UWG | Area of Concentration

The Area of Concentration (or AoC) in the School Improvement program provides a specialized, thematic concentration to the student's studies. Made up of 12 credit hours of electives and the student's dissertation, the AoC comprises a student's focus within the program. Specific AoC's are developed in conjunction with various departments within College of Education at the University of West Georgia. Currently, the available AoC's include:

School Counseling
School Counseling

Please note: We will review any courses you would like to transfer, after your acceptance. Many courses are not available each semester. If you need to take AoC courses, please review the list below.
- CEPD 7152 - Research & Program Evaluation
  This course is designed to provide counselors with the research knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate individual and group counseling interventions, as well as educational programs. An emphasis will be placed on the collection and use of quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate programs. Counselors in training will also learn how to communicate data and findings to others to effect change and to act as advocates for students/clients.
- CEPD 8138 - Advanced Multicultural Counseling
- CEPD 8152 - Consultation, Collaboration and Programs
- CEPD 8156 - Designing Effective Programs (Offered Spring only)
  This course is designed for graduate students who have been admitted to the Ed.S program in professional counseling and supervision and will address steps involved in effectiveness based program planning, including elements of a program that are critical in measuring effectiveness.
- CEPD 8102 - Lifespan Human Development
  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 within a multicultural and diverse society.
- CEPD 8171 - Current Issues in Counseling/Supervision
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership

(Note that these are core courses for leadership students in the UWG Ed. S. in School Leadership program.)
- EDLE 8304 - Leadership for Organizational Change
  This course will explore how to drive and sustain organizational and academic improvements in a school setting. It will examine leadership and pedagogical changes that will promote a collaborative and professional environment focused on continuous improvement. This course will look at school reform at the building and classroom levels specifically focusing on improved instructional practices that ensure learning for all students regardless of background. Learning will be drawn from theory and research and from students’ personal experiences. Students will demonstrate proficiency by completing performance-based tasks.
- EDLE 8305 – Effective Management to Promote Student Learning
  Students study and apply principles of effective operations and performance management in K- 12 schools. Using ethical principles and professional norms as the conceptual framework, students explore efficient and effective organizational functions in personnel management, safety and emergency preparedness, administration of resources, and the use of technology to improve operations. Students will demonstrate proficiency by completing performance-based tasks.
- EDLE 8306 - Instructional Leadership for Improving Schools
  This course provides educational leaders the opportunity to explore and use data-informed decision making to drive and sustain organizational and academic improvements in a school setting. Students will examine leadership and pedagogical strategies that promote a collegial environment focused on continuous improvement. Learning will be drawn from leadership theory and research on best practices, ethical principles, and professional norms in curriculum development, classroom instruction, student learning assessment, professional learning, and other areas that support the needs of all student populations in a learning-focused school environment. Students will demonstrate proficiency by completing performance-based tasks.
- EDLE 8312 - School Finance & Resource Management
  This course is designed to provide the graduate student with the basic principles of school finance, accounting procedures, and school business management. This course is designed to provide the student with the knowledge and skills to deploy financial and human resources in ways to promote student achievement. In addition, students will learn to exercise problem solving skills and operational planning in the implementation of fiscal, human, and material resource allocations.
- EDLE 8324 - Ethics in Educational Leadership
  This course is designed to provide school leaders with an in-depth examination of current and anticipated ethical issues and dilemma facing public education.
- EDLE 8329 - School Leadership in a Pluralistic & Diverse Society
  Students study school and district leadership within the context of how effective leaders address issues related to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, social class, disability, or language. Particular attention is given to preparation of leaders who can transform schools and districts in ways that serve the interests of all students.
K-12 Online Teaching
K-12 Online Teaching
- MEDT 7461 - Instructional Design
  The course provides an overview of systematic approaches to instructional planning, development, and evaluation.
- MEDT 7472 - Introduction to Distance Education
  This course is a general introduction to conceptual, theoretical, and practical ideas concerning distance education, including the current status of distance learning and its impact on education. Students will become conversant in the terminology of the field of distance education, review its history, conduct research on specific areas of practice, investigate instructional and learning design strategies, explore the technologies commonly used, and understand the unique roles and responsibilities of the distance learner and the distance instructor.
- MEDT 7475 - The Distance Education Professional ( Prerequisite MEDT 7472)
Choose one elective from the 7000 series below:
- MEDT 7462 Internet Tools, Resources and Issues in Education
  A study of various internet tools, resources, and issues as related to K-12 education. Strategies for integrating internet into the curriculum will be included.
- MEDT 7464 Integrating Technology into the Classroom
- MEDT 7465 Resources for Children & Young Adults
  An overview of current resources for children and young adults to support teaching and learning. Non-fiction and digital resources are included. Students will design, develop and produce resources appropriate to their situation.
- MEDT 7466 Digital and 35mm Photography
- MEDT 7467 Web Design for Instruction (MEDT 6401 prerequisite)
  Intermediate level course on design, development and formative evaluation of we-based instructional systems. Web page design strategies based on research on effective practice are emphasized. Students use software development tools to create and evaluate interactive lessons including strategies for assessing learning achievement.
- MEDT 7468 Introduction to Multimedia (MEDT 6401 prerequisite)
  A survey of basic elements and technical aspects of multimedia. Included are selection of hardware and software, design principles, hands-on production, classroom applications, and discussion of issues resources.
- MEDT 7470 Videotape Production & Utilization
  An advanced course in the design and production of video instructional materials. Classroom utilization of video will included.
- MEDT 7471 Data Networks for Instruction
  The design and development of data networks for instructional settings will be covered. In addition to current trends and issues, students will also explore how to use data networks for a variety of instructional contexts and how to perform basic network trouble shooting and repair.
- MEDT 7472 Introduction to Distance Education
  This course is a general introduction to conceptual, theoretical, and practical ideas concerning distance education, including the current status of distance learning and its impact on education. Students will become conversant in the terminology of the field of distance education, review its history, conduct research on specific areas of practice, investigate instructional and learning design strategies, explore the technologies commonly used, and understand the unique roles and responsibilities of the distance learner and the distance instructor.
- MEDT 7473 Advanced Multimedia (MEDT 7467 & MEDT 7468 prerequisites)
  An intermediate to advanced level course on the design, development and formative evaluation of multimedia software delivered locally and online. Strategies based on research on effective practice are emphasized. Students use software development tools to create and evaluate interactive software including strategies for instruction and assessing learning.
- MEDT 7485 Special Topics in Media
Instructional Technology
Instructional Technology
Choose one elective from the 7000 series list below:
Reading
Reading

You may choose any four courses from the list below:
- READ 7201 - Integrating Language, Literacy, and Technology Across Content Areas
  Helps teachers integrate and apply literacy skills in the classroom while they increase competency as literacy teachers in their content areas.
- READ 7261 - Literacy Engagement through Writing
  The course includes a thorough examination of literacy skills peculiear to various subject matter areas. Application of literacy strategies, thematic units that integrate the content areas, and reflections on related research concerning students of diverse cultures, will be implemented throughout the course.
- READ 7262 - Trends in Literacy Instruction
  Seminar in the areas of current and historical issues confronting the literacy professional.
- READ 7263 - Comprehensive Literacy Assessments and Interventions
  Introduction to formal and informal instruments for the evaluation of literacy problems in classroom and clinical situations for children from diverse cultures.
- READ 7267 - Culturally Diverse Literature, P-12
- READ 7271 Literacy Theory, Development, and Practices in the Digital Age
  This course addresses the teaching of literacy (P-12), including an introduction to the skills, theories, approaches, materials, methods, and development of diverse learners. Significant literature will be reviewed from a current and historical perspective.
- READ 7285 - Special Topics
  Titles and descriptions of specific courses to be inserted at time of offering.
Media Specialist
Media Specialist
- MEDT 7469 - Supervision of School Library Media Program
  A study of the supervision of the school of library media program from the district perspective. A field based experience is included.
- MEDT 8464 - Issues in School Library Media
  Current issues and trends in school library media services and programs will be examined. The basic vision of the school library media program comprised of collaboration, leadership, and technology will be emphasized.
- MEDT 7485 - Special Topics
  Individually designed studies of topics in media or instructional technology focused on the student's areas of speciality.
Choose one elective from the 7000 series list below (or other approved by school library media family):
- MEDT 7472 Introduction to Distance Education
  This course is a general introduction to conceptual, theoretical, and practical ideas concerning distance education, including the current status of distance learning and its impact on education. Students will become conversant in the terminology of the field of distance education, review its history, conduct research on specific areas of practice, investigate instructional and learning design strategies, explore the technologies commonly used, and understand the unique roles and responsibilities of the distance learner and the distance instructor.
- MEDT 7475 Distance Education Professional
  This course focuses on current issues and challenges for the distance education professional. Students will be prepared to assume the role of an e-learning teacher and professional through the study of distance education research as well as the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of e-learning environments. Students will examine the management of e-learning initiatives including cultural impact; budget, technological and managerial requirements; quality support; policy issues; development of e-learning materials; facilitating instruction and interaction; and other areas of professional development and training.
- MEDT 7464 Designing Technology-Enhanced Instruction
  This course will focus on the application of instructional design principles as they relate to instruction. A systems approach to instructional design which includes information and application of skills and techniques necessary in the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of instruction will be used.
- MEDT 7476 Assessing Learning in Technology - Enhanced Instruction
  This course will focus on application of the principles of assessment of student learning as they relate in the context of technology-enhanced instruction and diverse populations. Specific concepts covered include formative and summative assessments, alternative assessment, and standardized testing, especially the use of technology-based instruments. Students will design and develop assessment tools for their content areas and contexts.
- MEDT 7490 Visual & Media Literacy for Teaching & Learning
  This course is an introduction to visual and media literacy principles that support student learning in specific content areas. Students will explore elements of photography and videography that support learner-centered instruction. Instructional applications in the workplace and instructional settings, shooting high-quality digital photographs and video vignettes, how to produce enhance digital-based instructional materials and resources are covered.
- MEDT 7473 Advanced Multimedia
  Advanced Multimedia An intermediate to advanced level course on the design, development and formative evaluation of multimedia software delivered locally and online. Strategies based on research on effective practice are emphasized. Students use software development tools to create and evaluate interactive software including strategies for instruction and assessing learning.
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

UWG no longer offers ESOL courses, but you can take the courses elsewhere and transfer.
Special Education
Special Education

Take any four courses from the list below:
- SPED 7701 - Program Planning & Evaluation
  This course is designed to assist the educator in developing and maintaining an appropriate service delivery model for exceptional students. Strategies used to assess program effectiveness are discussed.
- SPED 7704 - Administrating Special Education Programs
  The course addresses federal, state, and local orgranizational and administrative provisions for exceptional children; screening, indentification, placement and ancillary services within educational settings. Teacher training and evaluation patterns are also considered.
- SPED 7729 - Special Education Law
  This course provides public school administrators and teachers the opporunity to examine the statutory and case law requirements of educating special populations.
- SPED 8771 - Curriculum Design & Implement
  An in depth examination of curriculum development and implementation will be conducted. Students will examine research pertinent to the types of individuals they serve and design and modify educational programs based upon recent research findings and best practice literature.

Another option available to students is to develop a customized AoC. At a minimum, an individual AoC must meet the following criteria:

It must have a thematic, cohesive foundation.
It must consist of a minimum of 12 semester hours of credit.
The coursework must be post-Masters level.
It must be approved by the Director of the Ed.D. Program in School Improvement.
It must have been completed within seven years of the date of admission to the Ed.D. degree program.
A grade of B or higher must have been earned in the coursework.

A customized AoC does not have to be taken only at our University. If you want a specialized, unique Area of Concentration, you can "assemble" one from another institution (either online or face-to-face), provided it meets the minimum criteria listed above AND that the hours were completed at an accredited institution. These hours could then be transferred into the program.

**Please note that any customized AoC must be pre-approved by the program. Please contact Department with any questions about this policy.**

School Counseling

Educational Leadership

K-12 Online Teaching

Choose one elective from the 7000 series below:

Instructional Technology

Reading

Media Specialist

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

Special Education