Specializations

Specialization Areas offer students the opportunity to adapt the doctoral curriculum of 63 credits to their research interests and connect technology with other content areas. Specializations are typically made up of 18 elective credits and are determined once students complete Core Courses. The following is a list of common areas of specialization students pursue and suggested courses for each. This list is designed to provide ideas, or starting points, they are not required courses and students are encouraged to individualize their specializations as needed. 

Degree Requirements

You can view degree requirements in the Graduate Catalog.

Technology Integration (available online)

ISTC 702 Educational Leadership & Technology
ISTC 731 Advanced Technology Integration for Teaching & Learning
ISTC 729 Digital Game Based Learning in Education
ISTC 655 Developing Digital Multimedia Materials for Learning Design 
ISTC 603 Foundations of Distance Education
ISTC 718 Critical Perspectives in Instructional Technology

Online Learning and Teaching (available online)

ISTC 603 Foundations of Distance Education
ISTC 605 E-Learning Design and Development
ISTC 655 Developing Digital Multimedia Materials for Learning Design 
ISTC 767 Advanced Theory & Instructional Design

Instructional Design and Development (availbale online)

ISTC 767 Advanced Theory and Instructional Design
ISTC 731 Advanced Technology Integration for Teaching & Learning
ISTC 729 Digital Game Based Learning in Education
ILPD 740 Data Based Decision Making for Curriculum and Instruction

Leadership, Administrator 1 certification (available online)

ILPD 603 School Law
ILPD 667 Curriculum and Assessment for Instructional Development
ILPD 716 Leadership of the Schools 
ILPD 740 Data Based Decision Making for Curriculum and Instruction
ILPD 781 Seminar in Supervision
ILPD 797 Internship in Instructional Leadership
(all 6 courses required)

* Admission to the Admin 1 track, requires applicants to have three years of teaching experience and permission to work in a school in order to complete some course assignments.  Note that three of the Admin 1 track courses  will count toward doctoral core requirements and three courses will fulfill doctoral program specialization requirements.  

Leadership

ILPD 740 Data Based Decision Making
IPLD 741 Seminar in Liability for Professionals in Education
ILPD 742 Transformational Leadership & Professional Development
ILPD 744 Interpersonal Relations & Group Dynamics
ISTC 702 Educational Leadership and Technology

Early Childhood

ECED 609 Growth and Development of Young Children
ECED 750 Program Development and Evaluation
ECED 762 Leadership and Advocacy in Early Childhood Education
ECED 764 Ethics and Social Justice: An Educational Perspective
ECED 760 Critical Perspectives in Early Childhood

Elementary Education 

ELED 647 Advanced Processes of Teaching and Learning
ELED 660 Teaching in a Multicultural Society
ELED 665 Curriculum Theory and Development
ELED 712 Critical Conversations: Early Literacy Research, Policy and Practice

Additional courses that are offered infrequently, but are recommended:

ELED 610 Critical and Creative Thinking
ELED 640 Discipline and Management in the Elementary School
ELED 648 Differentiating Instruction for All Learners

English Language Learning/Multiculturalism

REED 650 Social, Cultural, and Curricular Contexts for Second Language Learning
REED 651 Instruction and Assessment for Second Language Learners
REED 652 Introduction to Linguistics for Teachers of Language and Literacy
REED 665 Teaching Reading and Writing in the Content Areas K-1
REED 710 Multicultural Literature for Children and Adolescents

Reading

REED 601 Reading Theory and Practice
REED 609 Reading Assessment
REED 621 Reading Disabilities
REED 632 Word Study for Improving Literacy
REED 663 Strategic Use of Materials
REED 660 Integrating Technology in Literacy Instruction
REED 714 Adolescent Literacy

Secondary Education

SCED 635 Discipline and Class Management in the Secondary School
SCED 643 The Administration of the Secondary School
SCED 683 Staff Development and Supervisory Practices in the Secondary School
SCED 741 Curriculum Development in the Secondary School

Special Education

SPED 637 Inclusion for the Classroom Teacher
SPED 605 Working with Families of Students with Disabilities
SPED 631 Classroom Strategies and Interventions for Diverse Student Populations
SPED 632 Assessment Issues for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Student