Graduate Education Courses (EDU)

EDU 0500. Orientation to Schools (0). This course is designed to be the formal vehicle to disseminate school information for student teachers and / or practicums and for the background check required by all teacher licensure candidates prior to undertaking practicum or student teaching in schools or other educational settings. All candidates must enroll in this course once per calendar year for the duration of their licensure program. The course fee covers the background check. ($20.00)

EDU 5010. Contemporary Issues in Education (3). (20 hours field experience required.) Contemporary issues in education will be examined against a backdrop of historical and philosophical issues addressed in American education.Candidates will receive skills in advocacy for families and children, instruction in uncovering unconscious bias, and practice in using data to inform myths that exist about American education. (Approximately 20 hours of practicum required, which may be within the scheduled time of the class.) 

EDU 5020. Literacy I (3). This course focuses upon theories and methods of literacy instruction from pre-kindergarten through grade 8. The effective components of effective classroom reading programs are emphasized. Attention is given to research- based strategies and assessments. Practicum required.

EDU 5021. Applied Linguistics (3). This course examine the development of the English language and explores the sociocultural linguistic, neuro-linguistic, and psycholinguist approaches to the development of language acquisitions, particularly that of second language acquisition. Students explore the history and development of the English language in order to understand the sound systems, forms, structures, and lexicon of English and other languages.

EDU 5025. Literacy in Family and Community Arenas (3). This course examines literacy from a sociological perspective. Emphasis is placed upon how community and nonprofits and social organizations enhance opportunities for literacy development and how literacy workers build collaboration among such providers to address the needs of the child, family and community. 

EDU 5030. Literacy II (3). This class extends the theory, research, and methods of Literacy 1 with attention given to reading in the content areas, writing, and special needs in pre-kindergarten through grade 8. Practicum is required.

EDU 5040. Literature for Children and Adolescents (3). This course is a survey of classic and contemporary children's and adolescent literature. Various methods for using these books in the classroom are covered.

EDU 5050. Educational Research (3). This course provides an introduction to the practice of both quantitative and qualitative inquiry in the study of educational problems. The course will cover issues and strategies involved in identifying a research question; planning and designing a study to answer that question; and analyzing, interpreting and presenting the results in a manner that contributes to the knowledge and practice in education. Students will become familiar with software available for qualitative and quantitative analysis. The major emphasis of the course is the writing of a research proposal, including the review of the literature.

EDU 5110. Advanced Educational Psychology (3). This course addresses those issues which arise in the development of children and youth in the context of education. It includes learning theories, human growth and development, motivation, classroom management and discipline, testing and evaluation. The course has a practicum component. (Approximately 20 hours of practicum required, which may be within the scheduled time of the class.) 

EDU 5120. Educational Tests and Measurements (3). A study of educational measuring devices including test construction and standardization, as well as test data interpretation and application. Students will also examine the research about test development and the relationship between testing and student achievement.

EDU 5130. Organization and Management of Multicultural Classroom Communities (3).  A critical examination of socially relevant issues and pedagogy in multicultural education and classroom management is provided.  Approximately 20 hours of practicum required.  Cross listed with EDU 4130.

EDU 5140. Transformative Education (3). This course explores the theory of transformative learning and examines how education becomes a mechanism to change frames of reference, critically reflect on experience, and develop new ways of knowing. Transformative educators are social entrepreneurs, engaged active citizens, community development agents, and advocates for others. This course explores those roles in relationship to transformative literacy and shows how access to literacy can either empower of marginalize groups of people.

EDU 5150. Technology for Education (3). Prerequisite: Basic computer course within the past 3 years or permission of the instructor. Using current technological knowledge and equipment, students will understand the role and use of technology for instructional purposes.

EDU 5210. Reflective Teaching (1). This reflective or inquiry-oriented course looks at the complicated activity of teaching and the conceptual schemata teachers must acquire. Emphasis is placed on developing teaching habits that are consciously informed actions.

EDU 5211. Reflective Teaching for Interns (3). This reflective or inquiry-oriented course looks at the complicated activity of teaching and the conceptual schemata teachers must acquire. Emphasis is placed on developing teaching habits that are consciously informed actions.

EDU 5220. Methods for Secondary Teaching (3). This course examines strategies, techniques, materials, and principles for effective classroom instruction. Students are required to demonstrate competency in these areas in school-based settings.

EDU 5230. Human Development and Education (4). This course examines development from various theoretical perspectives and at stages relevant to all levels of formal education. A major focus is on the educational implications that flow from each developmental perspective. Students will also examine the research relevant to the issues in human development. The course has a practicum component. (Approximately 20 hours of practicum required, which may be within the scheduled time of the class.) 

EDU 5250  Practicum in Reading (3).This practicum is a semester-long  course and includes application and implementation of assessment and correction strategies with K-12 students. Candidates will collect and organize formal and informal assessment results for struggling readers, and develop specific plans to ensure language arts growth. A twenty-clock hour clinical experience with two struggling readers (one elementary, one middle or high school) is required.

EDU 5270. Literacy Across the Secondary Curriculum (3).Students will gain techniques in developing reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking through any subject area of the secondary school. Particular attention will be paid to diagnosis and further development of reading strategies, reading for meaning in subject area literature, and writing for subject area audiences. The course is required for all secondary (7-12 and 9-12) licensure students. The course is cross-listed with EDU 4423. (Approximately 20 hours of practicum required, which may be within the scheduled time of the class.) 

EDU 5350. Methods and Materials for Early Childhood Education (3). A study of the basic needs and characteristics of young children and an exploration of the current practices in curriculum and methodology will be made. Field experience in nursery school and/or Kindergarten is required. This course is required for Kindergarten endorsement.

EDU 5410/ 5411/ 5412/ 5413. Student Teaching in Early Childhood/Elementary/ Middle/Secondary (3). This laboratory course gives the student teacher experience in the school setting and an opportunity to observe and use appropriate classroom procedures under the direct supervision of an experienced teacher. This course requires satisfactory presentation of a professional portfolio and includes a seminar which meets weekly. This course does not count toward the M.Ed. degree requirements and is offered only for those seeking licensure. ($325.00 course fee)

EDU 5414. Student Teaching PreK-12 ESL (8). Co-requisite: EDU 5440 and EDU 5210 (For prerequisites see "Admission to Student Teaching'). This laboratory course gives the teacher candidate experience in two school settings across PreK-12 grade levels with ESL students.  Teacher candidates will have the opportunity to observe, and use appropriate classroom instructional methods and procedures under the direct supervision of an experienced mentor teacher.  ($325.00 course fee)

EDU 5420. Practicum (1-3). This course is a set of activities to be completed by students prior to, during, and after visits to a number of schools and/or educational sites. The course supplements academic work and practicum undertaken as part of licensure courses.

EDU 5430. English Language Resource Teacher with Practicum (3). This course will provide a study of topics central to the English Language program development at the school level in PreK-12 settings. Specific focus will be given to professional development in the area of EL literacy for teachers and paraprofessionals. Emphasis will be on communicating assessment information for the purpose of instructional decisions to teachers, parents, administrators, and paraprofessionals. Students will complete an internship with this class and under the mentorship of a licensed EL teacher.

EDU 5440. Graduate Teaching Seminar (2). Co requisite with Student Teaching. Seminar in teaching designed to help students be better prepared for their enhanced student teaching experience.

EDU 5441. Graduate Teaching Seminar for Interns (3). Co requisite with Student Teaching. Seminar in teaching designed to help students be better prepared for their enhanced student teaching experience.

EDU 5490. Mentoring: Alternative Licensure Program (1-3).Throughout this course, the Belmont Mentor will work with the candidate in their school to assist them with all aspects of teaching in their classroom and adapting to a school setting. The mentor process includes a two-hour seminar conducted four times per semester. Note: Candidates are required to enroll in a mentoring course for each semester they are on an alternative license. First year requires two (2) credit hours per semester with one (1) credit hour per semester in the second or subsequent years. Credit hours from this mentoring course do not count toward the MAT degree. This course is taught as an audit (AU) grade only.

EDU 5510. Internship (6). An alternative to student teaching for one semester, the full academic year internship allows the student to experience the role of the teacher under the supervision of Belmont faculty, classroom mentors, and the school principal. The internship year coincides with the probationary year of teaching. Must be taken both fall and spring semesters. ($325.00 course fee)

EDU 5500. Child Development (3). This course examines child development from various theoretical perspectives and makes application to children in early childhood settings. The course has a practicum component. (Approximately 20 hours of practicum required, which may be within the scheduled time of the class.) 

EDU 5800. Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners in the Classroom (3). Overview of exceptionalities; introduction to pedagogical, curricular, and social considerations involved in educating diverse learners in the classroom. The course has a practicum component. (Approximately 20 hours of practicum required, which may be within the scheduled time of the class.) 

EDU 5895. Special Studies (1-4). Selected Topics in Education

EDU 5990. Independent Study (1-3). An Independent Study in Education.

Special Education

Also see the MASE course description page for descriptions of EDU 5620 - EDU 5692 and 5735.

EDU 5300. Introduction to the Gifted (3). Covers the identification of the characteristics of the gifted, their place in the school system, historical concerns, modern trends and prospects.

EDU 5310. Methods of Teaching the Gifted (3). This course offers methodology and materials for the teaching of the gifted.

EDU 5320. Curriculum and Instruction for the Gifted (3). This course will cover the kinds of course content such as creativity, discovery learning, and critical thinking skills which can be used with the gifted as well as different educational models.

EDU 5730. Remedial Reading for Students with Mild Disabilities (K-6) (3). Designed to develop competencies required for reading instruction specific to the needs of individuals with mild disabilities in the elementary grades. Prerequisite: EDU 5640.

EDU 5740. Early Childhood Special Education (3). Screening, assessment, curriculum, and evaluation for infants/toddlers with disabilities. Includes strategies for working with parents and an overview of service delivery models .Prerequisite : EDU 5640

Area Focused Courses (cross discipline)

ART 5200, Introduction To Art Education (3) Graduate students will be introduced to the historical foundations and contemporary practice of art education. Special  emphasis will be given to the development of conceptual understandings and skills in aesthetics, art criticism, art history, visual culture, and art production, including digital media and computer technologies.  Students will investigate fundamental issues in curriculum, instruction, and assessment, and will explore career opportunities in both school and community art settings through field observations.  Introduction to Art Education serves as a prerequisite for further study in the Art Education major.

ART 5250, Elementary Art Education (3) Graduate students will investigate the elementary school culture and the practical application of child development theories to the development of the elementary art curriculum.  In a studio setting, students will explore age-appropriate materials and processes, investigate instructional and assessment strategies, and develop thematic units of study as a basis for micro-teaching in local elementary schools.   Prerequisite:  ART 5200, Introduction to Art Education (3).

ART 5260, Secondary Art Education (3) Graduate students will investigate middle and high school cultures and the practical application of adolescent learning theories to the development of the secondary art curriculum.   In studio settings, students will explore media and processes appropriate for the secondary student, investigate instructional and assessment strategies, and develop comprehensive units of study as a basis for micro-teaching in local secondary schools.  Prerequisite:  ART 5200, Introduction to Art Education (3).

ART 5270, Contemporary Issues In Art Education (3) Graduate students will pursue an in-depth examination of a topic selected by the instructor, including issues related to curriculum, instruction, assessment, student learning, and approaches to art education in museums and other non-school contexts. 

ART 5300. Student Teaching Seminar (3). This seminar deals with practical issues associated with the student teaching experience, and is taken concurrently.  Students will meet with their student teaching seminar to discuss classroom practice and procedures for seeking employment.

ART 5310. Student Teaching (3). This laboratory course gives the graduate MAT student experience in teaching and classroom management under the direct supervision of an experienced teacher. This course requires satisfactory presentation of a professional portfolio and includes a seminar which meets periodically during the full-time student teaching experience. ($325.00 course fee).

ART 5990, Independent Study In Art Education (3) Graduate students preparing to teach art education in grades K-12 will conduct an-depth investigation of a topic of special interest.  Topic must meet academic needs of the student and be approved by the instructor.  The curriculum for this course will be based on readings and research in art education selected by the instructor.

English Education Courses

For English course listings see Graduate English course listing.