Nebraska state guide
ABA Programs in Nebraska (2026): The UNO/UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute Program, and Online
Nebraska's BCBA market is anchored by the Munroe-Meyer Institute at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. As Nebraska's federally-designated UCEDD plus a major regional autism services center, MMI draws families from across the Great Plains. The joint UNO/UNMC Munroe-Meyer M.S. is the state's only in-state ABA master's; UNL and Creighton don't offer one, so most rural-Nebraska residents combine online coursework with NE-based fieldwork to reach the BCBA credential.
Key Takeaways
- 01The Munroe-Meyer Institute (MMI) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha is Nebraska's federally-designated UCEDD (University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities) and one of the major intellectual and developmental disabilities centers in the Great Plains region.
- 02MMI's severe-behavior and autism programs are nationally recognized in the field. MMI draws families from across the state plus parts of Iowa, South Dakota, and Kansas.
- 03Nebraska licenses behavior analysts (LBAs) through the DHHS Board of Behavior Analysts; licensing began September 2024 under the 2023 Applied Behavior Analysis Act.
- 04The in-state program is the UNO + UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute joint M.S. in ABA (51–54 credits, mostly online with weekly synchronous sessions). UNL, Creighton, and Wayne State College don't offer one, so other Nebraskans use online programs with NE-based fieldwork.
- 05Nebraska Medicaid plus state autism insurance mandate cover ABA for eligible children.
- 06For new BCBAs, MMI affiliates, Omaha Children's Hospital, Omaha and Lincoln public school districts, plus rural ESUs (Educational Service Units) are the most consistent hiring sources.
The Munroe-Meyer Institute at UNMC
MMI at UNMC is Nebraska's UCEDD plus a federally-funded Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (IDDRC). MMI investigators have shaped autism intervention and severe-behavior research for decades. UNMC's affiliation produces a strong research-to-practice ABA pipeline.
Outside Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska BCBA service delivery depends on a network of Educational Service Units (ESUs) that coordinate special-education services across rural school districts, plus telehealth ABA covered by Nebraska Medicaid.
How to Become a BCBA in Nebraska
- Earn a master's degree from a BACB-aligned program.
- Complete 1,500 to 2,000 supervised fieldwork hours at a Nebraska-based site.
- Pass the BCBA exam.
- Apply for the Nebraska behavior analyst license.
- Maintain renewal and complete required continuing education.
Nebraska Behavior Analyst License
NE Insurance and Medicaid
Nebraska requires state-regulated insurance to cover ABA. Nebraska Medicaid covers ABA for eligible children, including telehealth delivery to rural counties.
In-State ABA and BCBA Programs in Nebraska
| Program | Metro | Credits | In-State Total | Out-of-State Total | Pathway |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Nebraska Omaha + UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute, M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis | Omaha | 51–54 | $658/credit hour | $658/credit hour | BACB-qualifying coursework |
A joint UNO/UNMC program run through the Munroe-Meyer Institute, with a reported 90%+ first-time BCBA pass rate since 2010 and unmatched practicum depth at MMI. UNO also offers an online graduate certificate, and UNMC offers a Ph.D. in ABA. UNL, Creighton, and Wayne State College do not offer a BCBA-track ABA master's.
Visit program website →Online Programs Accessible from Nebraska
Rural-Nebraska residents combine BACB-aligned online coursework with NE-based fieldwork. Confirm a program's current status in 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 Nebraska BCBAs Work
Nebraska BCBA employers concentrate in Omaha and Lincoln with regional rural coverage through ESUs and telehealth.
- MMI at UNMC and UNMC affiliates (Omaha). Largest single autism-specialty employer in the state. Severe-behavior unit, outpatient autism clinics, research-track positions.
- Children's Hospital and Medical Center (Omaha). Pediatric specialty hospital with developmental pediatrics and behavioral health.
- Omaha Public Schools, Lincoln Public Schools, Millard Public Schools, Westside Community Schools. Largest urban school districts. BCBAs for special education and IEP support.
- Nebraska Educational Service Units (ESUs). 17 regional ESUs across the state coordinate special-education services to rural school districts. Key BCBA employers for rural Nebraska.
- Nebraska DHHS Division of Developmental Disabilities. State-administered services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System (Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island). Federal-pay-band positions.
- Private ABA agencies. Key Autism Services, Radical Minds, and Attain ABA operate across Omaha and Lincoln, with reach into Western Iowa (Council Bluffs) given Omaha proximity. Note: a ~37% Nebraska Medicaid ABA rate cut took effect August 2025, which may affect agency hiring and pay.
BCBA Salary in Nebraska by Metro
BLS does not publish a standalone behavior-analyst occupation. Most BCBA work in Nebraska codes under SOC 21-1018. For national BCBA pay context see the BCBA salary guide. Across Nebraska metros for 2026:
- Omaha BCBA: approximately $66,000 to $82,000, with MMI and Children's Hospital clinical leads higher.
- Lincoln BCBA: approximately $62,000 to $78,000.
- Rural NE BCBA: approximately $58,000 to $72,000.
- NE RBT (statewide): approximately $34,000 to $44,000.
Nebraska state income tax is moderate. Cost of living is well below national average in both Omaha and Lincoln, which substantially improves real take-home purchasing power.
Workforce, Shortages, and Loan Repayment
- HRSA HPSA designations: Most non-metro NE counties carry mental-health HPSA designations. HRSA HPSA data.
- PSLF: BCBAs at NE public schools, UNMC, Children's Hospital, ESUs, VA medical centers, and qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofits can pursue federal loan forgiveness.
- NHSC Loan Repayment: NHSC covers eligible clinicians in HPSA areas.
- Nebraska State Loan Repayment Program: Supplemental SLRP available through Nebraska DHHS for clinicians in NE workforce-shortage areas.
For broader context see our ABA programs by state directory or nearby state guides: Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota, Missouri.
Common questions