2016-17 Graduate and Adult Academic Catalog

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2016–17 Graduate Academic Catalog Page 53
Graduate-Level Course Descriptions EDU-6050 – EDU-7965
EDU-7000 School Improvement 2 hours
School improvement is the continuous process of renewal of
the social system, the curriculum, and the staff of the school.
This course is designed to develop the meaning of the concepts,
strategies, and practices involved in improving the school as
a whole. Students will analyze school improvement from both
the short-range and long-range perspective. The course will
address areas such as improving proficiency scores, the learning
environment, and attendance rates. The students will participate
in simulations and discussions designed to analyze school
improvement using data, improvement strategies, and formal
evaluations.
EDU-7200 Research Design 2 hours
This course provides a critical study of research techniques
and reporting methods used in education. Students will design a
research project or thesis, utilizing accepted educational research
methods. All core and requisite courses must be completed prior
to enrollment in EDU-7200 Research Design.
EDU-7900 Applied Research Project in Education 3 hours
Students will complete an approved applied research project
designed in conjunction with a faculty advisor and/or an external
mentor. The project must take place in an appropriate educational
setting. The research project will be documented by a multi-media
presentation and written report, which will be suitable for the
portfolio. Prerequisite: EDU-7200 Research Design.
EDU-7925 Reflective Practice 3 hours
The purpose of this course is to promote critical thinking and
collaboration among teachers, administrators, and the education
research community, through action research. Action research is
a vital part of the reflective practice and professional development
that is grounded in a commitment to improving practice.
Successful completion of National Board Certification will be
considered meeting the requirements for this course. Prerequisite:
EDU-7200 Research Design.(Crosslisted ECS)
EDU-7950 Research Thesis in Education 3 hours
Students develop an organized scientific contribution or
comprehensive analysis of a theory and/or practice in a specific
area of education. Thesis topic must be approved by the graduate
advisor or thesis committee. Credit may be earned over a period
of several semesters. Prerequisite: EDU-7200 Research Design.
EDU-7965 Continuing Research 0-1 hours
This course provides continuous registration for both Research
Thesis and/or Research Project. Students will be permitted to
register for this course for zero credits in the two terms following
the thesis or project course. Subsequent registrations for this
course will be as a 1 credit hour graduate course. Prerequisites:
ECS-7900 Applied Research Project in Curriculum, Instructional
and Personnel Development or
or
or
EDU-6050 Applied Learning Theory 2 hours
This course offers an application of current theories of cognitive
processing (e.g., encoding, storage, and retrieval), meta-cognition,
and cognitive and affective factors of motivation to classroom
instruction and assessment. Emphasis placed on the development
of instructional lessons and units that utilize current theories of
learning to enhance the development of meaningful learning,
critical thinking, and intrinsic motivation in students. Prerequisite:
EDU-6200 Models of Teaching.
EDU-6100 History and Philosophy of Education 2 hours
This course addresses the relationship between philosophy of
education and how various philosophies have historically affected
the practice of schooling, in the United States. It will examine how
different philosophical schools answer questions related to the
nature and purpose of schooling, and how these philosophies
have been incorporated and modified to deal with social and
cultural changes in United States history.
EDU-6150 Diversity and Social Issues in Education 2 hours
A study of the social, cultural, and political issues that affect
decision-making and student achievement in schools, this
course will examine the role of school in the enculturation or
“Americanization” of students; the effects of student background
and culture on achievement; and the different socio-cultural groups
with a political stake in the curriculum and how these groups work
to further their interests.
EDU-6200 Models of Teaching 2 hours
This course provides an overview of several models of teaching.
After studying the theory behind a given model, students will
participate in classroom demonstrations and then practice the
model in micro-teaching or classroom situations.
EDU-6250 Statistical Reasoning in Education 3 hours
This course offers a survey of descriptive and sampling
statistics applied for use in investigation and decision-making
in education. Topics covered include the nature of quantitative
design in educational research, descriptive statistics for univariate
distributions, joint distributions, drawing inferences from statistical
data, and statistical tests for between-subjects and within-subject
designs.
EDU-6300 Program and Outcomes Assessment 2 hours
This course studies assessment concepts and procedures in
the K–12 school setting. The course will review competencies
required of teachers for educational assessment of students and
application of assessment procedures in a K–12 program setting.
EDU-6400 Intervention Strategies and Techniques 2 hours
The course will focus on examination of the educational
literature regarding effective teaching practices and behavior
change strategies for students with special educational needs.
It provides an opportunity to explore, design, implement, and
evaluate school-based interventions for students with high-
incidence disabilities.
EDU-6550 Special Topics in Instruction 1–2 hours
This course offers focused instruction and project work on a
current or special topic in instruction, often provided as part of
a school inservice, teachers’ convention, or specially scheduled
course. Students may earn up to 4 credits.
EDU-6700 Technology in Education 2 hours
A variety of resources and instructional websites are used
to allow teacher candidates to take their own next step in the
use of instructional technology. Students develop and present
technology-based instruction reflecting newly-acquired technology
skills. Basic technology skills developed include the creation and
editing of images, audio, and wikis and the use of a web-based
course management system, presentation software, and online
research tools. Students already familiar with these technologies
are required to expand their current skill set and demonstrate their
skills in the delivery of instruction. (Fee: $125)