Behavior Analysis

The concentration in Behavior Analysis provides students with a background in this field within the context of a major, with an emphasis on the science of psychology. ‑ is concentration meets the requirements of the Behavior Analysis Certification Board’s coursework requirements to be eligible to sit for the exam to become a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst. It provides a foundation in the field to prepare students for graduate study within the context of a rigorous major in Psychological Science. As such, the concentration focuses on a core course sequence in behavior analysis, with a range of other Psychology courses (e.g., developmental, biological) also required.

The concentration in behavior analysis is recognized as Tier 2B by the Association for Behavior Analysis International.

2023 Concentration Outcomes:

Requirements for Students Who Entered Eastern Under the Fall 2024 Catalog or Later

If you entered Eastern earlier than Fall 2024, your requirements may be different. Consult your degree evaluation and/or your psychology faculty advisor to verify your own requirements.

Students following the Behavior Analysis concentration must complete a minimum of 48 hours of coursework in psychology (exclusive of PSY 100), fulfilling the requirements below:

Psychology Core: 23 credits

• PSY 100 General Psychology
• PSY 101 Introduction to the Psychology Major (1 cr)
• PSY 227 Behavioral Science Statistics (4 cr)
• PSY 247 Research Methods I (4 cr)
• PSY 327 Research Methods II (4 cr)
• PSY 390 Professional Development (1 cr)
• PSY 409 Current Research in Psychology
• PSY 419 History and Systems of Psychology

Required Courses: 24 credits

(These must be taken at Eastern to fulfill BACB’s coursework requirements)

• PSY 205 Principles of Learning
• PSY 216 Ethics and Professional Development for Behavior Analysts
• PSY 225 Supervision and Performance Management
• PSY 246 Single-Subject Methods
• PSY 316 Applied Behavior Analysis
• PSY 407 Radical Behaviorism
• PSY 415 Behavioral Pharmacology
• PSY 417 Topics in Behavior Analysis

Biological Bases of Behavior: 3 credits

• Choose one course:
  • PSY 318 Sensation And Perception
  • PSY 418 Physiological Psychology
  • PSY 430 Human Neuropsychology
  • PSY 434 Behavior Genetics

Developmental: 3 credits

• Choose one course:
  • PSY 206 Psychology of Childhood*
  • PSY 208 Psychology of Adolescence
  • PSY 210 Psychology of Adulthood And Aging
  • PSY 212 Lifespan Development
  • PSY 314 Psychology of the Infant and Toddler (formerly PSY 204)

Individual Differences: 3 credits

• Choose one course:
  
  • PSY 301 Adult Psychopathology
  • PSY 302 Psychopathology of Childhood

Specialized Courses: 6 credits

• Choose two courses:
  • PSY 303 Industrial/Organizational Psychology
  • PSY 315 Psychology of Gender*
  • PSY 319 Human Sexuality
  • PSY 325 Health Psychology
  • PSY 330 Evolutionary Psychology
  • PSY 435 Controversies in Child Psychology
  • PSY 450 Counseling And Clinical Psych
  • PSY 460 Seminar in Psychology
  • PSY 471 Global Studies in Psychology
  • Only one of the following can count toward the two required courses for this section:
    
    • PSY 480 Independent Study
    • PSY 490 Teaching Assistantship
    • PSY 491 Research Assistant
    • PSY 496 Psychology Internship: Group Supervision
    • PSY 497 Psychology Internship: Individual Supervision
    • PSY 498 Research And Field Experience

Recommended Courses

• The department strongly recommends completing your Quantitative Literacy ELAC course prior to enrolling in PSY 227
• BIO 202/203 Human Biology (Lecture/Lab)*
• MAT 216 Statistical Data Analysis*

*If you entered Eastern under a catalog prior to Fall 2024, these courses fulfill requirements in the old Liberal Arts Core