Master of Arts in Education

This course is designed to give students a real-world perspective into what it is like to teach, learn, and lead in the 21st-century classroom. This course provides an opportunity for students to experience the world of the classroom and analyze the range of perspectives and topics that impact being a successful teacher, learner, and leader in the 21st century. The course will bring together a unique set of ‘voices’ from the field to explore the contemporary nature of what it is like to teach in today’s changing schools while focusing on identifying innovations that can develop students’ capacity to be agents of innovation, collaboration, and creativity. Equivalent to EDU 650

This course provides rich opportunities for participants to examine the impact of culturally responsive teaching within diverse learning environments to foster positive social change. Participants will adopt a cultural and global perspective of teaching and learning to understand how they can best support diverse learners and become agents of social change in their respective fields. Through scenario-based activities, participants will directly apply skills needed to make informed decisions about the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of culturally relevant instructional practices to facilitate the learning of diverse learners. Equivalent to EDU 692. Prerequisite: EDU 594

During this course, students will apply evidence-based, differentiated strategies in relationship to practice, process, product, content, assessment, and grouping to meet diverse academic instructional needs. Students will construct assessments, learning objectives, and instructional strategies that offer a rich inquiry of learning styles. This approach to instructional design will promote critical thinking for learning along with the inclusion of cultural schemata (i.e., personal experiences, cultural and language norms, and family belief systems). Prerequisite: EDU 650.

This course will prepare participants to effectively use assessments to enhance student learning and planning for instruction. Participants will have the opportunity to examine different types of assessments and create their own assessments utilizing components of the Backward Design Model. Participants will gain experience in interpreting data to support the individual needs of students through differentiated instruction. This course will also explore the importance of using feedback to help guide instruction and for student self-assessment. Furthermore, current literature will be evaluated to examine relevant issues related to assessments. Prerequisite: EDU 673.

In this course, learners will gain practical knowledge about the purposeful integration of technologies to enhance instruction and support diverse learners using the three principles of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Learners will evaluate each UDL principle to inform the use of technology in improving learner motivation, stimulating critical thinking, ensuring flexibility and promoting authentic learning experiences to support diverse learners. Prerequisite: EDU 673 or ESE 601 or ECI 601.

This course provides an introduction to the education of students in the school setting with exceptional needs, specifically those with mild to moderate disabilities, who qualify for services under one or more of the eligibility criteria covered by special education federal laws. Special education key terms and common strategies that influence learning and behavior as well as ethical and legal privacy rights of families of children with disabilities are introduced. Additionally, variations, characteristics, and patterns of individual differences in learning and academic progress are investigated. Equivalent to ESE 601

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: ECI 685, EDU 620, or ECE 673.

This final capstone course engages students in implementing and evaluating an action research intervention within an authentic educational or organizational setting developed in EDU 694: Capstone 1 – Educational Research. Students analyze and interpret findings in relation to theory and practice, develop evidence-based recommendations for future improvement, and disseminate results through professional written and oral presentations. The course emphasizes reflective practice and professional growth as educators, leaders, and researchers. Prerequisite EDU 694.

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 examines the relationship between curriculum design and instructional strategies deemed best practices. Students design creative, student-centered, and standards-based learning opportunities incorporating 21st-century skills. Participation in this course challenges students to commit to a shift away from educational approaches of the past and embrace proven effective methods to engage diverse learners in a variety of learning environments. Prerequisite: ECI 601.

This course is designed to get students thinking about appropriate and intentional interventions to address a variety of challenges faced by learners in the instructional setting. Students apply practical, yet innovative instructional strategies to realistic situations in which interventions are needed to advance learners to the next level of success. A variety of evidence-based curriculum adaptations and interventions are examined with the goal of improved outcomes for learners, schools, districts or organizations. Prerequisite: ECI 601

When it comes to school or organizational improvement, leaders play a pivotal role in ensuring that a culture of achievement and growth is shared by all. In this course, students investigate a variety of principles including; growth mindset, transformational leadership, transparency, fostering a culture of continuous growth and achievement, principles of servant leadership, and the power of collaboration. The role professional development plays in laying a foundation for the curriculum design and implementation process is also examined. Leadership experience is not required to be successful in this course. Teachers, trainers, and educational leaders or administrators will learn practical, yet powerful ways to improve their professional practice. Prerequisites: ECI 601 and EDU 650 or ECI 680.

This course examines current issues, trends, theories, and research related to child development and developmentally appropriate practices in the early childhood classroom. Students generate ethical solutions to relevant issues in the field of early childhood education and social justice. Further, students will examine how various leadership models foster professional knowledge and skills within their chosen field of study. Using this information, students design a classroom environment that incorporates evidence-based and developmentally appropriate strategies that promote optimal learning and development in young children. Equivalent to ECE 624. Prerequisite: ECE 590 or EDU 594

This course provides opportunities for students to examine partnerships among early childhood professionals, families, and the communities in which they work. Throughout the course, students evaluate how their daily instructional practices promote positive outcomes for young children. Students explore the various partnerships necessary in early childhood education and discover how these partnerships can support curriculum, learners’ development, and the learning environment. Course requirements provide several opportunities for students to examine and discuss the effectiveness of ethical communication and collaboration strategies. Approaching course topics as reflective practitioners, students are able to determine how these specific partnerships fit into their future roles. Prerequisite: ECE 600 or EDU 650

In this course, students examine the relationship between theory, research, and practice in creating quality curriculum for the early childhood classroom. In addition, students evaluate a wide array of approaches, instructional strategies, and tools utilized to positively influence each child’s learning and development. Students also analyze their roles as leaders in evaluating curriculum materials and models that align with state and national standards. Utilizing this information, students design challenging curriculum that promotes comprehensive development and learning outcomes for all young children and across all domains of development. Prerequisite: ECE 600 or EDU 650

This course provides students with an overview of the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and administrate an early childhood facility. Students will create a personal definition of leadership and evaluate high-quality early childhood programs that meet the needs of diverse children, families, and communities. In addition, students will develop a strategic plan that meets high-quality and developmentally appropriate aspects of early childhood programs. Students will also examine how early childhood administrators evaluate faculty and staff. Prerequisite: ECE 600 or EDU 650

This course provides an examination of the development of higher education in America as seen through historical, legal, philosophical, and social lenses. Students analyze influences of the European model and alternative approaches and the complex social settings in which these events occur. The development and range of today’s institutions are reviewed with implications for policy development.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of higher education by examining curriculum development, instructional strategies, and assessment techniques to support diverse adult learners. Students will explore theoretical frameworks and practical methods for effective adult learning.

This course examines the development and implementation of student support systems in higher education. Supports for student success and the environment in which these occur will be analyzed. Major issues and trends in diversity, security, accommodations, and ethics will be addressed.

This course analyzes the primary areas of operation in institutions of higher education including organizational structure and control, finance, institutional effectiveness, and accreditation. An analysis of recent innovations in higher education will be included.

This course will focus on establishing relationships and partnerships with diverse families. Learners will explore specific strategies for upholding cultural competence within an instructional setting. In addition, students will analyze family and community resources as well as strategies aimed at fostering a partnership with all families to promote student success.

Law and Ethics in Special Education explores the fundamental civil and legal principles and pivotal legislation that contribute to the eligibility, learning environment placement, instruction, service delivery, and privacy issues of those who have a qualifying disability under federal laws. Learners will identify critical issues that may lead to ethical, professional, and legal conflicts of student and family rights and between interdisciplinary team participants, as well as proactive strategies for resolution. The course analyzes personal biases and considers diverse cultural experiences and individualized patterns of learning and development in relation to professional ethics and practice standards.  Equivalent to ESE 603. Prerequisite: ESE 590.

Assessment and Evaluation of Students with Mild to Moderate Disabilities provides a comprehensive examination of the assessment and evaluation cycle employed within the special education process. During this course, learners will distinguish the special educator’s role within the multidisciplinary assessment process including how the evaluative data drives the planning and development of an individualized program. Additionally, the mandatory safeguards that assure ethical evaluation and assessment practices do not discriminate on the basis of human difference, identity, or social group difference (including but not limited to race, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual identity, socio-economic status, language, culture, national origin, religion/spirituality, age, or (dis)ability).

This course focuses on collaboration strategies for special education professionals who work with other key stakeholders in supporting student success, including students with exceptionalities and their families, educators, leaders, service providers, and other professionals. A focus on educator collaborative skill sets, including communication, problem-solving, sharing ideas, planning, active listening, teamwork, and strategies for dealing effectively with conflict, provides support for academic and functional skills, as well as social emotional well-being across educational environments and instructional settings. Prerequisite: ESE 601.