Applied Behavior Analysis Courses: Fall 2024

Applied Behavior Analysis

ABA 600: Behaviorism

3 Credit Hour(s)

Behaviorism is a course designed to provide the student with an understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of applied behavior analysis (ABA) and the origins of behaviorism. The historical and philosophical background of our science will be covered and students will learn about the development of the essential elements of ABA. (GR)

ABA 601: Basic Behavior Analysis

3 Credit Hour(s)

This course provides an overview of basic research and behavioral processes in operant and respondent conditioning, with both humans and nonhuman animals. An emphasis will be placed on an experimental analysis, meaning systematic manipulations designed to produce specific changes in behavior. Prerequisite ABA 602. (GR)

ABA 602: Concepts and Prinicples of Behavior

3 Credit Hour(s)

Concept and Principles of Behavior is meant to give students a solid foundation in the basic science that underlies the technologies of Applied Behavior Analysis. Designed to be taken early in the course sequence, this course will introduce students to foundational aspects of ABA that they will apply throughout the program. Additionally, this course is designed to provide the student experience in careful measurement and assessment of behavior which forms the basis for research methods and experimental design. Specifically, methods for objectively defining target behaviors and obtaining various types of behavioral data. (GR)

ABA 603: Supervised Experience in Concepts And Principles of Behavior

1 Credit Hour(s)

This course is a 1-credit hour supervised experience learning cours,e that is the first clinical experiential learning opportunity in the Applied Behavior Analysis MS Program's clinical pathway. This course is designed to provide the student with a structured and scaffolded learning experience consisting of instruction in concepts and principles that are then applied at an assigned experiential learning site to develop professional practice skills. Under the supervision of a qualified site supervisor, with faculty oversight, students will be required to engage in the direct implementation of concepts and principles of applied behavior analysis in an applied setting. It is expected that the students apply the content taught in their course at their placement setting in a professional and ethical manner meeting the requirements of the jurisdiction of practice, Behavior Analyst Certification Board� (BACB), and Daemen University. Student experiences may be conducted on a volunteer basis or conducted as part of the student's employment with the site. All sites must be verified by the department and students will be required to meet hiring and onboarding requirements set forth by the site prior to starting their clinical courses Corequisite: ABA 602 and ABA 604. (GR)

ABA 604: Research Methods and Experiemental Design

3 Credit Hour(s)

Research Methods and Experimental Design is a course designed to expand students' knowledge of measurement systems to solidify the foundational skills needed for understanding and utilizing research methods and experimental designs. Specifically, students will understand how to identify measurement selection procedures, as well as how to graphically display and analyze data.Students will understand the importance of Single Case Research Designs (SCRDs) and the ability to evaluate and implement them. Students will design evaluations of the influence of independent variables on dependent variables in representative SCRDs. Students will also review comparative, component, and parametric analyses. Additionally, students will design ethical evaluations of the effectiveness of interventions, state and plan for the unwanted effects of independent variables, and assess and interpret the threats to internal and external validity in experimental designs, including interobserver agreement, and reliability of the independent variable. Prerequisite or Corequisite: ABA 602. (GR)

ABA 606: Functional Assessment

3 Credit Hour(s)

Functional Assessment is a course designed to provide the student with the history and hands on experience in fundamental elements of direct observation, functional behavioral assessment, functional analysis methodology, function-based intervention, and function-based behavior change intervention procedures. Prerequisite: ABA 602. Prerequisite/Corequisite: ABA 604. (GR)

ABA 607: Supervised Experience I Functional Assessment

1 Credit Hour(s)

This course is an optional 1-credit hour clinical field work course that is the third fieldwork experiential learning opportunity in a series of 3 courses in the program. This course is designed to provide the student trainee with a structured and scaffold learning experience of taught concepts and principles to develop skills in professional practice at an assigned fieldwork placement. Under the supervision of a qualified supervisor with faculty oversight, students will be required to engage in the direct implementation of functional assessment in an applied setting. It is expected that the student trainee applies the structured content knowledge learned in their coursework in the placement setting in a professional and ethical manner meeting the requirements of the jurisdiction of practice, BACB� and Daemen University. Prerequisite: ABA 602. Prerequisite/Corequisite: ABA 606. (GR)

ABA 608: Ethics and Professional Conduc

3 Credit Hour(s)

Ethics and Professional Conduct is a course designed to provide the student with a background in fundamental elements of ethical and professional behavioral practice. Students will learn to apply the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts to ethical and professional conflicts. (GR)

ABA 610: Advanced Applicaions in Behavioral Science

3 Credit Hour(s)

Advanced Applications in Behavioral Science is a course designed to provide the student with a comprehensive experience in the application of fundamental elements of behavior change and specific behavior change procedures. This course will cover the design and implementation of behavioral interventions based on individualized assessment results, including environmental modification and planning for generalized outcomes. Students will learn to apply advanced concepts and principles, including matching law, behavioral cusps, verbal behavior, and derived stimulus relations to improve socially significant behaviors in a variety of contexts. Prerequisites: ABA 604. Corequisite: ABA 606. (GR)

ABA 612: Organizational Behavior Management

3 Credit Hour(s)

The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of current research and practice in the field of Organizational Behavior Management (OBM). OBM is a subspeciality of behavior analysis, applying the science to organizational concerns such as training, safety, productivity and quality in the workplace. Students will also learn to identify effective leadership and supervision methods for the workplace or their professional practice. Prerequisite: ABA 604 and ABA 606. (GR)

ABA 630: Comprehensive Examination in Behavioral Science

1 Credit Hour(s)

The purpose of the Comprehensive Examination in Behavioral Science course is to simulate the experience of taking the certification exam and to provide additional review/support of the certification exam content. This course will provide the student an opportunity to take two mock exams. The first mock exam (Practice Mock Exam) will occur at the start of the semester and the results will provide the student with areas of weakness to further study and develop. The second mock exam (Live-Proctored Mock Exam) will occur at the end of the semester. During the time between the two mock exams the student will receive support from an instructor which will include structured review sessions of previously taught material, individual meeting(s), and suggested resources that align with the exam content and the students areas of weakness as identified from the Practice Mock Exam. Students will receive a grade of (P) Passing or a grade of (F) Failure. To pass the course, the student must receive a passing score on the Live-Proctored Mock Exam that is taken at the end of the course. The Live-Proctored Mock Exam will generate a score report that indicates if the student passed the mock exam according to the requirements of the BCBA� certification exam. Prerequisites: ABA 600, ABA-601, ABA 608, ABA 610, ABA 612. (GR)

ABA 640: Applied Behavior Analysis Capstone Research Project

3 Credit Hour(s)

The ABA Capstone Project will provide the structure and guidance for students to complete a final program project or, when time allows at the discretion of the instructor and with permission from a project mentor (i.e., Behavioral Science Department faculty) create a Master's-level Capstone Project based on a research project of the student's area of interest in ABA. Students' experiences will be different depending on the chosen project, however in all cases students will finish the ABA Master's program with a final product that incorporates critical skills of a practicing behavior analyst. Students who satisfactorily complete their Capstone Project with all of the required components will receive a grade of (P) Passing. Conversely, students who are unsuccessful in completing the requisite components of the master's capstone project will receive a grade of (F) Failure. Prerequisites: ABA 601 ABA 608 and ABA 610. Corequisite:ABA 600 and ABA 612. (GR)

ABA 650: Supervision in ABA

0 Credit Hour(s)

This course is designed to provide students with a structured supervision experience with the supervision of a faculty member or supervisor selected by the department to gain practical experience in their area of interest and specialization. The students' experience will include the observation and the application of behavioral concepts and principles in an applied setting to develop the technical and professional behavior-analytic skills needed to effectively work with consumers and stakeholders. (GR)

ABA 660: Thesis in Behavior Analysis I

3 Credit Hour(s)

Thesis in Behavior Analysis I is the first in a series of two courses in which students will complete a full research project aimed at (not required) producing a publishable manuscript in a peer-reviewed journal. In this course, students will utilize the skills they have learned throughout their graduate program to (a) identify a behavior analytic thesis project topic from options provided by program faculty, (b) develop a research question(s), (c) complete a thorough literature review on the selected topic, (d) obtain approval to conduct research from Daemen University's Institutional Review Board - Human Subjects Research, and (e) write a research proposal document that includes the following sections: (i) introduction, (ii) purpose statement, (iii) methods, (iv) hypothetical results, (v) graphical display of results, and (vi) a description of how their proposed results relate to previous research, as well as influence future research/practice. The culminating experiences include a written proposal in APA format and oral presentation. Prerequisites: ABA 601 ABA 608 and ABA 610. Corequisite: ABA 600 and ABA 612. (GR)

ABA 661: Thesis in Behavior Analysis II

3 Credit Hour(s)

Thesis in Behavior Analysis II is the final course in a series of two courses in which students will complete a full research project aimed at (not required) producing a publishable manuscript in a peer-reviewed journal. In this course, students will fully execute the implementation of their proposed research project. This will include (a) (b) developing consent forms, (c) developing protocols, as well as social validity and treatment fidelity measures, (d) collecting and analyzing data, and (d) engaging in ethically sound behavior analytic research. Students will be required to complete a final thesis project written paper, in APA format, that includes the following sections: (i) introduction, (ii) purpose statement, (iii) methods, (iv) results, (v) graphical display of results, and (vi) a description of how their results relate to previous research, as well as influence future research/practice. Additionally, students are expected to complete an oral thesis defense presentation that summarizes their research project/paper. Approval of defense completion by the student's thesis committee is required to pass the course. Prerequisite: ABA 660. (GR)

ABA 700: Behaviorism

3 Credit Hour(s)

Behaviorism is a course designed to provide the student with an understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of ABA and the origins of behaviorism. The historical and philosophical background of our science will be covered and students will learn about the development of the essential elements of ABA. (GR)

ABA 702: Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis

3 Credit Hour(s)

Concept and Principles of Behavior Analysis is meant to give students a solid foundation in the basic science that underlies the technologies of Applied Behavior Analysis. Designed to be taken early in the course sequence, this course will introduce students to foundational aspects of ABA that they will apply throughout the program. (GR)

ABA 704: Research Methods, Measurement and Experimental Design

3 Credit Hour(s)

Research Methods, Measurement, and Experimental Design is a course designed to provide the student experience in careful measurement and assessment of behavior which forms the basis for research methods and experimental design. Specifically, methods for obtaining types of behavioral data, and graphing and analyzing data will be covered. Students will understand the importance of Single Case Research Designs (SCRDs) and the ability to evaluate and implement them. Students will design evaluations of the influence of independent variables on dependent variables in representative SCRDs. Students will also conduct comparative, component, and parametric analyses. Additionally, students will design ethical evaluations of the effectiveness of interventions, state and plan for the unwanted effects of independent variables, and assess and interpret the threats to internal and external validity in experimental designs, including interobserver agreement, and reliability of the independent variable Prerequisites: ABA 702 (GR)

ABA 706: Functional Assessment

3 Credit Hour(s)

ABA 708: Ethics and Professional Conduc

3 Credit Hour(s)

ABA 710: Behavior Change Procedures

3 Credit Hour(s)

Behavior Change and Procedures is a course designed to provide the student with a comprehensive experience in the application of fundamental elements of behavior change and specific behavior change procedures. This course will cover the design and implementation of behavioral interventions based on individualized assessment results, including environmental modification and planning for generalized outcomes. Students will learn to apply general concepts and principles, including matching law, behavioral cusps, verbal behavior, and derived stimulus relations to improve socially significant behaviors. Students will also learn to apply specific techniques such as shaping, chaining, punishment and extinction. Prerequsite: ABA 706 (GR)

ABA 712: Client Record Keeping, Supervision, and Personnel Management

3 Credit Hour(s)

This course is designed to provide the student with an ability to identify and apply federal, state, and professional standards for creating, saving, maintaining, archiving, and destroying client records. Students will also learn about best practices in ABA for personnel management and supervision of new behavior analysts. Prerequsite: ABA 706 (GR)

ABA 714: Assessment and Measurement Tool

3 Credit Hour(s)

Assessment and Measurement Tools is a course designed to provide the student experience in assessment and measurement of behavior. Students will gain experience with developing individualized assessment and measurement procedures, as well as using commercially available and commonly-used assessment and measurement systems. Prerequisite: ABA 704. (GR)

ABA 716: Autism Spectrum Disorders

3 Credit Hour(s)

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a course designed to provide the student with an overview of the history and current considerations related to the diagnosis of autism across the lifespan. The biological bases and behavioral phenotype of autism will be taught within the framework of child development and transition to adulthood to geriatric. Students will learn to plan and evaluate treatments for people with ASD and will write and communicate to the audience of the consumer. The New York State regulations on ABA will be reviewed and the students will take and pass a state mandated course on Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse. Specifically, as per NYS Education Law, all students enrolled in programs leading to licensure in behavior analysis are required to complete training in the identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment. Daemen University has incorporated this training as part of the required coursework for ABA 716: Autism Spectrum Disorders. Resources will be provided as part of the class for completing the two-hour online Child Abuse course. The course provides an overview of the mandated reporter's legal obligations and protections, the laws related to child abuse and maltreatment, the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect, and available resources. There is a $30 fee for the course. Upon course completion, students are required to submit their Certification of Completion to the instructor. (GR)

ABA 718: Issues of Cultural and Ethnic Diversity

3 Credit Hour(s)

Issues in Cultural and Ethnic Diversity in ABA is a course designed to provide the student with an overview of the history and current considerations related to providing ABA services to individuals with autism who are members of diverse populations.� Aspects of cultural and ethnic diversity will be covered and the students will apply behavioral assessments and interventions with modifications based on needs from the individuals served. (GR)

ABA 730: Supervised Practicum Wil Experience Hours in Advanced Applications Of Behavioral Science

2 Credit Hour(s)

Supervised Practicum and Seminar in Applied Behavior Analysis is a required practicum course in the ABA program for students seeking NYS Licensure. Under the supervision of a qualified LBA supervisor with faculty oversight, students will enhance their clinical skills through the direct implementation of a culmination of behavior analytic concepts, principles, and methodology in an applied setting. It is expected that the student trainee applies the structured content knowledge learned in their coursework in the placement setting in a professional and ethical manner meeting the requirements of NYSED, BACB� and Daemen University. The class seminar provides class members with an opportunity to share experiences and to learn from each other. Prerequisites: ABA 710 and permission from the Practicum Director. (GR)

ABA 731: Supervised Practicum With Experience in Hours in Applied Behavior Analysis I

1 Credit Hour(s)

The Supervised Practicum with Experience Hours in Applied Behavior Analysis course is a [Traditional: 15-week or Distance Education 8-week] course which requires students to obtain no less than 150 hours a semester accruing a minimum of 10-hours per week and no more than 35 hours weekly of supervised experience toward the remaining 1350 required hours after successful completion of ABA 730. Additionally, students are required to complete a skills assessment and set goals for the supervised experience. Prerequisite: ABA 702 and Permission from ABA advisor. (GR)

ABA 732: Supervised Practicum With Experience In Applied Behavior Analysis 2

1 Credit Hour(s)

The Supervised Practicum with Experience Hours in Applied Behavior Analysis course is a [Traditional: 15-week or Distance Education 8-week] course which requires students to obtain no less than 150 hours a semester accruing a minimum of 10-hours per week and no more than 35 hours weekly of supervised experience toward the remaining 1350 required hours after successful completion of ABA 730. Additionally, students are required to demonstrate the ability to perform an assessment and implement an intervention procedure. Prerequisite: ABA 702 and Permission from ABA advisor. (GR)

ABA 733: Supervised Practicum With Experience Hours in Applied Behavior Analysis 3

1 Credit Hour(s)

The Supervised Practicum with Experience Hours in Applied Behavior Analysis course is a [Traditional: 15-week or Distance Education 8-week] course which requires students to obtain no less than 150 hours a semester accruing a minimum of 10-hours per week and no more than 35 hours weekly of supervised experience toward the remaining 1350 required hours after successful completion of ABA 730. Additionally, students are required to demonstrate the ability to utilize a Behavior-Change Procedure. Prerequisite: ABA 702 and Permission from ABA advisor. (GR)

ABA 734: Supervised Practicum With Experience Hours in Applied Behavior Analysis 4

1 Credit Hour(s)

ABA 735: Supervised Practicum With Experience Hours in Applied Behavior Analysis 5

1 Credit Hour(s)

The Supervised Practicum with Experience Hours in Applied Behavior Analysis course is a [Traditional: 15-week or Distance Education 8-week] course which requires students to obtain no less than 150 hours a semester accruing a minimum of 10-hours per week and no more than 35 hours weekly of supervised experience toward the remaining 1350 required hours after successful completion of ABA 730. Additionally, students are required to demonstrate the ability to plan for maintenance and generalization of client skills. Prerequisite: ABA 702 and Permission from ABA advisor. (GR)

ABA 736: Supervised Practicum With Experience Hours I Applied Behavior Analysis 6

1 Credit Hour(s)

The Supervised Practicum with Experience Hours in Applied Behavior Analysis course is a Distance Education 8-week course which requires students to obtain no less than 150 hours a semester accruing a minimum of 10-hours per week and no more than 35 hours weekly of supervised experience toward the remaining 1350 required hours after successful completion of ABA 730. Additionally, students will demonstrate how they address professional, and ethical skills through collaboration with clients and colleagues (stakeholders). Prerequisite: ABA 702 and Permission from ABA advisor. (GR)

ABA 737: Supervised Practicum With Experience Hours I Applied Behavior Analysis 7

1 Credit Hour(s)

The Supervised Practicum with Experience Hours in Applied Behavior Analysis course is a Distance Education 8-week course which requires students to obtain no less than 150 hours a semester accruing a minimum of 10-hours per week and no more than 35 hours weekly of supervised experience toward the remaining 1350 required hours after successful completion of ABA 730. Additionally, students will address making plans for the appropriate termination of services. Prerequisite: ABA 702 and Permission from ABA advisor. (GR)

ABA 738: Supervised Practicum With Experience Hours in Applied Behavior Analysis 8

1 Credit Hour(s)

The Supervised Practicum with Experience Hours in Applied Behavior Analysis course is a Distance Education 8-week course which requires students to obtain no less than 150 hours a semester accruing a minimum of 10-hours per week and no more than 35 hours weekly of supervised experience toward the remaining 1350 required hours after successful completion of ABA 730. Additionally, students will plan for addressing diversity in practice. Prerequisite: ABA 702 and Permission from ABA advisor. (GR)

ABA 739: Supervised Practicum With Experience Hours in Applied Behavior Analysis 9

1 Credit Hour(s)

The Supervised Practicum with Experience Hours in Applied Behavior Analysis course is a Distance Education 8-week course which requires students to obtain no less than 150 hours a semester accruing a minimum of 10-hours per week and no more than 35 hours weekly of supervised experience toward the remaining 1350 required hours after successful completion of ABA 730. Additionally, students will develop adaptive self-care strategies to maintain healthy and stable work environments. Prerequisite: Prerequisite: ABA 730 or SED 714 and ABA 702 and permission from ABA advisor (GR) (GR)

ABA 740: Applied Behavior Analysis Capstone Research Project

3 Credit Hour(s)

The ABA Capstone Project will provide the structure and guidance for students to complete a final program project or, when time allows at the discretion of the instructor and with permission from a project mentor (i.e., ABA program faculty) create a Master's- level Capstone Project based on a research project of the student's area of interest in ABA. Students experiences will be different depending on the chosen project, however in all cases students will finish the ABA Master's program with a final product that incorporates critical skills of a practicing behavior analyst. Students who satisfactorily complete their Capstone Project with all of the required components will receive a grade of (P) Passing. Conversely, students who are unsuccessful in completing the requisite components of the master's capstone project will receive a grade of (F) Failure. Prerequisites: ABA 708 & 710; (May take concurrently with ABA 712, 714, 716, or 718) (GR)

ABA 747: Selected Topics

1-3 Credit Hour(s)

Prerequsite: Take ABA-704 or SED-706; (GR)

ABA 750: Special Topics: Applied Behavior Analysis

1-6 Credit Hour(s)

Special Topics in Applied Behavior Analysis is a course offered to students who have completed coursework in Applied Behavior Analysis but who, upon completion of their program, have content-area gap identified by license-or certification-granting bodies. The course credit hours and content will vary based on individual student needs. Course prerequisites are determined by the needed modules and an educational review by the BACB. Prerequisites: Permission from ABA advisor (GR)

ABA 800: Proseminar in Behavioral Science

3 Credit Hour(s)

This course will serve as an introduction to selected topics in the field of behavior analysis. The course will be taught as a combination of a survey course, with student-led discussions of topics, presentations from experts in the field of behavior analysis and other related areas, as well as an interactive weekly discussion group. (GR)

ABA 801: Verbal Behavior

3 Credit Hour(s)

This course is a Doctoral Seminar on verbal behavior based on Skinner's Verbal Behavior (1957). Complex verbal behavior, as well as verbal behavior deficits, will be discussed. This course will cover applied and translational verbal behavior research. This course will include a review of variables impacting the verbal behavior of humans, based on the work of B. F. Skinner. Applications of verbal behavior to clinical practice as well as criticisms of Skinner's Verbal Behavior (1957) also will be discussed. Prerequisite: ABA 600, ABA 601, ABA 610. (GR)

ABA 802: Behavior Analysis of Child Development

3 Credit Hour(s)

This course offers an introduction to the natural scientific approach to child development and the application of these principles to the understanding of child development. This course will provide students with a background and history of behavior analysis in early childhood development. The course also will review behavior-analytic approaches in early childhood education and their relationship to other theories and research in child development. (GR)

ABA 803: Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis

3 Credit Hour(s)

This course will be a continuation and extension of material covered in ABA 610, Advanced Applications in Behavior Analysis. This course will include a conceptual analysis of basic principles of behavior and behavior change procedures for humans and nonhumans, as well as individuals with and without intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. The course will cover experimental analysis and application of behavioral principles (e.g., reinforcement, extinction). Prerquisite: ABA 610, ABA 660. Corequisites/prerequisite: 661. (GR)

ABA 804: Advanced Research Methods

3 Credit Hour(s)

This course will cover additional and more advanced information building from material first presented in BSHS 704. Students will develop their skills in experimental designs, measurement, and data analysis. Students will discuss the theoretical background for single-subject research and its distinction from group designs. Students will develop their skills in design, conceptualization, and implementation of single-subject research through analysis, discussion, and writing. Students will also learn to critique peer-reviewed journal articles and readings from more advanced sources. Finally, students will be introduced to additional research methodology, including group design and qualitative research methods. Prerequsite: ABA 604, ABA 660, PH 540/PH 540L. Corequisite/prerequisite:ABA 661 (GR)

ABA 805: Advanced Behaviorism

3 Credit Hour(s)

This course will focus on the fundamental principles of human and non-human behavior. Curriculum from the Behaviorism course will be used to further their understanding when applying concepts and principles to practice. Students will be exposed to and engage in discussion about complex issues that include the behavior of self and others, as well as society and culture. Furthermore, this course will examine the role of mentalist and cognitive explanations of behavior, rule-governed behavior, verbal behavior, as well as behavioral responsibility, ethics, rights and values. Prerequisites: MS degree, ABA 600, ABA 601, ABA 803 (GR)

ABA 806: Aba in Education

3 Credit Hour(s)

This course will include a review of the areas in which behavior analysts have and can contribute to successful outcomes in schools. Throughout the course students will learn about various teaching strategies developed by behavior analysts, classroom management strategies, and system-wide behavioral interventions (e.g., Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports). (GR)

ABA 807: Advanced Seminar in IDD

3 Credit Hour(s)

This course explores the unique characteristics and challenges of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the lifespan. Historical perspectives, rights and advocacy considerations, etiologies, identification, intervention, and support of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities will be addressed. The class format includes both lecture and discussion. (GR)

ABA 808: Teaching At the College Level

3 Credit Hour(s)

This course will give students the knowledge and skills needed to become effective teachers at the college level. Students will analyze and learn strategies, theory, and research of teaching at the college level. Students will learn skills needed to develop a course, implement research-based strategies, motivate students, and evaluate and grade students. Students will also learn to adapt their teaching and the learning environment to meet the needs of diverse students. This course will address both synchronous and asynchronous platforms of learning, and will include a teaching assistant role to apply the skills they learn in the actual classroom. Prerequsite: Masters Degree or Higher. (GR)

ABA 809: Severe Behavior Disorders

3 Credit Hour(s)

It is important that leaders in the field of behavior analysis have an understanding of assessment and treatment methods for many types of severe challenging behavior. This course will go beyond the ABA 706 Functional Assessment course by reviewing the state of the art in behavioral assessment and treatment of some of the most common challenging behaviors, including self-injury, aggression, sexual offending, health threatening, and criminal behavior. Additionally, topics of importance such as interprofessional collaboration, pharmacological approaches, and identification of clinically significant outcomes will be reviewed. Prerequisite:ABA 606, ABA 610, ABA 804. (GR)

ABA 810: Behavior Science and Social Justice

3 Credit Hour(s)

This seminar will provide students with an in-depth understanding of the behavior analytic principles that maintain social justice issues with a focus on self-reflection and practice of principles that promote self-awareness and compassion. Students will learn key variables critical for an action-oriented agenda to promote a better, more inclusive world. This course will be conducted as a collegial seminar with a focus on weekly thoughtful and supportive dialogue led by both students and the instructor. (GR)

ABA 811: Leadership and Advocacy

3 Credit Hour(s)

For the advanced practicing behavior analyst leadership and mentoring skills are critical. This course will use a combination of empirical studies and text to help students apply theory and research to their own lives, clinical experiences, and future leader and mentorship roles. (GR)

ABA 812: Critical Thinking

3 Credit Hour(s)

This course provides students with foundations for understanding theories of critical thinking, ways to develop critical thinking and decision-making skills in clinical practice to improve clinical judgment. Students will engage in reflective and independent discussion and demonstrate the ability to discuss the course content with clarity and insight into their current and future clinical practice. (GR)

ABA 813: Evidence-Based Play and Social Skills Intervention

3 Credit Hour(s)

The purpose of this course is to examine a variety of behavior analytic methodologies that are used to develop play and social skills for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Students will also learn to develop teaching protocols that are based on their evaluation of the literature on interventions that target play and social skills. In addition, play and social skill assessments and manualized-curricula will be examined. Prerequsitie:MS degree or permission from instructor (GR)

ABA 814: Behavioral Mediciine and Dentistry

3 Credit Hour(s)

Behavioral Medicine and Dentistry are important areas for practicing behavior analysts to study and understand. Behavior analysts can have an important impact in the areas of medicine and dentistry as part of interprofessional teams. Students in this course will study how behavioral factors impact health and wellness, how to contribute as part of an interprofessional team to the health and wellness of patients, and will understand a biopsychosocial approach for assessment and treatment. Prerequisite: Masters Degree or Permission from the instructor. (GR)

ABA 815: Behavior and Mental Health

3 Credit Hour(s)

This course will be a seminar with a focus on the clinical aspects of behavior analysis and its application to brain health challenges that have traditionally been characterized as mental health disorders. Areas covered will include an interprofessional approach to treatment of brain health disorders such as depression, anxiety, substance misuse among others. Additionally, the intersection between behavior analysis and evidence-based behavioral therapies such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy will be discussed. Prerequisites: Masters Degree or permission of instructor. (GR)

ABA 816: Implementation and Practice

3 Credit Hour(s)

In this seminar students will study implementation science and the development of behavior-analytic programs, systems, and frameworks that were brought to large scale (e.g., SafeCare, Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, Teaching Family Model). The benefits and difficulties of bringing this work to large scale implementation will be reviewed. The process for bringing these to scale as well as replication and maintenance issues will be discussed. Designing evaluation measures for large-scale social and behavioral change projects also will be discussed. Students will have the opportunity to collaboratively write a paper on a topic of choice related to implementation science to be submitted to a conference and/or for peer review. (GR)

ABA 820: Dissertation I: Literature Review Paper

3 Credit Hour(s)

Dissertation 1 is thefirst course of three courses that include the development of the student's formal research dissertation. Dissertation 1 includes acomprehensive literature review of the student'sdissertation research topic. The student will write a comprehensive literature review paper in APA format. At the completion of the paper, the student will formally present their findings to their dissertation committee. (GR)

ABA 821: Dissertation Ii: Research Proposal

3 Credit Hour(s)

Dissertation II is the second course of three courses that includes the development of the student's formal research dissertation. Dissertation II requirements include, but are not limited to, the student conceptualizing and developing an empirical research question, developing the procedures for the research project, seeking IRB approval, and formally presenting the proposal to their dissertation committee. This course will be primarily conducted in a 1:1 format between the PhD advisor/Dissertation advisor and the student, but small groups may be scheduled when appropriate for the topics being discussed. Prerequisite: ABA 820 (GR)

ABA 822: Dissertation Iii: Implementation and Defense

3 Credit Hour(s)

Implementation and Defense: Dissertation 3 is the third course of three courses that includes the development and completion of the student's formal research dissertation. Dissertation 3 includes, but is not limited to, the student implementing the research project, collecting data, summarizing the data, and writing a scholarly paper on the entire research project. This also includes the student formally presenting and defending the research project to the dissertation committee, and having the dissertation project accepted by the dissertation Committee. Meetings for this course will be primarily individual, weekly, with the dissertation advisor. Small group meetings also may be held when appropriate. Prerequisite: ABA 821. (GR)

Behavioral Science and Human Services

BSHS 700: Behaviorism

3 Credit Hour(s)

Behaviorism is a course designed to provide the student with an understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of the science of human behavior and the orgins of behaviorism. The historical and philosophical background of the science will be covered and students will learn about the development of the essential elements of behaviorism. (GR)

BSHS 701: Basic Behavior Analysis

3 Credit Hour(s)

BSHS 702: Concepts and Principles of Behavioral Science

3 Credit Hour(s)

Concepts and Principles of Behavioral Science is meant to give students a solid foundation in the basic science that underlies the technologies of behavior change. Designed to be taken early in the course sequence, this course will introduce students to foundational aspects of behavior change that they will apply throughout the program. (GR)

BSHS 703: Professional Writing in Behavioral Science

3 Credit Hour(s)

This course provides students with a solid foundation in writing well-researched, organized, and correctly cited research papers on topics within behavioral science. You will learn how to find, evaluate, and document sources as well as incorporate information from research into your writing while following the principles of academic integrity and honesty. This course will assist students in improving their fluency, accuracy, and effectiveness in writing professional, graduate-level research papers. Designed to be taken early in the course sequence, this course will prepare students for research papers and projects in future courses. (GR)

BSHS 704: Research Methods, Measurement, and Experimental Design

3 Credit Hour(s)

Research Methods and Measurement is a course designed to provide the student experience in careful measurement and assessment of behavior which forms the basis for research methods and experimental design. Specifically, methods for obtaining types of behavioral data, and graphing and analyzing data will be covered. Students will understand the importance of Single Case Research Designs (SCRDs) and the ability to evaluate and implement them. Students will design evaluations of the influence of independent variables on dependent variables in representative SCRDs. Students will also conduct comparative, component, and parametric analyses. Additionally, students will design ethical evaluations of the effectiveness of interventions, state and plan for the unwanted effects of independent variables, and assess and interpret the threats to internal and external validity in experimental designs, including interobserver agreement, and reliability of the independent variable. Prerequisite: BSHS 702 (GR)

BSHS 706: Functional Assessment in Human Services

3 Credit Hour(s)

Functional Assessment in Human Services is a course designed to provide the student with the history and hands on experience in fundamental elements of direct observation, functional behavioral assessment, functional analysis methodology, function-based intervention, and function-based behavior change intervention procedures. Prerequisites: BSHS 704 (GR)

BSHS 708: Ethics and Professional Conduct

3 Credit Hour(s)

Ethics and Professional Conduct is a course designed to provide the student with a background in fundamental elements of ethical and professional practice in behavioral science and human services. Students will learn to apply ethical guidance documents to ethical and professional conflicts. (GR)

BSHS 710: Behavior Change Assessment and Procedures

3 Credit Hour(s)

Behavior Change Assessment and Procedures is a course designed to provide the student with a comprehensive experience in the application of fundamental elements of behavior change and specific behavior change procedures. This course will cover the design and implementation of behavior change procedures based on individualized assessment results, including environmental modification and planning for generalized outcomes. Students will learn to apply general concepts and principles, including matching law, behavioral cusps, verbal behavior, and derived stimulus relations to change behavior. Students will also learn to apply specific techniques such as shaping, chaining, punishment and extinction. Prerequisites: BSHS 706. (GR)

BSHS 712: Personnel Management and Record Keeping

3 Credit Hour(s)

This course is designed to provide the student with an ability to identify and apply federal, state, and professional standards for Personnel Management. Students will also learn about best practices for personnel management, student supervision, and record keeping. Prerequisites: BSHS 706. (GR)

BSHS 714: Assessment & Measurement Tools

3 Credit Hour(s)

BSHS 716: Autism Spectrum Disorders

3 Credit Hour(s)

BSHS 718: Issues In Ethnic and Cultural Diversity

3 Credit Hour(s)

Issues in Cultural and Ethnic Diversity is a course designed to provide the student with an overview of the history and current considerations of providing human services with diverse populations. Aspects of cultural and ethnic diversity will be covered and the students will modify assessments and interventions based on needs of the individuals served. (GR)

BSHS 740: Capstone Research Project

3 Credit Hour(s)

The Capstone Research Project will provide the structure and guidance for students to complete a final program project based on research of the student's area of interest. This Capstone Research Project will result in a final product that incorporates critical skills of a social scientist. Prerequisite: BSHS 708 and 710 (can take concurrently) with 712,714,716 or 718). (GR)