Last updated: March 9, 2026

ABA Programs in South Carolina (2026)

South Carolina stands out for an unusual opportunity: the state's Department of Health and Human Services is partnering with USC to offer full funding to select ABA students starting Fall 2026. Here's what programs are available, what licensure looks like (spoiler: it's still pending), and what BCBAs earn across the Palmetto State.

Taylor Rupe

Founder & Editor

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

ABA Programs in South Carolina (2026)

Key Takeaways

  • The University of South Carolina offers an M.Ed. in ABA with two tracks — a 39-credit Practicum Track with 1,500 supervised hours through the university, and a 30-credit Independent Fieldwork Track at $580/credit for in-state students.
  • SCDHHS is partnering with USC to offer full funding to select students starting the Practicum Track in Fall 2026 — covering tuition for the entire program through a state workforce initiative.
  • Francis Marion University offers a 42-credit M.S. in Applied Psychology with ABA emphasis — plus a standalone 7-course BCBA sequence available online through the CREATE scholarship program.
  • South Carolina does not currently license behavior analysts. Licensure legislation has been introduced but not yet enacted — meaning BCBA certification from the BACB is the sole credential needed to practice in the state.
  • South Carolina's low cost of living makes BCBA salaries of $58,000–$75,000 in Columbia and Charleston highly competitive — particularly compared to neighboring states with higher expenses.

South Carolina's ABA education centers on two public universities with distinctly different approaches. The University of South Carolina in Columbia offers the state's most comprehensive option — an M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis with two tracks: the 39-credit Practicum Track (where USC provides supervision for all 1,500 fieldwork hours) and the 30-credit Independent Fieldwork Track (for students who already have a qualified BCBA supervisor). In a remarkable workforce initiative, the SC Department of Health and Human Services is partnering with USC to fully fund selected students starting the Practicum Track in Fall 2026.

Francis Marion University in Florence takes a different angle — its 42-credit M.S. in Applied Psychology with ABA emphasis sits within the Psychology Department (rather than Education), and it also offers a standalone 7-course BCBA sequence for students who need just the coursework. Francis Marion has received ABAI verification and offers online options through the CREATE scholarship.

The biggest gap in South Carolina's ABA landscape is licensure. Unlike most states, SC does not yet license behavior analysts. Legislation has been introduced through the SC Association for Behavior Analysis, but it hasn't been enacted. This means anyone can technically call themselves a behavior analyst in South Carolina — making BCBA certification even more important as the de facto credentialing standard.

USC & Francis Marion: South Carolina's ABA Degree Options

School Tuition (In-State) Format Length Accreditation
University of South Carolina — M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis $580/credit (~$17,400 total for 30-credit track; ~$22,620 for 39-credit track) On-campus (some on-campus attendance required — not fully online) 1.5 years BACB-Aligned
Francis Marion University — M.S. in Applied Psychology, ABA Emphasis $520/credit (~$21,840 total, 42 credits) On-campus and online options (CREATE scholarship enables online access) 2 years ABAI-Verified; BACB-Aligned

University of South Carolina — M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis

Columbia

In-State Tuition

$580/credit (~$17,400 total for 30-credit track; ~$22,620 for 39-credit track)

Out-of-State

$1,061/credit (~$31,830 total for 30-credit track; ~$41,379 for 39-credit track)

Format

On-campus (some on-campus attendance required — not fully online)

Full-Time

1.5 years

Field Hours

Practicum Track: 1,500 concentrated supervised fieldwork hours through USC; Independent Track: 300 hours through USC + remaining hours independently

Concentrations

Applied Behavior Analysis — Practicum Track (39 credits) or Independent Fieldwork Track (30 credits)

  • SCDHHS full-funding opportunity for select Fall 2026 Practicum Track students — tuition covered by state workforce initiative
  • Two distinct tracks: 39-credit Practicum (USC provides all supervision) or 30-credit Independent (you arrange your own supervisor)
  • Graduates typically reach BCBA exam eligibility in just 1.5 years
  • College of Education's Special Education department — established ABA faculty
  • Application deadline: January 15, 2026 for fall admission
  • In-state tuition of $580/credit is competitive for a flagship state university
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 3.0

Francis Marion University — M.S. in Applied Psychology, ABA Emphasis

Florence

Online Available

In-State Tuition

$520/credit (~$21,840 total, 42 credits)

Out-of-State

$780/credit (~$32,760 total)

Format

On-campus and online options (CREATE scholarship enables online access)

Full-Time

2 years

Field Hours

1,500 supervised experience hours (completed separately)

Concentrations

Applied Psychology — Applied Behavior Analysis emphasis, behavioral assessment, research methods

  • ABAI-verified 7-course BCBA sequence — meets all coursework requirements for BCBA exam eligibility
  • Psychology Department home — provides a behavioral science foundation rather than an education framework
  • CREATE scholarship program enables fully online completion of BCBA coursework
  • Also offers the 7-course sequence as a standalone option for students who just need BCBA coursework
  • Coordinated by Dr. Christopher Bullock — ABA Option Coordinator
  • 42-credit program provides deeper preparation than many 30-credit alternatives
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 3.0

South Carolina Licensure Status: Pending Legislation

No State Licensure (Legislation Pending)

Issued by: South Carolina does not currently license behavior analysts

  • South Carolina has NO state licensure for behavior analysts as of 2026
  • BCBA certification from the BACB is the sole credential needed to practice
  • Licensure legislation has been introduced (Bill 630) but not yet enacted
  • The SC Association for Behavior Analysis is actively advocating for licensure
  • Without state licensing, anyone can technically use the title "behavior analyst" — making BCBA certification critical
  • Insurance providers in SC typically require BCBA certification for ABA service reimbursement regardless of state licensing status

Renewal

No state renewal required. Maintain your BCBA certification through the BACB, including completing required continuing education units per the BACB's certification cycle.

Visit Licensing Board →

BCBA Pay in Columbia, Charleston & Greenville

BLS Median

$47,520

Entry Level

$35,000–$42,000

Experienced

$58,000–$75,000 (BCBA-certified, Columbia and Charleston metros)

Top Earners

$80,000–$100,000+ (clinical directors, private practice)

South Carolina's BLS median of approximately $47,520 for the broader behavioral health counselor category is below the national average, but the state's cost of living — roughly 10–15% below the national average — significantly boosts purchasing power. BCBA-certified professionals in Columbia and Charleston typically earn $58,000–$75,000. Charleston's growing healthcare sector and tourist economy create slightly higher salary opportunities than Columbia or Greenville. The absence of state licensure may suppress salary negotiations somewhat, as the market lacks the formal credentialing structure that licensed states provide.

Growing ABA Demand in the Palmetto State

BLS Employment

5,460

Projected Growth

19% nationally through 2034; SC growth likely comparable

Top Employers

MUSC Health (Medical University of South Carolina), Prisma Health, Carolina Behavior Analysts, Palmetto Behavioral Health, ABA Therapy Solutions

South Carolina's ABA job market is growing alongside the state's overall population boom — particularly in Charleston, which has been one of the fastest-growing metros in the Southeast. MUSC Health in Charleston and Prisma Health (with locations across the Upstate and Midlands) are major healthcare employers that utilize behavior analysts. The lack of state licensure means lower regulatory barriers for out-of-state BCBAs looking to relocate, but it also means the market relies heavily on employer-imposed credentialing standards. The SCDHHS funding partnership with USC signals the state recognizes the need for more BCBAs — a positive indicator for job market growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is partnering with USC to fully fund selected individuals who begin the M.Ed. Practicum Track in Fall 2026. This covers tuition for the entire program as part of a state workforce development initiative to increase the number of BCBAs practicing in South Carolina. Details and selection criteria are available through USC's application process.
South Carolina is one of approximately 11 states without behavior analyst licensure. Legislation (Bill 630) has been introduced and the SC Association for Behavior Analysis is actively advocating, but it hasn't passed yet. Without licensure, there's no title protection — anyone can call themselves a behavior analyst. BCBA certification serves as the de facto standard, and most employers and insurance companies require it regardless of state licensing status.
Choose the Practicum Track (39 credits) if you don't have access to a qualified BCBA supervisor — USC provides all 1,500 hours of supervised fieldwork. Choose the Independent Fieldwork Track (30 credits) if you already have a BCBA who can supervise you — you'll complete 300 hours through USC and arrange the remaining hours yourself, saving both time and tuition cost (9 fewer credits).
Technically, yes — since South Carolina doesn't license behavior analysts, there's no legal barrier. However, insurance companies require BCBA certification for ABA service reimbursement, and reputable employers won't hire uncredentialed practitioners. In practice, BCBA certification is essential for a viable ABA career in South Carolina.
Francis Marion houses its ABA program in the Psychology Department (not Education), providing a behavioral science foundation. The 42-credit M.S. is more extensive than USC's 30-credit track, and Francis Marion also offers the 7-course BCBA sequence as a standalone option with online access through the CREATE scholarship. Choose Francis Marion if you want a psychology-based approach or need online flexibility.