Undergraduate Catalog: Education Courses (EDUC)

Education (EDUC) || Special Education (S ED)

Education Courses (EDUC)

EDUC 00_ Field Experience (0)
Requires weekly experience with children and youth in participating public and private schools and service agencies. Requires sign-up in the Office of Professional Education Field Experience each semester.

EDUC 005A/005B Practicum I Block A and Practicum II Block B (1,1)
Supervised biweekly field experience with children in -K­4 classroom setting. Practicum I and Practicum II are taken with the “Junior” block.

EDUC 005C Practicum III Middle Level (1)
Supervised sustained field experience with students in 4­-8 classroom setting.

EDUC 005D Practicum IV Secondary/K­12 (1)
Supervised sustained field experience with students in a Secondary or K-­12 classroom.

EDUC 100, 101 Introduction to Education (0.5,0.5)
Seminar course that orients students in elementary, secondary, special education and K-12 certification programs to educational careers and program requirements.  Discussions focus on issues and trends that impact education.

EDUC 108 Orientation to Early Childhood Education (3)
Presents history, philosophy, and rationale for early childhood programming for all children.  Includes studies of typical and atypical development with an emphasis on observation skills. 

EDUC 110 Middle School Philosophy and Foundations (3)
Discusses the philosophical and historical foundations of middle schools. Emphasis on current trends in designing and developing curriculum and environments for students grades 4­-8.

EDUC 300 Early Childhood Curriculum (3)
EDUC 301 Early Childhood Curriculum (3)
Presents a conceptual framework for learning and development for all children ages three through nine. Encompasses modern theory and research in curriculum development with an emphasis on developmentally appropriate practice. Requires field experience in an early childhood setting and primary classroom.

EDUC 309 Curriculum and Instruction ("Junior Block")
Develops teaching strategies, PK-4 curriculum elements, and instructional resources in the context of research while modeling best practice.  Requires related field experience participation.

Typically taken over two semesters minimum; all except EDUC 309L require upper-level screening approval.

F	Math	3.0
G	Science	3.0
H	Social Studies	3.0
L	Children's Literature	1.5
M	Language and Literacy I	4.0
N	Language and Literacy II	3.0

EDUC 309F Curriculum and Instruction: Math
Active, materials­based, collaborative investigation of mathematics learning/ teaching, in light of Pennsylvania and NCTM Standards.

EDUC 309G Curriculum and Instruction: Science
Science theories and methodology applied through cooperative, hands­on teaching experiences. Emphasis on PA Academic Standards as well as NSTA guidelines.

EDUC 309H Curriculum and Instruction: Social Studies
Social studies instruction that promotes informed, responsible citizenship in a plural­istic society. Emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches, Pennsylvania Academic and NCSS Curriculum Standards.

EDUC 309M Curriculum and Instruction: Language and Literacy I
Theory and practice are blended in the study of reading/language arts skill develop­ment in children from PK through grade four. Various philosophies, methods, and approaches are explored in the context of current research and practice.

EDUC 309N Curriculum and Instruction: Language and Literacy II
Theory and practice are blended in the study of reading/language arts skill develop­ment in children, grades PK through 4. Skill in developing reading and writing in the content areas is also emphasized. Prerequisite: EDUC 309M.

EDUC 310F Elementary Curriculum & Instruction (Grades 4-­8): Math & Science (3)
An interdisciplinary methods course designed for candidates interested in teaching in Grades 4­-8. It is focused on collaborative investigation of math and science learning with an emphasis on PA Academic Standards and Anchors, NCTM and NSTA guide­lines. Prerequisite: upper level screening approval.

EDUC 310M Elementary Curriculum & Instruction (Grades 4­-8): Language Arts & Social Studies (3)
Course takes an interdisciplinary approach to teaching reading/language arts skills in the context of teaching social studies curriculum. PA Academic Standards and Anchors as well as NCSS, IRA, and NMSA standards are used to guide curriculum development for students in grades 4-­8. Prerequisite: upper level screening approval.

EDUC 311 Educational Psychology (3)
Presents the learning process in light of contemporary theory and research. Examines teacher­student relationships in the context of cultural and economic diversity. Deals with learning and behavior problems of students, assessment of student progress, and classroom management. Prerequisite: PSY 251.

EDUC 411A Effective Instruction in Secondary and K-12 Education (3)
Integrates the theory and practice of teaching. Topics include classroom management, planning, techniques and strategies, evaluation, reading in the content area, and instructional materials and technology. (See departmental listings for complementary specific methods.) Prerequisite: upper level screening approval and EDUC 311.

EDUC 414 Social Foundations of Education (3)
Students interpret historical, sociological, legal, multicultural, and philosophical themes underlying educational practices, especially in the United States.  Prerequisite: upper level screening approval.

EDUC 442 A-Q Student Teaching (6,6)
Involves supervised, full-time classroom teaching with gradual assumption of total teaching responsibilities in two different placements according to the scope of the certificate.  (Select appropriate section of 442 A-Q.) Requires sign-up in the Field Experience Office. Prerequisite: students teaching clearance by Education Department.

EDUC 499 Independent Study
Involves student initiated activity in area of choice, according to University policy. Requires approval of chairperson.

Special Education Courses (S ED)

S ED 100 Characteristics of Students with Mild Disabilities (3) fall
Examination of etiology, characteristics, and educational interventions for those with mild disabilities. Requires enrollment in EDUC 000 to complete necessary field experience, for which transportation is the candidate's responsibility. Required for the major and minor in Special Education.

S ED 300 Curriculum Adaptations (3)
This course provides the student with instructional strategies and educational procedures proven to be best practices for at-risk and special needs students. Prerequisite S ED 100 or S ED 152. Non-special education majors.

S ED 350 Assessment and Planning for Young Children (3)
Studies curriculum, methods, materials, and activities for preschool and primary level students with disabilities. Stresses formal and informal assessments for identification, programming, and evaluation. Emphasis on planning individualized learning experiences for young children. Emphasis on planning individualized learning environments for young children. Field experience in an early intervention setting is required.

S ED 350A Practicum I: (PK-K) (1)
Involves supervised practicum at early intervention/preschool levels of performance for children with disabilities. Education forms must be filed upon completion of competencies. Involves transportation, which is the student's responsibility. Taken concurrently with S ED 350.

S ED 352 Diagnostic Evaluation/Prescriptive Teaching (3)
Studies curriculum, methods, materials, and activities for elementary, middle, and secondary level students with disabilities, encompassing supportive, supplemental, or replacement intervention levels. Stresses formal and informal assessment, task analysis, monitoring devices, and individualized programming strategies. Prerequisite: successful sophomore screening.

S ED 352B Practicum II: (Grades 1-6) (1)
Involves supervised practicum at elementary and middle level with students with disabilities. Education forms must be filed upon completion of competencies. Involves transportation, which is the student's responsibility. Must be taken concurrently with S ED 352. Prerequisite: successful sophomore screening.

S ED 355M Fine Arts for Students with Disabilities (Music) (1) fall
Designed to show the functional and aesthetic value of music in the education of the exceptional individual. Involves demonstrations of and practice in creating modules and resource materials that will enable them to determine when and how existing skills can be used to meet therapeutic goals. (Music Therapy majors)

S ED 362 Secondary Programming and Career Education (3) spring
Emphasizes teaching and curriculum strategies for the education of adolescents with disabilities. Discusses the relationship of adolescent development and psychology to career education theory and practice. Investigates program models and evaluation strategies. Prerequisite: successful sophomore screening.

S ED 362C Practicum III: (Grades 7-12) (1)
Involves supervised practicum at the secondary level with students with disabilities. Must be taken concurrently with S ED 362. Prerequisite: successful sophomore screening.

S ED 367 Behavior and Classroom Management (3)
Designed to train students in the functional use of terminology and techniques in the field of behavior and classroom management.

S ED 400 The Law and Special Education (3)
Presents litigation involving the rights to treatment, a fair classification, and education. Discusses student and teacher rights and responsibilities. Recommended only for candidates with senior standing. Prerequisite: successful sophomore screening.

S ED 499 Independent Study (1-3) fall, spring
Allows a student to develop in-depth knowledge in a personal interest area in Special Education. Must be directed by a faculty member, with permission of the department chairperson. Subject to University and department restrictions, including, but not limited to, minimum quality point average, faculty availability, and upperclass standing.

Education Program Description