MATH2000MATHEMATICS FOR LIBERAL ARTS
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
As in-depth exploration of the applications of various types of mathematics, with an emphasis on problem solving skills. Writing skills are an integral part of this course. The connecting of mathematical ideas with other subject areas will be emphasized. These areas will include: art, biology, chemistry, coding, computers, demographics, fiction, genetics, logic, management, marketing, music, philosophy, physics, politics, psychology, and social planning. The discussion of original source documents will be an integral part of this course.
PSYC1021INTRO TO PSYCHOLOGY
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This survey course introduces students to several critical areas of psychology. Throughout the course, there is an emphasis on the scientific method, its application to psychology, and the insights gained from scientific research. The interactions among biological processes, cognitive and emotional responses, sociocultural forces, and behavior are examined. Included are such diverse topics as: health, stress, and coping; consciousness, sleep and dreams; effects of psychoactive drugs on behavior and health; psychological disorders; social psychology; types of learning and behavior management, information processing approaches including memory, encoding and retrieval; and the relationship of the nervous system to thought, feelings, and behaviors.
PSYC2022CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the field of developmental science with emphasis on the period from conception through middle childhood. The course approaches development by making use of both historical and contemporary scientific theory and investigates the major domains of development--biological, cognitive, social and emotional-from a chronological perspective.
PREREQUISITES:
PSYC1021 or PSYC1021H
PSYC2061EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course provides an introduction to educational psychology, the science of learning and teaching. Students will be exposed to the research methods used in psychological science, theoretical approaches to cognitive development and learning, and applications of those theories to understanding student behavior in the context of the school environment.
PREREQUISITES:
PSYC1021 or PSYC1021H
SOCL3027FAMILY RELATIONS
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
A sociological analysis of the family with emphasis on historical trends and contemporary family life in the United States. The study includes family relationships and functions, family disorganization and change, with an overview of the family as a major social institution.
Education Requirements: Official Major Status Required: 46 credits
EDEL4075STUDENT TEACHING & SEMINAR (PK-4)
Credits (Min/Max): 6/6
This course provides PreK-4 teacher candidates with the opportunity to incorporate various strategies and techniques learned from the methods courses to implement effective instruction for all learners during an eight-week supervised student teaching placement in a PreK-4th grade classroom. Under the direct supervision of a cooperating teacher and a university supervisor, the student teacher will have the opportunity to teach in all the subject areas and demonstrate the instructional practices and methods related to the developmental level of their students, based on a standards aligned system. The student teacher will reflect on their experiences and participate in student teaching seminars.
EDSP3010LITERACY INSTRUCTION AND INTERVENTIONS FOR DIVERSE LEARNERS
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course provides the foundation for teaching reading according to PA learning standards for students with a broad range of abilities and diverse cultural backgrounds. The course emphasizes research-based instructional approaches and interventions for Middle and Secondary level students including word level instruction, text level comprehension, reading-writing connection, and assessment. A field experience is a required component of this course.
EDSP3025EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
The Instructional Strategies Course identifies and implements instructional strategies for all individuals with disabilities by evidenced-based methods, specialized resources, multiple instructional approaches, appropriate adaptations and technology, integrating student initiated learning opportunities and experiences into ongoing instruction. Teach learning strategies and modify the pace of instruction within and across curricula, demonstrate efficient differentiated instruction, efficient planning, coordination, and delivery for effective instruction required for inclusive settings.
EDSP3035SPECIAL EDUCATION PRACTICUM
Credits (Min/Max): 2/2
This course provides a special education field experience placement and seminar based on the Effective Instructional Strategies course. The student will be assigned a class or a small group of students where he/she will create and implement lessons weekly according to the students’ IEP, learning needs, and PA learning standards. The student will demonstrate and promote effective strategies for teaching children of all ability ranges in his/her lessons plans and teaching. The student will spend one period a week teaching in a classroom. This will be accompanied with a seminar focusing on the plans and teaching that is implemented weekly.
EDSP3040EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This required course for all education majors will explore the instructional purposes for a variety of assessment strategies, such as: authentic, screening, diagnostic, formative, benchmark, and summative assessments. Future teachers will learn how to interpret assessment data, such as standardized test scores and norms, and will practice how to communicate assessment results to educational stakeholders, while considering legal and ethical issues related to assessment data, such as maintaining confidentiality. Future teachers will also create sample assessments that target academic standards and assessment anchors within subject areas, in order to measure mastery of the curriculum in more than one way.
EDSP4010TRANSITION PLANNING FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Credits (Min/Max): 2/2
The focus of this course is to prepare the Special Education Teacher Candidate with an authentic overview of the transition process for secondary students with disabilities through field experience, informational sessions, and interactive online coursework. The course emphasizes evidence-based best practices with a focus on self-determination and self-advocacy to help students plan and prepare for life after high school in the areas of post-secondary education, employment and independent living.
EDSP4015DEVELOPMENT OF THE IEP AND INCLUSION IN LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
The focus of this culminating course is to prepare the student teacher with a realistic overview of teaching special education in Pennsylvania. The student will create an IEP, become familiar with Inclusion and collaboration, write reflections based on current issues/trends in special education, participate in discussions, create useful artifacts, discuss significant court cases, and understand Transition. The student will also comprehend the special education continuum of services available to the identified student.
EDSP4070SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENT TEACHING & SEMINAR (PK-12)
Credits (Min/Max): 6/6
The Special Education Student Teaching Course is designed to allow teacher candidates an opportunity to apply skills learned in professional practice, human development, learning environments, instructional strategies, instructional planning, diversity, adaptations and accommodations, collaboration, behavior management, assessment, and transition in a 7-12 grade special education placement. Under the supervision of a school district cooperating teacher(s) and a La Roche University supervisor, the teacher candidate will design, implement and evaluate lessons that appropriately address the IEP goals and meet the PA Academic Standards and Assessment Anchors. Student teachers will demonstrate skills that include, but are not be limited to: differentiated instruction, universal design, collaborative teaching, transition planning and research based data driven instruction to meet the needs of all students.
EDUC3005PRIMARY LITERACY METHODS AND PRACTICUM
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course provides the foundation for teaching literacy aligned with the Pennsylvania Standards for students in the primary grades with a broad range of abilities and cultural backgrounds. The focus is on evidence-based literacy instruction around the essential components of literacy: oral language, phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing. An integral part of this course will include a practicum in a primary grade (PreK-2nd grade) classroom.
EDUC3010PRIMARY MATH METHODS AND PRACTICUM
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course provides an exploration of the principles for teaching primary math concepts according to guidelines provided in the Pennsylvania Standards and by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Teacher candidates will become proficient in using math manipulatives to help students learn mathematical concepts. An integral part of this course will be a practicum, where teacher candidates will be placed in a primary classroom (PreK-2nd grade) in order to connect theory with practice.
EDUC3020INTERMEDIATE LITERACY METHODS AND PRACTICUM
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course provides the foundation for teaching literacy aligned with the Pennsylvania Core Standards for students in the intermediate grades with a broad range of abilities and cultural backgrounds. The focus is on evidence-based literacy instruction around the following essential components of literacy: phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing. An integral part of this course will be a practicum, where teacher candidates will be placed in an intermediate classroom (3rd-6th grade) in order to connect theory with practice.
EDUC3025INTERMEDIATE MATH METHODS AND PRACTICUM
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course provides an exploration of the principles for teaching intermediate math concepts according to guidelines provided in the Pennsylvania Math Standards and Assessment Anchors and by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Teacher candidates will become proficient in using math manipulatives to help students learn mathematical concepts. An integral part of this course will be a practicum, where teacher candidates will be placed in an intermediate classroom (3rd-6th grade) in order to connect theory with practice.
EDUC3030INQUIRY BASED SCIENCE METHODS AND PRACTICUM
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
The goal of this course is to prepare teacher candidates with an understanding of science content related to the Pennsylvania Science Standards and provide experience with using an inquiry-based approach to plan and teach science lessons. An integral part of this course will be a practicum, where teacher candidates will be placed in a classroom within their certification grade span in order to connect theory with practice.
EDUC4005EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS AND PROFESSIONALISM
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course will offer teacher candidates the opportunity to identify community resources that can be shared with multiple stakeholders in order to support families and children. Teacher candidates will learn strategies and techniques for working with families to keep them informed of their child’s progress in meaningful and culturally responsive ways. Teacher candidates will also participate in a variety of professional development opportunities.