Masters of Education

CORE COURSES

MED501 Introduction to Educational Research
This course will facilitate the development of knowledge and skills to read, design, and interpret research, especially as that research relates to educational issues. Students will, through actual qualitative and quantitative research activities, identify and develop sound research questions, select appropriate research techniques, develop solid research design, and engage in analysis of data. Students will, as a result of this course, be informed professional consumers and practitioners of research and will be able to utilize quantitative and qualitative research for effective educational improvement. (3 credits)

MED502 Advanced Educational Psychology
This course provides an overview of the key principles from theory and research related to the psychology of educational practice. Research and educational applications will be explored in the domains of behaviourism, cognitive development, and social cognition. The influence of individual differences on the effectiveness of instruction will be investigated. Further, the unique learning needs of a broad range of children with exceptionalities will be considered. (3 credits)

MED503 Curriculum Trends and Issues
Students will analyse significant trends and issues impacting curricular decisions, trace their historical development, and examine likely future trends. Issues to be examined include conflicts between and among educational philosophies, learning theory, content, inclusion practices, and purpose of the written curriculum. Further public expectations, legislative decisions, and policymaking will be examined to better understand the many facets of a school’s curriculum process. (3 credits)

MED504 Group Processes in Education
This course will advance participant understanding of the various concepts of group processes, including communications within groups, leadership, decision making, conflict, change, school culture, power and team development. Theory and practice are combined in this course through the use of reflection tools and participation in simulated group processes. The development and maintenance of effective school cultures will be emphasized. (3 credits)

SPECIALIZATION COURSE DESCRIPTIONS - EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP

MED550 School Law for Administrators
The analysis and synthesis of judicial interpretations of the constitutions, statutes, rules, and regulations relating to educational issues will be conducted. The effect of school law on student activities, as well as on professional ethical best practice, will be considered. A legal framework within which to conduct investigations will be explored. Integrity and professional behaviours will be examined, especially as delineated in the Pennsylvania Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators, as well as local, state, and federal laws and regulations. This course extends the content of the undergraduate school law course with special emphasis on the legal implications for the school administrator. (3 credits)

MED560 The Principalship
Students will consider the key issues of the school organization, pupil promotion, program of studies, selection and supervision of teaching staff, oversight of pupil personnel, contract management, time allocation, plant and equipment management, and public relations. Theoretical and "best practice" models will be explored. Students will participate in a number of school-based administration activities through a supervised school-based practicum. Major problems of the organization and administration of schools will be examined. (3 credits)

MED561 Introduction to Organizational Leadership
A variety of theories and models of organization and administration with specific applicability to schools will be explored. The school organization will be analysed through the symbolic, structural human resource and political conceptual frames. Leadership styles, systems theory, and various administrative practices will be addressed. Theoretical and conceptual constructs will be applied through the use of authentic and case study applications. (3 credits)

MED562 Supervision of Instruction
This course extends the principal’s knowledge and skill in applying clinical techniques to instructional supervision. An overview of personnel practices and the evaluation of school personnel will be investigated. Systems for analysing teaching performance are explored, and methods to engage teachers in their own professional reflective practice and renewal for improvement will be developed. Clinical supervision and mentoring models will be emphasized. Techniques and processes for analysing student assessment and performance outcomes against state standards will be developed. (3 credits)

MED565 School Financial Management
This course provides an overview of planning and fiscal management models and tools appropriate for public school management. Specifically, it is designed to help future administrators understand the legal and philosophical issues associated with school finance and business operations. Federal, state, and local school financing; school budgets; and business methods of accounting will be addressed. Students will engage in simulated financial planning and management activities, as well as participate in a school financial planning/management process. (3 credits)

MED572 Supervision of Educational Personnel
This course examines an adult development model and highlights opportunities to enhance the professional skills of all school employees. Adult learning theories and models will be explored as they relate to current best practice regarding the supervision, development, and improvement of teachers and other school personnel. Models for curriculum improvement will be examined. (3 credits)

MED590 School and Community Relations (Elective)
This course identifies the philosophy, principles, techniques, agencies, and practices involved in an effective school and community relations program. Special attention is given to the role of school administrator in coordinating system-wide and building-level communication networks. Responding to the unique needs of a multicultural community will be explored. Authentic and case study analysis will enhance the learning experience. (3 credits)

MED594 Administrative Internship
This supervised pre-professional experience will provide candidates with field-based opportunities to apply the knowledge, dispositions, and skills cultivated through their course work. The seminar component of the internship will facilitate the development of a collegial network of support and mentoring and will provide a form of professional "scaffolding" to the principal candidate. An administrative internship is required for all degree candidates seeking Pennsylvania Department of Education Principal Certification. (3 credits)

MED595-596 Administrative Internship
This optional internship format is designed for the aspiring principal whose professional and/or family responsibilities make completing a one semester internship experience very difficult. This supervised pre-professional experience will provide candidates with field-based opportunities to apply the knowledge, dispositions, and skills cultivated through their course work. The seminar component of the internship will facilitate the development of a collegial network of support and mentoring and will provide a form of professional "scaffolding" to the principal candidate. An administrative internship is required for all degree candidates seeking Pennsylvania Department of Education Principal Certification. (3 credits)

SPECIALIZATION COURSE DESCRIPTIONS - READING

MED510 Foundations of Reading Instruction
This course is designed to examine the nature of language, acquisition of language, and ways in which language develops. The pedagogy of reading instruction, particularly the nature of the reading process, skill development, and various instructional strategies will be emphasized. Students will examine historical practices as well as current models of reading instruction. (3 credits)

MED511 Children and Adolescent Literature
This course is an advanced survey of children’s and adolescent literature. Included will be the examination of the genres of literature, the literary elements that combine to create a good book, and how literature can be used in any classroom. Students will learn advanced strategies for teaching literature as a teaching medium – one that enhances and expands the lesson or instructional concept. The course will also emphasize the strategies and techniques teachers use to promote literature within and throughout every subject area. (3 credits)

MED512 Advanced Reading in the Content Areas
This course is designed for reading specialists and elementary teachers. It examines the relationship between reading skills and student achievement in content area subjects and the processes that foster independent learners. Research-based teaching techniques and procedures geared to developing critical thinking skills are emphasized. (3 credits)

MED513 Development and Administration of School Reading Programs
This course defines the various reading specializations along with the duties and responsibilities of reading specialists. Students will examine current theories and practices on the development and administration of school reading programs – especially those suitable for specific school situations. Additionally, the course will enable students to monitor and assess the effectiveness of a school or district reading program in line with current standards and/or regulations. (3 credits)

MED520 Advanced Psychology of Reading
This course examines the psychological principles involved in the perception and recognition of words and word groups, theories of lexical access, visual perception of print, integration of sensory systems, neural mechanism for integrating language and print, and the cognitive dimensions of the reading act. Psychological basis for theories regarding preferred methods of teaching reading will be examined. (3 credits)

MED525 Understanding & Addressing the Struggling Reader
Current thinking on reading/disorders, factors in multiple causation, and commonly used diagnostic and treatment procedures are covered in this course. There is consideration of specific problems encountered in the field by class members. Specific types of reading problems are covered including phonemic awareness, phonetics, word attack, vocabulary, and comprehension disabilities and fluency. (3 credits)

MED526 Clinical Practicum in Reading: Diagnosis & Assessment
This course is designed to give practice in the use of formal and informal assessments in appraising a child’s skill in reading and related areas. The utilization of a reading profile or case study that serves as the basis for instructional practices is emphasized. Clinical and field experiences are part of this course. (3 credits)

MED527 Clinical Practicum in Reading: Correction & Remediation
In this course, teachers work in teams designing corrective and remedial instructional plans for students with mild to severe reading disabilities, according to their emotional, cultural, and educational learning needs. It involves supervised practice in the use of sociological, psychological, and pedagogical instructional procedures including: keeping student portfolios, collaborating with related support school personnel, conferring with parents, using community resources, and conducting classroom action research. (3 credits)

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