Masters Degree Courses: Schedule

The purpose of this course is to enhance the behavioral and mental health literacy of those who support Pre-K through 12th Grade students. Focus will be placed upon common mental health disorders affecting school-age children, such as: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiance disorder (ODD), anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, eating disorders, depression, and other mood disorders. Learners will take a deep look at the needs of the abused child, the grieving child, suicidal students, and those who engage in non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors from the perspective of prevention, intervention, and ongoing support. Learners will closely examine their views and experiences regarding behavioral and mental health, define strategies, and develop tools to create a climate of acceptance, understanding, and change for our youth who are dealing with behavioral and mental health concerns.

This course focuses on the development of theoretical-pragmatic foundations for reflective teaching and educational leadership in collaborative school environments. Philosophical systems are examined as they relate to the realities of classroom instructional leadership.

Students examine the theoretical application of curriculum design within the context of contemporary American classrooms. Relationships among subject matter, teaching, learning, and assessments are viewed from an interdisciplinary perspective.

There is a growing body of research noting the correlation between academic success and the emotional/physical health of students. Given the growing importance of attending to the whole child, this course has been developed to increase K-12 educators’ knowledge of health and wellness practices and research. The course will ask participants to assess their own beliefs and practices in health and wellness and will encourage a self-change model. The course is based on two theoretical structures: one being that wellness is composed of physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual health. The second structure is Erickson’s stages of development and their usage in directing our choices for growth throughout our lives.

This course will examine the most significant at-risk issues impacting the lives of PreK through 12th Grade students today. The physical, psychological, social, emotional and academic implications of these issues will be explored in depth. The indicators, signs, and symptoms of each issue will be shared through a culturally relevant lens that reflects the experience of students. Learners will engage and explore the systems and supports that do and can exist in a school environment and a community to support all students through authentic collaboration with family, school, and community partners.

This course is designed to address the most critical issues in schools today - climate and community. Respect for self and others have been documented by research over the past twenty-five years as being lacking in children with developmental, behavioral and learning problems. It is impossible to teach and learn successfully in an environment that is less than safe. Educators K through 12 are invited to participate in this highly experiential classroom community-building course. We will work through a developmental program designed to identify, model and practice strategies for team, group, and community building, self-respect and social skill building.

Are the brains of children different today than they were in the past? According to research and the observations of many educators, the answer is a resounding “yes”. Cognitive neuroscience is finding that today's fast-paced, stressful, multi-tasking, media-driven life is altering the way young minds develop, function, remember, and process information. This course is based on the readings of current research, books and articles and will explore how these changes affect learning, memory and may contribute to social and emotional problems. The ultimate goal of this course is to help teachers, administrators, support staff, and parents understand these changes and what they can do to enhance brain development and counteract the effects of our fast paced society. 

This course is designed to explore the impact of traumatic experiences on children and adolescents across multiple stages of development. In addition this course will identify how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can affect the ability of children to learn in a variety of settings. Through engagement and participation in experiences, learners will gain a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of trauma and ACEs and attain a variety of strategies to implement in the school setting to effectively contain and manage maladaptive emotional and physical responses.