Online Bachelor's Degree in Psychology in Applied Behavior Analysis
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Bachelor’s in Psychology in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Overview
It’s time to earn your psychology degree in ABA. Move forward in a rewarding career working with children and adults struggling with a range of behavioral health challenges.
- Explore the design, analysis, and application of learning theories and behavior principles to understand what motivates human behavior.
- Develop management skills with an optional concentration in business foundations.
- Get a head start on your next degree — apply credits from your bachelor’s to a Purdue Global master’s. Learn more.
Gain the Skills Employers — and Clients — Need
- Build an individual understanding of people, how they learn, and what they need in order to devise behavioral interventions to help them succeed.
- Use applied behavior analysis to treat those with behavior disorders, such as children with autism and those who are affected by trauma.
- Learn to address complex behaviors and solve social problems.
- Moderate relationships between individuals, family members, and/or people in the community.
Distinguished. Experienced. Committed.
As the largest provider of applied behavior analysis bachelor's programs in the United States, we’ve supported the career and educational advancement of many dedicated professionals like yourself. You’ll join a wide network of students, alumni, faculty, and employers.
Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Calculate Your Time and Cost
Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.
Train for BCaBA® Certification Online
For the Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Applied Behavior Analysis program, the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) has verified the following courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® (BCaBA®) examination (via Pathway 2). Applicants will need to meet additional Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®) eligibility requirements, including evidence of residency in an authorized country, before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.
- PS225: Ethics in Applied Behavior Analysis
- PS340: Exceptional Needs Children
- PS360: Applied Behavior Analysis I
- PS365: Applied Behavior Analysis II
- PS385: Targeted Topics in Applied Behavior Analysis
- PS410: Screening and Assessment
- PS430: Program Design and Evaluation
Note: Please refer to the BACB’s website for full eligibility requirements (www.bacb.com).
Additional information is also located on Purdue Global's State Licensure and Certifications page for state-specific licensure information.
What Courses Will I Take?
The curriculum examines the major concepts, values, theories, studies, research methods, and historical trends in psychology as they apply to human behavior, learning, and development.
In your first course, you’ll develop your degree plan with a faculty member to align your degree path with your career outcomes.
Sample Courses
- Autism Spectrum Disorders in Young Children
- Personality Development
- Exceptional Needs Children
- Clinical Psychology
- Program Design and Evaluation
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Program Requirements
Concentration Requirements
1 semester credit hour = 1.5 quarter credit hours
3-Week Trial
Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Try an undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week trial period.
There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply. That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.
Students who choose to continue at Purdue Global will be billed for the full first term's tuition, including the 3-week trial. See Notes and Conditions below.
Admissions Requirements
You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You must also complete orientation before you start classes.
Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.
Upcoming Start Dates
We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.
Explore Other Learning Opportunities
ABA Student Site
This is a one-stop resource site for current students and alumni of Purdue Global’s behavior analysis degree programs.
Student Clubs and Organizations
Students are invited to join organizations such as the Psychology Club, Psi Chi International Honor Society, and Autism Speaks U.
Optional Internship
Gain valuable real-world experience with an optional internship while you earn your applied behavior analysis bachelor’s degree.
Take a Career Assessment
Discover your work interests and use them to chart your ideal career path.
Earn Credit for Prior Coursework and Experience
The average bachelor's degree student pays $15k and takes 2.3 years to complete their degree.
Ways to Save on Time and Tuition
Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.
Transfer Credits
Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.
Prior Work Experience Reduction
You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.
Financial Aid
Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.
Grants and Loans
Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.
Corporate Partner Benefits
Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.
Military Tuition Reduction
Undergraduate tuition savings for military include a 55% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and 38% per credit for veterans.
Prior Military Experience
Earn credit for your military training. The average Purdue Global military student is awarded 54% of the credits needed for an associate's and 45% of the credits needed for a bachelor's.
View the total cost of attendance for your program.
Possible Behavioral Interview Questions for This Field of Study
- Give an example of how you stayed calm and patient in a stressful situation. What helped you manage your emotions?
- Tell me about a time you worked with children or individuals with special needs. What did you learn from that experience?
- Describe a time you helped someone learn a new skill or complete a task. What approach did you use, and how did they respond?
- Describe a situation where you had to work with a team to support a client. What role did you play, and how did you ensure effective collaboration?
- Have you ever received constructive feedback on your performance? How did you respond, and what did you do with that feedback?
Sample Skills Developed and Used in This Field
- Psychology
- Treatment Planning
- Case Management
- Communication
- Planning
- Applied Behavior Analysis
- Crisis Intervention
- Advocacy
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Digital Literacy
- Ethical Standards and Conduct
- Behavioral Health
- Data Collection
- Developmental Disabilities
- Teamwork
Download the Program Brochure
Download our brochure to learn more about the Online Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Applied Behavior Analysis and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.
Prepare yourself for success with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in applied behavior analysis.
Get to Know Our Faculty
Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.
Faculty members who have advanced degrees
Faculty members who have terminal degrees
Faculty publications in 2024–2025
Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2024–2025
Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, August 2025. 2024–2025 academic year.