James Madison University

Concentration in Behavior Analysis

Dr. Sherry Serdikoff  (serdiksl@jmu.edu), Concentration Coordinator

Purpose

The concentration in behavior analysis is for students interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in behavior analysis or related disciplines (e.g., behavioral pharmacology, behavioral neuroscience).

Overview

In this concentration, students will complete coursework and conduct research designed to facilitate mastery of major concepts, principles, practices, and theories in the experimental analysis of behavior, applied behavior analysis, and the philosophy of radical behaviorism. Students in this concentration are required to complete their research apprenticeship and thesis requirements through collaborative research activities with faculty who approach the scientific study of behavior from a behavior analytic conceptual and theoretical framework.

Program Curriculum (36 credit hours)

Methodology and Research Core (15 credit hours)

  • PSYC 605 - Intermediate Inferential Statistics (3 credit hours)
  • PSYC 606 - Measurement Theory (3 credit hours)
  • PSYC 608 - Multivariate Statistics for Psychology (3 credit hours)
  • PSYC 700 - Thesis (6 credit hours) - For students in this concentration, the thesis must be an empirical study in either the experimental analysis of behavior or applied behavior analysis.

Content Courses (9 credit hours)

  • PSYC 610 - Principles of Behavior Analysis (3 credit hours)
  • PSYC 624 - Neuroscience (3 credit hours)
  • PSYC 613 - Cognitive Science -- OR -- PSYC 616 - Social Psychology (3 credit hours)

Concentration Courses (6 credit hours)

  • PSYC 501 - Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credit hours)
  • PSYC 601 - Small-n Experimental Research (3 credit hours)

Electives (6 credit hours; approved by advisor)

Other experiences

In addition to coursework and other requirements of the Psychological Sciences Program (e.g., Apprenticeship, Research Roundtable), students participate in a monthly Concentration meeting where faculty and students discuss published research and professional issues related to behavior analysis. Additionally, students in the Behavior Analysis Concentration are required to participate in the activities of various local, regional, national, and international agencies, groups and professional organizations that advance the scientific study of behavior and its humane application to solve practical problems.

View representative scholarly work for students in this concentration

For further information, please contact the coordinator of the concentration in behavior analysis, Dr. Sherry Serdikoff (serdiksl@jmu.edu)