Online Master’s in Elementary Education

PSYP 510: Human Growth and Learning – 3 credits:
This course provides a means for teachers and prospective teachers to improve their effectiveness in the classroom, and for supervisors to aid in the strengthening of professional development in teachers. It brings the discipline of educational psychology to the educator along with the summary of research findings that assist in developing a more reflective teacher.

EDU 510: The Teaching Profession – 3 credits:
This course helps students understand the historical, social and philosophical foundations underlying the role, development and organization of U.S. public education and instructional design based on assessment data. The legal status of teachers and students including federal and state laws and regulations, school as an organizational culture and contemporary issues in education are addressed. In practica, students observe and participate in limited ways in the activities of the school.

EDU 633: Integrated Language Arts – 3 credits:
This course is an overview of curriculum and instruction in the elementary and middle school language arts programs. This course integrates current theory and research in language development, reading methods and diagnostic procedures with specific methods for teaching reading, writing, spelling, grammar, listening and speech in PreK-6 and 6-8 classrooms. Skills in this area are designed to impart a thorough understanding of the complex nature of language acquisition and reading, to include phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary development and comprehension strategies for elementary and adolescent learners.

EDU 584: Classroom Management / School Climate – 3 credits:
A comprehensive review of classroom management theories, designs, and strategies that produce positive learning environments, coupled with the study of ways to engineer effective school climates. Individual research resulting in a term paper or the equivalent is required. This course is one of the required courses for teacher licensure in Virginia. Course includes field placement in area elementary/middle/ secondary school.

RDG 523: Foundations of Literacy – 3 credits:
This course is designed to impart a thorough understanding of the Virginia English Standards of Learning as well as the reciprocal nature of reading and writing. Reading instruction includes phonemic awareness, concept of print, phonics, fluency, vocabulary development and comprehension strategies. Writing instruction includes writing strategies and conventions that support the composing/writing expression and usage/mechanics domains. This course includes proficiency in understanding the stages of spelling development, the writing process and fostering appreciation of a variety of fiction, non-fiction text and independent reading.

SED 565: Foundations of Special Education – 3 credits:
This course serves as an introductory course for students seeking endorsements necessary to teach special education preK-12. It is designed to increase knowledge and develop skills involving the foundations, legal and medical aspects of special education. The course reviews the history of special education and the current processes for providing services from early childhood through transition to adulthood. Students will also learn characteristics and educational approaches with an emphasis on teaching students included in each of the 14 IDEA categories of characteristic exceptionalities. Students will also be given an overview of assessment procedures, curriculum development, behavior management strategies and service delivery models, such as inclusion and collaboration.

EDU 536: Science Methods – 3 credits:
Students will examine science education at the elementary school level from philosophical, historical and a current and practical perspectives.

EDU 561: Methods of Teaching Social Studies – 3 credits:
This course presents effective elementary and middle school teaching of social studies methods and management strategies for improving achievement, aligned with Virginia’s Standards of Learning. This course examines research-based best practices for large group, small group or individualized instruction, and including students with diverse and/or special needs. This research-based course includes field placement in area elementary/middle school.

EDU 563: Methods of Math – 3 credits:
The purpose of this course is to provide students with a mathematics course that helps them develop ability to do mathematics and have insights into the learning of mathematics. Emphasis is placed on concepts and theories underlying elementary and middle school mathematics. Topics emphasized include early fraction concepts, understanding of rational number computation, proportional reasoning, geometry and measurement.

EDU 639: Assessment of and for Learning (Pre K–6) – 3 credits:
This course focuses on the best practices of evaluating all learners’ performance, including the relationships among assessment, instruction, monitoring student progress and adapting assessments for diverse learners in PreK-6 classrooms. This course includes field practicum in an area school and meets the requirements for PreK-6 initial teacher licensure as outlined by the Virginia Department of Education.

EDU 648: Curriculum and Instruction in Elementary Schools – 3 credits:
This course focuses on principles of learning, application of pedagogical skills in PreK-6 settings and selection and use of materials including technology. Research-based best practices for large group, small group, individualized instruction and students with diverse and/or special needs are discussed. This course includes practicum placement in an area school. This course meets the requirements for PreK-6 initial teacher licensure as outlined by the Virginia Department of Education.

EDU 610: Management & Mentorship I – 1.5 credits:
In this course students will study and implement effective teaching methods and management strategies for improving achievement, aligned with Virginia’s Standards of Learning according to research-based best practices for large group, small group, or individualized instruction, and including students with diverse and/or special needs. Course includes field placement in area schools.

EDU 611: Management & Mentorship II – 1.5 credits:
In this course students will study and implement effective teaching methods and management strategies for improving achievement, aligned with Virginia’s Standards of Learning according to research-based best practices for large group, small group, or individualized instruction, and including students with diverse and/or special needs. Course includes field placement in area schools.

EDU 615: Management & Mentorship III – 1.5 credits:
In this course students will study and implement effective teaching methods and management strategies for improving achievement, aligned with Virginia’s Standards of Learning according to research-based best practices for large group, small group, or individualized instruction, and including students with diverse and/or special needs. Course includes field placement in area schools.

EDU 616: Management & Mentorship IV – 1.5 credits:
In this course students will study and implement effective teaching methods and management strategies for improving achievement, aligned with Virginia’s Standards of Learning according to research-based best practices for large group, small group, or individualized instruction, and including students with diverse and/or special needs. Course includes field placement in area schools.

EDU 647: Capstone Seminar Projects in Curriculum and Instruction – 3 credits:
This course is designed to create an appropriate and successful partnership project related to curriculum and instruction that meets the needs of children, parents, individual schools and school districts. The successful project would involve the development, implementation and successful evaluation of an initiative that includes activities and programs that enrich parent-school partnerships by creating an ongoing home-school connection designed to improve communication and collaboration between educators and the families they serve.