Early Childhood Education

This concentration is for students interested in studying young children and understanding the conditions that promote their healthy development. It includes courses in behavior analysis, child development, curriculum development, parenting, and others that address issues relating to young children. The program culminates in practica that provide students with direct experiences in toddler or preschool classrooms for children with and without developmental disabilities. Students completing this program will gain knowledge and experience in the areas of behavior analysis, child development, developmental disability, education, and intervention. Careers: This concentration is relevant for students interested in working with young children in home, educational, community-based, hospital, or other therapeutic settings.

Early Childhood Education and Intervention Concentration

This option is for students interested in understanding typical and atypical child development and learning to promote healthy development in young children (ages 0-6 yrs). Students who choose this option are required to complete practica in classrooms that serve toddlers and preschool children.

Introductory Course (3 hours)

ABSC 100 Introduction to Applied Behavioral Science (3)

ABSC 101 Introduction to Applied Behavioral Science, Honors (3)

Core Knowledge Courses (10 hours)

ABSC 304 Principles and Procedures of Behavior Modification and Therapy (3)

ABSC 308 Research Methods and Applications (4)

ABSC 509 Contemporary Behavioral Science (3)

Required Concentration Courses (6 hours)

ABSC 160 Introduction to Child Behavior and Development (3)*

ABSC 444 Curriculum Development for Young Children (3)

*Students may substitute PSYC 333: Child Psychology for ABSC 160. The credit hours for PSYC 333, however, do not count toward the 33 required ABS major hours or toward the 15 required junior-senior ABS hours.

Concentration Electives (at least 8 hours)

Any junior-senior level ABSC courses, except those already required as introductory, core knowledge, and required concentration courses. Additionally, practicum courses (ABSC 675-699) do not count toward concentration elective hours. Please see specialty area advisors for recommendations.

ABSC 310/311 Building Health Communities (3)

ABSC 342 Adult Development & Aging (3)

ABSC 350 Behavior Treatment of Children with Autism (3)

ABSC 356 Foundations of Early Childhood Education (3)

ABSC 360 Drugs, Addiction, & Behavior (3)

ABSC 405 Children and Media (3)

ABSC 410 Behavioral Approaches in Working with Adolescents (3)

ABSC 425*^ Teaching Apprenticeship in Applied Behavioral Science (3)

ABSC 433 Analysis of Cultural, Ethnic, and Gender Roles in Childhood & Adolescence (3)

ABSC 437 Independent Living and People with Disabilities (3)

ABSC 441 Ethics, Legal, & Professional Issues

ABSC 469*^ Special Topics (1-3)

ABSC 470 Organizational Behavior Management (3)

ABSC 479*^ Study Abroad Topics (1-5)

ABSC 489*^ Directed Readings (1-3)

ABSC 499*^ Directed Research (1-3)

ABSC 535 Developmental Psychopathology (3)

ABSC 542 Applied Gerontology (3)

ABSC 555 Issues in Administering Early Childhood

Services (3)

ABSC 560 The Juvenile Justice System: A Behavioral &

Legal Perspective (3)

ABSC 562 Behavioral Community Approaches to Social Issues (3)

ABSC 565 Applied Developmental Psychology (3)

ABSC 599*^ Honors & Thesis in Applied Behavioral Science

(1-5)

ABSC 606*^ Special Projects in the Community (1-10)

ABSC 620 Drug Abuse: From Basic Research to Public

Policy (3)

ABSC 626 Psychology of Adolescence (3)

ABSC 632 Advanced Child Behavior and Development (3)

ABSC 671/672 Applied Behavior Analysis (3)

ABSC 799 Experimental Analysis of Behavior (3)

* No more than 6 credit hours of these courses count toward ABS major hours.

^ Requires instructor permission.

Practicum (6-10 hours)

Two semesters are required. The courses are offered for 5 credit hours during the Fall and Spring semesters, and for 3 hours during the Summer session. Students must select at least one of the courses listed below. For their other required semester, students may also select ABSC 680 (in addition to those listed below).

ABSC 675** Practicum I: Toddler Care & Early Intervention (for students new to the Toddler Care Practicum)

ABSC 676 Practicum II: Toddler Care & Early Intervention (for students who completed ABSC 675)

ABSC 677** Practicum I: Preschool Education & Intervention (for students new to the Preschool Education Practicum)

ABSC 678 Practicum II: Preschool Education & Intervention (for students who completed ABSC 677)

** ABSC 444 must be taken prior to, or concurrently with, enrollment in the above practicum courses.

Statistics

At least one course in statistics is strongly encouraged for students planning to apply to graduate programs in behavior analysis (or related fields). Credit hours in statistics courses do not count toward ABSC major hour requirements.

Faculty Members

Professors Isaac Melanson, Pamela Neidert, and Reagan McGee.

EARLY CHILDHOOD AUTISM INTERVENTION

This option is for students interested in conducting intervention procedures to address problem behavior and skill deficits (e.g., language and social) of children with autism and other related developmental disabilities. Students who choose this option are required to take a preparatory course and practica focusing on children with autism and other related disabilities.

Introductory Course (3 hours)

ABSC 100 Introduction to Applied Behavioral Science (3)

ABSC 101 Introduction to Applied Behavioral Science, Honors (3)

Core Knowledge Courses (10 hours)

ABSC 304 Principles and Procedures of Behavior Modification and Therapy (3)

ABSC 308 Research Methods and Application (4)

ABSC 509 Contemporary Behavioral Science (3)

Required Concentration Courses (9 hours)

ABSC 160** Introduction to Child Behavior and Development (3)

ABSC 350 Behavioral Treatment of Children with Autism (3)

ABSC 444 Curriculum Development for Young Children (3)

**Students may substitute PYSC 333: Child Psychology for ABSC 160. The credit hours for PYSC 333, however, do not count toward the 33 required ABSC major hours or toward the 15 required junior-senior ABSC hours.

Concentration Electives (at least 5 hours)

ABSC 310/311 Building Health Communities (3)

ABSC 342 Adult Development & Aging (3)

ABSC 356 Foundations of Early Childhood Education (3)

ABSC 360 Drugs, Addiction, & Behavior (3)

ABSC 405 Children and Media (3)

ABSC 410 Behavioral Approaches in Working with Adolescents (3)

ABSC 425*^ Teaching Apprenticeship in Applied Behavioral Science (3)

ABSC 433 Analysis of Cultural, Ethnic, and Gender Roles in Childhood & Adolescence (3)

ABSC 437 Independent Living and People with Disabilities (3)

ABSC 441 Ethics, Legal, & Professional Issues

ABSC 469*^ Special Topics (1-3)

ABSC 470 Organizational Behavior Management (3)

ABSC 479*^ Study Abroad Topics (1-5)

ABSC 489*^ Directed Readings (1-3)

ABSC 499*^ Directed Research (1-3)

ABSC 535 Developmental Psychopathology (3)

ABSC 542 Applied Gerontology (3)

ABSC 555 Issues in Administering Early Childhood

Services (3)

ABSC 560 The Juvenile Justice System: A Behavioral &

Legal Perspective (3)

ABSC 562 Behavioral Community Approaches to Social Issues (3)

ABSC 565 Applied Developmental Psychology (3)

ABSC 599*^ Honors & Thesis in Applied Behavioral Science

(1-5)

ABSC 606*^ Special Projects in the Community (1-10)

ABSC 620 Drug Abuse: From Basic Research to Public

Policy (3)

ABSC 626 Psychology of Adolescence (3)

ABSC 632 Advanced Child Behavior and Development (3)

ABSC 671/672 Applied Behavior Analysis (3)

ABSC 799 Experimental Analysis of Behavior (3)

* No more than 6 credit hours of these courses count toward ABS major hours.

^ Requires instructor permission.

Practicum (6-10 hours)

Two semesters are required. The courses are offered for 5 credit hours during the Fall and Spring semesters, and for 3 hours during the Summer session. Students must complete at least 1 semester of ABSC 680 (though 2 semesters are encouraged). However, for their other required semester, students may also select from ABSC 675-678.

ABSC 680** Advanced Laboratory in Development of Behavioral Treatment for Children with Autism

**ABSC 350 must be taken prior to enrollment in ABSC 680.

Statistics

Faculty Members

Professors Isaac Melanson, Pamela Neidert, and Reagan McGee.

EARLY CHILDHOOD RESEARCH

This option is for students interested in gaining research experience in early childhood possibly as preparation for graduate school or employment in educational and clinical research centers. Students who choose this option will enroll in research-oriented practica. Interested students should consult with Claudia Dozier or Pamela Neidert.

Introductory Course (3 hours)

ABSC 100 Introduction to Applied Behavioral Science (3)

ABSC 101 Introduction to Applied Behavioral Science, Honors (3)

Core Knowledge Courses (10 hours)

ABSC 304 Principles and Procedures of Behavior Modification and Therapy (3)

ABSC 308 Research Methods and Application (4)

ABSC 509 Contemporary Behavioral Science (3)

Required Concentration Courses (3 hours)

ABSC 160** Introduction to Child Behavior and Development (3)

**Students may substitute PSYC 333: Child Psychology for ABSC 160. The credit hours for PSYC 333, however, do not count toward the 33 required ABSC major hours or toward the 15 required junior-senior ABSC hours.

Concentration Electives (at least 11 hours)

Any junior-senior level ABSC courses, except those already required as introductory, core knowledge, and required specialty area courses. Additionally, practicum courses (ABSC 675-695) do not count toward specialty area elective hours. Please see specialty area advisors for recommendations.

ABSC 310/311 Building Health Communities (3)

ABSC 342 Adult Development & Aging (3)

ABSC 350 Behavior Treatment of Children with Autism (3)

ABSC 356 Foundations of Early Childhood Education (3)

ABSC 360 Drugs, Addiction, & Behavior (3)

ABSC 405 Children and Media (3)

ABSC 410 Behavioral Approaches in Working with Adolescents (3)

ABSC 425*^ Teaching Apprenticeship in Applied Behavioral Science (3)

ABSC 433 Analysis of Cultural, Ethnic, and Gender Roles in Childhood & Adolescence (3)

ABSC 437 Independent Living and People with Disabilities (3)

ABSC 441 Ethics, Legal, & Professional Issues

ABSC 469*^ Special Topics (1-3)

ABSC 470 Organizational Behavior Management (3)

ABSC 479*^ Study Abroad Topics (1-5)

ABSC 489*^ Directed Readings (1-3)

ABSC 499*^ Directed Research (1-3)

ABSC 535 Developmental Psychopathology (3)

ABSC 542 Applied Gerontology (3)

ABSC 555 Issues in Administering Early Childhood Services (3)

ABSC 560 The Juvenile Justice System: A Behavioral & Legal Perspective (3)

ABSC 562 Behavioral Community Approaches to Social Issues (3)

ABSC 565 Applied Developmental Psychology (3)

ABSC 599*^ Honors & Thesis in ABS (1-5)

ABSC 606*^ Special Projects in the Community (1-10)

ABSC 620 Drug Abuse: From Basic Research to Public Policy (3)

ABSC 626 Psychology of Adolescence (3)

ABSC 632 Advanced Child Behavior and Development (3)

ABSC 671/672 Applied Behavior Analysis (3)

ABSC 799 Experimental Analysis of Behavior (3)

* No more than 6 credit hours of these courses count toward ABS major hours.

^ Requires instructor permission.

Practicum (6 hours)

Two semesters are required. The courses are offered for 3-5 credit hours during the Fall and Spring semesters, and for 3 hours during the Summer session. Students must complete at least 1 semester of ABSC 679. For their other required semester, students may select from ABSC 675-680. No more than 6 hours of ABSC 679 may count toward the ABSC major credit-hour requirement.

ABSC 679** Practicum in Behavior-Analytic Research in Early Childhood (3-5)

** ABSC 308 must be taken prior to, or concurrently with, enrollment in the above practicum courses.

Statistics

Faculty Members

Professors Isaac Melanson, Pamela Neidert, and Reagan McGee.

WEBSITES FOR RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL AND SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

Early Childhood Education