Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

ABA 3010 - Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis

3 Credits

This course is an introduction to applied behavior analysis. Applied behavior analysis is a field dedicated to the scientific application of behavioral principles and procedures to socially relevant problems. During this course, students learn the causes of behavior. Students will also learn about basic principles and procedures, such as reinforcement, punishment, and functional assessment. In addition, we will cover particular content areas including behavioral medicine, behavioral gerontology, drug and alcohol abuse, classroom management, developmental disabilities, and applications in business and industry.

Attributes: Psychology BA Elective, Psychology BS Elective, PSY Health Applied Cluster

ABA 5001 - Supervision and Organizational Behavior Management

3 Credits

This course builds upon the basic principles of learning and applied behavior analysis presented during previous courses in the Applied Behavior Analysis program curriculum. This course develops students understanding of evidenced-based strategies for supervision, organizational behavior management, group contingencies and meta-contingencies, and influencing behavioral change of employees and staff working with clients/consumers of behavior analytic services. Course content supports the social work value of social justice, as it relates to provisions of professional services to persons with disabilities.

Prerequisite(s): ABA 5746 with a grade of C or higher

ABA 5002 - Philosophy of Behavioral Science

3 Credits

This course builds upon the basic principles of learning and applied behavior analysis presented during previous courses in the Applied Behavior Analysis curriculum. This course will highlight the philosophical underpinnings of behavioral science, including Radical Behaviorism, and how the application of such theoretical principles can impact individuals, groups, and macro-level social systems (e.g., government, religious institutions, etc). Concomitantly, the course will focus on verbal behavior and derived relational responding across phylogenic, ontogenetic, and cultural levels of analyses. The goal of the course is to refine students’ conceptual knowledge of the science of human behavior generally, and as it relates to verbal behavior.

Prerequisite(s): ABA 5746 with a grade of C or higher

ABA 5115 - Advanced Clinical Research Capstone

3 Credits

This course allows students to design and conduct a systematic, behavior-analytic investigation within a supervised clinical context. The course requires the development of a formal research proposal, faculty approval prior to implementation, and completion of an original applied research project involving at least one participant. Students integrate research methodology and ethical practice consistent with BACB standards and institutional requirements for research oversight. The project includes a literature review, a clearly defined research question, a methodology, data analysis, and evaluation of outcomes using behavior-analytic principles. Students prepare a formal written report and complete an oral defense of their project.

Prerequisite(s): ABA 5746 with a grade of C or higher; ABA 5774

ABA 5116 - Practicum IV

1 Credit

Students will learn to integrate knowledge, values, and skills to develop a professional level of practice with specific emphasis on applied behavior analysis by selecting a specified area of the science to concentrate on while in practicum. Students complete 225 hours of supervised field experience focused on applying behavior analytic principles in professional practice. Supervision must meet the accreditation standards of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).

Prerequisite(s): ABA 5746 with a grade of C or higher; ABA 5828

ABA 5118 - Practicum V

1 Credit

Students will learn to integrate knowledge, values, and skills to develop a professional level of practice with specific emphasis on applied behavior analysis as it relates to social justice. Students complete 225 hours of supervised field experience focused on applying behavior analytic principles in professional practice. Supervision must meet the accreditation standards of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).

Prerequisite(s): ABA 5116; ABA 5746 with a grade of C or higher

ABA 5746 - Principles & Concepts in Behavior Analysis

3 Credits

This course familiarizes students with the fundamental concepts and principles and philosophical assumptions of behavior analysis as well as the basic concepts of operant and respondent conditioning. Students review some of the basic laboratory research that has illuminated the principles of behavior. The material covered contributes to prepare students to work in the field of behavior analysis and related fields for board certification in Applied Behavior Analysis. Course content supports the social work value of social justice to provide professional services to persons with disabilities.

ABA 5747 - Behavioral Assessment

3 Credits

This is a graduate course that will develop student’s basic knowledge about behavioral assessment methods and intervention selection in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. This course will review some of the basic assumptions and characteristics that define the field. The material covered in this course will prepare students working in the field of behavior analysis/related field and for board certification in Applied Behavior Analysis. Course content supports the social work value of social justice to provide professional services to all individuals requiring behavioral interventions.

Prerequisite(s): ABA 5746^* with a grade of C or higher

^* Concurrent enrollment allowed.

ABA 5748 - Behavior Change and Process

3 Credits

This course will expand basic knowledge of students with respect to behavior analysis fundamental concepts, principles and philosophical assumptions including basic behavioral principles of operant and respondent conditioning, stimulus control, and develop a working understanding of these principles in behavior change strategies and interventions in the field of applied behavior analysis. This course will review some of the fundamental applied literature that has demonstrated the efficacy of behavioral strategies and continues to define the field. The material covered in this course will contribute to preparing students working in the field of behavior analysis and related fields for board certification in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Prerequisite(s): ABA 5746 with a grade of C or higher

ABA 5749 - Ethics in Behavior Analysis

3 Credits

This course will familiarize students with the ethical issues confronting those working as behavior analysts. Students will learn the ethical responsibilities inherent to working in their chosen field by exploring the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts as well as other relevant fields’ codes of ethics. Students will also explore issues of social justice and inequities that currently exist within the field of behavior analysis. They will explore their own biases and how these can influence their decision making when working with clients. The ethical standards in this course will prepare students working in the field of behavior analysis and prepare them for board certification in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Prerequisite(s): ABA 5746 with a grade of C or higher

ABA 5774 - Research Methods for Everyday Practice

3 Credits

This course will develop basic knowledge of students with respect to single subject research design, measurement and application of the empirical approach to evaluation of effectiveness of interventions in the field of applied behavior analysis. This course will review some of the basic assumptions and characteristics that define the field. The material covered in this course will contribute to preparing students working in the field of behavior analysis and related fields for board certification in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Prerequisite(s): ABA 5746 with a grade of C or higher

Attributes: Grad Pol Sci Skills

ABA 5775 - Basic Behavior Analysis

3 Credits

Basic behavior analysis, also known as Experimental Analysis of Behavior (EAB) provides the technological foundation for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). In this course, students will explore the relevant historical research of EAB, the implications of these findings, current research, and apply specific principles to gain an in depth understanding.

Prerequisite(s): ABA 5746 with a grade of C or higher; ABA 5774

ABA 5820 - ABA Introduction to Practicum Seminar

1 Credit

This course provides students with an overview of the requirements of their fieldwork experience in applied behavior analysis. Students will review the requirements of fieldwork set forth by the BACB® and set students up for success in all their practica experiences.

ABA 5826 - Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum I

2 Credits

Students will learn to integrate knowledge, values, and skills to develop a professional level of practice with specific emphasis on applied behavior analysis. Students complete 350 hours of supervised field experience focused on applying behavior analytic principles in professional practice. Supervision must meet the accreditation standards of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).

Prerequisite(s): ABA 5746^* with a grade of C or higher

^* Concurrent enrollment allowed.

Corequisite(s): ABA 5820

ABA 5827 - Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum II

2 Credits

Students will continue to learn and to integrate knowledge, values, and skills to develop a professional level of practice with specific emphasis in applied behavior analysis. Students complete 350 hours of supervised field experience focused on applying behavior analytic principles in professional practice. Supervision must meet the accreditation standards of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).

Prerequisite(s): ABA 5826; ABA 5746^* with a grade of C or higher

^* Concurrent enrollment allowed.

ABA 5828 - Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum III

2 Credits

Prerequisite(s): ABA 5827; ABA 5746^* with a grade of C or higher

^* Concurrent enrollment allowed.

ABA 5830 - ABA Integrative Seminar II

1 Credit

Prerequisite(s): ABA 5820

Corequisite(s): ABA 5827

Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students in the programs.

ABA 5930 - Special Topics

3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

A rotating selection of courses are periodically offered as special topics classes.

ABA 5980 - Graduate Independent Study in Applied Behavior Analysis

0-3 Credits

The course provides students with an opportunity to develop their own research project that will be completed independently under their own initiative. The student will receive guidance and support of the assigned faculty member. The course requires prior approval of the faculty member and completion of a contract of agreement on products to be delivered and method of evaluating course/project outcomes.

ABA 5990 - Thesis Research

0-6 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

This course constitutes the thesis option for the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis and fulfills the program’s culminating scholarly requirement. Students develop a formal research proposal under faculty supervision, obtain required institutional research approvals, and conduct an original investigation demonstrating independent scholarship and methodological competence in applied behavior analysis. The thesis includes systematic data collection, analysis, and interpretation of findings in relation to existing literature. Students produce a comprehensive written thesis and complete a formal oral defense before a faculty committee.

Prerequisite(s): ABA 5746 with a grade of C or higher; ABA 5828