ABA programs in California
ABA programs in California
California has 18 verified university ABA programs: institutions with an ABAI-accredited program, a BACB-verified course sequence, or a named graduate ABA credential. Here they are, with delivery format, licensure context, and how trainees there track BCBA fieldwork hours.
Reviewed by the Ripley team · Updated July 15, 2026
Key facts at a glance
- 18 verified university ABA programs in California
- Delivery: 5 online · 1 hybrid · 9 in-person
- 8,085 registered Ripley users in California
- Licensure: no separate state license; BCBA certification is the standard
The programs
MalibuPepperdine UniversityM.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis · 48% first-time pass rate (2024)Los Angeles · In-personUniversity of Southern CaliforniaM.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis · 93% first-time pass rate (2024)Fresno · OnlineFresno Pacific UniversityM.A. in Applied Behavior AnalysisSan Diego · OnlineNational UniversityM.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis · 42% first-time pass rate (2024)Riverside · In-personUniversity of California, RiversideM.Ed. in Applied Behavior AnalysisNorthridge · In-personCalifornia State University, NorthridgeM.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis · 100% first-time pass rate (2024)Los Angeles · In-personCalifornia State University, Los AngelesM.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis · 53% first-time pass rate (2024)San Marcos · OnlineCalifornia State University, San MarcosApplied Behavior Analysis Certificate of Advanced Study · 50% first-time pass rate (2024)Azusa · In-personAzusa Pacific UniversityBoard Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) CertificateSacramento · In-personCalifornia State University, SacramentoM.S. in Applied Behavior AnalysisFresno · In-personCalifornia State University, FresnoM.A. in Applied Behavior AnalysisSan Diego · HybridSan Diego State UniversityM.A. in Special Education, Behavior Analysis and Autism · 64% first-time pass rate (2024)Santa Barbara · OnlineUniversity of California, Santa BarbaraGraduate ABA program · 53% first-time pass rate (2024)Irvine · OnlineUMass GlobalM.A. in Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis · 21% first-time pass rate (2024)Arcata · In-personCal Poly HumboldtM.A. in Psychology (Behavior Analysis emphasis)RiversideLa Sierra UniversityM.A. in Applied Behavior AnalysisPleasant HillJohn F. Kennedy UniversityGraduate ABA programStockton · In-personUniversity of the PacificM.A. in Behavioral Psychology (Applied Behavior Analysis)
Compare California ABA programs
| Program | Degree | City | Delivery | Credits | GRE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperdine University | M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis | Malibu | 30 | Not required | |
| University of Southern California | M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis | Los Angeles | In-person | ||
| Fresno Pacific University | M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis | Fresno | Online | 36 | |
| National University | M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis | San Diego | Online | 30 | Not required |
| University of California, Riverside | M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis | Riverside | In-person | 68 | |
| California State University, Northridge | M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis | Northridge | In-person | 37 | Not required |
| California State University, Los Angeles | M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis | Los Angeles | In-person | 56 | |
| California State University, San Marcos | Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate of Advanced Study | San Marcos | Online | 21 | |
| Azusa Pacific University | Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Certificate | Azusa | In-person | ||
| California State University, Sacramento | M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis | Sacramento | In-person | ||
| California State University, Fresno | M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis | Fresno | In-person | 44 | |
| San Diego State University | M.A. in Special Education, Behavior Analysis and Autism | San Diego | Hybrid | ||
| University of California, Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara | Online | Not required | ||
| UMass Global | M.A. in Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis | Irvine | Online | 39 | |
| Cal Poly Humboldt | M.A. in Psychology (Behavior Analysis emphasis) | Arcata | In-person | 38 | |
| La Sierra University | M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis | Riverside | 45 | ||
| John F. Kennedy University | Pleasant Hill | ||||
| University of the Pacific | M.A. in Behavioral Psychology (Applied Behavior Analysis) | Stockton | In-person | 32 | Not required |
Blank cells mean the detail was not confirmed on the university's own site; check the program page. Verified July 15, 2026.
Behavior analyst licensure in California
California does not license behavior analysts separately: BCBA certification itself is the professional standard there. Verified against board and BACB licensure resources July 15, 2026.
Tracking fieldwork hours in California
Whichever program you choose, BCBA certification requires 2,000 supervised (or 1,500 concentrated) fieldwork hours logged to BACB rules. 8,085 registered Ripley users in California, including trainees from Pepperdine University, track those hours with Ripley for free.
Frequently asked questions
How many ABA programs are there in California?
This directory lists 18 verified university ABA programs in California: institutions with an ABAI-accredited program, a BACB-verified course sequence, or a named graduate ABA degree or certificate. By delivery: 5 online · 1 hybrid · 9 in-person.
Are there online ABA programs in California?
Yes. 5 of the 18 verified California programs are delivered online. Fieldwork hours are still completed in person at an approved site.
Do behavior analysts need a license in California?
No. California does not license behavior analysts separately: BCBA certification itself is the professional standard there. Verified against BACB licensure resources July 15, 2026.
How many fieldwork hours do BCBA trainees in California need?
The BACB requirement is the same nationwide: 2,000 hours of Supervised Fieldwork or 1,500 hours of Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork, with at least 60% unrestricted activity within a 5-year window. The monthly range is 20 to 130 hours under pre-2027 rules and 20 to 160 for applications on or after January 1, 2027. California trainees track these hours with tools like Ripley Fieldwork Tracker.