Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis

ABA 640 Concepts and Principles I: Intro to ABA

This course is the first course in a series of two courses (ABA 640 and ABA 642) and is designed to introduce students to applied behavior analysis (ABA). In this course, students will be given an overview of the assumptions, characteristics, and goals of applied behavior analysis. Students will learn the basic concepts and principles of behavior analysis as related to behaviors of social importance; therefore, the primary readings, lectures, and assignments of this course will focus on the applied literature in behavior analysis. Students begin to learn how to apply behavior analytic procedures to change behavior and improve conditions for individuals in need and learn to articulate the science of learning and behavior in both scientific and layman terms.

ABA 642 Concepts and Principles II: Experimental Analysis of Behavior

In Concepts and Principles II, students examine the basic literature to learn the origin of the concepts and principles of behavior analysis and hence develop a more thorough understanding of the fundamental building blocks of behavior analysis. Students primarily review basic experimental studies but are required to apply the concepts and principles examined in the basic literature to applied problems.

ABA 644 Treatment Evaluation

In this course, students are introduced to the methods needed to evaluate the effectiveness of a variety of interventions. Students learn to develop reliable procedures for measuring behavior using both continuous and discontinuous measurement systems, effective methods to display data, and develop skills to analyze the visual representation of behavior change in a variety of graphic displays. This course places a particular emphasis on the use of single-subject designs, which include the reversal, alternating treatment/multi-element, multiple baseline, changing criterion, and concurrent chains arrangement. By the end of this course, students will be able to select an appropriate measurement system, calculate reliability measures, identify the most appropriate experimental design(s), and determine whether functional control was achieved.

ABA 652 Behavior Assessment

This course is designed to teach students the major concepts, methods, and ethical issues related to behavioral assessment. Students are taught to select and operationally define target behaviors for change, identify methods to assess behavior using behavioral assessments (e.g., indirect assessments, descriptive assessments, functional analyses, skill assessments), and align assessment outcomes with appropriate strategies that are designed to address areas of weakness while utilizing best practices in the field of applied behavior analysis. Considerations for designing function-based interventions and preparing for undesired side-effects are also discussed.

ABA 654 Behavior Intervention

This course is designed to prepare students to identify, implement, and maintain effective behavioral interventions in applied settings. Students are taught to design evidence-based intervention strategies that reduce inappropriate behaviors and increase an individual’s performance both academically and socially. Emphasis is placed on approaches that facilitate maintenance and generalization across settings. Students are also taught to design a comprehensive plan to train and supervise the implementation of behavioral interventions.

ABA 656 Ethical Practice in ABA

In this course, students are presented with a focused review of the ethical, legal, and professional issues related to the field of applied behavior analysis. Students thoroughly examine the ethical principles adopted by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®) to guide professional practice. Students will critically evaluate ethical scenarios and identify acceptable action given a particular situation.

ABA 646 Practicum I

ABA 646 is the first course in a three-course practicum series. The three-course practicum series is designed so that students will obtain all the experience and supervision hours required to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® examination. Students work in a supervised clinical setting for at least 18 hours per month (max 130 hours), in which the implementation of behavior-analytic principles are evidenced. No more than 50% of the total hours (restrictive activities) can consist of direct implementation of behavioral programs. Students engage in a variety of activities outlined by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®). Each week, students attend a 1.5-hour on-campus group supervision meeting and meet with individually with on-site supervisors a minimum of 4 contacts and 4 observations a month. Students work with multiple clients who are appropriate for behavior analysis services as outlined by the BACB®.

ABA 648 Practicum II

ABA 648 is the second course in a three-course practicum series. The three-course practicum series is designed so that students will obtain all the experience and supervision hours required to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® examination. Students work in a supervised clinical setting for at least 18 hours per month (max 130 hours), in which the implementation of behavior-analytic principles are evidenced. No more than 50% of the total hours (restrictive activities) can consist of direct implementation of behavioral programs. Students engage in a variety of activities outlined by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®). Each week, students attend a 1.5 hour on-campus group supervision meeting and meet with individually with on-site supervisors a minimum of 4 contacts and 4 observations a month. Students work with multiple clients who are appropriate for behavior analysis services as outlined by the BACB®.

ABA 650 Practicum III

ABA 650 is the final course in a three-course practicum series. The three-course practicum series is designed so that students will obtain all the experience and supervision hours required to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® examination. Students work in a supervised clinical setting for at least 18 hours per month (max 130 hours), in which the implementation of behavior-analytic principles are evidenced. No more than 50% of the total hours (restrictive activities) can consist of direct implementation of behavioral programs. Students engage in a variety of activities outlined by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®). Each week, students attend a 1.5 hour on-campus group supervision meeting and meet with individually with on-site supervisors a minimum of 4 contacts and 4 observations a month. Students work with multiple clients who are appropriate for behavior analysis services as outlined by the BACB®.