M.A. in Education
Adult Education Specialization
Course Descriptions
Education Courses (EDC)
500 Foundations of Adult Education (I and II, 3)
Examination of fundamental structure, functions, problems, and history of adult education in America. Focus on socioeconomic factors and philosophical commitments that have shaped various programs. (Lec. 3) Pre: graduate or senior standing and permission of instructor. Staff
502 Foundations of Curriculum (I or II, 3)
History and analysis of foundational ideas and schools of thought about curriculum and how they shape modern practices in curriculum development, implementation, evaluation, and change in the United States. (Lec. 3) Willis
503 Education in Contemporary Society (II, 3)
Leading educators’ responses to issues and challenges confronting American education. Emphasis on identification and analysis of contemporary theories and practices reflecting the relationship between characteristics of society and educational values. (Lec. 3) Staff
504 Adult Basic Education (I and II, 3)
Teaching of adults whose educational level is below high school completion. Physical, social, and psychological characteristics of disadvantaged adults and various techniques and materials useful in motivating and teaching them. (Lec. 3) Pre: permission of instructor. Staff
505 Leadership Development in Adult Programs (I or II, 3)
Discussion of leadership concepts, styles, and implications. Discussion and practice in the use of several adult education methods and techniques for increasing the effectiveness of groups and organizations. (Lee 3) Pre: permission of instructor. Staff
506 Foundations of Education: Teaching and Teaming (SS, 7)
Philosophical, cultural, and psychological foundations of American education. Focus on ideological beliefs, cultural factors, and psychological principles and practices that shape teaching and learning. Field work integrated with classroom assignments. Pre: permission of chairperson. Staff
508 Interdisciplinary Curriculum Development (I ll, or SS, 3)
Curriculum development of interdisciplinary units for elementary and middle schools. Focus is on grade-level units which incorporate multiple subject areas. Both individual and group projects required. (Lec. 3) Pre: teacher certification. Staff
514 Current Trends in Elementary Education (I, 3)
For teachers and administrators, the most effective use of instructional materials, media of communication, and personnel in elementary school. (Lec. 3) Pre: 529 or permission of chairperson. In alternate years. Next offered 2001-02. Staff
516 Teaching English as a Second Language to Adults (II, 3)
Methods and materials for educators who teach English as a second language to adults. (Lec. 3) Pre: permission of instructor. Staff
517 Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary School (I, II, or SS, 3)
Intensive research in various cross-subject topics within the social studies. Systematic analyses of learning theories and methods as they relate to the teaching of social studies in the elementary grades. (Lec. 3) Pre: graduate or postgraduate standing. Staff
518 Teaching Science in the Elementary School (I or II, 3)
Emphasis on the development, preparation, use, and evaluation of materials appropriate for the elementary classroom from biology, zoology, chemistry, physics, geology, astronomy, electricity, meteorology, and oceanography. (Lec. 3) Pre: 12 credits in science. Staff
521 Teaching Basic Reading to Adults (I or II, 3)
Techniques for teaching basic reading skills to illiterate adults; diagnosis, methods, and materials. (Lec. 3) Pre: 504 or permission of instructor. Staff
522 Microcomputer Applications in Education (I and II, 3)
Introduction to the use of microcomputers in elementary and secondary classrooms. History, current use, techniques for evaluating hardware and software, implementation issues, future developments. (Lec. 3) Pre: senior or graduate standing. Staff
528 Teaching Language Arts (II, 3)
For the elementary school classroom teacher. Preparation, presentation, use, and evaluation of methods and materials for teaching the communications skills (emphasis on listening, speaking, and writing) (Lec. 3) Pre: senior or graduate standing. In alternate years. Next offered 2000-01. Staff
529 Foundations of Educational Research (I and II, 3)
Analysis of the current major research approaches to educational problems with emphasis on interpreting published research involving the language of statistics. Functional skills in basic descriptive statistics needed prior to enrolling. (Lec. 3) Staff
530 Qualitative Research and Evaluation (I or II, 3)
Qualitative methods, including ethnography, for obtaining and using data in describing, interpreting, and reaching warranted judgments, particularly about educational and social problems. Emphasis on developing individual projects and writing formal reports. (Lec. 3) Willis
534 Mathematics in the Secondary School (II, 3)
Implementation of a modern mathematics program in the secondary school through a study of modern mathematics concepts, experimental programs, and instructional planning. (Lec. 3) Pre: 15 credits in mathematics. Staff
535 Classroom Observation and Evaluation (I or II, 3)
Practicum in informal, naturalistic methods of observing and evaluating classrooms. Designed to increase teachers’ and administrators’ understanding of their own and others’ classrooms in fostering individual and staff professional development. (Lec. 2, Lab. 2) Pre: teaching experience, eligibility for teacher certification, or permission of instructor. Staff
538 Teaching the Gifted and Talented (I or II, 3)
Social, psychological, legal, and educational issues related to identification, selection, and instruction of gifted and talented students. (Lec. 3) Pre: one undergraduate general psychology course, graduate standing, or permission of instructor. Staff
539 Evaluation and Monitoring of Training Programs (I or II, 3)
Evaluation and monitoring theory and practice for occupational training programs. Focus on development of systems for job training such as CETA, Vocational Education, and private sector programs. (Lec. 3) Pre: 529 or permission of instructor. Staff
540 Learning Disabilities: Assessment and Intervention
See Psychology 540.
563 Teaching Reading to Multicultural Populations (I, 3)
Identification of the strengths of learners whose cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds vary, and the implications for teaching reading. Special emphasis on the selection and development of appropriate materials and teaching strategies. (Lec. 3) Pre: 424 or permission of instructor. Staff
564 Reading Diagnosis and Intervention (SS, 4)
Emphasizes traditional and alternative methods for diagnosing readers’ weaknesses and strengths. Focuses on matching the diagnosed needs of the individual reader with appropriate instructional intervention strategies. (Lec. 4) Pre: acceptance into the master’s program in reading education. Staff
565 Analysis and Evaluation of Current Research in Reading (I, 3)
In-depth review of reading research on selected topics. Analysis of findings in historical perspective. Implications for reading teachers and reading programs. (Seminar) Pre: 424 or permission of instructor. In alternate years. Next offered 2001-02. Staff
566, 567 Practicum in Reading (I and II, 3 each)
Supervised case studies, practicum, and seminar reports on an individual reading project at either the elementary or secondary level. (120 hours plus seminar) (Practicum) Pre: 564 or permission of instructor. Staff
569 Research Issues in Middle Level Reform: Implications for Best Practices (I, or II, 3 each)
Examination of research, data, and practices or middle level curriculum, instruction and assessment practices. Emphasizes student-teacher relationship, classroom management, standards-based instruction and accountability for school improvement and integration instruction. (Lec. 3) Pre: 400 or permission of instructor. Staff
570 Elementary School Curriculum (II, 3)
Modem curriculum in the elementary school with emphasis on the needs of children. Covers language arts, social studies, science, arithmetic, and special subject. (Lec. 3) Pre: 503, 529 or equivalent. In alternate years. Next offered 2001-02. Staff
574 Current Trends in Secondary Education (I and II, 3)
Effective use of instructional materials, media of communication, and organization of personnel and current research. (Lec. 3) Pre: 529 or permission of chairperson. Staff
575 Supervised Field Study/Practicum and Seminar in Education (I and II, 3)
For non-thesis candidates. Lectures, seminars, and field work. Candidates plan and conduct a field study/practicum project approved by the instructor and the student’s professor. A formal proposal is developed, submitted, and approved, the project completed, and a formal paper defended. (Practicum) Pre: admission to a master’s program in education and permission of instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. Staff
577 Organization and Administration in Elementary School (I, 3)
Functions and duties of elementary school principals. (Lec. 3) In alternate years. Next offered 2001-02. Staff
579 Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining in Education
See Labor and Industrial Relations 579.
581 Organizing and Administering Adult Programs (I or II, 3)
Administration, personnel management, resource management, recruitment, staff development, and supervision within programs dealing with adults as reamers. (Lec. 3) Pre: 505 or permission of instructor. Staff
582 Instructional Systems Development for Adult Programs (I, 3)
Designing and implementing instructional systems. Discussion of the basic tenets underlying theories of instructional technology, curriculum development, and curriculum change as they apply to adult learners in a variety of settings. (Lec. 3) Pre:581 or permission of instructor. Staff
583 Planning, Design, and Development of Adult Learning Systems (I, 3)
Overview of the program planning process including goal setting, needs analysis, program planning, and implementing change strategies. Discussion of effective functioning in the role of change agent within an organization. (Lec. 3) Pre: permission of instructor. Staff
584 The Adult and the Learning Process (I and II, 3)
Examination of the adult as a learner with emphasis on the factors that affect adult learning and learning processes related to instruction. (Lec. 3) Pre: 581 or permission of instructor. Staff
586, 587 Problems in Education (I and II, 0-3 each)
Advanced work for graduate students in education. Courses conducted as seminars or as supervised individual projects. (Independent Study) Pre: permission of chairperson. May be repeated for credit with different topic. Staff
593 Teaching Social Studies in the Secondary School (I and II, or SS, 3)
Research and examination of the structure, functions, and problems of teaching social studies in the secondary school. Emphasis on researching current social problems as they relate to their historical antecedents. (Lec. 3) Pre: teacher certification or permission of instructor.
594 Organization and Supervision of Reading Programs (II, 3)
Various roles of the reading specialist in relation to the other line-staff personnel. Problems concerning the orientation of new teachers, reading research and development, in-service programs, and community support. (Lec. 3) Pre: 564. In alternate years. Next offered 2001-02. Staff.
596 Organization Development in Education
See Human Development and Family Studies 562.
599 Master’s Thesis Research (I and II)
Number of credits is determined each semester in consultation with the major professor or program committee. (Independent Study) S/U credit.
Other Courses
HDF 450 Introduction to Counseling (I, and II, 3)
Introduces student in human sciences to interviewing and counseling skills in both professional and paraprofessional settings. Integrates theory, practice, and application by didactic and experimental learning. (Lec.3) Pre: senior or graduate standing, or permission of chairperson. Staff
HDF 520 Developmental Issues in Later Life (I, or II, 3)
Theoretical and philosophical foundations for understanding the normal changes, pathological developments, clinical assessments, and intervention strategies associated with later life. (Seminar) Pre: graduate standing. Clark
HDF 550 Vocational Information and career Development (I or II, 3)
Classification and description of jobs and industries; study of occupational trends; needs of special groups entering the labor market; vocational development theories and counseling for long-range career planning. (Lec. 3) Pre: graduate standing or permission of instructor. Staff
HDF 562 Organization Development in Human Services (II, 3)
Conceptual and technical components of organization development (OD) and consultation to various types of organizations, with emphasis on human service arenas. Approaches to the different phases of intervention in planned change efforts using theoretical frameworks, case, and client applications. (Lec.2, Lab. 4) Service learning. Pre: graduate standing or permission of instructor. Knott
LRS 579 (or EDC 579) Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining in Education (I, II, or SS, 3)
Collective bargaining in public and private educational sectors, K-12, higher education; literature, theory, practice, and legal foundations in education. Comprehensive case studies will be used. (Lec. 3) Croasdale
MBA 502 Management Skills Development (I and II, 3)
Management applied to business objectives, policies, organizational staffing and control. Interpersonal dynamics in organizational settings. Role of human resource management. Emphasis on individual and structural factors affecting decision making. (Lec. 3) Pre: graduate standing. Staff
MGT 641 Human Resource Development (I or II, 3)
Techniques used in procurement and development of human resource. Planning through recruitment, selection, and placement to training and development. Integration of HRD process with organizational strategic plans. (Lec. 3) Pre 630. Staff
PSC 506 Seminar in Budgetary Politics (I,3)
Examination of federal, state and local fiscal and budgetary process, focusing on the politics of the budgetary process and models of budgeting, with emphasis on contemporary issues. (Seminar) Staff
SOC 438 Aging in Society (II, 3)
Social theories of growing old in a changing society. Organizational and sociohistorical factors are examined in terms of their consequences for the present status of the aged. (Lec. 3) Pre: one 300-level course in sociology or permission of instructor.