Applied Behavior Analysis Specialization

The Applied Behavior Analysis doctoral specialization at Utah State University prepares graduates to be highly effective university faculty and behavior analytic practitioners who significantly improve children's lives through research, intervention, and teaching.

The specialization offers students the opportunity to advance their behavior analytic skills by:

• taking advanced coursework in behavior analysis theory, research and practice.
• practicing applied behavior analysis in clinical and educational settings
• collaborating extensively with faculty in the areas of research, teaching, and staff supervision

Opportunities

Graduate students in the Applied Behavior Analysis specialization have the opportunity to work and conduct research in the ASSERT Program, an early intensive behavioral intervention preschool program for children with autism.

1. The ASSERT Program, an early intensive behavioral intervention preschool program for children with autism.
2. The Severe Behavior Clinic and associated intervention program, a collaboration with the USU Psychology Department and the Center for Persons with Disabilities.
3. Public school sites and group homes in and around the Cache Valley.

Through coursework and supervised clinical experience, doctoral students can meet the requirements to sit for the Behavior Analysis Certification Board exam to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts.

Faculty and current doctoral students are engaged in research and development projects in a variety of topics, including, but not limited to behavioral interventions for children with autism, preference and reinforcer assessment, direct instruction, fluency, functional analysis, and assessment and treatment of problem behavior, parent training, verbal behavior and school-wide Positive Behavior Supports.

Courses and Requirements

Coursework

Core coursework that is common to all areas of disability disciplines.  This includes multidisciplinary courses that bring together diverse perspectives on disabilities and effective services as well as research methodology.  In addition, specialization courses provide deep coverage of current developments in applied behavior analysis.

• Applied Behavior Analysis specialization coursework

Professional Products and Internships

A set of professional products and internships provide opportunities for mentored experience in critical professional skills.

• Research Internship
• Conference Presentation
• Review of Literature
• Publication
• College Teaching Internship
• Supervision Internship
• Grant Writing

Preliminary Exams

Preliminary exams are conducted after approximately one year of full time study (or the equivalent) and provide a focus for students to attain foundational skills in research design and critique, and disciplinary knowledge. This three part exams is completed across a three day period. Components of the exam are:

• Foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis. Specific questions focus on key foundational knowledge of applied behavior analysis.
• Design of Research. The student outlines the design of a single-subject research project on a given topic relevant to special education.
• Critique of Research. The student critiques a manuscript reporting single-subject research within special education.

Dissertation

The dissertation is the capstone experience of the doctoral program. The student plans, carries out, analyzes, and interprets substantial original research that contributes to the advancement of their field of study.

Faculty

Primary Faculty

• Sarah Bloom, Ph.D.
• Thomas S. Higbee, Ph.D.
• Benjamin Lignugaris/Kraft, Ph.D.
• Robert L. Morgan, Ph.D.
• Scott Ross, Ph.D.
• Charles L. Salzberg, Ph.D.
• Timothy A. Slocum, Ph.D.

Support Faculty

• Donna Gilbertson, Ph.D.
• Amy Odum, Ph.D.
• Gretchen Peacock, Ph.D.
• Andrew Samaha, Ph.D.
• Timothy Shahan, Ph.D.

Contact Information

  For information on the Applied Behavior Analysis Specialization, please contact Dr. Tom Higbee.