BAS in Applied Behavioral Science - Course Planning

Total Program Credits: 180

Applied Behavioral Science degree requirements (pdf):

Applied Behavioral Science Courses

ABS 310: Professionalism and Ethical Practice
5 credits
Students are exposed to a framework for ethical decision making and the professional ethical principles and codes of various helping professions. Through class discussions and practice with ethical vignettes, students are challenged to apply the concepts learned in addressing the ethical dilemmas posed in historic and contemporary societal issues.

ABS 320: Applied Social Psychology
5 credits
Applied Social Psychology examines the application of social psychological concepts in human service settings. Systems theory informs the application of concepts in areas including prevention, policy analysis, group settings, professional and client relationships and multi–cultural competence. Social Psychological research methods will be explored and critiqued with an emphasis on the application of research to practice.

ABS 330: Information Literacy and Program Assessment
5 credits
This course will introduce students to the organization, retrieval and evaluation of electronic and print information. Students will be provided with an overview of college library systems, networked information systems, traditional scholarly resources and the concepts underlying the research process. The course will focus these skills specifically in the social and human services disciplines by examining various specialized resources.

ABS 340: Applied Environmental Science
5 credits
This course will survey basic environmental science concepts with emphasis on the effect humans have on their environment and the repercussions for living in an impoverished environment. Human population and natural resources, including issues of access and degradation, will be central themes in this course.

ABS 350: Quantitative Principles in Research and Assessment
5 credits
Builds on lower division quantitative skills. Understanding of the quantitative organization of data central to scientific research and assessment design in applied behavioral sciences.

ABS 360: Public Policy Analysis
5 credits
Students will learn the use of analysis to support public policy decision–making in American government. According to Thomas Dye, public policy is "whatever government chooses to do or not to do." Public policy analysis, then, is the art and science of providing problem–solving advice to government decision–makers, managers and citizens in order to influence what government does or doesn’t do. Applied tools and skills include selecting theoretical frameworks, problem definition, development of alternative solutions, predicting the impact of choices, policy evaluation and the modification of policies, post implementation. Students will integrate knowledge gained in core courses such as Survey of Institutions and Management and Supervision. Through out the course, we’ll use policy case studies as learning tools.

ABS 410: Economic & Political Systems: Implications for Public Service
5 credits
This is a political economy course designed to achieve the above stated academic and professional goals for students. In order to accomplish our objectives, the course is divided into four sections. The first part explores the nature and scope of political economy by examining its historical evolution and defining the discipline to lay a foundation for the course. The second part focuses on comparative analysis of contemporary political and economic systems, notably capitalism, socialism and communism for students to become aware that the kind of political economy system in place (in their respective states or countries) greatly influences the type of public service governments provide to their citizens. For students to gain adequate clarification as to how public service relates to political economy through taxation and finance, section three of the course elucidates important terminologies such as public sector, public services and public policy; with more emphasis on public policy and its formulation in the United States.

ABS 415: Cross-Cultural Competency in Human Services
5 credits
Cultural competency is a key ingredient in closing the disparities gap in human services work (social services, early childhood education, family support services, chemical dependency counseling, etc.). This course stresses the importance of knowing how cultural, biological and community diversity affect thought and behavior. The major goal of this course is to enhance students’ knowledge and understanding of theory, research and applications pertaining to the process of cross–cultural competency through an examination of the ways in which cultural assumptions, values, perceptual and cognitive orientations, cultural stereotypes, prejudice, ethnocentrism, non–verbal behaviors, language and meaning systems operate in the process of cross–cultural interaction between people from diverse cultural and ethnic groups.

ABS 430: Sociology of Families
5 credits
This course will examine the trends, issues and debates regarding the social construction of families. Study how changes in families have reciprocal relations to other social, economic, global and political changes in the larger social structure. Develop critical thinking and analytic skills by drawing on empirical research, personal histories, current events and public policy issues.

ABS 495: Senior Capstone Project
5 credits
The Senior Capstone course is a culminating educational experience whereby students have the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of learning in the field of Applied Behavioral Science and area of concentration. The Capstone course integrates experiential learning, coursework, knowledge and skills, allowing students to evaluate their overall educational experience. In this self–directed learning project, students demonstrate skill in critical thinking, oral presentation, problem–solving, effective writing and creativity.

ABS 497/ABS 498: Advanced Field Placement I/Advanced Field Placement II
10 credits
These courses build on lower division field placement work. There are two quarters of applied professional work in a community–based setting consistent with the student’s area of interest. Meets requirements for supervised field practice required for licensure and professional accreditation in many professional specialties.