Education: Teaching & Learning Concentration, M.A.

Required Courses

• ED 615 - Theories of Learning (3)
• ED 617 - Theories of Behavior (3)
• ED 630 - Advanced Curriculum & Instruction (3)
• ED 646 - Technology as a Tool for Global Outreach (3)
• ED 684 - Effective Instruction (3)
• ED 600 level electives (3 hours total) and
• 15 hours of approved graduate electives.

Education Academic Policy for Master’s Programs

Students must complete a minimum of 33 hours of coursework in one of the concentrations to receive a Master of Arts degree in Education. A maximum of 15 hours of transfer credit is allowed. To maintain enrollment, the student must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in all graduate coursework with no grade below a “C.” Only one grade of “C” is accepted toward the 33-hour program. Only one course may be repeated one time in the entire program. Students who are unable to maintain these academic standards will be dismissed from the program.

Outcomes

The educational outcomes are designed to prepare practicing professionals with the skills necessary to model professional practice, integrate educational theory with practice, assume leadership roles, and demonstrate knowledge of current educational research and practice. Graduate education outcomes assess skills in receptive and expressive communication, thinking strategies and skills, personal and social development, and depth and breadth of knowledge. Master’s degree-seeking students must meet the outcomes as identified for the particular area of concentration. All course requirements are tied to the Avila Learning Outcomes and the School of Education’s Conceptual Framework. Courses in the Teaching English as a Second Language and Teaching and Learning concentrations are also aligned with the Missouri Standards for Practicing Teachers and the InTASC Core Teaching Standards. Courses in the International Advocacy and Leadership concentration are also tied to the NAFSA Knowledge, Skills and Dispositions.

• Demonstrate communication skills, including the ability to: model effective teaching skills through integration of theory, professional practice, and applied research; communicate in specific, concrete, general, and abstract terms as appropriate; express written ideas in a clear, well organized manner; express oneself orally using correct verbal skills including grammar, intonation, and fluency; and communicate within a culturally diverse milieu.
• Demonstrate cognitive skills, including the ability to: be a reflective teacher by analyzing individual teaching behaviors and integrating practical and theoretical concepts in an educational setting; utilize creative and critical thinking skills to become an effective instructional leader; evaluate and critique quantitative and qualitative research; plan and conduct classroom investigations and implement a plan of change when appropriate; and interpret group and individual standardized and informal assessments.
• Demonstrate personal and social skills, including the ability to: demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning; assume leadership responsibilities with colleagues and in their profession; cultivate the ongoing exploration and acceptance of differing educational perspectives; and demonstrate acceptance of individual differences.
• Demonstrate knowledge in each of the following areas: depth and breadth of educational literature; the major historical developments and philosophical principles of education in the United States; the theoretical concepts describing human learning and motivations and their application to lesson design, instruction, and evaluation and assessment; curriculum development, both the philosophical basis and current research in design and implementation of curricular plans; and measurement of groups and individual learning.

Assessment

Outcomes for the Master of Arts degree in Education are assessed through written examinations, key assessments, and performance evaluations. Individual course syllabi show in detail the way in which the course addresses and evaluates the graduate outcomes.

Alignment matrices showing the assessment of outcomes in each graduate concentration is located in the School of Education Office. Concentrations require capstone courses in which the outcomes are assessed in clinical settings.

Note

The Master of Arts degree in Education is a 33 credit-hour program with areas of concentration in International Advocacy and Leadership, Literacy, Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), and Teaching and Learning.