ABAI — Verified Course Sequence Directory
- BACB — Certificant Data and Exam Pass Rates
- Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024
- Antioch University New England — Applied Behavior Analysis
- UNH — B.S. in Applied Psychology, ABA Option
- NCES College Navigator — U.S. Department of Education