MS Applied Behavior Analysis Courses

This course teaches foundational concepts and principles of behavior analysis. Students will learn about the experimental procedures and findings of basic behavior analysis (i.e., the experimental analysis of behavior [EAB]) and a range of principles such as mechanisms of learning, respondent conditioning, and operant conditioning. This course will also explore how basic principles of learning are applied to issues of social significance.

This course teaches ethical principles and standards of responsible professional conduct that apply to the implementation of applied behavior analysis, as specified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. This course also addresses legal and social policy issues affecting service delivery to people with disabilities. 

This course teaches methods of measuring behavior and developing measurement procedures. Students learn to create and interpret visual data displays. Students develop knowledge and skills of experimental design to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and interpret articles from the behavior-analytic literature. Co-requisite: PSY 613.

This course covers the knowledge and skills for identifying client problems, communicating behavioral concepts in nontechnical language, and collaborating with others who support and/or provide services to one’s clients. Students learn to design and implement individualized behavioral assessment procedures and organize, analyze, and interpret observed data. Prerequisites: PSY 613 and 615.

This course examines the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) using a developmental approach that emphasizes how clinical presentation changes with age. Students will review a range of evidence-based therapeutic interventions including intensive early interventions, social skills building, and interventions for older adults. Diversity factors, barriers and challenges to accessing and implementing treatment, and the role of advocacy will also be incorporated.

This course focuses on the development of clinical and professional skills for Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) in training.  Students must accrue fieldwork hours at approved ABA-based organizations under the supervision of a BCBA and discuss these experiences through case presentations. Students receive feedback from both the practicum instructor and their classmates regarding a variety of topics, including ethics, assessment, and interventions. This course must be taken across three terms (2 units/each for a total of 6 units). Prerequisites: PSY 613, 615, and  630. Corequisites: PSY 614 and 616.

This class covers radical behaviorism - the philosophy of the science of behavior analysis - and demonstrates how traditional psychological concepts can be viewed through a radical behavioral lens and how an understanding of radical behaviorism can inform the practice of applied behavior analysis. Prerequisites: PSY 613 and 615. 

This course prepares students for their clinical fieldwork experience at ABA-based agencies and during their practicum courses. The course addresses common questions and concerns students have prior to beginning clinical work at their practicum sites. Students are taught the requirements for entering practicum such as obtaining site and supervisor approval, signing contracts for supervision, displaying appropriate conduct during practicum, and using fieldwork tracking tools provided by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board®. Students must register for PSY 630 at least one term before beginning Practicum in ABA (PSY 620). 

This course prepares students to work with diverse populations. The course addresses a variety of topics including gender, trauma, cross cultural supervision, application of the behavior analyst certification board (BACB) Ethics code when working with diverse populations, education on various cultures, beliefs, expectations, how they best or least interact with other cultures/ethnicities, ASD and culture, bias, LGBTQIA+, working with low socioeconomic status (SES) populations, use of translators, and the neurodiversity movement.

Building on foundational knowledge of the concepts and principles of applied behavior analysis, this course teaches fundamental elements of behavior change and specific behavior-change procedures. Prerequisites: PSY 613 and 615. Co-requisite: PSY 617.

This course develops understanding of using applied behavior analytic strategies to provide effective training to caregivers and staff, as well as to provide supervision and management both at the individual and organizational levels and when providing mentorship to future behavior analysts. Prerequisites: PSY 613 and 615.

Building on foundational knowledge of the concepts and principles of applied behavior analysis, this course teaches how to design individualized behavior change protocols to address challenging behavior and skill acquisition needs. Prerequisites: PSY 613, 615, 634, and 617.