2023-2024 Catalogue

Education (EDU) Graduate Course Descriptions

EDU 521: The Art of Inquiry.
Vital elements expected of and required within graduate level research will be explored, explained, and practiced. Utilizing search engines, APA style formatting, in-text citations, academic writing style, and various other elements pertaining to research will be incorporated into this class. Establishing the question and a timeline for implementation for the final thesis paper will be a vital outcome of this course. (Learning Outcomes 2, 4, 6 & 7-10)
Prerequisite: Admission to M.Ed. program.
Co-requisites: EDU 532, EDU 533.
Credit: 3 hours.

EDU 522: The Art of Inquiry: Action Research.
Putting the plan established in EDU 521 into practice in a realistic action research oriented method within personal classrooms will be the focus of this research supportive course. Collecting and maintaining data collections and meeting for individual checkups regarding progress will be essential components of this course. (Learning Outcomes 2, 4, 6 & 7-10).
Prerequisite: EDU 521, EDU 532, & EDU 533.
Co-requisites: EDU 535, EDU 536.
Credit: 1 hour.

EDU 523: The Art of Inquiry: Analyzing Data.
Summarizing and analyzing the data collected in EDU 522 will be the focus of this research supportive course. Candidates will also be taking MAT 513 to assist them during this period in the statistical analysis aspects required to correctly interpret and report on the results yielded by their data. Producing the data analysis section of the final thesis paper will be the focus of this course. (Learning Outcomes 2, 4, 6 & 7-10).
Prerequisite: EDU 521, 532, 533, 522, 535, & 536.
Co-requisites: EDU 530, MAT 513.
Credit: 1 hour.

EDU 524: The Art of Inquiry: Publishing and Presenting.
Demonstrating expertise in reading, analyzing, critiquing, and synthesizing research the candidate will work to pull together the full year experiences from EDU 521, 522 & 523 to produce a graduate thesis paper suitable for a peer reviewed publication. The paper will be presented to the candidate's peers and venues for possible publication, and presentation of the content to larger audiences will be explored. (Learning Outcomes 2, 4, 6 & 7-10).
Prerequisite: EDU 521, 532, 533, 522, 535 & 536, 523, 530, & MAT 513.
Co-requisites: EDU 544.
Credit: 4 hours.

EDU 530: Stories Make the World.
Theories of social studies pedagogical content knowledge (history, geography, social education, democracy, cultural studies) are explored with the intent of synthesizing personal pedagogical styles with proven constructivist practices. Various K-5 social studies content themes are examined. Special attention is given to the role of storytelling in elementary social studies instruction. (Learning Outcomes 1-10).
Prerequisite: EDU 521, 532, 533, 522, 535, & 536.
Co-requisites: MAT 513, EDU 523.
Credit: 4 hours.

EDU 532: Innovative Practices in Elementary Education.
Instruction is grounded in the Discipline-Based Arts Education model.
Students learn to utilize and apply various innovative teaching strategies to include mindfulness, play, and creativity, culturally inclusive reading strategies, and art therapy. (Learning Outcomes 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10 & 11).
Prerequisite: Admission to M.Ed. program.
Co-requisites: EDU 521 & EDU 533.
Credit: 4 hours.

EDU 533: Developing Learning Communities.
Introducing the 5 foundational beliefs;
the classroom as a community of inquiry,
the power of play and creativity,
the importance mindfulness and interacting with the natural world,
building literacy through oral language skills,
and the benefits of integrating content across the curriculum will be the focus of this class.
Candidates will actively Explore ways to break the mundane patterns to create unique and engaging learning communities. (Learning Outcomes 1-10).
Prerequisite: Admission to M.Ed. program.
Co-requisites: EDU 521 & EDU 532.
Credit: 5 hours.

EDU 535: Advanced Pedagogy and Methods in STEM Content.
This course conducts an in-depth study of various theories and models of teaching STEM-based content (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) in the elementary setting. Elementary teachers draw from their broad understanding of these connections and ideas as they plan and implement integrative activities. Modules to support STEM initiatives will be explored and created. (Learning Outcomes 1-11).
Prerequisites: EDU 521, 532, & 533.
Co-requisite: EDU 522 & EDU 536.
Credit: 4 hours.

EDU 536: Reading and the Brain: The Neuroscience of Literacy
This course is designed to enhance the advanced candidate's reading and writing content and pedagogical strategies in the elementary classroom specifically pertaining to the Workshop method of instruction (K-5). Candidates will participate in in-house versions of both methods and establish plans for implementing these techniques and procedures within their own classrooms for the coming school year. (Learning Outcomes 1-11).
Content: During this course, candidates will study the Science of Reading and writing including how the brain functions within the context of learning to read, the history of the creation of reading & writing methods and an analysis of current best practices in regard to how students learn to read and write.
Prerequisite: EDU 521, 532, & 533.
Co-requisite: EDU 522 & 535.
Credit: 4 hours.

EDU 544: Exploring Educational Venues.
The cohort will participate in two educational venues specifically chosen to support and advance the skills, dispositions, and theoretical applications of the courses taken throughout the program.
1-The cohort will travel to participate in a two-day Educational Conference at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia.
2-Each cohort will work together to plan and design a thematic and unique learning opportunity to support an area of interest or study that has emerged from the concerted research efforts throughout the program. This final trip will take place during the final summer of the program. (Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 11).
Prerequisites: EDU 521, 532, 533, 522, 535 & 536, 523, 530, & MAT 513.
Co-requisite: EDU 524.
Credit: 2 hours.