Program Sequence

Goals of the PBS Focus Area are to provide students with an understanding, as well as an opportunity to participate in the full continuum of PBS from effective school-wide systems to developing interventions for the most challenging individual students. Students will be provided the skills and challenge to become future leaders in the development and implementation of PBS in their classrooms, schools, and districts to effectively serve all students.

Fall Term

  1. Students will complete Behavior and Classroom Management (3 credits), which is required for all Special Education students.
    The purpose of this course is to prepare educators to provide effective teaching and learning environments for children of all ages who do and do not have disabilities
    The course will provide students with:
    1. an understanding of the basic principles of human behavior and behavior management,
    2. the role of instruction in behavior and classroom management, and
    3. the skills to apply those principles to instruction and effective behavior and classroom management.
    4. an introduction to functional behavioral assessment and developing individual behavior support plans for students with significant behavioral concerns
  2. Student will complete PBS Seminar (1 credit).
    The seminar will examine principles and applications of PBS in schools with significant reflection and sharing on student practicum experiences. The two primary focuses of the Fall PBS Seminar are:
    1. To explore PBS and topics presented in Behavior and Classroom Management (SPED 521) in greater depth through small group discussions and
    2. To discuss the real world application of these principles as experienced through practicum.
  3. The seminar meets for two hours every other week (5 times per quarter). Opportunities for participation in local schools implementing or developing systems of PBS will also be provided to students as available.
  4. Students will complete a practicum (3 credits) under the supervision of Chris Borgmeier or other faculty. Practicum is required of all Special Education students. Special attention will be paid to opportunities for the implementation and involvement in PBS activities through practicum.

Winter Term


    2. Student will complete PBS Seminar (1 credit).
    The seminar will extend students understanding of the principles and applications of PBS in schools with continuing support, reflection, and sharing of student practicum experiences. The primary focus of the Winter PBS Seminar are:
    1. To learn first-hand from a local school district the school-wide and district structures required to successfully support full scale implementation of the Positive Behavioral and Academic Supports in a prevention focused model aiming to support all students behavioral and academic needs
    2. To discuss the real world application of PBS principles as experienced through practicum and opportunities to participate in school or district PBS activities.
  2. Students will complete a practicum (3 credits) under the supervision of Chris Borgmeier, or other faculty. Practicum is required of all Special Education students. Special attention will be paid to opportunities for the implementation and involvement in PBS activities through practicum.


Spring Term

  1. As their spring elective, students in the focus area will complete the Advanced Behavior Management (3 credits) course which focuses on:
    1. increasing understanding of the continuum of behavioral supports from school-wide to individual student supports and how they work together to serve all students effectively in schools,
    2. increasing understanding and practice with functional behavioral assessment and using the results to develop an individualized behavior support plan, and
    3. providing skills and understanding to apply the previously described principles and practices in schools through effective leadership, communication, and team process.
  2. Students will complete PBS Seminar (1 credit).
    The seminar will examine principles and applications of PBS in schools with significant support, reflection and sharing of student practicum experiences. The two primary focuses of the Fall PBS Seminar are:
    1. to explore topics presented in Advanced Behavior Management (SPED 521) in greater depth through small group discussions and
    2. to discuss the real world application of these principles as experienced through practicum.
  3. Students will complete Student Teaching (3 credits) under the supervision of Chris Borgmeier or other faculty.

Completion of Master’s Project

  1. Students will complete a Master’s Project which will be focused on some aspect of Positive Behavior Support with the intent of furthering student opportunity and participation in PBS development or implementation in local schools and districts.