Last updated: March 9, 2026

ABA Programs in Wisconsin (2026)

Wisconsin's ABA landscape revolves around Marquette University — the state's only full master's program in behavior analysis — with UW-Whitewater offering an online certificate alternative. Add Wisconsin's affordable $59 licensing fee and above-average BCBA salaries, and the state delivers strong value for aspiring behavior analysts.

Taylor Rupe

Founder & Editor

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

ABA Programs in Wisconsin (2026)

Key Takeaways

  • Marquette University offers Wisconsin's only in-person M.S. in Psychology with ABA emphasis — featuring globally recognized faculty mentors like Drs. Tiffany Kodak, Jeffrey Tiger, and Douglas Woods, plus hands-on research mentorship from day one.
  • UW-Whitewater provides a 21-credit online Graduate Certificate in ABA — ideal for professionals who already hold a master's degree and want to add BCBA coursework without a second degree.
  • Note: UW-Milwaukee's ABA certificate suspended new admissions as of Spring 2025 — making Marquette and UW-Whitewater the primary active options in Wisconsin.
  • Wisconsin licenses behavior analysts through DSPS with one of the lowest application fees in the country — just $59 — and no additional state exam beyond BCBA certification.
  • Wisconsin's BLS average for behavioral health counselors is approximately $70,180 — significantly above the national median — with BCBA-certified professionals in Milwaukee earning $72,000–$92,000.

Marquette University is Wisconsin's premier ABA program — and it's a genuine standout nationally. The M.S. in Psychology with behavior analysis emphasis pairs each student with a faculty mentor from a roster that includes Drs. Tiffany Kodak, Jeffrey Tiger, Stephanie Hood, and Douglas Woods — internationally recognized researchers in behavioral assessment and intervention. This isn't a lecture-only program; students get hands-on research experience and clinical training from day one.

For professionals who already have a master's degree, UW-Whitewater's 21-credit online certificate provides BCBA coursework without requiring a second degree. It's fully online and affordable through the UW System. Note that UW-Milwaukee's ABA certificate suspended new admissions as of Spring 2025, so Whitewater is the active UW System option.

Wisconsin's licensing through DSPS is refreshingly simple: BCBA certification, a $59 application fee, and no additional state exam. The state also doesn't require extra fees beyond BACB certification for out-of-state practitioners. Combined with above-average BCBA salaries — Wisconsin's BLS average of $70,180 beats the national median by more than $10,000 — the state offers excellent value for behavior analysts.

Marquette's Elite M.S. & UW System Certificate Options

School Tuition (In-State) Format Length Accreditation
Marquette University — M.S. in Psychology, Behavior Analysis Emphasis $1,360/credit In-person (Milwaukee campus) 2 years ABAI-Verified; BACB-Aligned
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater — Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online) $550–$650/credit (~$11,550–$13,650 total, 21 credits) Fully online 1–1.5 years BACB-Aligned

Marquette University — M.S. in Psychology, Behavior Analysis Emphasis

Milwaukee

In-State Tuition

$1,360/credit

Out-of-State

$1,360/credit

Format

In-person (Milwaukee campus)

Full-Time

2 years

Field Hours

Coursework and practicum requirements both fulfilled within the program

Concentrations

Psychology — Applied Behavior Analysis emphasis, behavioral assessment, research mentorship, clinical practicum

  • Faculty mentorship from internationally recognized researchers — Drs. Kodak, Tiger, Hood, and Woods
  • Each student paired with a faculty mentor from enrollment — individualized research training
  • Both coursework and practicum requirements completed within the program — graduate BCBA-exam ready
  • No GRE required — streamlined admissions focused on fit and motivation
  • Jesuit university values emphasize service and ethical practice — aligns with ABA's ethical foundations
  • Located in Milwaukee — Wisconsin's largest city with the strongest ABA job market in the state
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 3.0

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater — Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)

Whitewater (Online)

Online Available

In-State Tuition

$550–$650/credit (~$11,550–$13,650 total, 21 credits)

Out-of-State

$550–$650/credit (~$11,550–$13,650 total)

Format

Fully online

Full-Time

1–1.5 years

Field Hours

1,500 supervised experience hours (completed separately)

Concentrations

Applied Behavior Analysis Graduate Certificate — BCBA coursework for students with existing master's degrees

  • Fully online — complete from anywhere while maintaining your current job
  • Designed for professionals with existing master's degrees who need BCBA coursework
  • 21-credit certificate is efficient and focused — no padding or unnecessary courses
  • UW System pricing — affordable public university rates
  • Lower GPA requirement (2.75) than most programs — accessible entry point
  • Completable in 1–1.5 years — add BCBA eligibility to your existing credentials quickly
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 2.75

Wisconsin DSPS License: $59 and Straightforward

Licensed Behavior Analyst

Issued by: Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)

  • Current BCBA certification from the BACB in good standing
  • Master's degree from an accredited institution
  • Application through the DSPS LicensE online system — application fee of just $59
  • No additional state exam beyond BCBA certification
  • No extra fees or exams for out-of-state BCBA holders — easy interstate reciprocity
  • Background check as part of the application process

Renewal

Biennial renewal by December 15 of even-numbered years. 32 hours of continuing education every two years (must include at least 4 hours of ethics training). Maintain BCBA certification in good standing.

Visit Licensing Board →

Wisconsin BCBA Salaries — Above the National Average

BLS Median

$70,180

Entry Level

$42,000–$50,000

Experienced

$72,000–$92,000 (BCBA-certified, Milwaukee metro)

Top Earners

$95,000–$120,000+ (clinical directors, healthcare system roles)

Wisconsin stands out with a BLS average of approximately $70,180 for the broader behavioral health counselor category — significantly above the national median of $59,190. BCBA-certified professionals in Milwaukee typically earn $72,000–$92,000, with Madison salaries running slightly lower but offset by a vibrant quality of life. Wisconsin's cost of living is near the national average in Milwaukee and below average in smaller cities, making these above-average salaries particularly competitive. Green Bay and Appleton also offer growing ABA markets with lower housing costs.

ABA Demand in Milwaukee, Madison & Beyond

BLS Employment

6,840

Projected Growth

19% nationally through 2034

Top Employers

Children's Wisconsin (formerly Children's Hospital of Wisconsin), ABA of Wisconsin, Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin, Cusp Emergence, UW Health

Wisconsin's ABA job market centers on Milwaukee but extends statewide through healthcare systems and school districts. Children's Wisconsin is the state's premier pediatric institution and a major ABA employer. ABA of Wisconsin and Cusp Emergence are among the dedicated ABA providers with multiple locations. Madison's market benefits from UW Health and the state government's behavioral services. Wisconsin's straightforward licensing ($59 fee, no state exam) and easy interstate reciprocity make the state attractive for out-of-state BCBAs looking to relocate. The suspension of UW-Milwaukee's ABA certificate may temporarily reduce the supply of new BCBAs, potentially strengthening job prospects for current credential holders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — as of 2026, Marquette University is the only institution in Wisconsin offering a full master's degree with an ABA emphasis. UW-Milwaukee suspended new admissions to its ABA certificate in Spring 2025, and UW-Whitewater offers a certificate (not a full master's). If Marquette's tuition or in-person format doesn't work for you, online ABA master's programs from out-of-state institutions are a viable alternative.
Wisconsin's DSPS charges just $59 for a behavior analyst license application — one of the lowest fees in the country. The state also doesn't require a separate state exam or impose extra requirements for out-of-state BCBA holders. This low-barrier approach reflects Wisconsin's pragmatic licensing philosophy: if you hold BACB certification, the state trusts that credential.
UW-Milwaukee's Applied Behavior Analysis Graduate Certificate suspended new admissions effective Spring 2025. The program had been a 22-credit, fully online ABAI-verified option. As of now, the suspension is described as temporary, but no restart date has been announced. Current students already enrolled can complete the program.
No — the BACB requires a master's degree for BCBA certification. UW-Whitewater's 21-credit certificate provides the BACB-required coursework, but you still need to hold or earn a master's degree separately. The certificate is designed for professionals who already have a graduate degree in a related field and want to add BCBA eligibility.
Wisconsin BCBA salaries ($72,000–$92,000 in Milwaukee) are competitive with or exceed those in Minnesota, Iowa, and most of Illinois outside Chicago. Wisconsin's BLS average of $70,180 for the broader category is notably higher than the national median. Compared to Chicago, Wisconsin salaries are somewhat lower on paper but deliver comparable or better purchasing power due to lower cost of living — particularly for housing.