Curriculum Overview - Master in Nonverbal and Deceptive Behavior

Curriculum Overview

Master of Science in Nonverbal and Deceptive Behavior

36 U.S. credits · 12 graduate courses · 100% online

This master’s program examines nonverbal behavior and deceptive behavior through a scientific, rigorous analysis of expressive channels such as facial expression, gestures and postures. It studies what science can contribute to lie detection, which protocols or strategies have been most useful, and how nonverbal analysis can support work in the forensic field while encouraging debate and critical thinking.

Master of Science Nonverbal and Deceptive Behavior 36 credits · 100% online · Licensed by Florida CIE #9097

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Master of Science in Nonverbal and Deceptive Behavior. 12 courses, 36 U.S. credit hours, 100% online. Licensed by the Florida Commission for Independent Education, License #9097.
Course	What you study
ISM 500Technological Learning Tools	Students begin by understanding the virtual learning environment that supports the fully online graduate program. Moodle, Google Drive, online questionnaires, forums and collaboration tools are introduced as the basic structure for academic activity. The course establishes a practical base for working within the program’s online format.
ITN 501Introduction to Nonverbal Behavior	The opening course establishes scientific foundations for studying emotional processes and their connection with nonverbal behavior. It reviews different approaches to emotion and its physiological bases, then introduces the NBAM protocol. In the catalog, NBAM is presented as one of the main validated tools for analysis.
FEX 501Facial Expression	Facial expression is studied as a channel for recognizing emotions. Students review coding systems and study the FACS and EMFACS protocols developed by Dr. Ekman and his team. The course also introduces micro-expressions and includes practice identifying basic emotions through photography and video programs designed by Dr. Matsumoto.
FEX 602Facial Expression, Gestures and Postures	Building on facial analysis, this course expands interpretation to babies’ facial expression and current facial software. It then turns to two additional nonverbal channels: gestures and postures. Across these areas, the emphasis is on distinguishing rigorous scientific contributions from claims that remain merely speculative.
PEC 501Proxemic, Prosodic and Other Expression Channels	Attention moves to other channels of nonverbal expression: proxemics, prosody, haptics, appearance and gaze. Students study the management of distances and spaces, acoustic patterns of voice and the power of touch. The course culminates in a complete nonverbal analysis carried out with the NBAM protocol.
NPF 601Nonverbal Behavior in The Professional Field	The study of nonverbal behavior is connected with professional contexts where the discipline can be applied. Negotiations, labor relations, medical and therapeutic fields, and commercial transactions are all reviewed. The course also considers how mastery of the discipline contributes to developing professional expert reports.
DCD 501Deceit Detection (I)	The first course in deceit detection introduces lie detection from a strict scientific approach. It defines basic concepts and studies content analysis tools used by psychologists and security forces in the most advanced countries. These tools are applied to judge the credibility of a testimonial.
DCD 602Deceit Detection (II)	This second course focuses on identifying deception through nonverbal expression. Popular myths without scientific support are contrasted with scientific studies, keeping the work aligned with a rigorous approach. Students learn to detect lying indicators through facial expression using the academically recognized FEAP protocol.
DCD 603Deceit Detection (III)	The final course in the deceit detection sequence reviews selected police techniques and advances in lie detection research. Its focus is a rigorous examination of the field’s progress and the evidence available from research. The course includes meta-analytical conclusions from verbal and nonverbal indicators.
SAV 601System for Analysis of Validity in Evaluation (SAVE)	SAVE is presented as a methodology that integrates tools from different scientific fields. Using the formula X = (V1 + V2 + V3) VO, the course connects plausibility and truthfulness from the interview with verification and assessment from the investigation. The result is a structure for bringing behavior-analysis protocols into a single expert report.
RSC 550Research and Scientific Communication	Scientific research is addressed through the practical tasks required to search, organize and communicate academic work. Students review bibliographic searches in scientific databases, bibliographic reference formats and APA referencing. The course also covers dissemination of research through conferences and scientific poster presentations.
CAP 701Capstone Project	The Capstone Project functions as the culminating academic and intellectual experience of the program. It is described as a multifaceted assignment supported by continuous tutoring for academic writing. Students present their work before an online tribunal of professors, who evaluate the final academic project.