University Of Justice And Wisdom

REQUIRED COURSES

NOTE: All MAT students take the six core courses as well as the three capstone projects listed below. They also take the four specialty courses in their area of focus (Elementary Reading and Literacy, Elementary Mathematics or Middle School Mathematics, Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, Special Education, STEM, or Effective Teaching for the 21st Century).

NOTE: Should students need to take an additional course to meet State requirements, those hours will be considered optional elective hours and will be included in the student’s program.

A. Core Courses:
EDU 7501 Teacher as Researcher
EDU 75604 Evidence-Based Interventions
EDU 7568 Teacher as Leader
EDU 7570 Instructional Design
EDU 8618 Effective Assessment
EDU 8622 Meeting the Needs of All Students

B. Capstone Projects:
EDU 8698A Capstone A – Video & Self-Analysis
EDU 8698B Capstone B – Action Research Project
EDU 8698C Capstone C – Reflection on the Entire Program

C. Elementary Reading and Literacy Focus, Grades K-6:
RDG 7500 Foundations of Reading and Literacy
RDG 7510 Reading Diagnosis & Differentiated
Instruction for Diverse Learners
RDG 8610 Reading In The Content Areas
RDG 8615 The Reading/Writing Connection

D. Elementary Mathematics Focus, Grades K-5:
MTH 7505 Problem Solving and Number & Operations
MTH 7515 Measurement and Geometry
MTH 7525 Algebra
MTH 7535 Data Analysis and Probability

E. Middle School Mathematics Focus, Grades 6-8:
MTH 7506 Problem Solving and Number & Operations, Grades 6-8
MTH 7516 Measurement and Geometry, Grades 6-8
MTH 7526 Algebra, Grades 6-8
MTH 7536 Data Analysis and Probability, Grades 6-8

F. Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, Grades K-12:
CIA 8600 Research-Based Instructional Strategies
CIA 8605 Student-Directed Learning to
Foster Motivation and Engagement
CIA 8610 Classroom Assessment for Today’s Teacher
CIA 8615 Teacher as Everyday Hero

G. Effective Teaching for the 21st Century – Technology Focus:
TFE 8600 Classroom Technology Tools
TFE 8620 Digital Literacy
TFE 8640 Online Teaching and Learning
TFE 8660 Technology Issues / Curriculum Planning

H. Effective Teaching for the 21st Century – Classroom Focus:
TFE 8600 Classroom Technology Tools
TFE 8620 Digital Literacy
AIE 8630 Creativity and Innovation
LLE 8610 Cultural Literacy

I. Special Education
SED 7565 Teaching Students with Disabilities
SED 7570 Students with Disabilities: School,
Family and Community Interaction
SED 7573 Assistive Technology in Special Education
SED 7575 IEP Development

J. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM),
Upper Elementary (3-5):
MTH 7505 Problem Solving and Number and Operations
SCI 7505 Teaching Physical Science and Engineering Design
SCI 7515 Teaching Life, Earth and Space Science
TFE 8660 Technology Issues/Curriculum Planning

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

CORE COURSES
EDU 7501 Teacher as Researcher 3 Credits
Complete a project in an area of teaching that is of interest to
you, where information can help inform your desire to make
effective changes with your students and in your school or
community.

EDU 75604 Evidence-Based Interventions 3 Credits
This course is designed to help the classroom teacher develop
methods to assess students who are not succeeding and
identify, implement, and assess interventions to help those
students. Emphasis is placed on theories and practical concepts
related to differentiation of instruction and assessment in order
to meet the needs of a wide range of learners.

EDU 7568 Teacher as Leader 3 Credits
Learn the secrets of teacher leaders and how participating in a
learning community can support your efforts and have a lasting
impact within your classroom, school, and community.

EDU 7570 Instructional Design 3 Credits
Build upon your existing knowledge of lesson planning and
instructional design by creating curriculum that meets the
specific needs of your students. Manage your time to better
maximize your planning efforts and create a classroom
environment that optimizes learning.

EDU 8618 Effective Assessment 3 Credits
Apply proven techniques to use a variety of assessments to
evaluate different types of student work and inform your
instructional practices to improve student learning.

EDU 8622 Meeting the Needs of All Students 3 Credits
Learn to differentiate instruction and how to reach out to
parents so that the individual needs of your students are
addressed effectively, ethically, and efficiently.

EDU 8698A Capstone A – Video & Self-Analysis 0 Credits
This project is designed to help the candidate evaluate his or
her own teaching and use that evaluation as a data source to
improve classroom practice. This project includes videotaping
in the classroom.

EDU 8698B Capstone B – Action Research Project 0 Credits
This project is the formal submission of the Action Research
Project. This assignment follows clearly defined guidelines,
and must also contain a way to publicly share the results of
the research.

EDU 8698C Capstone C – Reflection on the 0 Credits
Entire Program
This project is a guided reflection that requires the master’s
candidates to reflect upon their personal growth throughout
the entire program, and then submit student work samples
and/or assessment data as evidence that their participation in
the MAT program has improved student achievement.

READING AND LITERACY FOCUS

RDG 7500 Foundations of Reading and Literacy 3 Credits
Obtain a comprehensive knowledge base in the reading process
that includes reading strategies that are most effective for
teaching students to read.

RDG 7510 Reading Diagnosis & Differentiated 3 Credits
Instruction for Diverse Learners
This course examines formal and Informal literacy assessments,
identified appropriate strategies for remediation of
reading disabilities and plans differentiated instructional
methods with emphasis on phonics, phonemic awareness,
comprehension, fluency and vocabulary. This course also
develops a comprehensive assessment vocabulary in order to
administer, interpret, and evaluate assessment instruments.
Field experience and a case study component will demonstrate
integration of course knowledge and classroom practices.

RDG 8610 Reading In The Content Areas 3 Credits
Learn to use nonfiction texts with your students so that they
can access each subject area of the curriculum. Use literature
to support concept mastery in non-language arts subjects.

RDG 8615 The Reading/Writing Connection 3 Credits
Apply research-based instructional strategies to integrate
writing in all subject areas. Learn to conduct mini-lessons that
support the mastery of each stage of the writing process.

ELEMENTARY MATHEMATICS FOCUS

MTH 7505 Problem Solving and Number 3 Credits
& Operations (K-5)
Develop deeper understanding of key concepts as you engage
in mathematical discourse, problem solve, and share strategies.

MTH 7515 Measurement and Geometry (K-5) 3 Credits
Apply effective problem-solving strategies to real world
problems, while continuing to deepen your understanding
of mathematical concepts such as length, area, and volume,
coordinate geometry, and geometric thinking.

MTH 7525 Algebra (K-5) 3 Credits
Develop true algebraic thinking as you engage in problem
solving. Deepen your understanding of patterns, functions,
and algebraic symbols to help students.

MTH 7535 Data Analysis and Probability (K-5) 3 Credits
Work through a real-life data analysis project that allows you
to apply knowledge and skills from other mathematical strands
to complete. Key concepts such as data collection, graphical
representations of data, and measure of center are highlighted.

MIDDLE SCHOOL MATHEMATICS FOCUS
MTH 7506 Problem Solving and Number 3 Credits
& Operations (Grades 6-8)
Learn to engage students in relevant problem solving that
helps to deepen mathematical understanding of key concepts
such as fractions, decimals, percent, place value, and
number theory.

MTH 7516 Measurement and Geometry 3 Credits
(Grades 6-8)
Explore geometric attributes of length, area, and volume, and
apply informal deduction skills to solve real-world problems.
As your mathematical content knowledge deepens, you will be
able to support the learning of your students more effectively.

MTH 7526 Algebra (Grades 6-8) 3 Credits
Algebra is more than solving equations and graphing functions.
Focus on key algebraic concepts, and engage in problem
solving with real-life connections that makes the learning of
seemingly intangible concepts meaningful and relevant.

MTH 7536 Data Analysis and Probability 3 Credits
(Grades 6-8)
Develop an in-depth understanding of the data analysis
process that your students are expected to learn. Increase the
effectiveness of your mathematics instruction to reach even the
most challenging learners.

CURRICULUM, ASSESSMENT AND INSTRUCTION FOCUS

CIA 8600 Research-Based Instructional 3 Credits
Strategies (Grades K-12)
This course is based upon a body of research that identifies
specific instructional practices that improve student
achievement. Participants will explore the results and classroom
implications of this research by analyzing the instructional
practices in real classrooms, and customize the use of the
strategies to their own teaching situations.

CIA 8605 Student-Directed Learning to Foster 3 Credits
Motivation and Engagement (Grades K-12)
This course digs deeper into concepts and theories introduced
in prior courses and focuses on helping students develop
the skills necessary to thrive in and out of the classroom.
Participants learn strategies for helping all their students
develop flexible knowledge, as well as problem solving,
cooperative learning and self-motivation skills.

CIA 8610 Classroom Assessment for Today’s 3 Credits
Teacher (Grades K-12)
The course focuses on authentic assessment techniques
teachers can use to measure the academic achievement,
progress, and effort of their students. This course will also
examine how to implement school-wide and classroom based
interventions.

CIA 8615 Teacher as Everyday Hero 3 Credits
(Grades K-12)
The final course of the program, this class is a culmination of
many strands covered throughout the program and strikes a
balance between the macro and micro concepts of instructional
planning. Participants examine the case studies of inspirational
teachers who have transformed the lives of students while at
the same time linking proven educational theory to practice.

 

EFFECTIVE TEACHING FOR THE 21ST CENTURY FOCUS
All students:

TFE 8600 Classroom Technology Tools 3 Credits
(Grades K-12)
This course introduces common and emerging technology tools
a teacher in the 21st century will use in the classroom room
teaching. The tools include productivity tools, online tools,
web-based communications tools, data-driven decision making
tools, and emerging tools such as Facebook, twitter and blog.

TFE 8620 Digital Literacy (Grades K-12) 3 Credits
This course introduces different media tools a teacher in
the 21st century will use in the classroom teaching. The
participants will study the production and integration of the
media tools to help with their teaching and student learning.
Technology Focus:

TFE 8640 Online Teaching and Learning 3 Credits
(Grades K-12)
This course prepares school teachers to design and teach an
online course in their subject area. This course explores design
and delivery strategies of online courses. Online pedagogy,
content, assessment, collaboration, management and human
issues are investigated.

TFE 8660 Technology Issues / Curriculum 3 Credits
Planning (Grades K-12)
This course will study ways technology can be integrated into
content areas. Candidates will design lessons and units to
reflect the best practice in technology integration. Social and
cultural issues in using technology will also be studied.
Classroom Focus:

AIE 8630 Creativity and Innovation 3 Credits
(Grades K-12)
The focus of the course will be on teaching participants
effective ways to integrate the arts (music, movement/dance,
theater, visual representation) into core content areas to
increase student engagement and foster problem solving.

LLE 8610 Cultural Literacy (Grades K-12) 3 Credits
The focus of the course will be on teaching participants
effective pedagogy to enable children in their classrooms to
develop the skills needed to thrive in a multicultural world.
The emphasis will be on helping participants and their students
to recognize and negotiate cultural influences throughout life.
Stories are often carriers of culture; therefore, this course will
use the technique of digital storytelling to allow participants
and their students an opportunity to express their growing
cultural literacy in a 21st century format.

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATHEMATICS
(STEM) FOCUS

MTH 7505 Problem Solving and Number 3 Credits
& Operations (K-5)
Develop deeper understanding of key concepts as you engage
in mathematical discourse, problem solve, and share strategies.

SCI 7505 Teaching Physical Science and 3 Credits
Engineering Design (3-5)
SCI 505 is designed to give students foundational experience
in meeting the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for
teaching science with engineering and the National Science
Education Standards (NSES). This course, along with SCI
515, establishes a foundation for teaching scientific and
engineering content knowledge and problem-solving skills.
This course emphasizes physical science and introduction to
engineering topics integrated with design. Participants will
develop a deeper understanding of how to teach scientific
concepts such as Forces and Interactions, Energy, Waves: Waves
and Information, Structure and Properties of Matter. Upper
elementary education students are the intended audience.
Participants will engage in scientific discourse to explain their
thinking and share strategies. Online teaching laboratories are
also included.

SCI 7515 Teaching Life, Earth and 3 Credits
Space Science (3-5)
SCI 515 is designed to give students foundational experience
in meeting the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for
teaching science with engineering and the National Science
Education Standards (NSES). This course, along with SCI 505,
establishes a foundation for teaching scientific and engineering
content knowledge and problem-solving skills. This course
emphasizes life science and earth and space science integrated
with engineering design. Participants will develop a deeper
understanding of how to teach scientific concepts such as
Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems, Inheritance
and Variation of Traits, Structure, Function, and Information
Processing, Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems,
Weather and Climate, Earth’s Systems: Processes That Shape the
Earth and Space Systems: Stars and the Solar System. Upper
elementary education students are the intended audience.
Participants will engage in scientific discourse to explain their
thinking and share strategies. Online teaching laboratories are
also included.

TFE 8660 Technology Issues / Curriculum 3 Credits
Planning (Grades K-12)
This course will study ways technology can be integrated into
content areas. Candidates will design lessons and units to
reflect the best practice in technology integration. Social and
cultural issues in using technology will also be studied.

SPECIAL EDUCATION FOCUS
SED 7565 Teaching Students With Disabilities 3 Credits
SED 565 focuses on the appropriate methods and techniques
for meeting the educational needs of students with mild
disabilities. Psychological information about groups and
individuals; strategies for achieving integration in regular
education; organizational structures of schools, and strategies
for teaching reading, math, and study skills are covered in
this course.

SED 7570 Students With Disabilities: School, 3 Credits
Family, and Community Interaction
In this course candidates develop flexible theoretical
frameworks, practical skills and sensitivity in working with
families of students with disabilities. The theoretical basis for
current approaches to supporting families, the anomalies and
challenges presented by the growing diversity of U.S. society,
and development of a critical awareness of formal and informal
supports for families is investigated.

SED 7573 Assistive Technology in 3 Credits
Special Education
SED 573 introduces the use of adaptive technology, methods
for linking technology and instruction of students with special
needs, techniques for selecting and utilizing computer based
instructional programs, and methods for developing interactive
instructional materials.

SED 7575 IEP Development 3 Credits
SED 575 covers pre-referral and referral processes for students,
assessment plans, eligibility criteria for services, due process,
and development of the individual education plan (IEP). The
course includes consideration of students’ assistive technology
needs, transitions, modifications, functional behavior analyses
and intervention plans.