SPLED 503A APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION: BASIC PRINCIPLES I (4) Topics include a history of applied behavior analysis; underlying assumptions; dimensions and characteristics of ABA; basic terminology and principles.

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Overview

This is the first course in the 18-credit Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate Program. This course covers basic behavior principles and is a prerequisite to SPLED 503B, 503C, and 503D. Successful completion of the five-course sequence results in the Penn State Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis.

The 18 credits that you earn by completing the program may be applied toward the requirements for certification by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). The BACB has approved our course sequence as meeting the 270-hour coursework requirements for eligibility to take the BCBA examination. Therefore, this program already meets the BACB’s 4^th Edition Task List requirements that will go into effect in January 2015. Completing this course sequence and earning the graduate certificate from Penn State will indicate that you have met the BACB’s coursework requirement. Before you sit for the BCBA certification exam, the BACB requires that you also show proof of a master’s degree in an acceptable field of study, plus proof that you have accrued the required number of supervised experience hours. You are responsible for ensuring that you meet ALL of the current BACB standards.

Please visit the BACB’s website for detailed information about their certification process:  www.bacb.com.  Click on “Becoming Certified.”

Course topics include ethical considerations; definitions and characteristics; principles, processes, and concepts; behavioral assessment; experimental evaluation of interventions; measurement of behavior; and displaying and interpreting behavioral data.

This course is delivered through a system of videostreamed lectures; online practice activities and assignments; asynchronous online communication between students and instructors (discussion forums); and online proctored examinations.

ANGEL

This course utilizes ANGEL, Penn State's online course management system. In many instances we will call ANGEL the "course website." Please consult the ANGEL User Guide for instructions on how to use it. To access ANGEL, go to the ANGEL Course Management website.

Use of the ANGEL course website is an integral and required part of this course. Students must log on to ANGEL several times a week in order to complete course requirements, receive important announcements and updates, and communicate with instructors and other students about course content and requirements.

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Objectives

The primary purpose of the 18-credit ABA program is to prepare students to meet the requirements for behavior analyst certification through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). Thus, the course is designed to prepare students to master the content required by the BACB and to sit for the certification examination. As such, course content and evaluation methods have been designed to closely follow the content and evaluation methods used by the BACB. Therefore, many activities (both graded and ungraded) follow the multiple-choice format used by the BACB in their certification examination. Although other assessment formats could have been used and are used for some activities and assignments, the multiple-choice format most closely aligns with the methods used by the board and therefore is most valid as preparation and practice for the exam.

After completing this course students should be able to:

• Define the basic principles of behavior
• Identify the most effective methods to collect data in applied settings
• Interpret graphically represented data
• Use single-subject experimental design to develop methods to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions

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Materials

Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.

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Library Resources

Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can

• access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
• borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep—or even your desktop;
• get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
• much more. 

You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and service.  The Off-Campus Users page has additional information about these free services.

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Technical Specifications

Technical Requirements

Operating System	Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8*; Mac OS X 10.5 or higher *Windows 8 support excludes the tablet only RT version
Processor	2 GHz or higher
Memory	1 GB of RAM
Hard Drive Space	20 GB free disk space
Browser	We recommend the latest ANGEL-supported version of Firefox or Internet Explorer. To determine if your browser fits this criterion, and for advice on downloading a supported version, please refer to the following ITS knowledge base article: Supported Browsers and Recommended Computers. Note: Cookies, Java, and JavaScript must be enabled. Pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. Due to nonstandard handling of CSS, JavaScript and caching, older versions of Internet Explorer (such as IE 6 or earlier) do not work with our courses.
Plug-ins	Adobe Reader [Download from Adobe] Flash Player (v7.0 or later) [Download from Adobe]
Additional Software	Microsoft Office (2007 or later)
Internet Connection	Broadband (cable or DSL) connection required
Printer	Access to graphics-capable printer
DVD-ROM	Required
Sound Card, Microphone, and Speakers	Required
Monitor	Capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution

 

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Arranging a Proctor

You will need to secure a proctor in order to take exams in this course. A proctor will not automatically be assigned to you; rather, you must make the necessary contacts to secure a professional who will serve in this capacity.

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Contact Information

1. Dr. David Lee is the lead instructor for this course. He may be reached by phone at 814-865-3567 or by e-mail at davidlee@psu.edu.

2. If you have a question about course content, assignments, or exams you should contact the instructor responsible for the material in question. When leaving a message or sending an e-mail, be sure to leave a phone number where the instructor can reach you. Please remember to contact faculty in a timely manner. Faculty may be out of town or unavailable to answer queries immediately so contact them with questions well in advance of exam or assignment due dates.

Charles Hughes	cah14@psu.edu	814-863-1699
David Lee	davidlee@psu.edu	814-865-3567
Rick Kubina	rmk11@psu.edu	814-863-2400

3. If you have questions concerning your registration status, billing, tuition and fees, or the proctored exam process, contact World Campus Student Services at 800-252-3592 or 814-865-5403 or by e-mail at pennstateonline@psu.edu.
4. If you have a question or technical difficulties with ANGEL or your Penn State Access Account, contact the World Campus HelpDesk online or by phone at 800-252-3592 or 814-865-0047.
5. If you have questions concerning the academic content of any of the courses in the ABA sequence, you may contact Dr. David Lee, the academic coordinator for the program, at 814-865-3567 or by e-mail at davidlee@psu.edu.
6. If you would like information regarding the Behavior Analyst Certification Board or their certification process, please visit the BACB website.

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Course Requirements

Course Sessions/Time Allocation

In addition to the course orientation scheduled for Week 1, there are five lessons in this course. The orientation lesson during the first week is designed to provide instruction and practice with the course website and ANGEL online learning management system prior to application to course requirements and content. Each of the subsequent five lessons is scheduled for either two or three weeks each. During each lesson students will complete the following:

1. View lesson content delivered through a series of streaming video lectures. Each lesson is approximately three to four hours total running time and consists of multiple video segments. However, students should set aside additional viewing time for each lesson because there are activities embedded within the segments that students will need to complete before moving on to the next segment.
2. Complete and submit all segment activities and practice activities that are provided.
3. Participate in online asynchronous discussion forums. Students must read all instructor course announcements and discussion forum messages.
4. Complete and submit a graded assignment.

Assignments

There are five graded assignments in this course. All assignments must be completed and submitted electronically through the course website. Each assignment is worth 10 points toward the final grade. Detailed descriptions of each assignment will be posted on the course website. Each assignment has a specific completion date. These due dates are provided to you in the Course Schedule below.

Flashcard Term Fluency Assessments

Each week you will submit your scores on a flashcard term fluency assessment. Detailed information about this activity can be found by clicking on the Flashcards tab located in the course menu to the left.

Exams

There are three proctored exams in this course. All exams will be taken online. Exam 1 will cover Lessons 1 and 2 and will consist of 45 multiple-choice questions. Exam 2 will cover Lessons 3, 4, and 5 and will consist of 45 multiple-choice questions. The Final Exam (Exam 3) is cumulative and will consist of 60 multiple-choice questions (12 questions from each lesson). All exam questions will be presented in a format similar to the BACB certification examination.

Practice Activities

For each lesson there are multiple self-evaluation activities and/or practice activities. Some may be embedded within the video lecture, while others will show up after the video segments. Practice activities are integral components of the course; however, no points are earned for these activities. These activities have been designed to help students master the concepts presented in each of the lessons. The successful, serious student will take advantage of the practice activities in preparation for the graded assignments and exams.

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Course Schedule

Note: All due dates reflect North American eastern time (ET).

Text Chapters* refers to the chapters in Applied Behavior Analysis by Cooper, Heron, and Heward.  Please also refer to the index in the textbook to direct you to specific topics throughout the book.

Access to Course Content

On the start date of the course you will have access to all five of the course Lessons and each segment video within each Lesson.  You also have access to download the accompanying PowerPoint handouts for each Lesson.  However, you do not have access to all of the segment activities, nor the practice activities/quizzes, nor the assignments.  If you click on these items before we open them, you will get an “Access Denied” message.

Here is a schedule showing when you will have access to the content…

Lesson Videos and their accompanying Powerpoint Handouts – All are open now.

Lesson Discussion Forums, Practice Activities, and Segment Activities within each Lesson – These will open on the START DATE of each Lesson.

Assignments – Each assignment will open ONE WEEK before its due date.

Exams – Each exam will be open for ONE day (24 hours) from 12:00 AM through 11:59 PM Eastern Time.  The exam must be completed and submitted at any time within those 24 hours.

Alternate exam dates may be assigned for students who have serious scheduling conflicts or medical/family emergencies.  Please contact Dr. David Lee, the lead instructor for this course, if you need to request an alternate exam date.

This course is team taught by three different instructors.  The instructors will be available to answer questions about their content from the start date of their Lesson through the end date of their Lesson (and several days beyond if there are questions about the assignments).  We recommend that you progress through the Lessons according to the schedule we have laid out.  You can watch the videos and read the textbook chapters ahead of schedule if you’d like, but please be aware that the instructors will not check the Lesson Discussion Forums and may not be available by phone or e-mail until the start date of their Lesson so if you have questions as you go through the Lesson, you will need to hold onto them until the Lesson officially starts.

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Grading

1. There are five assignments worth 10 points each.
2. There are three exams. Exam 1 and Exam 2 are worth 45 points each. The Final Exam (Exam 3) is cumulative and is worth 60 points.
3.  The completed Terminology Fluency Assessment is worth 15 points.
4. It is possible to earn a maximum of 215 points.  
5. Students should note that any delay in receiving assignments or exams might result in considerable delay in the issuance of a final grade.

Activity Points Possible

Activity	Points
Orientation Activities	0
Assignment 1	10
Assignment 2	10
Assignment 3	10
Exam 1	45
Assignment 4	10
Assignment 5	10
Exam 2	45
Final Exam	60
Term Fluency Assessment	15
TOTAL POINTS	215

Grading Scale

Letter Grade	Percentage Range
A	94 - 100%
A-	90 - 93%
B+	87 - 89%
B	83 - 86%
B-	80 - 82%
C+	77 - 79%
C	70 - 76%
D	60 - 69%
F	Below 60%

 

If, for reasons beyond the student's control, a student is prevented from completing a course within the prescribed time, the grade in that course may be deferred with the concurrence of the instructor. The symbol DF appears on the student's transcript until the course has been completed. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested by the student before the beginning of the final examination period. In an emergency situation, an instructor can approve a deferred grade after the final exam period has started. Under emergency conditions during which the instructor is unavailable, authorization is required from one of the following: the dean of the college in which the candidate is enrolled; the executive director of the Division of Undergraduate Studies if the student is enrolled in that division or is a provisional student; or the campus chancellor of the student's associated Penn State campus.

For additional information please refer to the Deferring a Grade page.

Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Undergraduate Courses for additional information about University grading policies.

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Academic Integrity

According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity , an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.

Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity ). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean’s List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.

How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
World Campus students are expected to act with civility and personal integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment of academic integrity is requisite to respect for oneself and others, as well as a civil community.

In cases where academic integrity is questioned, the Policy on Academic Integrity indicates that procedure requires an instructor to inform the student of the allegation. Procedures allow a student to accept or contest a charge. If a student chooses to contest a charge, the case will then be managed by the respective college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. If that committee recommends an administrative sanction (Formal Warning, Conduct Probation, Suspension, Expulsion), the claim will be referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.

All Penn State colleges abide by this Penn State policy, but review procedures may vary by college when academic dishonesty is suspected. Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy and college review procedures is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us by going to the Contacts & Help page .

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Accommodating Disabilities

Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has resources for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources (SDR) website provides contacts for disability services at every Penn State campus. For further information, please visit the SDR website.

In order to apply for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability resources office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation based on the documentation guidelines. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus's disability resources office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.

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Additional Policies

For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Center website.

Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or dependents with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.

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