2025-2026 Graduate Catalog

APBA - Applied Behavior Analysis

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APBA 6210 Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis

This course introduces the student to technical terminology related to concepts and principles of behavior analysis. Emphases include understanding foundational behavioral principles and exploring precise technological procedures for describing socially important behaviors along with relevant environmental stimuli.

Credits

3

Notes

Previously: SPED 624

APBA 6220 Professional Ethics for Behavior Analysts

The focus of this course is on the ethical guidelines that govern the practice of special educators and behavior analysts, as well as historical issues that have given rise to these ethics. This course is aligned with the professional ethics for Board Certified Behavior Analysts.

Credits

3

Notes

Previously: SPED 623

APBA 6230 Experimental Analysis

This course focuses on the branch of behavior analysis that provides the basic building blocks for the field and a foundation for applied behavior analysis. Strategies in applied behavior analysis are largely rooted in research from the experimental analysis of behavior but with application to socially important behaviors. Students will develop competence in understanding how principles of behavior are discovered and described in the context of basic research. Emphasis will be on basic processes such as classical conditioning, operant conditioning, stimulus control, escape, avoidance, and response shaping.

Credits

3

Notes

 

APBA 6240 Research Methods in Behavior Analysis

This course presents single-case research methodology related to individuals with disabilities. Students will develop competence in measurement of behavior, data collection analysis, and graphic representation. Students will also practice critical analyses of peer-reviewed single-case research design and develop a single-subject research proposal for examining a behavior analytic strategy.

Credits

3

Notes

Previously: SPED 628

APBA 6250 Functional Behavior Assessments and Interventions

This course focuses on the processes for conducting behavior assessment to develop intervention programs for individuals with severe behaviors and behaviors that interfere with the individual’s quality of life. Emphases are on conducting functional behavior assessments, including functional analyses, to evaluate the environmental conditions responsible for an individual’s inappropriate behavior (including self-injury, aggression toward others, and property destruction) and developing function-based interventions. Students learn application of research-based practices to safely manage and improve the individual's behavior.

Credits

3

Notes

Previously: SPED 626

APBA 6260 Behavior-Change Fundamentals (Methods)

This course focuses on application of basic processes for affecting behavior change, including instruction on basic life and academic skills as well as socially important behaviors for individuals with developmental disabilities. Students will develop interventions based on assessment results and that focus on antecedent and reinforcement strategies. Emphasis is on the application of research-based instructional strategies that facilitate skill acquisition, fluency, maintenance, and generalization.

Credits

3

Notes

Previously: SPED 625

APBA 6270 Management & Supervision for Behavior Analysts

Revised FA25In this course, potential supervisory and administrative roles and responsibilities of the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) are investigated. Focus is on training and supervision of persons responsible for carrying out behavioral assessment and behavior-change procedures, documentation of behavioral services, application of effective performance monitoring systems and program evaluations. This course fulfills the BACB Supervisor training if the original BACB certification date is within 180 days of the completion of this course.

Credits

3

Notes

Previously: SPED 627

APBA 6900 Capstone in Behavior Analysis

This is the culminating course in the M.S. ABA program for the behavior specialist and is considered the capstone experience. Students will review behavioral analytic fundamentals and strategies that can be applied to increase socially valid behaviors and minimize problem behaviors. Topics introduced earlier in the program will be explored more extensively. Emphases are on demonstrating competencies with terms and content related to philosophical underpinnings, concepts, and principles of behavior analysis. Additionally, students will work in teams to complete a capstone research project that includes a manuscript and poster presentation.

Credits

3

Notes

Previously: SPED 696

APBA 6940 Fieldwork Experience (one month)

This one-month, repeatable course is part of a supervised fieldwork experience within the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis program of study. In APBA 6940, students will have the opportunity to accrue fieldwork hours and meet supervision requirements for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Test Content Outline (TCO; 6th ed.) in months that academic courses are not offered: January and August. Students are required to enroll in APBA at least twice during their program.

Credits

1

Notes

Previously: SPED 619A

APBA 6941 Fieldwork Experience I

This course is part of a supervised fieldwork experience within the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis program of study. In APBA 6941, students will have the opportunity to accrue fieldwork hours and meet supervision requirements for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Test Content Outline (TCO; 6th ed.) that are aligned with APBA 6210 Principles of Behavior Analysis.

Credits

1

Notes

Previously: SPED 611A

APBA 6942 Fieldwork Experience II

This course is part of a supervised fieldwork experience within the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis program of study. In APBA 6942, students will have the opportunity to accrue fieldwork hours and meet supervision requirements for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Test Content Outline (TCO; 6th ed.) that are aligned with APBA 6220 Ethics for Behavior Analysts.

Credits

1

Notes

Previously: SPED 612A

APBA 6943 Fieldwork Experience III

This course is part of a supervised fieldwork experience within the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis program of study. In APBA 6943, students will have the opportunity to accrue fieldwork hours and meet supervision requirements for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Test Content Outline (TCO; 6th ed.) that are aligned with APBA 6230 Experimental Analysis.

Credits

1

Notes

Previously: SPED 613A

APBA 6944 Fieldwork Experience IV

This course is part of a supervised fieldwork experience within the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis program of study. In APBA 6944, students will have the opportunity to accrue fieldwork hours and meet supervision requirements for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Test Content Outline (TCO; 6th ed.) that are aligned with APBA 6240 Research Methods.

Credits

1

Notes

Previously: SPED 614A

APBA 6945 Fieldwork Experience V

This course is part of a supervised fieldwork experience within the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis program of study. In APBA 6945, students will have the opportunity to accrue fieldwork hours and meet supervision requirements for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Test Content Outline (TCO; 6th ed.) that are aligned with APBA 6250 Functional Behavior Assessment.

Credits

1

Notes

Previously: SPED 615A

APBA 6946 Fieldwork Experience VI

This course is part of a supervised fieldwork experience within the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis program of study. In APBA 6946, students will have the opportunity to accrue fieldwork hours and meet supervision requirements for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Test Content Outline (TCO; 6th ed.) that are aligned with APBA 6260 Behavior-Change Fundamentals.

Credits

1

Notes

Previously: SPED 6161A

APBA 6947 Fieldwork Experience VII

This course is part of a supervised fieldwork experience within the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis program of study. In APBA 6947, students will have the opportunity to accrue fieldwork hours and meet supervision requirements for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Test Content Outline (TCO; 6th ed.) that are aligned with APBA 6270 Organizational Behavior Management.

Credits

1

Notes

Previously: SPED 617A

APBA 6948 Fieldwork Experience (Elective)

This course is part of a supervised fieldwork experience within the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis program of study. In APBA 6948, students will have the opportunity to accrue fieldwork hours and meet supervision requirements for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Test Content Outline (TCO; 6th ed.) that are aligned with APBA 6900 Capstone in Behavior Analysis. Students may repeat this fieldwork experience course at the end of their program to accrue additional fieldwork hours.

Credits

1

Notes

Previously: SPED 618A