Delaware state guide
ABA Programs in Delaware (2026): Online Pathways, Nemours, and the Delaware Autism Program
Delaware is the second-smallest US state by area. Three counties cover the entire state, making it a compact, drivable BCBA market. Nemours Children's Health / A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington anchors pediatric specialty work. The Delaware Autism Program is one of the longest-running statewide autism education programs in the country. But Delaware has no dedicated in-state ABA master's: Wilmington University's Special Education M.Ed. tracks are not a BCBA Pathway 2 coursework, so most BCBA candidates earn the degree through an online BACB-aligned program paired with Delaware-based fieldwork. Many DE BCBAs serve cross-state caseloads into MD, PA, and NJ.
Key Takeaways
- 01Delaware is the second-smallest US state by area. Three counties (New Castle, Kent, Sussex) cover the entire state. Most BCBAs can reach every Delaware metro in under two hours of driving.
- 02Nemours Children's Health / A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington is the state's primary pediatric specialty anchor, with strong autism and developmental pediatrics programs.
- 03The Delaware Autism Program (DAP) is a long-standing statewide special-education program serving students with autism through the DE Department of Education. DAP is one of Delaware's largest single BCBA employer settings.
- 04Delaware does not license behavior analysts. Your active BCBA certification is your practice authority in the state.
- 05Delaware has no dedicated in-state ABA master's. Wilmington University offers Special Education M.Ed. tracks (including autism / severe disabilities), but these are not a BCBA Pathway 2 coursework. BCBA candidates earn the master's through an online BACB-aligned program paired with Delaware-based fieldwork.
- 06DE Medicaid plus state autism insurance mandate cover ABA for eligible children. Many DE BCBAs serve cross-state caseloads into Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
Delaware's Compact Three-County Market
Delaware's three counties (New Castle, Kent, Sussex) cover the entire state. Most BCBAs can reach every Delaware metro in under two hours of driving. New Castle County (Wilmington-Newark) anchors the urban employer base and is part of the Philadelphia MSA. Kent County (Dover) hosts state government and Dover Air Force Base. Sussex County (Lewes, Rehoboth, Georgetown) is the southern beach-and-poultry economy.
Many Delaware BCBAs hold caseloads that cross state lines into MD, PA, and NJ. Dual or triple credentialing is common in the Wilmington corridor.
How to Become a BCBA in Delaware
- Earn a master's degree from a BACB-aligned program.
- Complete 1,500 to 2,000 supervised fieldwork hours at a DE-based site.
- Pass the BCBA exam.
- Start practicing. Delaware has no state behavior analyst license to apply for, so your BCBA certification is the last step.
- Maintain renewal and complete required continuing education.
What "No State License" Means in Delaware
Delaware does not license behavior analysts. The BACB's state licensure list does not include it, and the Division of Professional Regulation runs no board covering the profession, so your active BCBA certification is your practice authority. Delaware's Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals regulates counselors, chemical dependency professionals, marriage and family therapists and art therapists, not behavior analysts.
DE Insurance and Medicaid
DE requires state-regulated insurance plans to cover ABA. The Delaware Medical Assistance Program (DE Medicaid) covers ABA for eligible children, including telehealth.
BCBA Programs in Delaware: Universities with ABA-Related Coursework
Delaware has no dedicated in-state ABA (BCBA) master's degree. Wilmington University's College of Education offers Special Education M.Ed. tracks (including autism / severe disabilities), but these are not a BCBA Pathway 2 coursework and do not replace a BACB-aligned master's. Most Delaware BCBA candidates pair an online master's (below) with Delaware-based fieldwork.
| Program | Metro | Credits | In-State Total | Out-of-State Total | Pathway |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington University — M.Ed. in Special Education, Instruction (Traditional Route) | New Castle (multiple campuses) | 30 | $564/credit hour | $564/credit hour | Special Education (no ABA course sequence) |
Wilmington University does not offer a dedicated ABA (BCBA) master's. Its College of Education offers Special Education M.Ed. tracks (including autism / severe disabilities) for working professionals; these are not a BCBA Pathway 2 coursework.
Visit program website →Online Programs Accessible from Delaware
DE residents combine BACB-aligned online coursework with DE-based fieldwork. Confirm current alignment with the ABAI Accredited Programs Directory before enrolling.
Indiana public-university fully online ABA master's with affordable per-credit tuition.
Visit program website →Florida public-university online M.S. Smaller cohorts than larger national online programs.
Visit program website →FlexPath competency-based pacing for working professionals.
Visit program website →ASU Online M.A. with structured cohorts and national name recognition.
Visit program website →Where Delaware BCBAs Work
DE BCBA employers concentrate in New Castle County with statewide coverage through the Delaware Autism Program.
- Nemours Children's Health / A.I. duPont Hospital for Children (Wilmington). One of the leading pediatric specialty hospitals in the mid-Atlantic. Developmental and behavioral pediatrics, autism specialty programs.
- Delaware Autism Program (DAP). Statewide special-education program. Operates programs and consultative services in school districts across all three counties.
- ChristianaCare (Newark). Largest health system in DE. Behavioral health services.
- Delaware public school districts. Brandywine, Christina, Red Clay, Colonial, Caesar Rodney, Cape Henlopen, Indian River, plus Wilmington charter schools hire BCBAs.
- Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities Services. Statewide services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Philadelphia-metro spillover. Many DE BCBAs work for Philadelphia-area agencies serving northern New Castle County. Dual DE-PA credentialing opens cross-border options.
- Veterans Affairs Wilmington VA Medical Center. Federal-pay-band positions.
BCBA Salary in Delaware by Metro
BLS does not publish a standalone behavior-analyst occupation. Most BCBA work in DE codes under SOC 21-1018. For national BCBA pay context see the BCBA salary guide. Across DE for 2026:
- New Castle County (Wilmington-Newark) BCBA: approximately $72,000 to $88,000.
- Kent County (Dover) BCBA: approximately $66,000 to $80,000.
- Sussex County BCBA: approximately $64,000 to $78,000.
- DE RBT (statewide): approximately $36,000 to $48,000.
DE state income tax is moderate. Cost of living varies by county: New Castle is higher (Philly-metro spillover), Sussex County coastal areas have risen with retirement and second-home demand.
Workforce, Shortages, and Loan Repayment
- HRSA HPSA designations: Parts of Sussex and Kent counties carry HPSA designations. HRSA HPSA data.
- PSLF: BCBAs at DE public schools, Nemours, ChristianaCare, DAP, VA, and qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofits can pursue federal loan forgiveness.
- NHSC Loan Repayment: NHSC covers eligible clinicians in HPSA areas.
For broader context see our ABA programs by state directory or nearby state guides: Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
01How do I become a BCBA in Delaware?+
02What is the Delaware Autism Program?+
03Can I complete an ABA master's online while living in DE?+
04What does the BLS report for DE BCBAs?+
Sources
- Delaware Division of Professional Regulation, Boards and Commissions (no behavior analyst board)
- University of Delaware
- Wilmington University
- Nemours Children's Health
- Delaware Health and Social Services
- ABAI, Accredited Programs Directory
- BACB, U.S. Licensure of Behavior Analysts
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS Delaware (May 2024)