Department of Psychology | Jacksonville State University Catalogs

Department Head: Dr. Paige McKerchar, pmckerchar@jsu.edu

MS Program Director: Dr. Makenzie Bayles, mbayles@jsu.edu

The Psychology Department offers courses leading to the Master of Science (MS) degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. Included in the curriculum are a broad range of behaviorally focused courses. The purpose of this degree is to prepare students for careers in the application of behavior analytic techniques to the behavioral habilitation of diverse populations. The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the following course sequence as meeting the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst Examination®:

Course List
Course	Title	Credits
PSY 508	Personnel Supervision and Management	3
PSY 511	Conceptual Foundations of Behavior Analysis	3
PSY 521	Functional Assessment	3
PSY 528	Applied Behavior Analysis I	3
PSY 529	Applied Behavior Analysis II	3
PSY 530	Single-Subject Research Methods	3
PSY 538	Ethics and Professional Development	3

Applicants will have to meet additional experience requirements to qualify for national certification and state licensure.

Applied Behavior Analysis (Master of Science)

PSY 500 Behavioral Psychopharmacology (3)

Behavioral effects of psychoactive drugs, neurochemical and behavioral mechanisms of drug dependency.

PSY 502 Motivation (3)

Research techniques, their findings, and applications to problems of motivation; topics from hunger and thirst to human incentive motivation.

PSY 504 Graduate Behavior Analysis Lab (1)

Teaches the skills involved in specifying, observing, and changing behavior as well as the standard behavioral laboratory techniques.

PSY 505 Professional Behavior (3)

Introduction to professional skills for behavior analysts. Topics include, but are not limited to, technical writing, studying, time management, effective communication, and digital responsibility.

PSY 508 Personnel Supervision and Management (3)

Introduction to personnel supervision and management using the principles of behavior analysis. Evaluating professional behavior and leadership skills, and applying concepts, strategies, and tactics to professional experiences.

PSY 511 Conceptual Foundations of Behavior Analysis (3)

Prerequisite(s): "B" or better in PSY 528 and PSY 221 or PSY 504.

Issues underlying the acquisition, conceptualization, and understanding of valid knowledge in psychology, including the design, implementation, and interpretation of research.

PSY 521 Functional Assessment (3)

Prerequisite(s): "B" or better in PSY 528 and PSY 221 or PSY 504.

The strategies and ethics of functional assessment are presented in the larger context of behavioral assessment. Research articles relevant to indirect, descriptive, and experimental functional assessment approaches and assessment-based interventions are reviewed.

PSY 528 Applied Behavior Analysis I (3)

Prerequisite(s): PSY 221 or PSY 504.

An introduction and examination of the theory, principles, and methods of modern applied behavior analysis.

PSY 529 Applied Behavior Analysis II (3)

Prerequisite(s): "B" or better in PSY 528 and PSY 221 or PSY 504.

Behavior change procedures and common applications of behavior analysis principles to areas of social importance (e.g., autism and developmental disabilities, gerontology, addiction) are examined.

PSY 530 Single-Subject Research Methods (3)

Prerequisite(s): "B" or better in PSY 528 and PSY 221 or PSY 504.

Examination of the strategies and tactics used in single-subject research to implement socially important behavior change.

PSY 534 Experimental Analysis of Behavior (3)

Prerequisite(s): "B" or better in PSY 528 and PSY 221 or PSY 504.

Development of the paradigmatic framework of the experimental analysis of behavior, and an examination of the research and resulting body of knowledge provided by that analytical approach.

PSY 538 Ethics and Professional Development (3)

Prerequisite(s): "B" or better in PSY 508 and PSY 530.

Discussion of ethical guidelines and professional skills pertinent to research and practice in behavior analysis.

PSY 540 Analysis of Child Development (3)

Prerequisite(s): Completion of 12 semester hours of core psychology graduate courses including PSY 530 and PSY 534.

The behavior analytic view of child development is compared and contrasted with other systems for understanding development (e.g., Piagetian theory). Students review and critically evaluate current and seminal literature related to several developmental domains (e.g., motor, language, social).

PSY 541 Verbal Behavior (3)

Prerequisite(s): PSY 530 and PSY 534.

The conceptual foundation, empirical basis, and practical application of verbal behavior are surveyed.

PSY 542 Translational Perspectives in Behavior Analysis (3)

Prerequisite(s): PSY 530 and PSY 534.

An introduction to translational research, a hallmark of the scientist-practitioner model in applied behavior analysis.

PSY 543 BCBA Test Content: A Comprehensive Review (3)

Prerequisite(s): PSY 530 and PSY 534.

In-depth review of the BCBA test content for students pursuing board certification in behavior analysis.

PSY 544 Behavior Analysis in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (3)

Prerequisite(s): PSY 530 and PSY 534.

Discussion of important literature relevant to the use of applied behavior analytic principles and methods for studying and treating problems related to intelluctual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

PSY 551 Seminar in Contemporary Topics (3)

Prerequisite(s): PSY 530 and PSY 534.

Various topics covering real-world applications of contemporary topics in Psychology.

PSY 552 Seminar in Contemporary Topics (3)

Prerequisite(s): PSY 530 and PSY 534.

Various topics covering real world applications of contemporary topics in Psychology.

PSY 553 Seminar in Contemporary Topics (3)

Prerequisite(s): PSY 530 and PSY 534.

Various topics covering real world applications of contemporary topics in Psychology.

PSY 554 Seminar in Contemporary Topics (3)

Prerequisite(s): PSY 530 and PSY 534.

Various topics covering real world applications of contemporary topics in Psychology.

PSY 562 Associative Learning (3)

Prerequisite(s): PSY 511.

Analysis of classical conditioning, human causal and contingency learning, and memory paradigms, with a special emphasis on historical and contemporary theoritical accounts of these phenomena.

PSY 566 Impulsivity and Self-Control (3)

Prerequisite(s): PSY 530 and PSY 534.

The conceptual, experimental, and economic analysis of impulsivity and self-control in both human and non-human animals.

PSY 570 Instructional Practicum (3)

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

Application of psychological principles in educational settings such as undergraduate courses; responsibilities could include lab assistantship tasks including mentoring of students, presentation of course work, organization of class materials, etc. under the supervision of a faculty member.

PSY 571 Instructional Practicum (3)

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

PSY 579 Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum (3)

Prerequisite(s): Approval of the instructor.

Practice of behavior analysis in applied settings such as habilitation of individuals with developmental disabilities, modification of behavior in schools, and improvement of organization performance.

PSY 580 Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum I (3)

Prerequisite(s): Approval of the instructor.

Practice applying behavior analysis principles and conducting research in approved settings including clinics and schools; students will initiate a research study by defining a research problem, designing and implementing a method to address the problem, and collecting data.

PSY 581 Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum II (3)

Prerequisite(s): Approval of the instructor.

Practice applying behavior analysis principles and conducting research in approved settings including clinics and schools; students will complete a research study by collecting final data, analyzing data, and reporting the results and conclusion.

PSY 592 Independent Research (3)

Prerequisite(s): Approval of instructor and psychology graduate committee.

Students will conduct supervised research projects chosen in coordination with their supervisor.

PSY 593 Independent Research (3)

Prerequisite(s): Approval of the instructor and psychology graduate committee.

Students will conduct supervised research projects chosen in coordination with their supervisor.

PSY 594 Independent Readings (3)

Prerequisite(s): Approval of the instructor and psychology graduate committee.

Independent readings will normally include content not offered in regularly scheduled classes.

PSY 595 Independent Readings (3)

Prerequisite(s): Approval of the instructor and psychology graduate committee.

Independent readings will normally include content not offered in regularly scheduled classes.