Course Sequence
BEHAVIORANALYSIS@SIMMONS
BehaviorAnalysis@Simmons offers an exploration of the field of behavior analysis. Our rigorous curriculum focuses on the science of behavior and the application of behavior analytic principles and methods across various domains, populations, and areas of research and clinical practice.
This program has been designed to meet the BACB® BCBA® Certification Pathway 2 coursework requirements. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements to qualify for BCBA® Certification.
Course Sequence
Term 4
Course Descriptions
Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis
BEHVO 424 | 4 credits
This course is an introductory course in Behavior Analysis. The focus of this class will be the basic behavioral principles (e.g., reinforcement, stimulus control, punishment and extinction). The format will include a combination of lectures, group discussions, and small group activities. Readings from the text (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2020) will serve as the basis for class discussions. In addition, supplemental readings that provide applied or experimental examples of the topics provided will be assigned.
Introduction to Single Subject Research Designs
BEHVO 415 | 4 credits
This course is designed to introduce the fundamentals of behavior-analytic research, methods for obtaining data based on operationally defined target behaviors. At the culmination of this course students should be able to independently create all single-subject research designs, discuss benefits and limitations to each design, and identify how and where experimental control is demonstrated. Students will learn to select an appropriate research design, interpret data, and make data-based decisions.
Behavioral Assessment
BEHVO 426 | 4 credits
Assessment is the cornerstone of behavior analysis. Whether working with people or animals, individually or in groups, in whatever problems behavior analysts address, the foundation is rigorous assessment. This course introduces the methods of behavioral assessment, focusing on the identification of hypotheses and hypothesis testing for the purpose of identifying functional relations. The course also teaches students to plan effective clinical and educational interventions based on the results of a multidimensional behavioral assessment. A multidimensional behavioral assessment approach using a continuum of assessment methods is presented.
Methodologies for Behavior Change I
BEHVO 427 | 4 credits
This course explores strategies to establish, strengthen, and weaken target behaviors using research-based methodologies. Four categories of methods for changing behavior will be reviewed over the course of the semester: (1) stimulus control, (2) antecedent interventions, (3) differential reinforcement procedures, and (4) punishment procedures.
Ethics and Legal Issues
BEHVO 430 | 4 credits
This course was designed to provide students with an overview of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board ethics code. Ethical issues outlined in the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s (BACB®) Task List will be reviewed in the context of this class (http:/www.bacb.com/). Additionally, the student will become familiar with federal and state legal regulations and policies specific to behavior management and restraint, as well as discuss larger ethical issues such as the design of cultures, guardianship, and discrimination.
Methodologies for Behavior Change II
BEHVO 434 | 4 credits
This course reviews a methodological, evidence-based approach to educational design, as well as several evidence-based instructional practices. The pedagogical strategies taught throughout the course are utilized in this class, including Interteaching, active responding, programmed instruction, mastery-based learning, Personalized Systems of Instruction (PSI), Precision Teaching, and Direct Instruction.
Advanced Topics in Behavior Analysis
BEHVO 445 | 4 credits
This course provides an overview of laboratory research in the experimental analysis of behavior. Students will review strategies and tactics of experimental control, along with theoretical underpinnings and implications of the reviewed research. Translation of the reviewed work into applied application will be emphasized.
Verbal Behavior
BEHVO 465 | 4 credits
Skinner considered his 1957 book, Verbal Behavior, to be his most important work. Skinner rejected cognitive explanations of language as the transmission of thoughts and ideas that start in our minds. Instead, he analyzed verbal behavior as behavior controlled by basic behavioral processes, including positive reinforcement and stimulus control. In this course, students will read and analyze the concepts in Verbal Behavior, such as the mand, tact, intraverbal, and autoclitic. The distinction between radical and methodological behaviorism is discussed, including a discussion of how behavior analysts treat private events and covert verbal behavior. Students read research on applications of verbal behavior to improve the communication of individuals with language delays. There is also an emphasis on practical applications of the analysis of verbal behavior. Products of this course include a teaching program based on verbal behavior and a paper extending ideas or research avenues in verbal behavior.
Practicum Orientation
BEHVO 470 | 0 credits
Practicum Orientation must be successfully completed to be eligible to take Practicum I. Practicum Orientation is an asynchronous course that students complete to prepare for Practicum, including submitting required paperwork for proposed practicum sites and supervisors, completing research ethics trainings, and preparing for the thesis research project. Students must attend a mandatory meeting and are required to meet individually with the Practicum Director.
Practicum I
BEHVO 471 | 4 credits
Practicum I is the first of the two experiential learning courses required to graduate the MS degree program. To be eligible to take Practicum I, students must successfully complete and pass Practicum Orientation (BEHVO 470), secure a university-approved practicum site, with a university-approved supervisor, completing a minimum of 20 supervised behavior analytic experience hours per month (minimum of 45 hours per semester). In addition to accruing experience hours, students receive didactic instruction and supervision weekly to develop clinical and research skills, and students complete a thesis research project across the two terms of Practicum. During Practicum I, students will plan their thesis research project, submit the proposal to their thesis committee and ethics boards for review and approval, and defend their thesis proposal, completing both a written proposal (in APA format) and an oral presentation and defense of the proposal. Students may not begin Practicum II without successfully completing Practicum I, including the thesis proposal and thesis proposal defense.
Practicum II
BEHVO 472 | 4 credits
Practicum II is the second of the two experiential learning courses required to graduate the MS/EdS degree program. To be eligible to take Practicum II, students must successfully complete and pass Practicum I (BEHVO 471), and maintain the university-approved practicum site (approved in BEHVO 470), with the university-approved supervisor (approved in BEHVO 470), completing a minimum of 20 supervised behavior analytic experience hours per month (minimum of 45 hours per semester). In addition to accruing experience hours, students receive didactic instruction and supervision weekly to develop clinical and research skills, and students complete a thesis research project across the two terms of Practicum. During Practicum II, students will implement their thesis research project (according to the protocol approved by their thesis committee and ethics boards during Practicum I), collect and analyze the research data, and defend their thesis, completing both a written report (in APA format) and an oral presentation and defense of the research. Students may not graduate the MS degree program without successfully completing Practicum II, including the thesis research project and thesis defense.
Autism Spectrum Disorders (Optional Elective)
BEHVO 466 | 3 credits
This course provides an overview of the history, characteristics, and treatments associated with autism spectrum disorders. Specifically, the student will review research, systems, and interventions documenting the evidence-based, best-practice approach of applied behavior analysis. Additionally, the student will learn how to collect and evaluate assessment data before the onset of intervention in order to develop relevant and efficacious treatments. Finally, the student will demonstrate the abilities to empirically and objectively evaluate behavior analytic treatment via single-subject research designs and then communicate these results, in writing and orally, to both scientific and lay audiences.This course is not required and is offered at an additional cost. Students elect to take this course to enhance their knowledge of ASD and/or to meet the licensing requirements of some states.
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