Master of Arts in Education Course Descriptions

EDUC 520 Educational Technology (1)

This course explores the use of instructional technology in classrooms and schools. Attention to the use of the computer in planning, teaching, record keeping and the development and/or evaluation of appropriate software.

EDUC 522 Assessment of Teaching and Learning (2)

This course presents the knowledge and skills required to design effective methods for assessing student knowledge and the effects of instruction on student learning. Techniques of test development, alternative strategies for student assessment, and appropriate use of findings in guiding instruction are explored.

EDUC 525 Literacy Methods (1)

Developing strategies for integrating the instruction of reading and writing across the curriculum. Explore current research, standards, technologies, differentiating instruction, and assessment strategies. Using classroom textbooks and text sets candidates practice strategies to teach reading to learn. This course builds on Introduction to Literacy and Language Development.

EDUC 528A Methods and Research in Business (1)

District, unit, and daily goal development based upon research within business education. Special emphasis upon instructional materials, activities, physical space constraints, and evaluative techniques for grades 5-9.

EDUC 528B Methods and Research in Business (1)

Building on EDUC 528A this course continues to examine district, unit, and daily goal development based upon research within business education. Special emphasis upon instructional materials, activities, physical space constraints, and evaluative techniques for grades 9-12.

EDUC 529 Middle Level Methods (1)

Intensive examination of methods and materials critical to establishing a positive learning environment and implementing effective instruction of early adolescents. This course will assist students in developing a repertoire of skills and strategies in integrating science, math, language arts, and social studies across the curriculum. Addresses issues of cognitive and affective development appropriate to the middle grades 5-9.

EDUC 530A Methods and Research in Art Education (2)

District, unit, and daily goal development based upon research within art education. Special emphasis upon instructional materials, activities, physical space constraints, and evaluative techniques for grades PK - 5.

EDUC 530B Methods and Research in Art Education (2)

Building on EDUC 530A this course continues to examine district, unit, and daily goal development based upon research within art education. Special emphasis upon instructional materials, activities, physical space constraints, and evaluative techniques for grades 5-12.

EDUC 531A Methods and Research in English Education at the Middle Level (1)

District, unit, and daily goal development based upon research within English education. Special emphasis upon instructional materials, activities, physical space constraints, and evaluative techniques for grades 5 - 9.

EDUC 531B Methods and Research in English Education at the Secondary Level (1)

EDUC 532A Methods and Research in Foreign Language (1)

District, unit, and daily goal development based upon research within foreign language education. Special emphasis on instructional materials, activities, physical space constraints, and evaluative techniques for grades 5-9.

EDUC 532B Methods and Research in Foreign Language (1)

Building on EDUC 532A this course continues to examine district, unit, and daily goal development based upon research within foreign language education. Special emphasis on instructional materials, activities, physical space constraints, and evaluative techniques for grades 9 - 12.

EDUC 533A Methods and Research in Mathematics Education at the Middle Level (1)

District, unit, and daily goal development based upon research within mathematics education. Special emphasis upon instructional materials, activities, physical space constraints, and evaluative techniques for grades 5 - 9.

EDUC 533B Methods and Research in Mathematics Education at the Secondary Level (1)

EDUC 534A Methods and Materials in Health Education (1)

Methods and materials for developing behavior changes in health for individuals and groups. Methods and materials section, the use of analysis, investigative techniques and development of materials pertaining to health education and/or promotion for grades 5 - 9.

EDUC 534B Methods and Materials in Health Education (1)

Building on EDUC 534A this course continues to examine methods and materials for developing behavior changes in health for individuals and groups. Methods and materials section, the use of analysis, investigative techniques and development of materials pertaining to health education and/or promotion for grades 9 - 12.

EDUC 535A Methods and Research in Science Education at the Middle Level (1)

District, unit, and daily goal development based upon research within science education. Special emphasis upon instructional materials, technologies, activities, physical space constraints, and evaluative techniques for grades 5 - 9.

EDUC 535B Methods and Research in Science Education at the Secondary Level (1)

District, unit, and daily goal development based upon research within science education. Special emphasis upon instructional materials, activities, physical space constraints, and evaluative techniques for grades 9 - 12.

EDUC 536A Methods and Research in Social Studies Education at the Middle Level (1)

District, unit, and daily goal development based upon research within social studies education. Special emphasis upon instructional materials, activities, physical space constraints, and evaluative techniques for grades 5 - 9.

EDUC 536B Methods and Research in Social Studies Education at the Secondary Level (1)

EDUC 537A Methods and Research in Early Childhood Education (2)

District, unit, and daily goal development based upon research in early childhood education. Special emphasis upon teaching strategies and methods of instruction, integrated curriculum and thematic unit development, instructional materials and resource development, classroom activities, assessment, and evaluative techniques for ages 3 to grade 4.

EDUC 537B Methods and Research in Elementary Education (2)

District, unit, and daily goal development based upon research in elementary education. Special emphasis upon teaching strategies and methods of instruction, integrated curriculum and thematic unit development, instructional materials and resource development, classroom activities, assessment, and evaluative techniques for grades 3 - 8.

EDUC 538 Public School Music Methods: Elementary (2)

Principles, procedures, and objectives in school music on the elementary level, for grades Pre K - 8 with both vocal and classroom instruments. Learning processes, maturation, and materials are considered in adapting music study to the student. Class procedures; ensembles, programming, and performance; general administration of a music program. Directed observation of public school music practice.

EDUC 539 Public School Music Methods: Secondary (2)

Principles, procedures, and objectives in school music on the secondary level, for grades 9 - 12 with both vocal and classroom instruments. Learning processes, maturation, and materials are considered in adapting music study to the student. Class procedures; ensembles, programming, and performance; general administration of a music program. Directed observation of public school music practice.

EDUC 540 Physical Education Teaching: Techniques/Methods for Elementary (2)

Description and critique of teaching methods and teacher evaluation procedures for physical education. Lecture, laboratory, and field experience for grades PK - 8. Lecture, laboratory and field experience.

EDUC 541 Physical Education Teaching: Techniques/Methods for Secondary (2)

Description and critique of teaching methods, and teacher evaluation procedures for physical education. Lecture, laboratory, and field experience for grades 5 - 12.

EDUC 542 Methods and Research in Theatre (1)

This course will examine specific physical approaches to stage adaptation, set design, lighting and sound resources, construction methods and safety considerations for student workers in the diverse environments of school theatre.

EDUC 543 Student, Actor, and Play (1)

This course will examine specific approaches to acting for the public school student, with particular attention to maturation of personality as well as limitations of vocal and physical development. It will also include an examination of play selection criteria in terms of actor development, staging analysis, and audience acceptance.

EDUC 544A Methods and Research in Speech (1)

District, unit, and daily goal development based on research within speech education. Special emphasis on instructional materials, activities, physical space constraints, and evaluative techniques for grades 5-9.

EDUC 544B Methods and Research in Speech (1)

Building on EDUC 544A this course continues to examine district, unit, and daily goal development based on research within speech education. Special emphasis on instructional materials, activities, physical space constraints, and evaluative techniques for grades 9 - 12.

EDUC 545 Educational and Developmental Psychology (2)

Theories and methodology as they relate to human development, skill acquisition, motivation and achievement. Impact of emotional, social and physical climate upon behavior.

EDUC 546 Exceptional Learner (1)

Understanding the cognitive, linguistic, motor, behavioral, and learning characteristics of exceptional learners. The instructional focus is on inclusion of special populations into the PK-12 classroom in addition to issues of educational equity, modifications, and accommodations of needs for grades PK-12.

EDUC 548 Foundations of Literacy and Language (1)

EDUC 549 Literary Theory and Practice (2)

Theories of literacy development PK-12 as well as first- and second-language acquisition (written and spoken) including the relationship between the first language and the acquisition of other languages, and the relationship of language and literacy to cognitive development and learning. Course content will be aligned with International Reading Association standards and adjusted according to grade level authorization of teaching candidates. Developing strategies for integrating the instruction of reading and writing across the curriculum. Explore current research, standards, technologies, differentiating instruction, and assessment strategies. Using classroom textbooks and text sets, practice using strategies to teach reading to learn.

EDUC 550 Graduate Seminar I (2)

Directed reflection and group problem-solving for candidates involved in field experience. Examines current educational practices and integrating educational theory into practice. Topics include: Equity, Instructional Trends, Professionalism, ELL, School Family and Community, Professional Ethics, Educational Research.

EDUC 551 Graduate Seminar II (2)

Directed reflection and group problem-solving for candidates involved in field experience. Examines current educational practices and integrating educational theory into practice. Current topics and trends in Education explored: Equity, ELL, First Year Teaching, Planning and Assessment, Professionalism, Classroom Management.

EDUC 552A Graduate Seminar I A (1)

EDUC 552B Graduate Seminar I B (1)

Continuing from Graduate Seminar I Section A: Directed reflection and group problem-solving for candidates involved in field experience. Examines current educational practices and integrating educational theory into practice. Topics include: Equity, Instructional Trends, Professionalism, ELL, School Family and Community, Professional Ethics, Educational Research.

EDUC 553A Graduate Seminar II A (1)

Directed reflection and group problem-solving for candidates involved in field experience. Examines current educational practices and integrating educational theory into practice. Current topics and trends in Education explored: Equity, ELL, First Year Teaching, Planning and Assessment, Professionalism, Classroom Management.

EDUC 553B Graduate Seminar II B (1)

Directed reflection and group problem-solving for candidates involved in field experience. Examines current educational practices and integrating educational theory into practice. Continued from Section A: Exploring current topics and trends in Education: Equity, ELL, First Year Teaching, Planning and Assessment, Professionalism, Classroom Management.

EDUC 555 Planning and Implementation of Instruction (2)

Long and short term unit development. Emphasis on lesson plan development, instructional material selection, appropriate teaching techniques, critical thinking, problem solving skills, and time management. Lesson adaptation for special populations.

EDUC 556 Classroom Management (2)

A study of strategies for creating an optimal learning environment and classroom community. Candidates will examine ways to promote productive student behavior, integrate motivation and learning strategies to maximize on-task behavior and involve parents in the learning process.

EDUC 558 Teacher Research I: The Art of Classroom Inquiry I (2)

The development and writing of action research projects, designed to improve classroom practice and self reflection. Candidates will explore their teaching and beliefs about teaching and learning as they begin the inquiry process. Includes the key elements of practitioner research and how the research process can lead to effective teaching.

EDUC 559 Teacher Research II: The Art of Classroom Inquiry II (2)

A continuation of the research process candidates began during EDUC 558. Candidates refine their research questions and follow the inquiry process through their student teaching classrooms. As candidates explore their research questions, they collect and analyze classroom data, write conclusions and present their findings and completed action research projects at the Graduate School of Education Symposium.

EDUC 562 Planning, Implementation, and Assessment of Learning I (2)

Long and short term unit development and assessment. Emphasis on lesson plan development, instructional material selection, appropriate teaching techniques, critical thinking, problem solving skills, and time management. Lesson adaptation for special populations and diverse students. Design of effective methods for assessing student learning. Techniques of test development, alternative strategies for student assessment, and appropriate use of findings in guiding instruction. Course I focuses on theory and strategies.

EDUC 563 Planning, Implementation, and Assessment of Learning II (2)

EDUC 565 Methods and Strategies for English Language Learners (1)

Introduces English-language proficiency standards. Examines the literate identities of English Language Learners within sheltered second language learning instruction. Identifies teaching methods to value and honor diverse language and cultural perspectives; Emphasizes first and second language-learning relationships and potential. Content appropriate by grade authorization of candidates.

EDUC 567 Educating for Equity in a Diverse Society (2)

This course critically examines social, cultural, political and economic issues directly and indirectly affecting public school education. Issues are analyzed through the multiple lenses of human diversity existing in all classroom environments. The aim of such analysis is to expand the cultural competence of future teachers so that they may create just and equitable educational experiences for their students.

EDUC 568 Children’s and Young Adult Literature (1)

This literature survey course acquaints prospective teachers with literature appropriate to the interests, educational needs, as well as the developmental needs of children. Emphasis is on selecting, reading, and evaluating fiction and non fiction literature from preschool through grade 12 that addresses social justice and equity issues; with course section focus on grade level authorization by Strand. Trade books form the core of the readings. This course is required of all MAT majors.

EDUC 572 Trends and Issues in School Law (1)

Emphasis on school law relative to civil rights, advocacy, anti discrimination and on the legal rights of students, parents, guardians, and schools.

EDUC 591 Pre-Student Teaching (1)

An extensive, on-site study of the nature of schools including culture, politics and services. An examination of teaching through formal observation, data collection and analysis. An introduction to the teaching role including one-on-one, small group, and whole class instruction of students, lesson development and assessment of student performance, and grading practices.

EDUC 592 Practicum (3)

An introductory classroom experience and an extended practicum, most often at the MAT candidate's second level of authorization. However, if the MAT student is preparing for one level of authorization only, the Practicum II assignment will be at that level. An examination of the student-teacher relationship and the role of the teacher within the context of the classroom, school and community with an emphasis on the level of authorization. MAT candidates observe, gather and analyze data, assist, co-teach, and teach during their practicum. Work sample instruction and assessment under the guidance and supervision of classroom supervisors.

EDUC 593 Pre-Student Teaching (1)

EDUC 595 Student Teaching (12)

Minimum of 18 weeks of full-time involvement at the public school site under the guidance of experienced teachers and supervisors. This experience includes observation, full-responsibility planning and teaching, and involvement in the culture of the school setting. Unit and work sample preparation, instruction and assessment required.