Curriculum & Courses

The master of education in educational studies provides students with the opportunity to design an interdisciplinary course of study that will meet their personal and professional development needs. Students will obtain a general theoretical background for understanding past and future practice while also developing skills for use in education-related work.

Students will consult with an advisor to select eight courses related to their intellectual and career goals as well as four required courses that include a capstone project. The capstone project is completed in conjunction with a selected faculty member who may or may not be the advisor and who serves as a mentor during the project. The program is housed in the School of Graduate Studies.

Students in the program will:

Demonstrate enhanced professional knowledge within selected areas of study
Analyze changes in views of knowledge, learning, and literacy in the 21st century
Apply digital technologies in professional communication, collaboration, and problem solving
Analyze legal and ethical issues for educational and organizational environments
Apply discipline specific methods of educational research, including interpretation of data and results, to integrate learning into a capstone project

Total credit hours: 36

Required Courses (12 Hours)

EDCI 617 Foundations and Curriculum of American Education (3)

Provides opportunities for future teachers to expand their ability to inquire, explore, engage, conclude and persuade in the foundations and curriculum of American education. The course explores historical, philosophical, sociological, and legal foundations and curriculum of public education. This course is designed to assist teachers in the decision-making processes necessary to implement a standards-based curriculum and both a formative and summative assessment process of curricular initiatives. There is also a focus on contemporary curricular issues and innovations as well as school culture.

EDHD 609 Research Methods and Applications (3) or
EDLS 609 Research Methods and Applications for Educational Leaders (3)

EDHD 609 Research Methods and Applications (3)
Examines research methodology, tools, and resources available to the educational practitioner with specific emphasis on the use of quantitative and qualitative research in problem identification and resolution. Enables students to identify and apply relevant research to persistent or emerging problems and to develop appropriate assessment tools and techniques for ongoing educational activities.

EDLS 609 Research Methods and Applications for Educational Leaders (3)
Examines research methodology, tools, and resources for the educational leader. Particular emphasis is placed on action research focusing on effective schools and student achievement. Emphasis is given to the appropriate use of research tools and educational technology in the analysis of data including data driven decision making and implementing school and/or division-based research projects or school improvement plans. Both formative and summative evaluation strategies are emphasized.

EDLS 603 Legal and Ethical Issues (3)

Explores the responsibility of the school as a social institution for students, parents, taxpayers, and employees; examines the legal framework of constitutional, case and statute law, and ethical issues pertaining to schools and identifies the implications for educational practice.

EDHD 671 Professional Project in Education (3)

Requires the presentation/approval of a project proposal the semester before enrollment. The format of the finished project must be consistent with a recognized and agreed on manual of style.

Electives (24 Hours)

24 credit hours of electives from other master’s level courses (with faculty/advisor approval)