Graduate Course Descriptions

This course focuses on curriculum, assessment, and methods in mathematics, social studies, science, and technology for early childhood education students. Content follows the Pennsylvania Department of Education Standards Aligned System with emphasis on twenty-first century learning skills including critical problem solving, inquiry-based learning, and accommodations for children with different learning styles.

This course, aligned with the PA Leadership Core Standards and Corollary Standards, is a survey of the field of administration designed to provide aspiring administrators with a framework for understanding change as a process, educators as people, and leadership as a skill. Through research, problem-based learning, in-class scenarios, case studies and discussion, the course will focus on the skills needed for effective leadership, decision making and increased student achievement.

Examination of principles and procedures in curriculum development with a focus on adapting curriculum to the needs of students as well as implementation and teaching strategies. Emphasis on the elements of assessment is included.

This course, aligned with the PA Leadership core Standards and Corollary Standards, examines the goals, principles and approaches to supervision of instruction. Options for working with teachers in a learning community and for encouraging teacher leadership are included. Through research, problem-based learning, in-class scenarios, case studies, and discussion, the course will focus on leadership and the role of supervision in student achievement.

The purpose of the course is to provide students with a basic understanding of the legal system and the fundamental principles of law as they apply to education, as well as the social and political influences between state and local governments, organizations, and their influences on public education.

This course investigates the responsibility of the principal/supervisor to communicate effectively with all groups both internally and externally to the school/district. Importance is placed on the principal’s and supervisor’s responsibility to explain and interpret the school’s goals to the community with emphasis on student learning and achievement.

A one-semester independent project which meets the approval of the Program Chair and is conducted under faculty supervision. Student may merit one, two or three credits according to the complexity of the project.

This is a survey course, introducing the general categories, etiologies and identification of children with disabilities as per the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act. It also covers the process of Special Education at the Federal and State (PA) levels. Factors that promote effective communication and collaboration among all school personnel, families, students and other community members are included. (This is a prerequisite for EDL 650, 651, 652, 653).

Study which focuses on the development of effective teaching strategies. It includes strategies of supporting instructional efforts. Current effective instructional strategies will be explored. (Field experience required)

This course is intended to help design and implement multimodel literacy strategies in various middle and high school content areas through the study of adolescent literacy, assessment practices and the reading process. There is a heavy emphasis on the use of technology as a means to engage and support students as readers, writers, thinkers and speakers.