Department of Educational Foundations and Policy Studies

EDF 199. Transfer Credits. 1-10 Credits.

Transfer Credits.
Repeatable for Credit.

EDF 255. Evolution of Schooling in U.S.. 3 Credits.

An examination of the historical evolution and contemporary purposes, practices, and structures of schooling in the United States. Students will investigate the political, sociological, and economic motivators in the origin, maintenance, and reform of American schooling. In addition, students utilize the course's historical context to engage in an examination of contemporary issues in American schooling, specific attention will be given to the impact of current educational reforms on the theory and practice of early childhood education.
Gen Ed Attribute: Interdisciplinary Requirement.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

EDF 300. Democracy and Education. 3 Credits.

A study of the philosophical, historical and sociological issues related to American education. The course places schools within the context of the larger American society and asks to what degree can and should schools serve as agents for creating a more just and democratic society.
Gen Ed Attribute: Interdisciplinary Requirement.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

EDF 360. The Learner in Non-School Settings. 3 Credits.

Emphasis in the course will be placed on intra- and interpersonal development, facilitative growth and adjustment, and dysfunction as they may impact the non-school educator or trainer.

EDO 400. Environmental Sustainability Educ: History, Theory & Practice. 3 Credits.

The development of environmental and sustainability education with emphasis on theoretical perspectives and practical applications.

EDO 410. Systems in Sustainability Education. 3 Credits.

Examination of how systems thinking applies to learning for sustainability in school curricula, missions, facilities, and grounds.

EDO 415. History Of Conservation. 3 Credits.

Contact department for more information about this course.

EDO 420. Outdoor and Place-Based Education. 3 Credits.

The foundations of outdoor and place-based education, with emphases on experiential and authentic learning. School-based applications will be addressed.

EDO 425. Independent Studies in Environment Educ. 3 Credits.

Special research projects, reports and reading in conservation and outdoor education.
Consent: Permission of the Department required to add.

EDO 450. Education for Sustainability: Methods and Field Experience. 3 Credits.

Methods for integrating education for sustainability into schools and non-formal settings, using field placements to demonstrate and apply learning.

EDO 498. Workshop In Environmental Education. 3 Credits.

Contact department for more information about this course.

EDP 199. Transfer Credits. 1-10 Credits.

Transfer Credits.
Repeatable for Credit.

EDP 200. Middle Grades Cognition. 3 Credits.

This course focuses on the study of cognitive development and cognition research related to middle grade students in the context of educational psychology. It also examines selected learning theories, motivation, and classroom management. There is a field experience.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

EDP 201. Early Adolescent Development and Cognition. 3 Credits.

This course is a study of the physical, personal, social, emotional development, and cognition of early adolescence and selected learning theories in the context of educational psychology and classroom teaching. The course is designed with a specific focus on the socio-cultural impact on adolescent development and cognition related to middle grades teaching in the context of educational psychology. It also examines selected learning theories and motivation. There is a virtual field component.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

EDP 250. Educational Psychology. 3 Credits.

A study of learning in relation to the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual aspects of personality.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

EDP 280. Developmental and Psychological Perspectives in Education. 3 Credits.

This course is designed to provide students with a general introduction to educational psychology along with theories of human growth and development. The course is designed to assist students in understanding and applying developmental theories and psychological research to central questions of learning and education. Multiple theoretical traditions (e.g., developmental, biological, cognitive science, sociocultural, contextual, motivational, critical, and psychoanalytic) will be considered and critiqued. Larger societal issues will also be considered, as they impact and/or are informed by principles of educational psychology. The course will equip students to understand their own pedagogical histories as well as to critically analyze and critique schooling and educational practice in the United States and globally. The course is especially relevant to those considering careers in teaching, educational policy-making, human resources, public service, student affairs, counseling, and the health sciences.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

EDP 349. Adolescent Development. 3 Credits.

This course focuses on the emotional, social, intellectual, moral, physical, and self-concept factors shaping human behavior with emphasis on adolescent behavior.

EDP 467. Group Dynamics. 3 Credits.

A group process course designed to help students develop their personal effectiveness in group situations.

EDS 199. Transfer Credits. 1-10 Credits.

Transfer Credits.
Repeatable for Credit.

EDS 410. Independent Study. 1-3 Credits.

Special topics or projects initiated by the students that will enable them to do extensive and intensive study in an area of secondary education.
Consent: Permission of the Department required to add.
Repeatable for Credit.

EDT 300. Intro to Educational Technology Integration. 3 Credits.

An overview of the integration of technology in teaching and learning with a focus on computer applications.

EDT 311. Social and Cultural Implications of Educational Technology. 3 Credits.

This course is focused on the social, cultural, economic, and educational implications of modern learning technologies. Participants will be analyzing current theoretical and empirical research for a broader understanding of the dynamic influences of learning technologies on the prospect of personal and collective transformation. The positive and negative effects of technology upon formal and informal learning spaces will be explored, as well as global issues, such as the impact of the online education industry, as well as aspects of learning technologies that might either improve or exasperate existing systems of inequality, privilege and oppression (i.e., the digital divide; who has and who does not have access to technology, why, and what can be done?).
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

EDT 349. Technology Tools to Transform Teaching and Learning. 1 Credit.

This course provides teacher candidates with a supportive, yet challenging exploration of theoretical, and practical issues related to the effective integration of technology in teaching and learning. Building on participants' technology competency and prior course learning, the focus is on thoughtful selection and use of modern digital tools and advanced use of the Internet to transform 21st century learning environments. Web-based projects linked to standards as well as grade, subject, and certification needs, are designed to enhance and support teacher candidates' Early and Middle Grades teacher preparation work.
Pre / Co requisites: EDT 349 requires a prerequisite of Teacher Candidacy.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

ERM 351. Evaluation and Measurement. 3 Credits.

A survey of testing materials and procedures with emphasis on interpretation and application.
Pre / Co requisites: ERM 351 requires a prerequisite of EDP 250.

ERM 353. Ethical and Effective Assessment for Learning: Early Grades. 3 Credits.

This course will focus on exploring ethical issues related to educational and psychological assessment. The goal of the course is to encourage students to critically evaluate ethical issues in educational and psychological testing to make informed and ethical choices with regards to assessment development, administration, results, and interpretation. This course is designed to provide students the knowledge and skills to use multiple developmentally appropriate assessments (authentic, screening, diagnostic, formative, and summative) to guide instruction related to standards, to monitor results of interventions and their implications for instruction for all students, and to report assessment results.
Pre / Co requisites: ERM 353 requires a prerequisite of EGP 220.
Gen Ed Attribute: Ethics Requirement.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

ERM 354. Ethical and Effective Assessment for Learning: Middle Grades. 3 Credits.

This course will focus on exploring ethical issues related to educational and psychological assessment. The goal of the course is to encourage students to critically evaluate ethical issues in educational and psychological testing to make informed and ethical choices with regards to assessment development, administration, results, and interpretation. This course is designed to provide students the knowledge and skills to use multiple developmentally appropriate assessments (authentic, screening, diagnostic, formative, and summative) to guide instruction related to standards, to monitor results of interventions and their implications for instruction for all students, and to report assessment results.
Pre / Co requisites: ERM 354 requires a corequisite of EDR 318 or MGP 335 or MAT 352 or SCE 330 and prerequisites of MGP 220, Teacher Candidacy, and field clearances.
Gen Ed Attribute: Ethics Requirement.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

ERM 355. Ethical and Effective Assessment for Learning 7-12. 3 Credits.

This course will focus on exploring ethical issues related to educational and psychological assessment. The goal of the course is to encourage students to critically evaluate ethical issues in educational and psychological testing to make informed and ethical choices with regards to assessment development, administration, results, and interpretation. This course is designed to provide students the knowledge and skills to use multiple developmentally appropriate assessments (authentic, screening, diagnostic, formative, and summative) to guide instruction related to standards, to monitor results of interventions and their implications for instruction for all students, and to report assessment results.
Gen Ed Attribute: Ethics Requirement.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

ERM 359. Assessment for Learning: Mathematics Educators. 3 Credits.

This course is designed to provide secondary mathematics education candidates the knowledge and skills to use multiple assessments to guide instruction related to standards, to monitor results of interventions and their implications for instruction for all students, and to report assessment results. This course has a 25-hour field experience. Field clearances required (PA criminal background, PA child abuse, FBI fingerprinting, TB test results).

SEE 462. Essentials Of The Helping Relationship. 3 Credits.

This course surveys the concepts and skills involved in helping others through individual interviewing, problem solving, decision making, and systematic behavior change.