Bachelor of Science - Interdisciplinary Studies - English

The degree program in Interdisciplinary Studies prepares students for a wide variety of careers and graduate study. The program stresses knowledge and understanding by promoting the virtues of a broad-based general education. The Interdisciplinary Studies program offers students a broadly focused degree that develops competencies in several disciplines, and prepares graduates for the modern workplace. In addition, the wealth of elective credits available in Interdisciplinary Studies affords excellent opportunities for students with prior learning experience.

The English concentration prepares students to be creative and critical thinkers in the rapidly changing professional world. The skills and flexibility of the English concentration provide students with a strong asset in our changing economy, which demands clear thought, strong writing, editing, and speaking skills.

Master of Arts - Teaching

The program is designed to complement core proficiencies that are consistent across most National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certificates. The goal of this program is to increase teachers' abilities to engage students in effective and efficient learning experiences that produce measurable gains in student achievement.

Students will select a program with a thesis that allows a student to explore an issue in depth through empirical research and will advance students toward doctoral study or they can select a specialization that will advance their practice.

Specialization areas are Teacher as Leader, designed for teachers who continue to teach but also mentor or supervise other teachers, and Early Childhood Education, designed for teachers, supervisors, and child care workers engaged with young children.

Both degree tracks engage students in case-based and problem-based learning activities and assignments that require them to implement and integrate strategies and techniques within their own classroom and engage in inquiry that assesses the outcomes and effectiveness of their efforts.

Coursework develops from beginning to advanced levels and focuses on core competencies and engages teachers in a community of learners to share ideas and research.

This degree program is designed for licensed, practicing PreK-12 teachers and early childhood educators who want to advance their knowledge and skills to improve their classroom practice and demonstrate their skill and qualifications as a master teacher or are seeking to advance their research skills as they study an area in the field of Education in depth.

Master of Science - Instructional Technology

The Master of Science in Instructional Technology degree has two program specializations to meet student needs. One specialization is focused on practicing P-16 educators in public or private school settings. The other specialization is focused on learners whose goal is to work in areas of workforce training and performance improvement in corporate, not-for-profit, and government settings.

Instructional Technology for Pre-K-16 Educators

The Master of Science in Instructional Technology for Educators provides a broad understanding of instructional design and technology and its application in preK-16 educational settings today and in the future. The program prepares learners to integrate effective technological processes and tools into their curriculum and classroom practices. The program focuses on the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to assess classroom learning environments, technology access, and learners engaged in various content area studies; and design, develop, implement, and evaluate instructional activities that integrate multimedia, the Internet, and other technology available towards the goal of providing effective, efficient, and appealing instruction.

This program is most appropriate for practicing classroom teachers who want to advance their knowledge and skills related to integration of technology within classroom learning environments, to prepare to lead change efforts and/or serve as a technology, and/or to become a curriculum developer for pre-K, elementary, middle and secondary education and in community and technical colleges.

Instructional Technology for Trainers

This specialization is designed for individuals interested in training within corporate or related settings. Students will be prepared to effectively integrate instructional and technological knowledge and skills within the context of workplace training and performance improvement. The program is designed around industry needs and competencies identified by the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) and other training organizations with a primary focus on developing corporate training and development practitioners.

The program focuses on the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to pursue careers as professional trainers, instructional designers, and internal or external consultants working in corporate, not-for-profit and government settings.