Graduate Course Descriptions

During this practicum, candidates will connect theory to practical application of concepts studied during coursework. The focus of the practicum experience is directly aligned with the competencies identified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for Reading Specialist certification. Students will administer various assessments; analyze data; design standards-aligned instructional plans reflecting an understanding of systems of language in the reading process, phonemic awareness, phonics, word identification, vocabulary, comprehension, and process writing; select, implement, and adapt a variety of instructional materials; monitor student progress; communicate with colleagues; and demonstrate knowledge and competencies that foster professionalism. Students will be required to submit a portfolio of practicum experiences.

Provides the Supervisor Certification Candidate opportunities to integrate education theory and research with practical experiences in the schools. The candidate may accomplish this task through participation in work-site activities in the school setting as well as through completion of assigned coursework research. The focus of this internship program and the on-site activities are directly aligned with the standards of the Pennsylvania Inspired Leadership program. Includes 360 hours of documented activities of which 180 may be accumulated prior to taking the Supervisor’s Internship. (All prerequisite courses should be completed per advisement.)

An overview of methods used to conduct educational research with emphasis on locating and evaluating research literature. Course content includes the scientific method, development of research questions, formulation of research designs with ethical considerations, and professional critiques of methodologies. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method designs will be reviewed. Design of an action research project wil be required. Scholarly writing and APA formatting will be a focus. (Course must be taken within the first 12 credits of the doctoral program.

Students will refine their skills in scholarly research and writing by framing research questions, analyzing and synthesizing research, and completing a miniliterature review in APA format on a topic of theirchoice. (Course must be taken within the first 21 credits of the doctoral program).

Study of administrators’ roles in decision making, evaluation, performance appraisal, school organization and operation, problem identification and resolution, goal setting, planning, as well as management team concepts. Examination of various experiences that affect both teacher and learner.

Examination of the personnel function in educational settings. Consideration of trends in staffing, recruitment, selection, assignment orientation, performance evaluation as well as grievances, labor relations, and negotiations.

Comprehensive study of school business management. This course is concerned with district-wide business administration policies and procedures essential to conservation and wise use of funds, facilities, equipment and people.

Emphasis on the application of organizational development practices related to educational settings. Focus on change theory and its implementation in schools.

Preparation of administrators to develop and use various oral and written communication skills needed to communicate with diverse groups found within the school environment. Theoretical and analytical foundation of communication on intergroup and interpersonal bases.

This course, aligned with the PA Leadership Core Standards and Corollary Standards and offered in an online environment, examines the historical antecedents of the political processes of education, as well as ways to improve the organization’s culture. The course focuses on the political, social, and economic realities in which the education system operates and considers research and theory which are directly related to issues of education and school reform.