Navigating the UCF ABA Program Landscape: A Comprehensive Overview

For individuals passionate about making a difference in the lives of others through the principles of behavior analysis, UCF and other Florida universities offer a range of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) programs. These programs are designed to equip students with the knowledge, leadership skills, and research experience necessary to excel in this growing field. This article provides a comprehensive overview of ABA program options in Florida, with a focus on UCF and other institutions, detailing program structures, specializations, and career prospects.

The Growing Demand for ABA Professionals

The field of Applied Behavior Analysis is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing autism diagnoses and a greater understanding of the effectiveness of ABA interventions for various behavioral challenges. This trend has created a high demand for qualified ABA professionals, with a notable increase in job postings. As autism diagnoses rise nationwide, the need for highly trained ABA professionals becomes ever more critical. There are over 100,000 job opportunities and new roles are emerging in telehealth, offering flexibility and strong career prospects.

Understanding the BCBA Credential

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) credential is an important part of being an ABA therapist in Florida. Board Certified Behavior Analysts will find a robust job market in Florida, where BCBAs work in autism centers, clinics, schools, and research centers. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) in Florida has had all certifying responsibilities for BCBAs since 2003. To become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), candidates must meet specific requirements set by the BACB. These include:

Earning a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis, education, psychology, or a related field.
Completing approved graduate coursework that provides the foundation for the BCBA exam. Coursework includes introduction to behavior analysis, ethics courses, measurement, assessment, and supervision.
Completing a supervised practicum experience to gain hands-on training in applying ABA principles.
Passing the national certification exam administered by the BACB.

UCF Online’s Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Graduate Certificate

Take the next step in your professional journey with UCF Online’s Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Graduate Certificate. The program prepares you to address behavioral challenges across diverse settings, including schools, homes, group homes, and clinical or community environments. UCF Online’s Applied Behavior Analysis program stands out for its BACB exam preparation, hands-on practicum experience, and AI-infused coursework through the Toni Jennings Institute, where you’ll engage with leading educational researchers and apply technology-driven innovations in behavioral analysis. After you complete the program, you’ll need to meet the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) requirements to earn national certification. Develop competence in applying behavior analytic principles in a legal and ethical manner.

ABA Program Options in Florida

Students seeking an ABA graduate degree in order to pursue a BCBA credential in Florida have a variety of options to choose from. Ten universities offer the BCBA coursework and varying levels of supervised practical work and research opportunities. The options include online and on campus programs, graduate certificates, or full master’s degrees. In Florida, public K-12 schools must allow certified applied behavior analysts who are licensed under Chapter 490 or 491 (the statutes that license psychologists) to provide services in the classroom setting.

Online Master’s Programs

Online ABA Master’s programs provide flexibility and the ability to learn the content necessary to become a BCBA while managing a job and family. In Florida, Florida Atlantic University, Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech), the University of South Florida, and the University of West Florida offer online options.

Florida Atlantic University: Offers a Masters in Special Education with a concentration in ABA. In addition to the required course sequence, students take courses in special education, including courses in instruction and assessment.
Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech): The online master’s in Behavior Analysis provide students with coursework designed to meet the BCBA requirements and provides additional coursework to strengthen practical skills in an online format. The program is 100% online and can be completed in six semesters. Students can enroll year round, in fall, spring, and summer.
University of South Florida: The Master of Science in ABA is a collaboration between the Colleges of Behavioral and Community Sciences, Arts and Sciences, and Education. It is designed to prepare graduates to engage in ABA therapy in various settings and fields. It also prepares students to be engaged in research and train future behavior analysts. Students complete BCBA coursework, are involved in multiple practicum opportunities, and engage in research projects, including publication opportunities. When admitted, students are expected to be full-time students and complete the coursework in 2 years.
University of West Florida: The fully online Masters of Arts in ABA provides a flexible way for students to earn the BCBA credential. The program provides the BCBA course sequence and practicum fieldwork where students engage in 1,500 hours of clinical experience.

On-Campus Master’s Programs

An on campus master’s experience can provide access to faculty, more opportunities for clinical experiences and research projects.

Florida International University: The focus of the Florida International University program is to provide the BCBA course sequence, practical experiences, and first-hand experience with organizations that provide ABA services. Students complete the required 1,500 hours of fieldwork and graduate prepared to sit for the BCBA exam. Students also take courses in research and have opportunities to engage in research projects.
Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech): Students can attend courses at Florida Tech’s main campus or at the Orlando Graduate Center. Classes are offered during the day or during evenings or weekends. This program focuses on students who want to gain ABA skills to provide ABA in healthcare settings. Instructors are BCBA certified, and are engaged in research and practice, including at the Scott Center for Autism Treatment on Florida Tech’s campus.
Florida State University: The Master’s in ABA is available to students at FSU Panama City and Tallahassee campuses. Students engage in classes together via technology-connected classrooms. The program is offered through the Department of Psychology and focuses on training students in ABA for clinical placements. Students engage in fieldwork at approved ABA agencies.
University of Miami: The University of Miami uses a cohort model. Students are admitted in small groups of 9 to 12 students per year and complete the program together. The focus of the University of Miami program is for students who have a bachelor’s degree in psychology and who want additional training in ABA. Students complete the required coursework and spend 20 hours each week engaged in practical experiences. At the end of the program, each student completes a capstone research project.
University of North Florida: The M.Ed program is housed in the Department of Education. Students earn a Masters in Special Education and complete the BCBA verified course sequence, a two-semester capstone sequence, and are engaged in experiential learning.
University of South Florida: The MA in ABA is provided through the Department of Special Education. Students are trained to work in education or clinical settings. The program does not provide teacher certification. Students can earn a BCBA, QBA or IBA certification.

Graduate Certificate Programs

There are four universities that offer a graduate certificate in ABA; Florida Institute of Technology, Florida International University, the University of Central Florida, and the University of West Florida. The graduate certificate option typically provides just the BCBA coursework, and may or may not provide support for students who need to complete the supervised clinical fieldwork requirement.

Florida Institute of Technology: Florida Tech’s ABA Graduate Certificate program provides an online program of courses for students who have an undergraduate degree, but want to earn a BCBA credential. Florida Tech’s program is the largest provider for online behavior analysis coursework. Students complete 16 hours of coursework in as few as four semesters.
Florida International University: For students who already have a graduate degree and want to complete the BCBA coursework, the graduate certificate offers coursework over one year of classes. Classes are live and held on Zoom once a week. Supervised fieldwork is not provided through the graduate certificate.
University of Central Florida: The Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is housed within the Special Education program in the School of Teacher Education. The ABA graduate certificate program is designed to provide specialized coursework for students in Education, Psychology, Communication Disorders, and related fields. The program fulfills the coursework requirements of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board®.
- Total Credit Hours Required: 18 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree.
- The ABA Certificate does not directly certify individuals in Applied Behavior Analysis; however, it can be listed as a Graduate Certificate in ABA as part of one's credentials. Completion of the certificate meets the coursework requirements for eligibility for National Board Certification as a Behavior Analyst.
University of West Florida: The Center for Behavior Analysis provides an online graduate certificate option that provides coursework to meet BCBA requirements. Faculty work in the field of ABA and are able to provide practical experiences. Students may also enroll in an online masters option. The Graduate Certificate in ABA is provided through the School of Teacher Education’s Special Education program. The program requires that students have taken Methods of Behavioral Management, a 3 credit hour class. The coursework consists of 18 credit hours to complete the BCBA sequence. Fieldwork Not Included: The university will not arrange required fieldwork.

Admission Requirements and Program Costs

Most of the programs in Florida do not require a GRE for admission. The ABA programs in Florida offer a range of affordability. Some, like Florida State University, offer tuition support as part of the program. The least expensive options have costs that range from $327.32 per credit hour at University of Central Florida to $458.10 per credit hour at University of North Florida. The best option for an accelerated path to a BCBA is the Graduate Certificate at the Florida Institute of Technology.

Job Market and Salary Expectations

Despite a recent decrease in demand for ABA therapists in Florida (a 9.8% decrease from 2022 to 2023), the job market for BCBAs remains robust. According to Zip Recruiter, the average salary for a BCBA in Florida is $60,170 ($29 per hour), with variations depending on the specific market.

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