Tiered Model of Education
Documents & Resources: Syllabus Examples
Programs applying for recognition via the Tiered Model of Education must align their coursework to meet ABAI Accreditation Standard Area 9. In each content area, the scope of training is expressed in terms of hours of contact with the instructor. Online programs must demonstrate how they arrange activities to meet minimum contact hours. Programs are allowed flexibility in terms of how they achieve the prescribed contact hours. The main program-related standards are included here for reference of each degree level and the purpose of each content area is included below.
Standard Area 9: Content Areas & Contact Hours
Content Area and Contact Hours (All Tiers)
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Bachelor’s & Undergraduate
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Principles of Behavior
Purpose: To develop students’ competence in the use of technical terminology pertaining to the concepts and principles of behavior analysis.
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45
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45
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45
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Research Methods
[Doctoral] Purpose: To develop competence in measurement of behavior, data collection analysis and graphic representation, experimental design with particular emphasis on single subject design, and applicable statistical procedures.
[Master's & Bachelor's] Purpose: To develop competence in measurement of behavior, data collection analysis and graphic representation, and experimental design with particular emphasis on single subject design.
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45
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45
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90
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Conceptual Analysis
Purpose: To develop competence in the history and philosophy of behaviorism, theoretical approaches to understanding behavior, and interpretation of behavior in terms of the concepts and principles of behavior analysis.
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45
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45
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90
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Applied Behavior Analysis
Purpose: To develop competence in the application of the principles of behavior and multiple areas of investigation and practice
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45
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90
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90
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Basic Behavior Analysis
Purpose: To develop competence in understanding how principles of behavior are discovered and described in the context of basic research.
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45
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45
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90
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Ethics
Purpose: To understand legal constraints and ethical guidelines as pertinent to behavioral research and practice.
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45
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45
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45
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Specialized Elective
[Doctoral] Purpose: To develop competence in one or more specialized areas of behavioral investigation.
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--
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--
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45
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Supervised Experiential Learning
Purpose: To develop skill in professional practice or research.
[Doctoral] Work to complete a thesis (or equivalent) and / or a dissertation may fulfill this requirement.
[Master's] Work to complete a thesis (or equivalent) may fulfill this requirement.
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45
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90
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90
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Thesis or Equivalent
Purpose: To develop competence in defining a research problem, designing a method to address the problem, and conducting and reporting an investigation that carries out the method to conclusion.
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--
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As required by the institution
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As required by the institution
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Dissertation
Purpose: To demonstrate independent scholarship in the context of an investigation that produces an original contribution to the basic, applied, or conceptual analysis of behavior.
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--
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--
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As required by the institution
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Total Hours of Instruction
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315
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405
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585
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Sample Syllabi
Several exemplary syllabi are available for reference. These syllabi were used to meet some or all the hour requirements for the Principles of Behavior, Conceptual Analysis, and Basic Behavior Analysis content areas. These three content areas were first selected based on needs and questions from programs transitioning to the Tiered Model standards; other content areas and examples may be included in the near future.
Important notes about the sample syllabi:
- Programs should not replicate these syllabi. Rather, programs can use these examples for inspiration and as references when designing course contents to fit their own program curriculum.
- Each program has its own unique objectives, course and credit arrangements, and faculty specialties that are not obvious when referencing one syllabus (i.e., out of context) from the entire curriculum.
- Some of these syllabi come from courses that are used as prerequisites; some courses are offered as electives and rely on foundational knowledge in other components of the curriculum.
- These syllabi are exemplary in scope and content; while assessments, assignments, and schedules were reviewed, they were not the primary items of concern.
Sample Syllabi for the Basic Behavior Analysis Content Area
Sample Syllabi for the Conceptual Analysis Content Area
Sample Syllabi for the Principles of Behavior Content Area
Disclaimer: The programs whose syllabi are being shared have given their consent for this information to be made public only for the purposes described above (reference and informational purposes). We ask that users view the syllabi in good faith and do not copy or distribute them, and that users consider copyright and intellectual property rights and ownership. We also acknowledge that course materials, readings, and texts can become outdated and professional judgement should be used when referencing readings sampled above.