Professionalism in Early Childhood Education

Catalog description

Effective strategies for personnel management and leadership in early care and education settings. Includes legal and ethical responsibilities, supervision techniques, professional development, and reflective practices for a diverse and inclusive early care and education program. EDU 710 The Role of Learning (3 credit hours | 2.5 lecture/.5 practicum) This course focuses on the theoretical foundations and contemporary practices that shape learning processes in various educational contexts. Students will explore how brain-based learning strategies, cognitive science, and motivation interact to influence attention, decision-making, perception, and memory to support diverse learner needs and drive institutional success. Students will gain an understanding of barriers to learning, the impact of cultural, linguistic, and cognitive diversity, and the importance of resilience when facing adversity. As part of the practicum, students produce deliverables for their employers or placement organizations that inform critical decisions while gaining confidence, applying classroom learning to solve real-world problems, and transforming classroom theory into practice. EDU 711 Educational Leadership in Theory and Practice (3 credit hours | 2.5 lecture/.5 practicum) This course explores the strategic application of key activities indigenous to the mission and value that lead directly to attaining organizational goals. People are the most important and valuable resource within an organization and, as such, must be incorporated in any functional business strategy. The course explores strategic principles related to achieving the maximum performance from managing people. Planning for performance, identifying opportunities, strengths, weaknesses, and threats are examined in great detail to obtain a strategy for a sustainable competitive advantage. The practicum component gives students invaluable experience by participating in project-based learning as aligned with and to complement course content. As part of practicum, students produce deliverables for their employers or placement organizations that inform critical decisions while gaining confidence, applying classroom learning to solve real world problems, and transforming classroom theory to practice. EDU 712 Reshaping Curriculum as a Tool for Cognition (3 credit hours | 2.5 lecture/.5 practicum) This course emphasizes the relationship between curriculum design and cognitive development. Students will explore how curriculum enhances cognitive processes such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. By integrating contemporary theories from cognitive science and educational psychology, the course examines how curriculum can be structured to support varied learning needs, foster deep understanding, and promote intellectual growth. Emphasis will be placed on designing curricula that leverage brain-based learning strategies and addressing the challenges posed by cognitive diversity. Students will be equipped to design innovative, cognitively engaging curricula that promote deep understanding and intellectual growth across diverse learner populations. The practicum component gives students invaluable experience by participating in project-based learning as aligned with and to complement course content. As part of practicum, students produce deliverables for their employers or placement organizations that inform critical decisions while gaining confidence, applying classroom learning to solve real world problems, and transforming classroom theory to practice. EDU 714 Optimize Outcomes with AI and Technology Integration (3 credit hours | 2.5 lecture/.5 practicum) This course equips participants with the skills to design impactful, learner-centered digital learning experiences through a structured, hands-on approach. Across eight practical steps, the course addresses essential elements of course design, including defining learning outcomes, choosing instructional strategies,incorporating interactivity, and assessing progress. Participants will explore online tools to enhance collaboration, content creation, assessments, and multimedia integration. A key focus is on the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence in education, teaching learners how to use AI tools to optimize course design and delivery effectively. The practicum provides students with project-based learning experience, allowing them to apply classroom knowledge of real-world problems. Students create deliverables for employers or placement organizations, informing key decisions while building confidence and bridging theory with practice. EDU 715 Classroom Technology Integration (3 credit hours | 2.5 lecture/.5 practicum) This course explores the potential of current and emerging technologies relevant to learning, teaching, and educational research within Higher Ed and k-12. Participants will create innovative environments that enable teaching from a different perspective, using various applications, educational technology platforms, and cloud-based tools and resources to enable skill development at the technological level. The key components of creating an accessible, adaptable, and inclusive environment for children, teenagers, and adults are emphasized. The practicum component gives students invaluable experience by participating in project-based learning as aligned with and to complement course content. As part of practicum, students produce deliverables for their employers or placement organizations that inform critical decisions while gaining confidence, applying classroom learning to solve real world problems, and transforming classroom theory to practice. EDU 716 Managing Human & Fiscal Resources as an Educational Leader (3 credit hours | 2.5 lecture/.5 practicum) In this course, participants will review organizational theory and design and how it applies to educational management and leadership to meet the Higher Ed or k-12 organizations, faculty, and staff needs. Strategic university planning and budgeting for faculty hiring, scheduling, evaluation, and training will be reviewed and constructed for effective programmatic implementation. The practicum component gives students invaluable experience by participating in project-based learning as aligned with and to complement course content. As part of practicum, students produce deliverables for their employers or placement organizations that inform critical decisions while gaining confidence, applying classroom learning to solve real world problems, and transforming classroom theory to practice.