Program Information

Each course meets one day per week (fully online) between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Classes will be held on either Mondays or Wednesdays during the program. 

There are four courses offered for the Teacher and Curriculum Development TOS Track.  All “full year” students will enroll in two courses each semester (fall and spring), for a total of four courses in one year.

EDD 690 Special Topics Course: Applying Assessment Data to Promote Student Learning in the K-12 Classroom
4 hours; 4 credits

The course helps teachers use well designed assessments to promote students’ learning and academic achievement. Students will interpret standardized test data for decision-making and explore the link between good assessments and good instruction. Such assessments may be formal or informal, norm-referenced or criterion-referenced, and have appropriate qualities of tests (e.g., reliability and validity). The course will also examine techniques in the testing of students who are English language learners (ELL), who have multicultural backgrounds, and who have special needs, as well as contemporary issues in the public debate about high-stakes testing.

ENG 630 Special Topics Course: Writing Across the Curriculum in the K-12 Environment
4 hours; 4 credits

In a seminar designed for K-12 teachers, we will explore how to effectively incorporate writing in the disciplines, beginning with an examination of the core concepts of “writing to learn” and various models of the writing process.  While the course will have a theoretical component, a major focus of the course will be on practical applications, adapting courses to include a significant writing component; creating assignments; and responding to and assessing students’ writing.  We will consider the differences in writing conventions between disciplines, how we can best assist students in learning these “codes,” and how writing can help students learn these subjects better.

CSC 704  Special Topics Course:  Technology-Infused Curriculum Development and Instruction
4 hours; 4 credits

This course will explore many aspects of infusing technology into curriculum development and instruction.  Designed for veteran practitioners in the Teachers on Sabbatical Program, course participants will be exposed to technology relevant to instruction, including web development tools, educational support systems, software, mobile robots, podcasting, and Smart Board technology.  Incorporation of technology in classroom enhancement, particularly with respect to differentiated instruction and fostering positive student outcomes, will be emphasized.  Participants will be expected to redesign or create curriculum using enhancements presented in class.

EDD 691  Perspectives on Managing Diverse Learning Settings
4 hours; 4 credits

The course will address a variety of social-psychological approaches that are appropriate for learning settings with diverse populations, including students with special needs and those with varied cultural and linguistic backgrounds.  Specific learning objectives are to: a) provide teachers with a theoretical understanding of the origins and consequences of students’ behaviors; b) prepare them to develop multiple positive classroom management approaches based on empirical research for addressing these behaviors and; c) give them the opportunity to re-examine their personal practices and philosophy. Readings and activities are intended to encourage exploration of the conceptual foundations and underlying principles of such approaches and interventions. These foundations and principles will lead to the development and application of management strategies that confront the challenges faced by teachers and students in diverse educational settings. These strategies will be designed in ways that foster the development of a productive learning environment through positive supports that serve the needs of current P-12 teachers’ unique contexts.

Each course meets one day per week (fully online) between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Classes will be held on either Mondays or Wednesdays during the program. 

There are six courses offered for the Autism Spectrum Disorder Certificate TOS Track.  All “full year” students will enroll in three courses fall semester and three courses spring semester, for a total of six courses in one year.

ASD 701 Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Introduction to Contemporary Issues
3 credits

Covers history, etiology, symptomatology, theory, typical human development, and treatment approaches to ASD. This course will include a major component on ethics. Six hours of fieldwork are included.

ASD 702 Foundations of Treatment Approaches, Applications, and Methods for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) — Part 1
3 credits

Covers classroom and other learning environments (e.g., family’s home, individual setting, leisure-time setting) structured to fit individuals’ needs. Low- and high-functioning individuals (incl. persons with Asperger’s Syndrome) need to be considered differentially, as their needs may drastically differ. Six hours of fieldwork are included.

ASD 703 Foundations of Treatment Approaches, Applications, and Methods for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) — Part 2 (Advanced Topics)
3 credits 

Continuation of ASD 7x2 with advanced topics such as functional analysis, treatment generalization, self-management, rule-governed behavior, and contingency contracting. Six hours of fieldwork are included.

ASD 704 Speech, Language, and Communication
3 credits

This course covers the challenges in speech, language, and communication that are typical for individuals with ASD. It is not limited to language but also covers social skills, planning skills, and related topics. Focus will range from those individuals who are nonverbal through others who may be quite verbal but continue to have challenges in abstract and social language. Six hours of fieldwork are included.

EDD 596 Educational Internship
2 credits taken each semester for a total of 4 credits

Field-based project. Students will engage in a field-based project that integrates content from the year-long learning sequence.

Each course meets one day per week (fully online) between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Classes will be held on either Mondays or Wednesdays during the program. 

There are six courses offered for the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) TOS Track.  All “full year” students will enroll in three courses fall semester and three courses spring semester, for a total of six courses in one year.  To be considered for certification in TESOL, you would need to contact the Teacher on Sabbatical Coordinator, Gail Rosenberg.

EDL 601 Bilingualism & Second Language Acquisition
3 credits

This course provides candidates with knowledge of first and second language acquisition, including the interaction of a bilingual's two languages, with implications for the classroom. Candidates will examine research on the cognitive and linguistic achievements of b/multilingual children and will acquire knowledge about the consequences of bilingualism for children's cognitive development, school achievement, and linguistic processing. 

EDL 602 Linguistics for Teachers
3 credits

Provides an introduction to language as a system, with a particular focus on teaching English as a second language to students in public schools, Grades PreK-12. Topics addressed are: English phonology, morphology, syntax, pragmatics, and semantics. Using a discourse approach, we will connect the four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) in teaching content-specific language (math, science, and social studies). 

EDL 604 Emergent Literacy in TESOL
3 credits 

Utilizes critical theories to develop instructional competencies in pre-literacy and emergent approaches for students from culturally, linguistically, and racially diverse backgrounds. Connects language development in a second language to phonemic awareness, phonics, spelling, vocabulary development, and comprehension and fluency. Examines reading/writing process and biliteracy; theory and research on literacy; and effective teaching and assessment approaches for English language learners.

EDL 603 TESOL Methods
3 credits

Examines approaches, methods, and techniques for teaching English as a new language (ENL) in bilingual and ENL classrooms, as well as resources available in field. Participants critically analyze and demonstrate teaching approaches based on second language acquisition research, including teaching language through content.

EDL 605 Content Literacy in TESOL
3 credits

Focuses on critical theory and research-based instruction for developing academic literacies across all content areas. Emphasizes similarities and differences between reading and writing in two or more languages, strategies to enhance comprehension and academic vocabulary development, reading fluency, scaffolding, and differentiated instruction, assessment, and planning instruction for academic content. Academic literacy for students with limited and interrupted schooling is addressed.

EDL 595 Educational Internship
1 credit

Field-based project. Students will engage in a field-based project that integrates content from the year-long learning sequence.