Required 5-12 Licensure Courses

EDUC511
Educational Measurement and Assessment Grades 5-12 (2 cr.)
Prerequisite: EDUC515
This course focuses on how to apply measurement theory to classroom evaluation. Analysis, administration, and interpretation of standardized assessment instruments, performance assessments using the Minnesota Graduation Standards model, teacher-constructed assessment tools, and evaluation and grading are examined.

EDUC515
Foundations of Education (5 cr.)
Must be taken concurrently with EDUC517
This course examines two broad areas of education:
1) the historical, philosophical, and sociological foundations of education including such topics as schooling in a changing pluralistic society, human relations and discrimination issues in education, legal, and political forces which impact American education, and the teacher’s professional roles and responsibilities; and
2) the student as "learner", including the psychology of human learning, cognitive/social development, psychology of the exceptional child, and cross-cultural human relations perspectives in psychology. Field experiences emphasize translation of learning theory to classroom practice.

EDUC517
Learning, Development, and Exceptionality (3 cr.)
Must be taken concurrently with EDUC515
Students will learn and apply the principles of educational psychology,
including (a) child and adolescent cognitive, social/emotional, and moral development; (b) motivation, learning theories, classroom management and principles of effective teaching; and (c) psychology of exceptional children, including knowledge of exceptional educational need areas as defined by Minnesota, Wisconsin and federal law, the major
characteristics of the disability areas in order to recognize their existence in children, and knowledge of various alternatives for providing the least restrictive environment for children with exceptional educational needs.

EDUC525
Curriculum and Instruction: Grades 5-12 (4 cr.)
Prerequisite: EDUC515
Middle and secondary school philosophy, classroom management, motivation, and student developmental differences are examined. An emphasis is placed on unit development, daily lesson planning, interdisciplinary planning, teaming, cooperative learning, exploratory learning and a variety of teaching strategies appropriate for grades 5-12.

EDUC530
Reading and Writing in the Content Areas: Grades 5-12 (2 cr.)
Prerequisite: EDUC515, EDUC525
This course focuses on how to assess reading and written language skills of middle and high school students, the cognitive and skill levels required by various content-area materials and written tests, use of alternative testing strategies, and instructional strategies for developing strategic readers and competent writers in all content areas. Adaptation of course materials, teaching strategies, and testing for students with exceptional educational needs is featured.

EDUC534
Technology in the Classroom: Grades 5-12 (1 cr.)
Prerequisite: EDUC515
This course provides an introduction to technology-based
learning. Major topics include:
1) information literacy, i.e.criteria for web-based research;
2) discipline-specific software and technology;
3) presentation systems (Hyperstudio, projection microscopes, Power Point); and,
4) assessment and grading tools.

EDUC540
Special Methods: Social Studies 5-12 (2 cr.)
Prerequisite: EDUC515; EDUC525 strongly recommended
This course addresses curriculum, skills, and knowledge needed
to teach social studies in grades 5-12. Topics include Minnesota
Social Studies content standards for middle and high school,
lesson and unit planning, and evaluation procedures.

EDUC543
Special Methods: World Languages and Cultures 5-12 (2 cr.)
Prerequisite: EDUC515; EDUC525 strongly recommended
The purpose of this course is to introduce methods for teaching world languages in grades K-12. Topics include lesson and unit planning, the Minnesota Graduation Rule and national standards, questioning skills, and effective teaching strategies.

EDUC544
Special Methods: Communication Arts & Literature 5-12 (2 cr.)
Prerequisite: EDUC515; EDUC525 strongly recommended
The purpose of this course is to introduce methods for teaching communication arts and literature in middle and high school. Topics include lesson and unit planning, the Minnesota content standards, national standards, and questioning skills.

EDUC545
Special Methods: Mathematics 5-12 (2 cr.)
Prerequisite: EDUC515; EDUC525 strongly recommended
The purpose of this course is to introduce methods for teaching mathematics. Topics include lesson and unit planning, the Minnesota Graduation Rule and national standards, classroom management, and effective teaching strategies.

EDUC546
Special Methods: Physical Science 5-12 (2 cr.)
Prerequisite: EDUC515; EDUC525 strongly recommended
The purpose of this course is to introduce methods for teaching the physical sciences. Topics include lesson and unit planning, the Minnesota Graduation Rule, national standards, questioning skills, discrepant events in science and demonstrations supporting them, and science classroom safety. Classroom management, effective teaching strategies, and utilization of technology to enhance instruction are also stressed.

EDUC547
Special Methods: Life Science 5-12 (2 cr.)
Prerequisite: EDUC515; EDUC525 strongly recommended
The purpose of this course is to introduce methods for teaching the life sciences. Topics include lesson and unit planning, the Minnesota Graduation Rule, national standards, questioning skills, discrepant events in science and demonstrations supporting them, and science classroom safety. Classroom management, effective teaching strategies, and utilization of technology to enhance instruction will also be stressed.

EDUC551
Adolescent Literature (1 cr.)
This course is designed to familiarize communication arts teachers with major genres, authors, and award winning books for middle and high school students. Methods for use of adolescent literature in the classroom will be featured, along with critical literary terms and applications.

EDUC558
Students with Special Needs (1 cr.)
Prerequisite: EDUC515
This course focuses on understanding and providing differentiated instruction in grades 5-12 for students with learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, special gifts and talents,
Asperger’s syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and/or other emotional/behavioral disabilities.

EDUC560
Student Teaching: Early Adolescence/Young Adult 5-12 (6 cr.)
Prerequisite: All prerequisite course work; must be taken concurrently with EDUC570
While working closely with a cooperating teacher, the student gradually becomes fully responsible for planning, organizing, and teaching lessons, maintaining a conducive learning environment, and implementing school routines and practices. Students student-teach for a minimum of 15 weeks in the Twin Cities vicinity.

EDUC565
Human Relations, Cultural Diversity and American Indian Culture (2 cr.)
This course is designed to sensitize students to issues which can cause discriminatory and prejudicial behaviors in students, teachers, administrators, parents, and members of the community at large. Emphasis is placed on developing the skills and dispositions of an inclusive, multicultural teacher in today's diverse classrooms. A particular focus is placed on Minnesota Indian cultures.

EDUC570
Professional Capstone/Portfolio (2 cr.)
Prerequisite: All prerequisite course work; must be taken concurrently with EDUC560
The course is designed to assist students in integrating their professional identity along program-based dimensions of theory and practice. Candidates complete a professional portfolio that addresses their mastery of the Standards of Effective Practice and outlines plans for professional development.

Required Additional Courses for Master of Arts Degree

EDUC580
Critical Issues in Education (3 credits)
This course will vary in content according to timeliness of issues, instructors’ fields of expertise, and the educational interests of the students enrolled. This course will cultivate teacher leadership, integrating both educational goals and responsiveness to community issues.

EDUC590
Introduction to Educational Research (2 cr.)
This course introduces the student to the fundamentals of designing and conducting educational research. Each student will conduct a literature review on a research topic of special interest, and design an action research proposal.

EDUC595
Philosophy of Education (3 cr.)
This course is designed to engage the student in intensive study of the ideas prominent educational philosophers in relation to critical issues in contemporary education. Students will be expected to present and defend a personal philosophy of education that reflects their beliefs relevant to philosophical writings and current issues.

EDUC599
Research Project and Presentation (1 cr.)
The Research Project is the culminating activity leading to the M.A. in Instruction degree, and is graded on a pass/fail basis. Students will be expected to present and defend their research.