Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction with a Specialization in Educational Leadership Online

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 3

This course is designed to provide a historical and conceptual foundation in the discipline of curriculum and instruction for those beginning their graduate work. It will cover the historical and philosophical beginnings of the traditional content taught in the public school systems in the U.S., from pre-kindergarten through completion of the academic core of post-secondary schooling. Examination of key components of the purpose and methods of instruction will punctuate the historical context to identify specific C&I elements in some of the following eras: ancient and pre-modern contributions, Pre-Colonial and Colonial American schooling, early foundations of instruction in the U.S., implications of modern C&I, and trends in post-modern C&I. A major element of the course will be the development of a research topic and subsequent student project focusing on the topic. Pre-requisites: Graduate Standing

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 3

Engage in critical analysis of education’s place in today’s rapidly changing local and global society with a focus on comprehending education from historic, philosophic, social and cultural perspectives and the impact of those perspectives on current practice. Evaluate curricular and instructional perspectives and ways of viewing educational history from a theoretically informed lens. Critically examine the practices and policies used in schooling to enact decisions on curricular reforms in schooling with a critical understanding of diversity, social inequity, and equal educational opportunities. Pre-requisites: Graduate Standing

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 3

This course is a thorough treatment of various standard, research-based techniques for evaluation of instruction (i.e., authentic assessments, alternative assessments, qualitative and quantitative testing methods, and non-specific measurement methods). In addition, this course explores the concepts behind assessment, identifies various assessment tools and incorporates models of assessment appropriate for a variety of instructional settings. Pre-requisites: Graduate Standing

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 3

This course is a general survey of theories of learning as they apply to the modern classroom. The course is designed to acquaint students with major historical and modern theories and their proponents of how children learn together, with implications for schools in modern society. Pre-requisites: Graduate Standing

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 3

This course provides the competencies required for critical understanding, evaluation and utilization of published educational research. The course addresses quantitative and qualitative research methods. Topics include problem formulation and refinement; research design; sampling; measurement and data collection; data-analysis techniques; and the inference process.

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 3

This course addresses teacher leadership in the context of advancing the expertise and leadership of peers, thereby expanding the teacher-leader’s sphere of influence beyond the walls of the classroom. Teachers explore mentoring and coaching models designed to promote the professional growth of their colleagues. They learn and apply skills for mentoring novice teachers and for engaging in coaching relationships with peers at all stages of the teacher-development cycle. Various forms of collaboration with colleagues are addressed, and diversity—as well as interpersonal and communication skills—are emphasized. Pre-requisites: Graduate Standing

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 3

This course examines the effective implementation and assessment of curriculum programs in schools. It explores educational policies specific to the role of educators as curriculum leaders. This course will examine the structures that need to be in place to allow curriculum developers and leaders to work collaboratively.

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 3

The course provides an overview of several paradigms of learning and their relationship to decision-making models. Students will learn to design and evaluate curriculum, develop instructional materials, assess student learning and measure instructional outcomes.

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 3

This course is designed to teach a practical, step-by-step approach in learning the complex procedures of the assessment process at the local, state and federal levels. The course will analyze and synthesize various aspects of assessment particularly progress monitoring as applied to the acquisition of knowledge and skills, and the increased consideration of students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in the assessment process. This course examines how students' assessment data drives curriculum implementation.

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 3

This course will emphasize the development of communication and collaboration within an organization. Students will have the opportunity to explore and develop strategies that can enhance their ability to effectively and strategically develop a systemic curriculum process

Duration: 7 weeks   |   Credit Hours: 3

This course will examine leadership strategies to build collaborative relationships with families, communities, and colleagues to develop comprehensive instructional strategies that address the diverse and equitable academic needs of students via ethical curriculum implementation.