Course Descriptions

EFR 504 - Philosophical Foundations of Education - 3 credits
A study of the representative schools of philosophic thought which have structured major philosophies of education.

EFR 508 - Anthropological Foundations of Education - 3 credits
Students will examine the convergence of anthropology and education through an analysis of education as cultural transmission and a review of enculturation and acculturation processes in traditional and modern societies.

EFR 510 - Qualitative Research Methods - 3 credits
Qualitative research methods are naturalistic and contextual. The methodology derives from Anthropology and other social sciences, and seeks to understand human behavior from the actors' perspective. Students are to learn the fundamental data collection methods: observation, participant-observation, and interviewing, as well as data analysis through coding and categorizing.

EFR 515 - Statistics I - 3 credits
An introduction to basic statistical methods, focusing primarily on descriptive statistics and inferential statistics up to and including two-way analysis of variance.

EFR 516 - Statistics II - 3 credits
An in-depth study of inferential statistics with primary emphasis on analysis of variance models, multiple regression techniques, analysis of covariance and other higher-order statistical procedures.

EDL 501 - Leadership, Planning, and Organizational Behavior - 3 credits
This course provides school leaders with preparation in skills for providing purpose and direction for individuals and groups, shaping school culture and value, facilitating the development of shared strategic vision for the school, formulating goals and planning change efforts with staff, and setting priorities for one's school in the context of community and district priorities for student and staff needs.

EDL 503 - Seminar in Educational Leadership - 1-4 credits
Orientation S/U grading only.

EDL 503 - Seminar in Educational Leadership - 1-4 credits
Capstone S/U grading only.

EDL 513 - Curriculum, Instruction, and Learning Theory - 3 credits
This course provides school leaders the ability to understand major curriculum design models, interpret school district curricula, initiate needs analyses, plan and implement with staff a framework for instruction, align curriculum with anticipated outcomes, monitor social and technological developments as they affect curriculum, and adjust content as needs and conditions change.

EDL 514 - Personnel, Supervision, and Staff Development - 3 credits
This course provides school leaders with preparation in skills for instructional improvement, working with faculty and staff to identify professional needs. Classes are designed for in-depth study and practice planning, organizing, and facilitating programs that improve faculty and staff effectiveness and are consistent with institutional goals and needs; supervising individuals and groups; providing feedback on performance; arranging for remedial assistance; engaging faculty and others to plan and participate in recruitment and development activities; and initiating self-development.

EDL 515 - Education Law and Organizational Structure of Schools - 3 credits
This course is designed as a beginning law course for school administrators. Topics to be studied include organizational structure of schools, federal and state court systems, church-state issues, teacher rights, student rights, rights of students with disabilities, instructional issues, tort liability, and equal opportunity in education.

EDL 516 - Policy and Educational Finance - 2 credits
Includes such topics as the organization of and responsibility for education in the United States at the federal, state, and local levels; basic administrative theories, processes, and techniques; and major areas of concern in the operation of local schools.

EDL 517 - Social, Cultural, Political, and Community Dimensions of Schools - 4 credits
This course provides school leaders with an understanding of the historical, philosophical, ethical, social, and economic influences affecting education to the degree that they can apply their understandings to professional decisions. Students are expected to apply political concepts and strategies and approaches to collaboration in involving the community in decision making, building community support for integrating health and social services in support of students, and developing community support for school priorities. Throughout the course, students' work will be expected to manifest a sensitivity to issues of diversity in a pluralistic society.

EDL 523 - The Educational Plant - 2 credits
Planning, construction, modification, and maintenance of school buildings. Includes techniques for developing and using the building, program, and community survey.

EDL 524 - Educational Personnel Administration - 2 credits
Study of selection, assignment, evaluation, development, and release practices for certified and non-certified school personnel; salary and contract administration in schools.

EDL 526 - Business Management in Education - 2 credits
Study of the business function in educational organizations with emphasis on budget development and administration, accounting, purchasing, risk management, support services, and capital outlay.

EDL 527 - Legal Issues in Education - 3 credits
Study of the legal issues affecting educational organizations with emphasis on state and federal relationships to local institutions, school boards and other governing bodies, contracts, teachers' and students' rights, and tort liability of educational organizations and their officers. Consideration is given to legal research and policy analysis.

EDL 529 - Special Education Law - 3 credits
A course designed to give participants a working knowledge of the legislative, judicial, and administrative changes which have revamped the areas of teaching and administering special education since 1974. It will provide information useful to administrators, practitioners, attorneys, parents, and advocates on topics including: student records, discipline, related services, due process, least restrictive environment, and appropriate education.

EDL 531 - School District Leadership - 2 credits
A study of concerns and issues related to education leadership and administration at the district level, including relationships between the superintendent and the school board, community and school district staff.

EDL 532 - Staff and Program Evaluation - 2 credits
A study of the evaluation of staff, including teachers, administrators, support personnel, and boards; and for purposes of accreditation, the evaluation of components that support the curriculum. Procedures, processes, and instruments will be identified and analyzed.

EDL 533 - Collective Negotiations - 3 credits
A study of the collective bargaining process in the field of education. Includes topics such as contract language, planning for negotiations, bargaining strategies, impasse and arbitration, contract maintenance, grievance procedures, and results of the negotiations.

EDL 541 - Introduction to Higher Education Administration - 3 credits
An overview of administration of America's colleges and universities. Topics include roles of state and federal government, governing boards, institutional organization and culture, types of institutions, faculty, students, research about higher education, and the profession of administrator.

EDL 542 - Curriculum in Higher Education - 2 credits
A study of processes for planning, implementing, and evaluating curriculum within institutions of higher education. Topics will include historical perspectives on curriculum in higher education, governance systems related to curriculum development and adoption, and issues of current interest and concern.

EDL 551 - Academic Administration in Higher Education - 3 credits
The roles and responsibilities of academic administration in higher education. Topics include the major academic roles (chairperson, dean, chief academic officer), curriculum and instruction, program evaluation, assessment, planning, faculty workload and evaluation, and the profession of administrator.

EDL 552 - Higher Education Law - 2 credits
An overview of the legal issues that confront college and university personnel. Pertinent federal and state statutes as well as case law will be used to instruct about legal rights and responsibilities of university and college administrators. The legal relationships between the institution and the faculty, the student, the state government, and the federal government will be explored.

EDL 553 - Higher Education Policy and Finance - 2 credits
An overview of the relationship between fiscal policy and decision making in institutions of higher education. The sources of revenue for higher education will be studied as well as the budgeting, accounting, and auditing procedures applicable to nonprofit institutions. The college administrator's role in guiding the fiscal welfare of an institution of higher education will be explored.

EDL 554 - Higher Education Student and Support Services - 2 credits
An overview of the organization and functions of student and support services within institutions of higher education. Students will gain an understanding of the administrative issues related to career services, student counseling, enrollment services, student activities, health services, student organization, and other institutional units which serve the needs of students at a college or university.

EDL 571 - School Community Relations - 2 credits
Study of the responsibility of classroom, attendance unit, and district personnel in public information efforts; design, use, and analysis of surveys; study of involvement of parents and other community members in resource, advisory, and decision-making activities; preparation of news releases and public information materials; study of relationships to media personnel.

EDL 572 - Educational Systems and Planning - 2 credits
A study of the planning process including topics such as establishing goals; assessing needs; identifying resources; and generating, analyzing, and selecting alternatives. Processes and techniques in planning will be emphasized.

EDL 573 - Administration and Organizational Behavior I - 3 credits
A study and critique of selected theories and research in administration and organizational behavior including topics such as leadership; formal and informal structure; communication; change and intervention; motivation and morale; interpersonal relations and conflict management; small-group processes; and personality, values, and ethics.

EDL 575 - Education and Public Policy - 3 credits
A study of the development of policy issues, analysis of policy formation, implementation analysis, and structures and actors in policy activity.

EDL 579 - Special Topics in Educational Leadership - 1-4 credits
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor or advisor.
Exploration of special topics in the study of educational leadership not regularly included in available course offerings. May be repeated for different topics.

EDL 597 - Readings in Educational Leadership - 1 to 4 credits
Prerequisites: Consent of advisor and instructor.
Designed primarily for advanced graduate students. May be repeated for different topics.

EDL 999 - Doctoral Dissertation - 10 credits for EdD; 12 credits for PhD

T&L 570 - History of Higher Education in the U.S. - 3 credits
Study of major events and people shaping higher education in the U.S. Role, philosophy, and organization of institutions of higher education discussed.