The Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis Program is designed for students to complete in two full-time academic years, plus one part-time Summer semester in-between. The program includes a Behavior Analyst Certification Board Verfied Course Sequence.

  • Fall, Year One

    • Psyc 530: Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis. Provides intensive training in behavioral principles and laws of learning and motivation. Focuses on broad application of principles, from basic research with nonhumans, to application across human clinical populations.
    • Psyc 531: Behavioral Assessment. Studies theory and application of behavioral methods for skill assessment, functional assessment of destructive behavior, and learner motivation. Discusses relative strengths and limitations of direct versus indirect methods.
    • Psyc 532: Ethics for Behavior Analysts. Provides training in legal and ethical issues as they pertain to the professional practice of behavior analysis. Reviews the Guidelines for Responsible Conduct for Behavior Analysts, as well as the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct.
    • Psyc 587: Practicum in Behavior Analysis. Provides supervised practical experience in implementing behavior analytic assessment and treatment services. Meets supervision requirements for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam. Students meet with course instructor to present and discuss cases for two hours per week every semester, including one summer session. Practicum hours in the field vary from 18-20 hours per week during the academic year to 30 hours per week during the summer.
  • Spring, Year One

    • Psyc 535: Research Methods in Behavior Analysis. Survey of methods for measuring behavior. Examines theoretical background for single subject research methods, practical application of research methods to treatment evaluation, and analyzes strengths and limitations of single subject research methods.
    • Psyc 536: Behavioral Interventions. Examines empirically supported behavioral interventions across a range of socially relevant behavioral excesses, skill deficits, disorders, and age ranges. Focuses on least-intrusive, person-centered approaches.
    • Psyc 541: Experimental Analysis of Behavior. Examines a collection of experimental procedures and findings within the experimental analysis of behavior (EAB); basic principles of operant and respondent learning and motivation; translate findings of basic research to the development of applied sciences of behavior change.
    • Psyc 587: Practicum in Behavior Analysis. Provides supervised practical experience in implementing behavior analytic assessment and treatment services. Meets supervision requirements for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam. Students meet with course instructor to present and discuss cases for two hours per week every semester, including one summer session. Practicum hours in the field vary from 18-20 hours per week during the academic year to 30 hours per week during the summer.
  • Fall, Year Two

    • Psyc 534: Social and Emotional Development of Children. Theories of social and emotional development, including sociocultural perspectives. Analysis of research on temperament, social relationships, individuation and moral development from birth to adolescence.
    • Psyc 537: Behavioral Supervision. Analyzes evidence-based approaches to designing behavior change systems at the individual, family, group, and organizational levels. Examines family and systems variables that affect the likelihood of initial and continued success of interventions.
    • Psyc 539: Behavioral Approaches to Skill Acquisition. Examines contemporary research on behavioral procedures for teaching complex skills to individuals of a variety ages and populations, including language, social, cognitive, vocational, and independent living skills.
    • Psyc 587: Practicum in Behavior Analysis. Provides supervised practical experience in implementing behavior analytic assessment and treatment services. Meets supervision requirements for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam. Students meet with course instructor to present and discuss cases for two hours per week every semester, including one summer session. Practicum hours in the field vary from 18-20 hours per week during the academic year to 30 hours per week during the summer.
    • Psyc 597a: Capstone Project in Behavior Analysis. Supervision for completing independent project, consisting of practical treatment evaluation, program development, or literature review.

    OR

    • Psyc 594a: Master’s Thesis. Mentorship for designing, proposing, conducting, and defendiing a master’s thesis research project.
  • Spring, Year Two

    • Psyc 596: Advanced Behavioral Theory. Examines advanced topics in behavioral theory and philosophy, including a comprehensive behavioral approach to language and cognition. Discusses the nature of productive relations between behavior analysis and other psychological theories.
    • Psyc 587: Practicum in Behavior Analysis. Provides supervised practical experience in implementing behavior analytic assessment and treatment services. Meets supervision requirements for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam. Students meet with course instructor to present and discuss cases for two hours per week every semester, including one summer session. Practicum hours in the field vary from 18-20 hours per week during the academic year to 30 hours per week during the summer.
    • Psyc 597a: Capstone Project in Behavior Analysis. Supervision for completing independent project, consisting of practical treatment evaluation, program development, or literature review.

    OR

    • Psyc 594a: Master’s Thesis. Mentorship for designing, proposing, conducting, and defendiing a master’s thesis research project.