Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

This course covers the basic concepts that are necessary to scientifically analyze behavior. The fundamental principles discovered through these analyses are introduced. Students will learn about respondent and operant conditioning, the three-term contingency, and difficulties faced when implementing ABA. (This course is equivalent to EDSE 5351 Advanced Behavior Analysis and Intervention; credit cannot be earned in both EDSE 5351 and ABA 5301).

Restrictions: Undergraduate level students may not enroll.

This course covers the research methods used in ABA. Direct and frequent measurement is the foundation for ABA. Students will learn the dimensions by which to measure behavior and to select the most appropriate measurement procedures. Threats to measurement validity and accurate and reliable measurement are discussed. Students learn about experimental design and to graphically display data. Students interpret visual data displays to evaluate the effectiveness of ABA interventions and interpret ABA articles.

Restrictions: Undergraduate level students may not enroll.

This course defines ethics in ABA and reviews the Ethic Code for Behavior Analysts published by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board. Students learn the importance of maintaining ethics and professionalism when providing ABA services. Ethical issues are discussed and resources for ensuring the ethical and professional implementation of ABA are given. This courses also discusses policy and legal issues that impact the delivery of ABA services to people with disabilities.

Restrictions: Undergraduate level students may not enroll.

This course introduces students to various assessments in ABA, including preference assessments and functional behavior assessment. Students learn to review records and other data and the common functions of challenging behaviors. The importance of collaboration and how to communicate ABA concepts in nontechnical terms will be discussed. The results of the assessments will be used to create ABA intervention programs in a subsequent course (ABA 5305 Interventions in ABA).

Restrictions: Undergraduate level students may not enroll.

This course builds on ABA 5301 Concepts and Principles in ABA to teach important elements of behavior change and specific behavior-change procedures. Students learn to develop individualized intervention plans that address skill acquisition and challenging behavior based on assessment results learned in ABA 5304 Assessment in ABA. Students are taught to make data-based decisions to guide the delivery of ABA treatment.

Restrictions: Undergraduate level students may not enroll.

This course covers the utilization of ABA strategies to provide effective training to parents, caregivers, and staff and effective mentoring to future behavior analysts. The course covers supervision and management skills used at an individual level as well as at the organizational level.

Restrictions: Undergraduate level students may not enroll.

This course utilizes a developmental approach to present assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder across the lifespan. Evidence-based interventions covered include intensive early intervention, educational interventions, social skills training, and interventions for adults. Barriers and challenges related to access and implementation of treatment, diversity, collaboration, advocacy, and legislation will be discussed. (This course is equivalent to EDSE 5353 Autism and Related Disorders; credit cannot be earned in both EDSE 5353 and ABA 5307).

Restrictions: Undergraduate level students may not enroll.

This course focuses on B.F. Skinner’s seminal book, Verbal Behavior (1957). Human verbal behavior is affected by biological, environmental, and motivational factors. Implications for implementing interventions with people with language delays and disorders including those with autism spectrum disorder will be discussed. Students will explore various research articles on the application of Verbal Behavior in ABA intervention.

Restrictions: Undergraduate level students may not enroll.

This course discusses the philosophy that provides the basis for ABA and the experimental analysis of behavior; this philosophy is known as radical behaviorism.

Restrictions: Undergraduate level students may not enroll.

This course provides supervised fieldwork experience that counts toward the certification requirements of the Behavior Analysis Certification Board. Students will complete supervised hours at approved ABA practicum sites. Course completion does not guarantee certification. ABA 5310 must be taken prior to ABA 5320.

Restrictions: Enrollment limited to students in the MS_ABAS program.Undergraduate level students may not enroll.

This course is an option for students who want further training in applied research in ABA or who seek to attend a doctoral program upon graduation. This course requires 6 hours of grades. The first 3 hours consist of completion of a thesis proposal. The last 3 hours consist of completion of the thesis. .

Restrictions: Enrollment limited to students in the MS_ABAS program.Undergraduate level students may not enroll.

This course provides supervised fieldwork experience that counts toward the certification requirements of the Behavior Analysis Certification Board. Students will complete supervised hours at approved ABA practicum sites. Course completion does not guarantee certification. ABA 5310 must be taken before taking this course.

Restrictions: