Focus of Study Options
Classroom Management
Grounded in current research and best practices, this focus of study prepares educators to build safe, structured learning environments by teaching and supporting student self-management skills. Participants examine the developmental foundations of self-regulation, cultural and contextual factors that influence behavior, and evidence-based frameworks. Trauma-informed approaches and strategies for fostering executive function, goal setting, self-monitoring, and emotional regulation across multiple learning contexts are addressed.
Differentiated Instruction
Building on classic concepts, the Differentiated Instruction focus of study recognizes how the mental landscape of current learners has been shaped by multimedia, changing how they think and reason when learning. Key components of differentiated instruction are revisited in relation to how new literacies have influenced changes in learner needs. Integrating theory and practice, students create professional learning communities, establish approaches for learner collaboration, and explore current frameworks to deliver content and concepts to meet the wide range of learning needs. Throughout the coursework, students shift perspectives to view differentiation as a scholarly practitioner and academic leaders, shaping instruction to create educational opportunities for 21st century learners.
Integrated Curriculum
The ability to build relationships and establish connections across ideas is a function of integration. This focus of study provides a foundational understanding of how to think about integration and guides in the development of skills necessary to create critical connections. By establishing principles and demonstrating how to implement them, a framework is created which can be utilized in a variety of circumstances.
Instructional Coaching
Instructional or organizational leaders must be able to assist their schools, organizations, and communities in moving away from less effective traditional views of teaching and learning by embracing a more proactive approach of using formative assessment data to build curriculum, design instructional delivery, and teach with the future in mind instead of solely relying on summative evaluations measuring only what has already been taught in the past. Educational and organizational leaders can then make informed decisions and learner-centered adjustments much earlier in the process, maximize all available resources, and ultimately, foster higher levels of achievement and performance within their schools or organizations.
K-12 Educational Technology
This focus of study prepares educators to serve as technology leaders in the elementary or secondary learning environment and emphasizes new ways of thinking about technology and integration in the classroom. Candidates acquire the knowledge and skills to support learning with technology, lead educational technology professional development opportunities, and offer technical assistance to other educators.
Literacy
Literacy is critical for future endeavors. This focus of study establishes the foundational elements required for effective reading and explores skill development across the formal educational experience. Attention is given to strategies and approaches required for a range of student needs.
Special Education
The Special Education focus of study prepares participants to enhance their knowledge and skills to work collaboratively with struggling learners. This coursework focuses on legal and ethical laws, policies, issues, and strategies to assist students’ access to the general curriculum. It also emphasizes accommodations and modification to meet the needs of students with exceptionalities, gathering and analyzing ongoing data on which educational and instructional decisions are based, and developing collaborative environments designed to positively impact outcomes for students with exceptionalities. The courses are sequenced to provide foundational knowledge and skills, which will allow individuals to compete in the ever-changing and growing global, digital society.
STEM Education
The STEM Education focus of study is designed to empower educators with the knowledge, skills, and strategies to transform STEM teaching and learning. Participants will develop expertise in applying STEM frameworks and competencies to investigate real-world problems. They will create engaging and relevant learning environments and leverage technology to facilitate collaboration and communication. Participants will apply strategies to foster deep content knowledge and critical thinking through inquiry-based learning.
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