Last updated: October 9, 2026

ABA Programs in North Dakota (2027)

Q: What's the difference between UND's M.S. and M.Ed. for ABA?

The ABA specialization is exclusive to the M.S. in Special Education — the M.Ed. does not include the BACB-approved ABA coursework. If you want to become a BCBA, you must enroll in the M.S. track . The M.S. also includes a research component (thesis or thesis-equivalent), which the M.Ed. does not. Both are fully online, but only the M.S. with ABA specialization prepares you for BCBA certification.

The University of North Dakota runs the Midwest's largest online special education master's program — and its BACB-approved ABA specialization lets students earn BCBA eligibility from anywhere with no campus visits required. Combined with above-average pay and the state's unique Board of Integrative Health Care licensure, North Dakota offers a streamlined ABA career path.

Taylor Rupe

Founder & Editor

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

Key Takeaways

The University of North Dakota offers a fully online M.S. in Special Education with a BACB-approved ABA specialization at $553/credit — same rate regardless of residency, with no campus visits required.
UND also provides a stackable online graduate certificate in ABA — credits can apply toward the full master's degree, letting students start with the certificate and upgrade later.
North Dakota students may save up to $17,000 through the ND Career Builders program when pursuing the ABA certificate — a significant tuition benefit for in-state residents.
North Dakota licenses behavior analysts through the Board of Integrative Health Care — a unique regulatory structure with biennial renewal by December 31 of odd-numbered years and a $100 license fee.
North Dakota BCBAs earn $55,000–$72,000 in the Fargo and Bismarck metros — with above-average wages driven by the state's acute behavioral health workforce shortage.
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 North Dakota students fund and stage their way into a BCBA program. Here is what RBT certification involves.

Accredited Programs

Ranked in this guide

Supervised Hours

1,500+

post-graduate

The University of North Dakota is the clear choice for ABA education in the state — and one of the stronger online options in the Midwest. The M.S. in Special Education with an ABA specialization is fully online with asynchronous coursework, meaning no campus visits, no scheduled class times, and the same tuition rate regardless of where you live. The ABA specialization is BACB-approved and exclusive to the M.S. track (not the M.Ed.), covering concepts and principles, assessment and behavior change systems, methods and applications, ethics, and research methods, plus an intensive practicum.

UND's online graduate certificate in ABA adds a valuable option: students can start with the certificate to test the field or begin BCBA coursework, then stack those credits toward the full master's degree. North Dakota residents may access up to $17,000 in tuition savings through the ND Career Builders program for the certificate. The certificate covers core ABA coursework including concepts and principles, assessment, methods, research methods, and philosophical underpinnings of ABA.

North Dakota licenses behavior analysts through the Board of Integrative Health Care — an unusual regulatory home compared to most states that use psychology or counselor boards. The license requires BCBA certification, a $50 application fee plus $100 license fee (prorated for the cycle), and biennial renewal by December 31 of odd-numbered years with 32 CEUs including 4 in ethics.

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See ABA programs by city for metro-level guides with local employers and salary data.

UND's Asynchronous Online M.S. & Stackable ABA Certificate

All 2 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.

#	School	In-State Tuition	Format	Length
1	University of North Dakota: M.S. in Special Education, ABA Specialization (Online)	$553/credit (~$17,143–$22,673 total, 31–41 credits)	Fully online	18 months–2 years
2	University of North Dakota: Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)	$553/credit (ND Career Builders may save up to $17,000)	Fully online	1–2 semesters

University of North Dakota: M.S. in Special Education, ABA Specialization (Online)

Grand Forks (Online), ND Fully online BACB-Approved ABA Specialization

In-State

$553/credit (~$17,143–$22,673 total, 31–41 credits)

Out-of-State

$553/credit (~$17,143–$22,673 total, same online rate)

Length

18 months–2 years

Field Hours

1,500 supervised experience hours (intensive practicum integrated)

Concentrations

Applied Behavior Analysis — concepts and principles, assessment and behavior change systems, methods and applications, ethics, research methods, intensive practicum

Largest online special education master's program in the Midwest
BACB-approved ABA specialization — exclusive to the M.S. track
Fully asynchronous — no scheduled class times, no campus visits
Same $553/credit rate regardless of residency — no out-of-state premium
ABA specialization includes intensive practicum component
No GRE required — streamlined admissions for working professionals
Stackable with the graduate ABA certificate — start small, build up
UND is North Dakota's flagship R2 research university

GRE: Not required | Min GPA: 3.0

View University of North Dakota: M.S. in Special Education, ABA Specialization (Online)'s ABA Program

University of North Dakota: Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)

Grand Forks (Online), ND Fully online BACB-Aligned

In-State

$553/credit (ND Career Builders may save up to $17,000)

Out-of-State

$553/credit (same online rate)

Length

1–2 semesters

Field Hours

Not included (certificate-level coursework)

Concentrations

Applied Behavior Analysis — concepts and principles, assessment, methods, research methods, philosophical underpinnings

Stackable — credits apply toward UND's M.S. in Special Education ABA specialization
ND Career Builders program may save residents up to $17,000 in tuition
Ideal entry point for professionals exploring ABA before committing to a full master's
Same asynchronous online format as the master's program
Covers core ABA coursework needed for BCBA exam eligibility (when combined with a qualifying master's degree)
Lower GPA requirement (2.75) than the full master's program

GRE: Not required | Min GPA: 2.75

View University of North Dakota: Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)'s ABA Program

Board of Integrative Health Care: North Dakota's Unique Licensing Home

Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst

Issued by: North Dakota Board of Integrative Health Care (NDBIHC)

Current BCBA certification from the BACB in good standing
Master's degree with coursework meeting BACB requirements
Application to the Board of Integrative Health Care — $50 application fee + $100 license fee (prorated)
License by endorsement available for applicants licensed in other states
North Dakota regulates behavior analysts under NDAC Article 112-05
Licensed Assistant Applied Behavior Analyst credential available for BCaBA holders

Renewal

Biennial renewal by December 31 of odd-numbered years. Must maintain BACB certification in active status. 32 CEUs required per two-year cycle, including 4 CEUs in ethics and 3 CEUs in supervision (for supervisors). License fee is $100 per cycle.

Visit Licensing Board

BCBA Salaries in Fargo, Bismarck & Grand Forks

BLS Median

$61,500

Entry Level

$38,000–$46,000

Experienced

$55,000–$72,000 (BCBA-certified, Fargo-Moorhead and Bismarck metros)

Top Earners

$76,000–$95,000+ (clinical directors, private practice, telehealth serving rural communities)

North Dakota's estimated BLS median of approximately $61,500 for behavioral health counselors is above the national average of $59,190 — reflecting the state's persistent workforce shortage. The Fargo-Moorhead metro (which straddles the Minnesota border) drives the most ABA positions and competitive salaries, with Bismarck-Mandan as the secondary market. Grand Forks and Minot have smaller but growing demand. North Dakota's very low cost of living — among the lowest in the nation outside of the oil-driven western cities — gives BCBA salaries strong purchasing power. The Fargo-Moorhead border market also lets BCBAs access Minnesota positions while living in North Dakota.

ABA Careers in the Northern Plains

BLS Employment

1,420

Projected Growth

19% nationally through 2034

Top Employers

Sanford Health, Essentia Health, North Dakota Department of Human Services, school districts (Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks), Prairie St. John's

North Dakota's ABA workforce is concentrated in its three largest cities: Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks. Sanford Health and Essentia Health are the state's two dominant healthcare systems, both operating across multiple states. The North Dakota Department of Human Services employs behavioral health professionals statewide. Prairie St. John's in Fargo is a prominent behavioral health center. School districts are increasingly hiring BCBAs for behavioral support roles. Rural North Dakota faces severe behavioral health shortages — large portions of the state are federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas. Telehealth is expanding ABA access to remote communities, and the state's energy-sector economic strength provides a stable funding environment for behavioral health services.

More Programs and Guides for North Dakota

Other Degrees in North Dakota

Nearby States

National Rankings, Careers and Pay

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between UND's M.S. and M.Ed. for ABA?

The ABA specialization is exclusive to the M.S. in Special Education — the M.Ed. does not include the BACB-approved ABA coursework. If you want to become a BCBA, you must enroll in the M.S. track. The M.S. also includes a research component (thesis or thesis-equivalent), which the M.Ed. does not. Both are fully online, but only the M.S. with ABA specialization prepares you for BCBA certification.

How does the stackable certificate work?

UND's graduate certificate in ABA lets you take core ABA courses that can later count toward the full M.S. in Special Education with ABA specialization. This is valuable if you're unsure about committing to a full master's, want to start ABA coursework while finishing another degree, or need to spread the financial commitment over time. North Dakota residents may access up to $17,000 in tuition savings through the ND Career Builders program for the certificate — a significant benefit.

Why does North Dakota use the Board of Integrative Health Care?

Most states regulate behavior analysts through psychology boards or counselor boards. North Dakota placed behavior analyst licensure under the Board of Integrative Health Care (NDBIHC), which also oversees naturopaths, music therapists, and other integrative practitioners. This is largely a legislative quirk — the practical impact on BCBAs is minimal. The license requires BCBA certification, standard CE requirements, and biennial renewal. The $100 license fee per cycle is among the lowest in the nation.

Can Fargo BCBAs work in Minnesota too?

Yes, but you'll need a Minnesota license. The Fargo-Moorhead metro straddles the North Dakota-Minnesota border, effectively functioning as a single job market. Minnesota licenses behavior analysts through the Board of Marriage and Family Therapy, with separate application requirements. Many Fargo-area BCBAs hold dual licensure to access positions on both sides of the border. Living in North Dakota while accessing Minnesota's larger job market can be financially advantageous due to North Dakota's lower cost of living.

Is UND's program competitive with other online ABA master's degrees?

UND's $553/credit flat rate is mid-range for online ABA programs — cheaper than many private schools but more expensive than budget options like UCO ($292/credit) or Marshall ($378/credit). Where UND stands out is the BACB-approved specialization, fully asynchronous delivery with zero campus requirements, stackable certificate option, and the ND Career Builders tuition benefit for residents. The special education framework also provides broader professional credentials beyond ABA alone.