Curriculum

The Applied Behavior Analysis program functions on a cohort model meaning that students enter the program in small cohorts of 9-12 students per year and complete all the courses in the same order with the same group of students.

Classroom-based courses are offered in a face-to-face didactic format, each for 3 credit hours. The required classroom instructional courses include:

• PSY 663 - Measurement in Applied Behavior Analysis

  A graduate-level 45-hour course that covers aspects of behavior analysis related to strategies and tactics of behavioral assessment, measurement, data display, and investigational design. In addition to covering task-list items related to measurement and single-case design in behavior analysis practice; we will read select articles from the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis covering a variety of applications of behavioral principles. We will read from a selection of seminal articles in behavior analysis and current, contemporary research. We will evaluate the measurement and design strategies employed in the articles.

  Prerequisite: PSY 666. And must pass with a GPA 3.2.

• PSY 664 - Ethics and Professional Conduct in Behavioral Analysis

  This course provides an overview of ethics and professional conduct in the field of behavior analysis.The course will provide in-depth information on the BACB Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts. The course will cover professional issues related to responsible conduct of behavior analysts, behavior analysts' ethical responsibility to clients and colleagues, including issues related to assessment of behavior, development and implementation of behavior change programs, clinical supervision and mentoring, the profession of behavior analysis and the BACB, and the conducting and reporting of research. In accordance with the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB), this course meets criteria for 30 instructional hours in the area of Ethical and Professional Conduct, 5 hours in the area of Intervention and Behavior Change Consideration 5 hours in the area of Behavior Change Systems and 5 hours in the area of Implementation, Management and Supervision.

  Prerequisite: PSY 666. And must pass with a GPA 3.2.

• PSY 665 - Advanced Topics in Applied Behavior Analysis

  This course covers a number of advanced research and clinical issues relevant to the field of applied behavior analysis including, particularly as they relate to the field of developmental disabilities.The course will provide in-depth information related to the selection of appropriate interventions, including staying abreast of current research, critically interpreting research, considering individual client needs and developing treatment programs that are consistent with the science of applied behavior analysis. The course will additionally cover issues related to the implementation and management of clinical service provisions, including ensuring appropriate and accurate data collection, maintaining procedural fidelity and providing supervision and training. In accordance with the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB), this course meets criteria for 15 instructional hours in the area of Measurement, 15 hours in the area of Experimental Design and 15 hours in the area of discretionary.

  Prerequisite: PSY 666. And must pass with a GPA 3.2.

• PSY 666 - Concepts and Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis

  This course provides an introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which is the clinical application of behavioral science and learning theory towards the treatment of problematic behavioral and behavioral deficits. In this course, students will become familiar with the scientific foundations of behavioral science and the basic concepts and principles of behavior analysis. The course will emphasize terminology and definitions of behavioral concepts, as well as introduce the application of those concepts across a range of clinical scenarios. In accordance with the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB), this course meets criteria for 45 instructional hours in the area of Concepts and Principals of Behavior Analysis.
  

  Prequisite: PSY 666, PSY 676, or PSY 677 and a Bachelor's degree, and a GPA >= 3.2.

• PSY 667 - Assessment and Treatment of Language Learning

  This course focuses on the application of behavior analysis toward the treatment of individuals exhibiting behavioral deficits or developmental delays. Throughout this course, students will acquire in-depth knowledge of behavioral analytic approaches for promoting the development of new skills and for supporting and maintaining those skills over time. Students will learn to prioritize target behaviors for clinical intervention as well as how to use applied behavior analytic techniques and procedures to develop effective treatment plans. Clinical and professional issues (e.g., fidelity of implementation, monitoring effectiveness) will also be discussed. In accordance with the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB), this course meets criteria for 10 instructional hours in the area of Identification of the Problem and Assessment, 30 instructional hours in the area of Fundamental Elements of Behavior Change and Specific Behavior Change Procedures, and 5 instructional hours in the area of Behavior Change Systems.

  Requisite: PSY 666, PSY 676, or PSY 677 and a Bachelor's degree, and a GPA >= 3.2.

• PSY 668 - Functional Assessment and Function-Based Treatment

  This course will focus on the application of behavior analysis toward the treatment of aberrant behavior. Throughour this course, students will acquire in-depth knowledge of behavior analytic approaches toward the assessment of aberrant behavior (e.g., functional behavioral assessment (FBA) and functional analysis). In addition, the course will focus on how behavior analysis use the results of a behavioral assessment to develop effective and ethical behavioral interventions to reduce aberrant behavior. Clinical and professional issues (e.g., fidelity of implementation, monitoring effectiveness) will also be discussed. In accordance with the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB), this course meets criteria for 25 instructional hours in the area of Identification of the Problem & Assessment, 15 instructional hours in the area of Fundamental Elements of Behavior Changes and Specific Behavior Change Procedures and 5 instructional hours in the area of Intervention of Behavior Change Considerations.

• PSY 669 - Professional Issues in Designing and Monitoring Interventions

  This course covers a number of professional issues related to the competent and ethical delivery of applied behavior analysis services. The course will provide in-depth information related to the selection of appropriate interventions, including staying abreast of current research, critically interpreting research, considering individual client needs and developing treatment programs that are consistent with the science of applied behavior analysis. The course will additionally cover issues related to the implementation and management of clinical service provisions, including ensuring appropriate and accurate data collection, maintaining procedural fidelity and providing supervision and training. Finally, the course will provide information about the professional and ethical compliance code for behavior analysis, as outlined by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB). In accordance with the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB), tis course meets criteria for 15 instructional hours in the area of Ethical and Professional Conduct, 10 hours in the area of Measurement, 10 hours in the area of Experimental Design and 10 hours in the area of Implementation, Management and Supervision.

Practicum course experiences are provided within University of Miami-based ABA training clinics, each for 3-credits. Students complete their clinical work at the Intensive Behavioral Intervention Services (IBIS) Clinic. Each practicum course requires students complete 15 hours per week of supervised clinical work. The required practicum courses include:

• PSY 673 - Advanced Applications of Applied Behavior Analysis III

  The purpose of this course is to provide students with supervised clinical experience in selecting, developing and implementing applied behavior analytic procedures and techniques. During this course, students will provide direct ABA services aimed at improving the behavioral functioning of individuals participating in ABA therapy. Experiential activities provided during this practicum course additionally focus on advanced professional issues in the design and implementation of ABA programs, so as to facilitate appropriate treatment selection, fidelity of implementation and systematic monitoring of treatment efficacy and providing training and feedback on performance. In accordance with the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB), this course meets criteria for 168 hours of practicum experience.

  Prerequisite: PSY 666

• PSY 674 - Applications of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in Development Disabilities

  The purpose of this course is to provide students with supervised clinical experience in the application of behavior analysis toward the treatment of individuals with autism and developmental disabilities who exhibit problematic behavior, behavioral deficits or developmental delays participating in ABA therapy. During this course, students will provide direct ABA services aimed at reducing problematic behave or and promoting the development and maintenance of new skills. Experiential activities provided during this practicum course focus on functional assessment, the identification of meaningful treatment goals, identification of reinforcers via systematic assessment, and the implementation of ABA intervention techniques and programs to treat problematic behavior and behavioral and language deficits. In accordance with the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BA.CB), this course meets criteria for 168 hours of practicum experience.

  Prerequisite: PSY 666. And must pass with a GPA 3.2.

• PSY 675 - Advanced Applications of Applied Behavior Analysis II

  The purpose of this course is to provide students with supervised clinical experience in selecting, and developing applied behavior analytic procedures and techniques for individuals with autism and developmental delay and providing clinical supervision to those implementing behavioral procedures. During this course, students will assist instructors in providing supervision to individuals who provide direct ABA services for individuals participating in ABA therapy. Experiential activities provided during this practicum course additionally focus on advanced professional issues in the design and implementation of ABA programs, so as to facilitate appropriate treatment selection, collection of data related to fidelity of implementation and systematic monitoring of treatment efficacy. In accordance with the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB), this course meets criteria for 168 hours of practicum experience.

  Prerequisite: PSY 666. And must pass with a GPA 3.2.

• PSY 676 - Application of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): Principles and Concepts

  The purpose of this course is to provide students with supervised clinical experience in selecting, developing and implementing applied behavior analysis procedures and techniques. During this course, students will provide direct ABA services aimed at improving the behavioral functioning of individuals participating in ABA therapy. Experiential activities provided during this practicum course focus on the application of basic principles and concepts in ABA, including the identification of behavioral targets, measuring behavioral, monitoring changes in behavior over time, and implementing reinforcement-based interventions. In accordance with the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB), this course meets criteria for 168 hours of practicum experience.

• PSY 677 - Application of the Assessment and Treatment of Language and Learning

  The purpose of this course is to provide students with supervised clinical experience in the application of behavior analysis toward the treatment of individuals who exhibit behavioral deficits or developmental delays. During this course, students will provide direct ABA services aimed at promoting the development and maintenance of new skills Experiential activities provided during this practicum course focus on the identification of meaningful treatment goals, identification of reinforces via systematic assessment, and the implementation of ABA intervention techniques and programs to treat behavioral and language deficits. In accordance with the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB), this course meets criteria for 168 hours of practicum experience.

• PSY 678 - Capstone in Applied Behavior Analysis

  This advanced practicum course is a culmination of all past coursework and practicum experience in the ABA Master’s program. The course is designed to provide ABA graduate students with hands-on experience conducting and disseminating applied research to address a socially significant topic. Completion of the course requires a synthesis of a number of previously taught skills including consuming research, considering the ethics of the project, implementing behavior analytic change procedures, selecting an appropriate experimental design, measurement, graphing, and professional writing.

• PSY 679 - Advanced Application of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

  The purpose of this course is to provide students with supervised clinical experience in selecting, development and implementing applied behavior procedure and techniques. During this course, student will provide direct ABA services aimed at improving the behavioral functioning of individuals participation in ABA therapy. Experiential activities provided during this practicum course additionally focus on advanced professional issues in the design and implementation of ABA programs, so as to facilitate appropriate treatment selection, fidelity of implementation and systematic monitoring of treatment efficacy. In accordance with the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB), this course meets criteria for 168 hours of practicum experience.

The University of Miami boasts a competitive and robust BACB exam pass rate among its students.