SPSY 7506 - Behavior Assessment Practicum 2
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 41161,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Elizabeth Christani
Email: ejchristani@ysu.edu
Course Description
7506. Behavior Assessment Practicum 2. Candidates will collaborate in the development of both an FBA and BIP for a student in their practicum placement site through direct student observation, informal and formal data collection methods, progress monitoring, and collaboration with IEP team. Candidates will collaborate in generating hypotheses and in the development of individualized interventions, as well as examining effectiveness of interventions via progress monitoring. Candidates will analyze/interpret evaluation and intervention data through the completion of written reports (FBA, BIP, and ETR/RR, if applicable). Prereq.: EdS in SPSY Candidate. Coreq.: SPSY 7507. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Readings |
No textbook requirements for this course.
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Course Calendar and Agenda
| Week of | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Review practicum expectations, field supervision requirements, Mini-FBA assignment, confidentiality/redaction, and connection between the Mini-FBA and Rich Center FBA/BIP. | Preparation |
| 8/31 | Contact field supervisor; establish practicum schedule and required meetings/observations. Discuss potential opportunities for completing the Mini-FBA. | Preparation |
| 9/7 | Continue placement arrangements as needed. Review Mini-FBA requirements with field supervisor and begin identifying an appropriate student/case. | Preparation |
| 9/14 | Case Identification & Background: Confirm Mini-FBA case when possible. Begin cumulative record review and gather relevant background information. Identify behavior(s) of concern. | Cumulative Record Review; Background Information Assessment |
| 9/21 | Interviews & Target Behavior: Conduct appropriate FAI/interviews with school personnel and, as appropriate, parent/student. Develop/refine an observable and measurable operational definition. | Interviewing Skills; Background Information Assessment |
| 9/28 | Direct Observation & Baseline: Conduct direct observations and collect ABC and/or other appropriate baseline data. | Supports Hypothesis Formation |
| 10/5 | Continued Data Collection: Continue observations as needed. Integrate information from records, interviews/FAIs, background information, and direct observations. Begin graphing/summarizing data. | Background Information; Hypothesis Formation |
| 10/12 | Data Analysis & Hypothesis: Analyze patterns across data sources. Develop/refine the hypothesized function of behavior and identify evidence supporting the hypothesis. | Hypothesis Formation |
| 10/19 | Mini-FBA Report Development: Finalize data analysis, graphs, hypothesis of function, and preliminary function-based recommendations. Draft/finalize written Mini-FBA. | Hypothesis Formation; Report Writing |
| 10/26 | WRITTEN MINI-FBA DUE. Submit finalized, redacted Mini-FBA including relevant background information, cumulative record review, FAI/interview findings, direct observation/baseline data, graphs, data interpretation, hypothesized function, and preliminary function-based recommendations. | Mini-FBA Written Product |
| 11/2 | Mini-FBA Mock Consultation & Peer Feedback Day. Candidates rotate through simulated parent/school-team feedback sessions and receive peer/instructor ratings. | Professional Communication / Feedback |
| 11/9 | University supervision; debrief Mini-FBA and apply feedback to ongoing consultation/behavioral assessment experiences. | |
| 11/16 | Individual candidate supervision; consultation regarding field-based cases and professional practice. | |
| 11/23 | University supervision / field consultation as scheduled. | |
| 11/30 | Individual candidate supervision; professional consultation and field-experience review. | |
| 12/7 | Practicum closure; review field supervisor evaluation; candidate reflection on consultation and FBA competencies. |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.