This graduate course is a study of human growth and development from birth through aging and death. The course focuses on areas of physical, cognitive, social, personality, and emotional development as a series of progressive changes resulting from the biological being's interactions with the environment. Special emphasis is placed on the development characteristics of school age youth within a multicultural and diverse society.

A critical analysis of cultural and sociological factors and their effect on issues affecting educational thought and schooling practices.

This course is designed to examine the legal framework of public education in the United States and court decisions affecting the schools and all school personnel. The ethical considerations required by the Professional Standards Commission are an integral part of the course.

This course provides an examination of fundamental principles of curriculum development and instructional processes for k-12 school settings. In-class and field experiences investigating curriculum processes, evaluation and change assist students as they learn to coordinate, implement and synthesize curriculum development. Appropriate instructional design including delivery, management and resources, help students reflect on the interpretation and utilization of assessment results for the improvement of instructional programs.

This course is designed for students planning to conduct a research project as part of their specialist degree requirement. Students have the opportunity to examine various research designs and data analysis techniques appropriate to qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. Students learn computer applications and the reporting of results in APA style. Prerequisites: Approval of research proposal by program instructor and consent of EDRS instructor.

The course provides an overview of systematic approaches to instructional planning, development, and evaluation.

This course is designed to compare the educational system of the United States with selected educational systems of the world.