his course introduces the philosophical assumptions and dimensions of the science of applied behavior analysis, including determinism, empiricism, parsimony, selectionism, pragmatism, and lawfulness of behavior. Students define key terms related to applied behavior analysis, the scientific principles of behavior, and behavioral technologies. Students differentiate between environmental and mentalistic explanations of behavior, and between conceptual, experimental, and applied analyses of behavior.

For students taking this course as part of a special education program, or as an elective:

This course provides students with a basic understanding of the application of behavior analysis to a wide variety of human conditions and severely disabling conditions. Students will learn the history of ABA and be introduced to the use of behavioral principles to increase and decrease behavior. The science of ABA can provide a framework for assessing a variety of children and adolescents, for designing, implementing, and evaluating IEP’s, for maintaining children in general education settings, and for assuring generalization and maintenance. Examples of educational strategies relying on behavioral principles for effective implementation will be discussed including reinforcement procedures, token economy procedures, stimulus control procedures, such as modeling and other forms of prompting, self-management procedures, and augmentative and assistive technologies. The Autism Spectrum Disorders Certificate does not lead to endorsement from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The course provides an intensive, practical review of the ethical, legal, and professional issues in the field of applied behavior analysis. Core ethical Principles in the discipline of psychology, adopted by the Association for Behavior Analysis-International (ABAI) to guide professional practice in the specialty are introduced, with a focus on practical applications of these principles in educational settings where the discipline of applied behavior analysis is practiced. Using case studies interwoven with scientific literature from the field of applied behavior analysis, students demonstrate the ability to apply the Behavior Analyst Certification Board Professional and Ethical Compliance Code© in real-life educational contexts.

The process of identifying behaviors targeted for change and the use of behavioral assessment techniques to identify and analyze behavior-environment relations, for the purpose of developing successful, functionally-based intervention strategies. Methodologies of descriptive assessment and functional analysis, applied to both challenging problem behaviors and academic learning situations. Use of many practical behaviorally-based assessment tools, including checklists and rating scales, structured observation tools, and curricular assessments.

This course teaches students to implement behaviorally based strategies to establish, strengthen, and weaken target behaviors. Fundamental elements of behavior change are reviewed, with a focus on selecting evidence-based tactics that utilize basic principles of behavior (reinforcement, punishment, extinction, and stimulus control) and utilizing appropriate parameters and schedules of reinforcement and punishment. Various procedures combining fundamental behavior principles and tactic are reviewed, modeled, practiced, and demonstrated to mastery and fluency. Basic behavior analytic skills of measurement and analysis are practiced in the context of utilizing behavior change procedures.

This course addresses the legal issues that are most prevalent in the delivery of healthcare. Emphasis will be on the common issues that healthcare professionals encounter. The student will be introduced to various legal terms, policy and statutes and their relationship to the healthcare system process. Additionally the student will be provided with foundational knowledge regarding healthcare law and ethics and the effect on healthcare policy.

The purpose of this course is to explore leadership theories in the context of the changing healthcare environment. The student will develop a theoretical position regarding how to be an effective leader in a variety of healthcare and organizational settings.

This course covers the selection, application, and interpretation of basic statistical tests and procedures applicable to healthcare research topics. Topics include data, variables, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, correlations, t test, Fischer’s F test, and the one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).

This course is designed to aid individuals in becoming transformational leaders. It serves as a comprehensive resource in developing the foundational, conceptual, interpersonal, and practical disposition essential to inculcate transformation leadership skills and abilities.

This course is designed to aid individuals in becoming transformational leaders. It serves as a comprehensive resource in developing the foundational, conceptual, interpersonal, and practical disposition essential to inculcate transformation leadership skills and abilities.

This course is designed to introduce students to quantitative research methods. Students will develop the skills necessary to formulate appropriate quantitative research questions, collect quantitative data, select appropriate statistical analyses, and analyze quantitative data.

This course is designed to introduce students to qualitative research methods. Students will develop the skills necessary to formulate appropriate qualitative research questions, collect qualitative data, and analyze qualitative data.

This course will review proposal components, with particular emphasis on research design and developing the literature review, and will also focus on key issues such as research project format standards, time management demands, committee formation, IRB training, and project management. Students must submit their IRB proposal for institutional approval.

Doctoral students will be guided and assisted in the completion of research data collection, data analysis, conclusions, recommendations, and preparations for final methodology review.

A continuation of DHS 793, doctoral students will be guided in the completion of edits required by the research project committee and methodology review, and preparation for the project defense.

This course will examine both analytical and practical approaches to cultural competency in public health. Concepts, models, frameworks, and communication that occur in cross-cultural health situations will be discussed, but also the application of these concepts in real interventions and programs.

Students will explore the history and current applications of social and behavioral sciences as they are applied to public health practice and research. The course analyzes social and behavioral science models, theories, and approaches that inform public health and their philosophical roots. The course also examines social and behavioral determinants of health equity across the ecological spectrum.