Courses | Graduate Certificate in School-wide Positive Behavior Support

The following required courses are offered in 4 consecutive semesters.

EPSY 3125/5141: Classroom and Behavior Management (fall 1 for grads, IB/M students take this in spring of their junior year)

This course offers students an introduction to school- and class-wide positive behavior support. Students are introduced to (a) the theoretical and empirical support for positive behavior support, (b) a three-tiered model of school-wide positive behavior support (SWPBS), and (c) implementation strategies appropriate to each tier of the model. The primary focus is on tier 1 (primary) supports in school, classroom, and non-classroom settings.

Instructor(s) present course content through readings, lectures, small group discussion, and practice activities. Students are responsible for participating in these activities and providing the instructor(s) with information that indicates an understanding and mastery of the course content. The instructor(s) is(are) responsible for presenting course content, evaluating student performance, and providing feedback that enables students to meet course objectives.

EPSY 5142: Individualized Positive Behavior Support (spring 1)

This course offers students an understanding of the more intensive tiers of positive behavior supports. Students review (a) the theoretical and empirical support for positive behavior support, (b) the three-tiered model of SWPBS, and (c) implementation strategies appropriate to each tier of the model. Then, students are introduced practices and systems in tiers 2 (secondary) and 3 (tertiary).

Instructor(s) present course content through readings, lectures, small group discussion, and practice activities. Students are responsible for participating in these activities and providing instructor(s) with information indicating an understanding and mastery of the course content. The instructor(s) is(are) responsible for presenting course content, evaluating student performance, and providing feedback that enables students to meet course objectives.

EPSY 5405 (formerly 384/358): Applied Behavior Analysis (fall 2)

This course offers students an advanced study of Positive Behavior Support (PBS) by focusing on theories, principles, and practices of applied behavior analysis (ABA). Students study methods for (a) assessing or measuring behavior, (b) increasing or decreasing behaviors by manipulating antecedent and consequent variables, (c) teaching new behaviors using ABA techniques, and (d) implementing self-management procedures. Students actively participate and lead discussions about current issues in the fields of ABA and SWPBS, and students apply their knowledge through course assessments.

EPSY 5092 (formerly 381): Practicum in Positive Behavior Support (spring 2)

This course provides students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge of all tiers of SWPBS. Specifically, in the context of either an internship, practicum, or job experience, students develop and implement (a) a rules-within-routines matrix, (b) one (or more) social skills lesson plan(s), (c) a group reinforcement program, (d) two functional behavioral assessments (FBAs), and (e) two positive behavior support plans (BSPs).

Students will be supported by engaging in course readings, small group discussion, and applied activities. Students are responsible for participating in these activities and providing the instructor(s) with information that indicates an understanding and mastery of the course content. The instructor(s) is(are) responsible for facilitating small group discussions, evaluating student performance, and providing feedback that enables students to meet course objectives.