Program Description
Students pursuing a master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis are trained to affect socially significant behavioral changes in individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, brain injury, or coping with mental and social issues as a result of aging.. They assist a variety of individuals—from those in regular educational settings to those who wish to improve performance or master skills in a variety of areas.
The curriculum covers all four domains of behavior analysis: applied behavior analysis, the experimental analysis of behavior, service delivery, and theory and philosophy (Radical Behaviorism). In addition to coursework, students receive practicum experiences and complete a capstone project—either a master’s thesis, or provide a clinical demonstration project.
The Advanced Applied Project allows a student to demonstrate a level of competency that is necessary to be a successful professional applied Board Certified Behavior Analyst. The thesis option, the Advanced Research Project is targeted for individuals who are interested in conducting experimental research and pursing a doctoral degree.
L.A. Campus students have the opportunity to train caregivers who treat individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities in ABA techniques through the campus' TEACH Center.
Chicago School's ABA course sequence is approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board®. Graduates are eligible to sit for certification by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board®.
Department
Applied Behavior Analysis
Concentrations
Licensure
Course sequence is approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® and graduates are eligible to sit for national certification by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board®.
Total Credits
48
Fieldwork Requirements
Sample Courses
Science and Human Behavior
Designed to enhance students' understanding of the application of behavior analysis to individual and social problems, with an emphasis on the philosophical bases of behavior analysis. Students read Skinner's seminal text, Science and Human Behavior, in which he describes behavioral and cultural analyses, as well as critiques and related articles. The major objective of the class includes understanding and critiquing Skinner's approach to the study and control of individual and group behavior. Topics include discussing individual behavior that seems difficult to study with a behavior-analytic approach (e.g., private events) as well as control of group behavior and the problems associated with such control. Students will be able to discuss the pros and cons of Skinner's perspective, identify the aspects of his beliefs with which they agree or disagree, and explain their own perspectives.
Organizational Behavior Management
Focuses on applying behavior analytic principles in the domain of behavioral consultation and management. Emphasis is placed upon understanding the various stages of successful behavioral consultation, identifying potential problems that may arise during the consultation process, and knowing how to overcome them. Other learning objectives include:
- Correctly identifying, explaining, and understanding the key concepts of behavioral consultation.
- Applying the key concepts of behavioral consultation to any targeted consultation population.
- Correctly identifying, explaining, and understanding the various stages of successful behavioral consultation.
- Successfully identifying potential problems that may arise during the consultation process and knowing how to overcome them.
Behavioral Pharmacology
Presents the basic principles required for the use of psychopharmacological agents. All major classes of psychotropics are presented, including antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, anxiolytics and sedatives/hypnotics, psycho-stimulants, and atypical medications. Other topics covered include laboratory and physiological assessments pertinent to their use, basic neuron-chemical and anatomical concepts associated with their proposed mechanism of action, drug-drug interactions, adverse reactions, and pertinent aspects of differential diagnosis. Psychiatric aspects of general medical conditions, with particular attention to the diagnosis and treatment of delirium, are presented.
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