This course provides learners with opportunities to acquire and use graduate-level skills, including the ability to critically examine and apply relevant educational theory to professional practice. Learners develop expertise in academic inquiry and scholarly writing as well as explore the importance of multicultural perspectives and diversity in professional contexts. Finally, learners articulate and examine their professional purpose and its alignment with their specialization and career aspirations.  Must be taken during the first quarter by learners who have been admitted to the MEd in Teaching and Learning, MS in Education, MS in Education Innovation and Technology, and MS in Higher Education degree programs and the Adult Education and Higher Education Leadership and Administration graduate certificate programs. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning.

This course is an overview of graduate research methodology. Learners examine fundamental research methodologies and their respective quantitative and qualitative approaches to rigorous scholarly inquiry.

In this course, learners examine national and state learning standards related to their content area or grade level. Learners utilize research-based curriculum to craft assessments that are aligned to standards, and implement instruction that is meaningful to students and supports their academic achievement. This course requires access to a P–12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P–12 school or district.

Learners in this course gain an understanding of the differences between standards, outcomes, and competencies and how they can be integrated into the curriculum. Learners build on this understanding, mapping competencies to outcomes and aligning standards to competencies and outcomes. Learners integrate competency- based curriculum and lesson planning with best-practice teaching approaches and develop competency-based classroom management techniques. This course requires access to an educational setting, students or learners, and/or classroom practitioners.

Learners in this course apply strategies for managing diverse and challenging student behaviors and develop the skills needed to create classroom environments that maximize the opportunity for each student to learn. This course emphasizes the roles, rights, and responsibilities of all stakeholders under The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Section 504 legislation. This course requires access to a P–12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P–12 school or district.

Learners in this course examine the origins and complexities of student achievement gaps within the contexts of gender, race, culture, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and language difference. Learners also explore current student achievement research and best practices and identify instructional strategies most likely to eliminate achievement disparities. This course requires access to a P–12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P–12 school or district.

In this course, learners examine instruction and learning improvement strategies and collaborate with students’ families, the community, and other professionals for the purpose of improving instruction. Learners also evaluate instruction to determine how well it promotes professional teaching standards and dispositions. This course requires access to a P–12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P–12 school or district.

In this course, learners analyze theories of constructivism and cognitive flexibility and implement adaptive learning approaches to meet the needs of diverse learners. Further, learners apply the Universal Design framework to instructional design and evaluate adaptive learning dashboards that provide continuous assessment of mastery-based learning. Learners also analyze facilitator-driven and assessment-driven systems and evaluate the effectiveness of mastery-based learning in student needs, including those of students with disabilities, English-language learners, and students who are gifted or talented. The course includes an emphasis on the purpose and impact of computer-aided instruction and assessment on student achievement in competency-based education (CBE). This course requires access to an educational setting, students or learners, and/or classroom practitioners.

This course provides an overview of the historical, conceptual, and cultural foundations of special education. Learners examine current issues relevant to the education of students with disabilities and analyze the social construction of disability. In addition, learners analyze how culture and context influence their work with their students. Learners develop an ethical decision-making framework needed to advocate for students with disabilities and their families.

Learners in this course study referral, assessment, placement, and planning procedures for students with disabilities. Learners evaluate the use of formal and informal assessments, design individual education plans, and examine appropriate methods for reducing bias in assessment. Learners also apply methods and strategies used within the Response to Intervention framework with P–12 students. This course requires access to a P–12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P–12 school or district.

In this course, learners study ways to develop differentiated academic lesson plans (e.g., reading, writing, calculation, or mathematical reasoning). Learners examine how research-based instruction can support students with disabilities. Learners also develop methods of managing the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of students with disabilities. This course requires access to a P–12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P–12 school or district.

Learners investigate communication and interaction among children, families, teachers, and the community to support the learning and well-being of students with diverse learning needs. Learners assess methods of consulting and collaborating with teachers, agencies, support personnel, and other professionals to provide effective special educational services. Learners identify culturally responsive collaboration and communication practices that improve programs, services, and outcomes for diverse learners.

The capstone course is taken after completing all required and elective coursework. Learners apply their knowledge of policies, practices, programs, and services for diverse learners. Learners complete a leadership project in which they evaluate a program for diverse learners in their school system and demonstrate proficiency of specialization and program outcomes by developing an ePortfolio. For MS Special Education Teaching learners only. This course requires access to a P–12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P–12 school or district. Must be taken during the learner’s final quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning.