COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

All courses are three credit hours unless otherwise noted.

ED 720 Curriculum Design & Assessment
Examines the interrelationships of learning theory, curricula design, and assessment to develop coherent educational programs. Building on social and cultural foundations, candidates analyze learning principles and apply them to curriculum and plan alternative assessment of program outcomes. No transfers accepted.

ED 723 Research in Education
Develops essential skills to complete independent research in all courses and for the summary paper. Students examine quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, analyze research literature, target research problems, and design a research plan that will lead to the collection and analysis of data.

ED 724 Cultural Diversity & Education
Analyzes race, class, and gender issues relating to learning and organizational development. Candidates identify and analyze the social and cultural issues affecting policy and practice of education in a pluralistic society, and monitor instruction and learning in a culturally diverse system. Candidates explore the impact of policy on equal educational opportunity for domestic, ethnic and gender groups. Decision-making framework for developing equity cultures in schools and other organizations are applied to program development and its components of staff training, instructional methods, interactional patterns, and assessment.

ED 726 Education & the Exceptional Learner
Examines categories of exceptionalities within the sociological and instructional aspects of classroom life. Special emphasis is placed on identification/diagnosis, student and teacher attitudes, and management problems resulting from physical and psychological challenges. Demographic variables including gender, ethnicity and class are examined in relation to interactions and performance.

Ed 727 School Law
Examines the general structure, theory, and background of law as it applies to education in general and to the classroom specifically. Attention is given to constitutional and civil rights issues; teacher, student, and parent rights; court decisions; and legal procedures.

ED 728 Instructional Technology
Focuses on the social and technological changes in schools and education systems. Candidates research, discuss, and develop projects related to technology in instruction, assessment, personal/professional productivity and communication. Offered online.

ED 732 Political & Ethical Structures in Education
Draws on social and philosophical foundations of education for a critical study of the distribution of power in educational policy making, understanding the ethical implications of these political structures, understanding the role of business and corporate philanthropies and other public and private interest groups, and understanding the textbook industry and the politics of knowledge. This course also looks at the implications of global education for American education, with comparisons to other national education systems.

Ed 733 Diagnostic Procedures & Instructional Approaches
Focuses on the application of learning in the analysis of instructional strategies and professional development programs. Candidates assess learners’ needs and performance levels; design instructional strategies to develop critical thinking, problem solving, and decision-making skills; and analyze interpersonal interaction and program components that facilitate learning. No transfers accepted.

ED 734 Adult Education: Theory & Practice
Introduces the candidate to the history and philosophy of the adult educational movement in the United States; presents the characteristics of adult learners and barriers to their first learning; and views the many opportunities for and application of adult learning experiences in today’s society. This course is required for all candidates who have not completed teacher preparation (certification) programs. Offered online.

ED 736 Reading Instruction & Curriculum, K-12
A study of process - oriented reading programs, grades K-12. Special consideration will be given to identifying and defining the major areas of the reading curriculum as well as developmentally appropriate instruction. Attention will be given to the appropriate use of diagnostic information and materials to enhance pupils' reading abilities. This course replaces ED 734 for licensed teachers.

ED 737 Leadership & Change in Education
Focuses on the leadership and change literature with an emphasis on applications to instruction, staff development and assessment. Emphasis is placed on leadership and assessment processes that are consistent with constructivist theory. 

ED 799 Seminar: Summary Portfolio (1 hour)
The summary portfolio documents the candidate’s professional growth, leadership, scholarship, and level of knowledge throughout the Master of Arts program. This portfolio is developed with guidance by university faculty and is assessed and evaluated by a first and second reader. Candidates who fail to complete the portfolio prior to finishing MA course work will be required to register in ED 799 Seminar: Summary Portfolio Research to complete this process.