This introductory course examines the science of learning and the impact that brain compatible instruction can have on learning. Students in the course analyze how learning theories, practices, and brain research-based strategies can support the development of effective curriculum and instruction and promote student success.

This course will introduce students to constitutional rights and issues as they apply to the work of police departments and other law enforcement organizations at the federal, state, and local level. The course will focus on the Bill of Rights, particularly the First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, as well as the Fourteenth Amendment. The course examines the application of these rights in the enforcement, investigation, and adjudication of crime.

The College of Education Capstone is designed to equip students at the end of their academic journey with the tools and strategies necessary for a successful transition into the 21st-century workforce. This course provides essential guidance and support, empowering recent graduates to create a compelling message that showcases their skills and abilities, positioning them as valuable assets to potential employers. The curriculum addresses five key areas vital for students entering the job market: sharing one’s story, resume creation, interview skills, portfolio development, and embedding an elevator pitch and personal brand statement into an easily shared and accessed ePortfolio. By mastering these areas, students will be able to market themselves competitively and effectively navigate their career paths. Prerequisite: Majority of major coursework. Course was previously titled College of Education Capstone. It was changed to Education Capstone on 7/1/2026.

This course provides an examination of educational approaches and their impact on the practice of creating inclusive learning environments for children with exceptionalities. Students will examine methods of assessment and apply evidence-based instructional methods and strategies to support children with diverse needs in inclusive settings. In addition, students will analyze the collaborative models in inclusive settings that support and serve children and their families. Finally, students will create a professional and ethics-based philosophy of inclusion for children with exceptionalities.

In this course students will examine the key elements of innovation and creativity in the 21st century. Students will formulate a personal philosophy of creativity and innovation, as well as develop an innovation toolbox. In addition, students will propose idea generation techniques meant to stimulate individual or group problem solving approaches. Finally, students will integrate innovation and creativity strategies within individual discipline-specific work. Prerequisite: Must be a current Honors student. Nontransferable; not eligible for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credit.

In this course, students will explore themes of intercultural and global awareness and apply this knowledge to real life situations, both historical and contemporary. Students will analyze diverse modes of cultural expression and experience from multiple perspectives. Students will also examine how cultural biases are created and how these influence both past and current events. Prerequisite: Must be a current Honors student. Nontransferable; not eligible for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credit.

This course will provide students with a foundation for informed and effective civic engagement. Students will assess the civic identities of different cultures, communities, and societies, including their own, evaluating the impacts of various forms of civic engagement. Students will analyze political biases in media, and explain how political policies and discourse impact their lives. Emphasis will be placed on the ways that diverse communities have engaged in various civic processes to create change. Prerequisite: Must be a current Honors student. Nontransferable; not eligible for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credit.

This course teaches critical thinking through a careful study of global issues. Utilizing principles of logic, including analyzing reasoning and assessing sources, students will examine critical issues of our time. Students will engage in individualized and experiential learning, in conjunction with scholarly research, in order to explore relationships between critical thinking and personal responsibility. The course emphasizes self-motivated research, with an eye to leadership and problem solving. Prerequisite: Must be a current Honors student. Nontransferable; not eligible for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credit.

The Capstone 2: Culminating Project is a course in which students will demonstrate their attainment of the program outcomes through a spiraled process of skill demonstration including reflection, application, synthesis, and evaluation. This comprehensive course is designed to integrate and apply the knowledge, skills, and dispositions acquired throughout their programs, providing students with an opportunity to demonstrate their mastery of educational theory, research, and practice. The course emphasizes the development of advanced competencies in areas such as curriculum design, assessment and evaluation, instructional leadership, and educational research. Through this capstone experience, students will emerge as confident, reflective, and skilled education professionals prepared to make a positive impact in diverse educational settings. Prerequisite: EDU 694 or ECE 660

This course introduces learners to action research as a systematic, ethical, and reflective approach to improving practice within educational and organizational contexts. Learners will explore the purpose, goals, and ethical foundations of action research and examine its role in fostering professional growth and leadership development. Through critical analysis of current research literature, students will evaluate the quality, relevance, and ethical neutrality of scholarly work using both traditional and emerging digital research tools. The course emphasizes methodological decision-making as learners assess research designs and justify appropriate approaches for addressing real-world problems of practice. 

As a culminating experience, learners will develop a comprehensive, feasible, and ethically sound action research proposal grounded in their professional context. This proposal will serve as the foundation for ECI 696: Capstone 2 Culminating Project, in which learners will implement their approved action research plan, collect and analyze data, and reflect on findings to inform professional practice, leadership growth, and organizational improvement. Prerequisite: EDU 620 or ECE 673.