Early Childhood Courses (ECE)
ECE 5544 - Internship Seminar (3)
This course provides interns an opportunity to develop analytical thinking skills through examining broad educational issues and concerns, topics on the state and local levels, and those of personal interest. The scope of the course ranges from juvenile law, classroom management, professionalism, professional development for teachers, and other course topics. This course must be taken concurrently with internship. Grading system is Pass / Fail.
ECE 6618 - Designing Prosocial Learning Environments (3)
An examination of early childhood education learning environments. Program models such as the English Infant School, the Open School, Montessori's Prepared Learning Environment and other selected models will be studied. In addition, techniques for creating, maintaining, and assessing an environment that fosters knowledge construction, integration of technology resources, the development of autonomy, and independence will be examined. Students will investigate and implement these techniques with young children.
ECE 6620 - Inquiries into Physical Knowledge (3)
The purpose of this course is to assist graduate students as they investigate and construct a deeper understanding about their own questions related to young children's construction of physical knowledge and the facilitation and evaluation of that knowledge construction in the early childhood classroom. In addition, the students will interact with young children through observation and participation in the application of appropriate physical knowledge experiences and the investigation and evaluation of children's construction of knowledge.
ECE 6622 - Parents as Partners in Education (3)
The purpose of this course is to assist graduate students as they investigate and construct a deeper understanding of and develop techniques to strengthen the school-parent relationship while developing mutual supporters for the total development of the young child. Pertinent topics include: stress and children, parents and families in crisis, and helping children cope with the future.
ECE 6625, 6626, 6627 - Specialized Study in Early Childhood Education (1-3)
A study of a problem using research techniques. Selection of problem must be approved by the professor under whom the study is to be made and the Dean of Education. The study should contribute to the student's program. Preparation of a scholarly paper is required and may involve an oral defense. Total credit for any combination of enrollments in these courses may not exceed four semester hours. A specialized study may be substituted for a required course only once in a student's program. See semester hour limits listed under Course Restrictions in General Regulations section.
ECE 6628 - Inquiries into Literacy Acquisition (3)
This course is designed to explore emergent literacy and the role of developmentally appropriate practices for young children, N-3. The course includes emphasis on: role of the teacher and teaching reading to young children, children and multiple learning styles, the reading process, and developing a developmentally appropriate reading program for young children, N-3.
ECE 6630 - Inquiries into Representation (3)
This course is designed to assist graduate students as they investigate and construct knowledge of symbolic representation in all of its form. Topics include: children's talk, play, art, writing process, music, movement and construction.
ECE 6631 - Historical Perspectives in Early Childhood Education (3)
The purpose of this course is to assist graduate students in constructing a sense of identity with the field of early childhood education through an understanding of the past as a prologue to contemporary thought and practice. The philosophy, history, and impact of education from the time of Plato to the present will be examined with special emphasis on the major influences in early childhood education.
ECE 6632 - Authentic Assessment in the Early Childhood Classroom (3)
The purpose of this course is to explore the investigation and evaluation of teaching and learning in the early childhood education program through the use of human and material resources. Purposes, types, and designs for developmentally appropriate evaluation will be examined.
ECE 6633 - Integrated Thematic Curriculum (3)
The purpose of this course is to assist graduate students as they construct an operational knowledge of integrated thematic curriculum. The course will focus on theory, planning, implementation, and evaluation of an integrated thematic curriculum. Additionally, issues surrounding the implementation of innovative teaching methodology in traditional settings will be examined. This course serves as the capstone course for the MS ECE program and must be taken as one of a student's final four courses. A grade of “B” or better is required. Advisor approval required.
ECE 6634 - Inquiries into Logico-Mathematical Knowledge (3)
The purpose of this course is to assist graduate students as they investigate and construct a deeper understanding about their own questions related to young children's construction of logico-mathematical knowledge and the facilitation and evaluation of that knowledge construction in the early childhood classroom. In addition, the students will interact with young children through observation and participation in the application of appropriate logico-mathematical knowledge experiences and the investigation and evaluation of children's construction of knowledge.
ECE 6635 - Program Evaluation in Early Childhood (3)
This course is designed for the education student to examine evaluation in early childhood and elementary education programs. Techniques and procedures concerning the design and implementation of evaluation in the total school program will be investigated.
ECE 6640 - Integrating Children's Literature (3)
The purpose of this course is to assist graduate students as they investigate and construct a deeper understanding of and develop techniques to incorporate quality children's literature across the curriculum. Pertinent topics include award winning authors and titles found in children's literature among a variety of genre, along with developmentally appropriate techniques for focusing curriculum delivery through quality children's literature.
ECE 6674 - Early Childhood Internship Grades P-3 (6)
The professional internship program is the culminating clinical field-based experience for students seeking certification in a teaching field. The Professional Internship Program provides the student with the opportunity to conduct classes and assume the role of a teacher while receiving supervision from a classroom teacher and a university supervisor for a period of one full semester.
ECE 7725 - Specialized Study in ECE (1-3)
A study of the problem using research techniques. Selection of problem must be approved by the professor under whom the study is to be made, and the Dean of Education. The study should contribute to the student's program. Preparation of a scholarly paper is required and may involve an oral defense. Total credit for any combination of enrollments in these courses may not exceed four semester hours. A specialized study may be substituted for a required course only once in a student's program. See semester hour limits listed under Course Restrictions in General Regulations section.
ECE 7760 - Leading for Learning in the School Environment (3)
This course is designed to extend the teacher lead-er from the classroom to the school environment. Students will be provided a study of the processes involved in evaluating school settings and the problems faced by instructional leaders. Major emphasis will be placed on the transition to a teacher leading in the school environment. Characteristics of leading for learning will be explored. Topics that affect today's teacher leaders and positive ways to deal with instructional issues will also be investigated.
ECE 7761 - Effective Schools and Teachers (3)
This course is designed to examine the knowledge base for effective schools to enable teacher leaders to develop skills in their own practices. There will be emphasis through in-depth study of the research literature on effective school settings. Students will critically examine, analyze, and evaluate the components and characteristics of effective school environments.
ECE 7762 - School Accreditation Process (3)
The purpose of this course is to examine the local, state, regional, and national standards associated with school accreditation. The accreditation process in these areas will be reviewed and analyzed. Students will compare and contrast the different ways schools are accredited. Topics such as: the accreditation process, school self-study procedures, validation/documentation, roles of school personnel, and creating school improvement plans will be investigated.
ECE 7763 - Legal Issues and Ethics in Education (3)
The purpose of this course is to allow educational leaders to explore the organizational development and maintenance services required for effective operation of the schools within the legal framework established by local, state, and federal legislative and judicial requirements. Major emphasis will be given to studying legal issues and community relations. Legal issues and services related to exceptional children will be closely examined. The development of ethical standards, informed legal decision making, and emergency procedures for ensuring safety, as well as the political factors which impact schools, society and community relations will be studied.
ECE 7790 - Qualitative Research Methodology (3)
The purpose of this course is to provide graduate students with an introduction to qualitative research methodology. The historical development, rationale, and relationship to quantitative research will be examined. Qualitative research methods will include procedures for selection and sampling and for data collection and analysis. Students will read a variety of qualitative studies and conduct a brief qualitative research project. Prerequisite: Course in research or tests and measurement. A grade of “B” or better is required.
ECE 7793 - Problem Analysis in ECE (3)
A study of processes involved in identifying, framing, evaluating, analyzing, and seeking information about problems. Emphasis is given to information collection and processing. Students will select and analyze a problem related to early childhood education or elementary education. Restricted to students enrolled in an Education Specialist program.