The online curriculum of the Saint Joseph’s University's Post-master's Behavior Analysis Certification program explores both the theoretical and methodological foundations of Behavior Analysis to prepare and qualify you to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam.
The Association for Behavior Analysis International has approved courses ABA 601 through ABA 608 as meeting the 5th Edition Task List’s coursework requirement for taking the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Examination. Applicants will have to meet additional internship requirements independent of the online program to qualify to sit for the BCBA exam.
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Behavior Analysis Courses
ABA 601 Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis
3 credits. This introductory course focuses on the concepts and principles of behavior analysis, a natural science approach to studying behavior. It covers principles of learning and behavior from relatively simple animal studies to more complex issues such as the acquisition of human language. Examples of topics reviewed in depth include operant and respondent conditioning, reinforcement, punishment, extinction, shaping, chaining, stimulus control, and verbal behavior. Multi-disciplinary, real world examples and applications will be introduced. Due to changes in certification standards, this course is not open to those students who began their program of study prior to the Fall 2018 semester.
ABA 602 Ethics and Professionalism in Behavior Analysis
3 credits. This course focuses on ethics and professionalism in behavior analysis, with a emphasis on the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s® Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts and the corresponding disciplinary system. This course familiarizes students with ethical problem solving and practice related to the application of behavior analysis. Topics include regulations, laws, policies, and societal issues of importance related to culture, human rights, punishment, parenting, education, behavior management, and workplace behavior. Students learn to demonstrate professionalism in the field and practice resolving ethical dilemmas from case studies and their work settings. Connections are made to relevant ethical codes from multi-disciplinary and related fields as students learn to think, resolve issues, and behave like an ethical behavior analyst. Due to changes in certification standards, this course is not open to those students who began their program of study prior to the Fall 2018 semester.
ABA 603 Measuring and Evaluating Behavior
3 credits. This course addresses defining behavior, collecting data, calculating inter-observer agreement, and creating graphical displays of data. It teaches students the characteristics of behavior analytic experiments that are methodologically and logically sound, socially valid, and ethical. We explore the major experimental designs used in behavior analysis, practice interpretation and evaluation of data, and learn the limitations of behavioral and non-behavioral research. Interdisciplinary examples are provided and analyzed. Prerequisite: ABA 601. Due to changes in certification standards, this course is not open to those students who began their program of study prior to the Fall 2018 semester.
ABA 604 Behavior Assessment
3 credits. This course focuses on behavior assessment. It covers descriptive and functional assessment of problematic behavior, as well as functional analysis. Students learn to review records, determine the need for behavior analytic services, select socially significant behavior-change goals, and conduct skill and preference assessment. Through case studies, students learn to describe the common functions of behavior. Examples of multi-disciplinary applications of behavior assessment are presented. Prerequisite: ABA 601. Due to changes in certification standards, this course is not open to those students who began their program of study prior to the Fall 2018 semester.
ABA 605 Behavior Change Procedures
3 credits. This course provides comprehensive review of the application of behavior analytic principles across varied child, adult, and health contexts. Specific training is provided for procedures such as reinforcement, punishment, motivating operations, modeling, stimulus control, rules, shaping and chaining. Students explore methods for teaching simple to complex repertoires, using discrete trials, Skinner’s analysis of verbal behavior, group contingencies, self-management, and strategies to maintain and generalize behavior. Topics include behavior change applications from a range of subject-matter experts who have clinical and research experience across multiple uses of ABA. Prerequisite: ABA 601, ABA 603. Due to changes in certification standards, this course is not open to those students who began their program of study prior to the Fall 2018 semester
ABA 606 Collaboration, Supervision and Management in Behavior Analysis
3 credits. This course prepares students to provide behavior analytic supervision or training, performance monitoring, mentorship, and function-based strategies to improve personnel performance through expectation setting, motivation, and feedback. There is an emphasis on the importance of data-based decision making to evaluate the effects of interventions for clients and staff of organizations. Students also learn to collaborate while selecting and implementing interventions that integrate behavior analytic concepts and principles into plans and to rely on the best available scientific evidence and to incorporate information about preferences, risks, the environment, and social validity for program planning. The course includes team activities and case studies to assess and intervene in collaborative, positive ways that maximize outcomes. Prerequisite: ABA 601. Due to changes in certification standards, this course is not open to those students who began their program of study prior to the Fall 2018 semester.
ABA 607 Science and Philosophy of Behavior Analysis
3 credits. The course covers the history and philosophy of behaviorism, latest developments over the last decade, evolutionary theory, and cultural evolution theory. We explore behavior analysis as it applies to philosophical and practical problems, and explore concepts such as purpose, language, knowledge, and thought, as well as applying behavioral thinking to contemporary social issues like freedom, democracy, culture, and resolution of complex social issues. The course culminates with practical approaches to improving our lives, our community, and our world. Prerequisite: ABA 601, ABA 605. Due to changes in certification standards, this course is not open to those students who began their program of study prior to the Fall 2018 semester.
ABA 608 Integrative Capstone Course in Applied Behavior Analysis
3 credits. Prerequisite: All preceding ABA courses within the verified course sequence (ABA 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607).
ABA 608 is the last course taken within the sequence and culminates the entire Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) coursework. The course provides students the opportunity to integrate the principles of ABA to synthesize the knowledge and skills gained throughout the graduate program, including an application of behavioral principles to address an identified problem in a clinical or educational setting.
For the MS in Education – Special Education – Applied Behavior Analysis concentration: Students may choose ABA 608 or any other online SPE 600/700 level course as their elective for this track.
For the MS in Criminal Justice – Behavior Analysis Concentration: Students may choose ABA 608 or any other online CRJ 600 level course as their elective for this track.
NOTE: Courses are in alpha-numeric order, not necessarily the order in which they are taken, and are subject to change. Please speak with an Program Manager for a course map.
To learn more about the online Behavior Analysis Certification program from Saint Joseph’s University and what it can do for your career, call (215) 473-2695 to speak with a Program Manager right away, or request more information below.