Last updated: March 9, 2026

ABA Programs in Oklahoma (2026)

Oklahoma packs surprising value into its ABA training landscape. UCO offers a full master's in behavior analysis for roughly $10,500 in-state — the cheapest full M.S. option in the region — while OU and OSU provide BCBA pathways through certificate and special education tracks. All regulated by OLBAB under the Department of Human Services.

Taylor Rupe

Founder & Editor

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

ABA Programs in Oklahoma (2026)

Key Takeaways

  • The University of Central Oklahoma offers a 36-credit M.S. in Behavior Analysis at just $292/credit for residents (~$10,512 total) — among the cheapest standalone ABA master's programs in the country, with ABAI-approved coursework.
  • The University of Oklahoma provides an 18-credit ABA graduate certificate delivered through synchronous online format — designed for professionals with existing master's degrees at approximately $237/credit for residents.
  • Oklahoma State University embeds BCBA coursework within its M.S. in Special Education — a VCS-verified pathway with assistantship opportunities that can include tuition waivers.
  • The Oklahoma Licensed Behavior Analyst Board (OLBAB) operates under the Department of Human Services — licensing BCBAs with biennial renewal by April 30 of odd-numbered years.
  • Oklahoma City and Tulsa BCBAs earn $58,000–$75,000, and the state's cost of living is approximately 15% below the national average — making these salaries stretch further than most metro areas.

Oklahoma's ABA education ecosystem offers something unusual: genuine affordability across multiple institutions. The University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond provides the most direct path — a 36-credit M.S. in Behavior Analysis at $292/credit for residents, totaling roughly $10,512. UCO's program is housed in the Psychology Department and combines coursework with applied experiences across a network of clinics and centers in the Oklahoma City metro.

The University of Oklahoma takes a different approach with its 18-credit ABA graduate certificate through the Rainbolt College of Education's Educational Psychology department. Delivered via synchronous online instruction, it serves professionals who already hold qualifying master's degrees and want to add BCBA credentials. Oklahoma State in Stillwater integrates BCBA coursework into its M.S. in Special Education — a good fit for students who want both a teaching credential and behavior analyst preparation.

All Oklahoma behavior analysts are licensed through the OLBAB, which sits under the Department of Human Services rather than a standalone board. This placement reflects Oklahoma's strong connection between ABA services and developmental disabilities support through DHS. Licensing requires BCBA certification with biennial renewal and continuing education aligned with BACB standards.

UCO's Affordable M.S., OU's Online Certificate & OSU's Special Ed Path

School Tuition (In-State) Format Length Accreditation
University of Central Oklahoma — M.S. in Behavior Analysis $292/credit (~$10,512 total, 36 credits) On-campus 2 years ABAI-Approved Coursework; BACB-Aligned
University of Oklahoma — Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online) $237/credit (~$4,266 total, 18 credits) Synchronous online (blended components) 1–1.5 years ABAI-Verified; BACB-Aligned
Oklahoma State University — M.S. in Special Education (BCBA Pathway) $292/credit (~$10,512 total, 36 credits) On-campus 2 years ABAI-Verified Coursework; BACB-Aligned

University of Central Oklahoma — M.S. in Behavior Analysis

Edmond

In-State Tuition

$292/credit (~$10,512 total, 36 credits)

Out-of-State

$709/credit (~$25,524 total)

Format

On-campus

Full-Time

2 years

Field Hours

1,500 supervised experience hours (practicum across OKC-area clinics)

Concentrations

Behavior Analysis — ethics, behavior change methods, single-subject research designs, behavioral assessments, advanced analysis

  • Among the cheapest standalone ABA master's programs in the country — $292/credit for residents, ~$10,512 total
  • ABAI-approved coursework meets all BCBA certification requirements
  • Psychology Department home — pure behavior analysis framework, not housed in education
  • Practicum network spans clinics and centers across the Oklahoma City metropolitan area
  • Edmond is a suburb of Oklahoma City — direct access to the state's largest ABA job market
  • No GRE required — streamlined admissions
  • Actively pursuing full ABAI master's-level accreditation
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 3.0

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

Norman (Online)

Online Available

In-State Tuition

$237/credit (~$4,266 total, 18 credits)

Out-of-State

$611/credit (~$10,998 total)

Format

Synchronous online (blended components)

Full-Time

1–1.5 years

Field Hours

1,500 supervised experience hours (completed separately)

Concentrations

Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate — professional ethics, ABA techniques, behavioral assessment, intervention strategies

  • OU brand recognition — Oklahoma's flagship university and an AAU research institution
  • Synchronous online delivery — attend live lectures from anywhere with scheduled class times
  • ABAI-verified course sequence meets BCBA coursework requirements
  • Only 18 credits — designed for professionals adding BCBA to an existing master's degree
  • Rainbolt College of Education's Educational Psychology department — strong research foundation
  • In-state cost under $4,300 total — among the cheapest ABA certificate programs nationally
  • Access to OU's ABA Family Service and Research Clinic for practicum opportunities
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 3.0

Oklahoma State University — M.S. in Special Education (BCBA Pathway)

Stillwater

In-State Tuition

$292/credit (~$10,512 total, 36 credits)

Out-of-State

$709/credit (~$25,524 total)

Format

On-campus

Full-Time

2 years

Field Hours

1,500 supervised experience hours

Concentrations

Special Education — Applied Behavior Analysis emphasis, K-12 behavioral intervention, BCBA preparation

  • BCBA coursework embedded within a full M.S. in Special Education — dual preparation for education and ABA careers
  • ABAI-verified course sequence within the special education curriculum
  • OSU is a Carnegie R1 research institution — strong research infrastructure
  • Assistantship opportunities may include full or partial tuition waivers plus health insurance
  • Same in-state tuition rate as UCO — $292/credit for 36 credits
  • Education-focused ABA training — ideal for school-based behavior analyst careers
  • Stillwater campus provides a focused, small-town academic environment
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 3.0

OLBAB Licensing Under the Department of Human Services

Licensed Behavior Analyst

Issued by: Oklahoma Licensed Behavior Analyst Board (OLBAB), under Department of Human Services

  • Current BCBA certification from the BACB in good standing
  • Master's degree meeting BACB educational requirements
  • Application through the OLBAB online portal
  • OLBAB is managed by DHS Developmental Disabilities Services — reflecting ABA's connection to disability services in Oklahoma
  • Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst credential available for BCaBA holders
  • No additional state examination required beyond the BCBA exam

Renewal

Biennial renewal by April 30 of odd-numbered years. BCBA holders must complete 32 CEUs per two-year cycle; BCaBA holders must complete 20 CEUs. Maintain BACB certification in active status.

Visit Licensing Board →

What BCBAs Earn in OKC, Tulsa & Norman

BLS Median

$58,610

Entry Level

$35,000–$43,000

Experienced

$58,000–$75,000 (BCBA-certified, Oklahoma City and Tulsa metros)

Top Earners

$80,000–$100,000+ (clinical directors, multi-site supervisors)

Oklahoma's BLS median of approximately $58,610 for the broader behavioral health counselor category is close to the national average of $59,190. BCBA-certified professionals in Oklahoma City and Tulsa typically earn $58,000–$75,000, with Norman and Stillwater salaries somewhat lower. Oklahoma's cost of living is approximately 15% below the national average — a $65,000 BCBA salary in Oklahoma City has purchasing power comparable to $76,000–$78,000 in a metro at the national average. Tulsa's growing healthcare sector and lower housing costs compared to OKC make it an increasingly attractive market for behavior analysts.

ABA Demand Across Oklahoma's Two Major Metros

BLS Employment

5,040

Projected Growth

19% nationally through 2034

Top Employers

Oklahoma Department of Human Services, The Children's Center (Bethany), OU Children's Physicians, Saint Francis Health System (Tulsa), Sooner Success (statewide)

Oklahoma's ABA job market is concentrated in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metros, which together account for more than 60% of the state's population. The Department of Human Services — which also oversees OLBAB — is a significant employer of behavior analysts through its developmental disabilities services division. The Children's Center in Bethany is a comprehensive facility for children with disabilities, and OU Children's Physicians in Oklahoma City provides clinical ABA services. Tulsa's Saint Francis Health System is a major healthcare employer in eastern Oklahoma. The Sooner Success program provides statewide behavioral support through community-based services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — UCO's M.S. in Behavior Analysis charges $292/credit for in-state students. At 36 credits, that's approximately $10,512 total — which genuinely makes it one of the cheapest standalone ABA master's degrees in the country. For context, the national average for an ABA master's is $25,000–$35,000. UCO achieves this through its status as a regional public university with lower overhead than flagship institutions.
The OLBAB is managed by the Department of Human Services Developmental Disabilities Services division. This is unusual — most states house ABA licensure under health departments or standalone boards. Oklahoma's placement reflects the strong historical connection between ABA services and developmental disability support in the state. The practical impact is minimal for licensees, but it means OLBAB's focus is tightly linked to disability services rather than general behavioral health.
Mostly — OU's ABA certificate uses synchronous online delivery, meaning you attend scheduled live lectures remotely. Some courses include blended components that may require limited on-campus attendance. Confirm current format requirements with OU's Educational Psychology department, as delivery models have evolved. The synchronous format means you need to be available at specific class times, unlike fully asynchronous programs.
Choose UCO if you want a standalone behavior analysis degree at the lowest cost ($10,512 in-state). Choose OU if you already have a master's degree and just need BCBA coursework — the certificate is under $4,300 in-state. Choose OSU if you want both a special education credential and BCBA preparation — especially if you can secure an assistantship with a tuition waiver.
Oklahoma offers significantly lower tuition than Texas's major programs (UCO at $292/credit vs. Baylor at $1,400+, for example). Kansas has the KU heritage advantage as ABA's birthplace, but KU's online rate ($795/credit) is more expensive than UCO. Oklahoma's salaries ($58,000–$75,000) are competitive with both states when adjusted for cost of living. The trade-off: Oklahoma has fewer total ABA positions than Texas, and KU's program reputation carries more weight nationally.