Courses

EDUC 597  Special Topics in Education  1-6 credits

EDUC 600  Foundations of Literacy Development  3 credits
Provide in-depth understanding of the reading acquisition process and current issues in reading research related to preliterate and emergent readers through observation and analysis of reading and written language development. Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program. 

EDUC 601  Methods and Strategies of Effective Reading Instruction  3 credits
Provide in-depth understanding and application of scientifically-based methods of teaching reading comprehension vocabulary, and fluency. Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 602  Literacy Assessment Informed Instruction  3 credits
Screen, diagnose, and monitor student progress in reading and writing to inform instruction and build home-school partnerships that promote reading and writing. Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 603  Content Area Learning  3 credits
Apply concepts, methods, and practices related to curriculum, assessment of learning, and teaching in content areas.  Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.                                                                

EDUC 604  Learning Environments  3 credits
Recognize needs for a successful classroom environment and apply strategies to support learning. Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 605  Curriculum Development and Assessment  3 credits
Study and apply standards-based curriculum and assessment practices.  Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 606  Reading in the Content Area  3 credits
Analyze, Analyze, evaluate, and apply methods for developing effective reading strategies that improve student academic achievement in the content area.  Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 607 Rethinking Learning Through 21^st Century Skills  3 credits
Investigate the research and theory of 21^st Century Skills as they affect the education program. Develop effective teaching strategies through theory and simulation. Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 608 Methods and Strategies of Effective Writing Instruction  3 credits
Provide in-depth understanding and application of research based methods of teaching writing as they apply to cognitive processes and socio-cultural context for diverse students.  Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 609  Secondary Student Teaching  3 credits
Work in a secondary school setting over the course of the year, in collaboration with mentor teachers.  This course can be repeated twice for credit. Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program. 

EDUC 610  K-12 Student Teaching  3 credits
Work in a K-12 school setting over the course of the year, in collaboration with mentor teachers.  This course can be repeated twice for credit.  Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 611  Strategies and Techniques for Teaching Students with Support Needs   3 credits
Address critical issues, content, and pedagogy needed by special education professionals. Apply these theories to the daily activities of the teacher. Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 612  Behavioral Analysis and Intervention  3 credits
Use critical thinking and problem solving skills to study and apply current behavioral research and school law regarding the education of students with emotional/behavioral disabilities.  Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 613  Methods and Strategies of Effective Mathematics Instruction   3 credits
Examine and apply research-based teaching strategies that promote mathematics learning.  Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 614  Collaborating for Students with Support Needs  3 credits
Use data and collaboration process to develop Individual Educational Plans, and provide support needs and technologies for students with disabilities.   Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 615  Special Education Student Teaching  3 credits
Work in a K-12 school setting with students with disabilities over the course of the year, in collaboration with mentor teachers.  This course can be repeated twice for credit. Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 620   Engaging Diverse Learners   3 credits
A study and application of research-based instruction to engage diverse learners. Focus is on creating learning experiences to maximize student engagement and achievement, while evaluating and reflecting on teaching practice. Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 621 Creating Effective Online Learning Environments  3 credits
A study of quality online instruction to engage diverse learners. Focus will be on methods and strategies for creating and managing learning experiences to maximize student engagement and achievement in the online environment. Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 680   Research and Critical Inquiry for Leaders  4 credits
Examine, analyze, and synthesize research literature in relation to emerging trends in education. Explore concepts pertaining to quantitative and qualitative research methods and the synergistic relationship between research, theory, and practice. Develop problem posing/solving, information literacy, and critical thinking.  Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 681    Curriculum and Collaboration in School Sites  3 credits
Investigate best practice in curriculum reform, decision making, collaboration, and evaluation strategies as they affect the educational program. Develop problem solving skills through theory simulation. Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 682  Leadership in School Sites  3 credits
Examine leadership models and issues discussed in professional literature and relate to own practice in order to increase leadership capacity and advocate for improving education.  Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 683   School Law  3 credits
Examine laws and legal implications of court decisions affecting schools and professional educators.  Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 684  Materials and Motivation for Reading  2 credits
Select and evaluate materials, develop independent readers, involve the community, and establish and manage the literacy environment. Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 685  Assessing, Evaluating, and Instructing At-risk and Struggling Readers  3 credits
Develop in-depth understanding of scientifically based reading research and instruction for at risk and struggling readers. Provide the tools necessary to diagnose, evaluate and teach struggling readers. Assignments will include the development of intervention programs and the implementation of progress-monitoring reading assessments.  Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 686  Literacy Coaching and Mentoring  2 credits
Examine roles and functions of literacy coaching and mentoring to provide professional development for literacy in the school setting. Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 687  School-Wide Comprehensive Literacy Program Development   2 credits
Prepare educators for school-wide comprehensive literacy program development and delivery.  Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 688  Reading Teacher Internship   3 credits
Complete supervised practicum(s) or internship(s) as a reading teacher at the appropriate grade level(s) for Colorado Department of Education Reading Teacher graduate endorsement.  This course can be repeated twice for credit.  Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 689  Reading Specialist Internship  3 credits
Complete supervised practicum(s) or internship(s) as a reading specialist at the appropriate grade level(s) for Colorado Department of Education Reading Specialist graduate endorsement. This course can be repeated twice for credit.  Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 690  School Law for Site Leaders Seminar  1 credit
Relate knowledge of educational legal issues and trends through study of case law as it relates to the respective school site.  Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 691   Fostering Collaborative School Sites   1 credit
Examine collaborative processes, models of collaboration, and communication skills that promote effective professional interaction and decision making in educational settings.  Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 692    Issues and Trends in Leadership Seminar  1 credit
The role of professional literature and experience in the development of  leadership capacity that advocates for  improvements of education.  Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 693  Capstone   3 credits
Interpreting, planning, conducting, and reporting research results in the field of education. The student must be enrolled in EDUC 693 when utilizing Western State Colorado University Graduate Faculty support in conducting research. This course can be repeated for credit and is required the final semester of the M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 697  Special Topics in Education  1-6 credits
Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 698  Independent Study  1-6 credits
Work individually with a professor to design and complete a self-paced course of study.  Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.

EDUC 699  Research Problems  1-6 credits
Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. degree in Education Program.