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Welcome to the Individualized Focus!
Welcome to the Individualized Focus!
(New Spring 2026)
(New Spring 2026)
This page provides the following information:
This page provides the following information:
Shape Your Future
Shape Your Future
Design a personalized focus of study by selecting classes from multiple focus areas to align with your unique interests and professional goals.
Design a personalized focus of study by selecting classes from multiple focus areas to align with your unique interests and professional goals.
Faculty Advisor
Faculty Advisor
Name
Name
Email:
Email:
Website:
Website:
Individualized Focus Courses - 9 credit hours
Individualized Focus Courses - 9 credit hours
XXX.XXX Focus Area Course
XXX.XXX Focus Area Course
ED.XXX.XXX. Focus Area Course. 3 Credits.
ED.XXX.XXX. Focus Area Course. 3 Credits.
Course Description
Course Description
XXX.XXX Focus Area Course
XXX.XXX Focus Area Course
ED.XXX.XXX. Focus Area Course. 3 Credits.
ED.XXX.XXX. Focus Area Course. 3 Credits.
Course Description
Course Description
XXX.XXX Focus Area Course
XXX.XXX Focus Area Course
ED.XXX.XXX. Focus Area Course. 3 Credits.
ED.XXX.XXX. Focus Area Course. 3 Credits.
Course Description
Course Description
Core Requirements - 24 credit hours
Core Requirements - 24 credit hours
813.652 Introduction to Global Education Policy and Analysis
813.652 Introduction to Global Education Policy and Analysis
ED.813.652. Introduction to Global Education Policy and Analysis. 3 Credits.
ED.813.652. Introduction to Global Education Policy and Analysis. 3 Credits.
The course provides an introduction to international comparisons of education systems as it reviews the history, comparisons and the educational systems in Europe, Asia and the OECD countries. International education systems and policies are examined on the local and national levels. Methodologies for comparison are explored. Education leaders will become knowledgeable of the systems in competitor countries in order to make their schools academically competitive in the global economy.
The course provides an introduction to international comparisons of education systems as it reviews the history, comparisons and the educational systems in Europe, Asia and the OECD countries. International education systems and policies are examined on the local and national levels. Methodologies for comparison are explored. Education leaders will become knowledgeable of the systems in competitor countries in order to make their schools academically competitive in the global economy.
855.600 Extended Learning
855.600 Extended Learning
ED.855.600. Extended Learning. 0 Credit Learning Experience
ED.855.600. Extended Learning. 0 Credit Learning Experience
Students will participate in a variety of informal educational experiences, from guest lectures and one-on-one mentor conversations, to exploring how the use of museums, cultural institutions, and other real-world scenarios can be leveraged to promote learning. Students will both learn from these experiences as well as gain exemplars to implement in their own educational systems.
Students will participate in a variety of informal educational experiences, from guest lectures and one-on-one mentor conversations, to exploring how the use of museums, cultural institutions, and other real-world scenarios can be leveraged to promote learning. Students will both learn from these experiences as well as gain exemplars to implement in their own educational systems.
855.610 Seminar in Teacher Leadership
855.610 Seminar in Teacher Leadership
ED.855.610. Seminar in Teacher Leadership. 1 - 3 Credits.
ED.855.610. Seminar in Teacher Leadership. 1 - 3 Credits.
Students in the final year present and evaluate their projects and plans for implementing change in their work environments. In addition, participants examine selected topics and current issues in educational leadership.
Students in the final year present and evaluate their projects and plans for implementing change in their work environments. In addition, participants examine selected topics and current issues in educational leadership.
855.619 Global Leadership
855.619 Global Leadership
ED.855.619. Global Leadership. 3 Credits.
ED.855.619. Global Leadership. 3 Credits.
This course explores the nature of leadership in the current global society. Students will analyze the behaviors, practices, characteristics and qualities of effective global leaders across a variety of sectors. Students will understand global competence and learn how to become a globally competent leader.
This course explores the nature of leadership in the current global society. Students will analyze the behaviors, practices, characteristics and qualities of effective global leaders across a variety of sectors. Students will understand global competence and learn how to become a globally competent leader.
855.631 Global Trends in Education: Challenges and Opportunities
855.631 Global Trends in Education: Challenges and Opportunities
ED.855.631. Global Trends in Education: Challenges and Opportunities. 3 Credits.
ED.855.631. Global Trends in Education: Challenges and Opportunities. 3 Credits.
This course explores key global trends in education to introduce students to field of global, international, and comparative education as well as the role of international organizations in the identification of and response to shared educational challenges. Using case examples, podcasts, research evidence, and discussion students describe and analyze the impact of climate change, migration, and technological advancement on educational equity, access, quality, and innovation in diverse global contexts. Students develop a critical understanding of the ways in which education is influenced by complex global issues, but also conceptualize education as a strategic vehicle for solving global problems and improving lives on our planet. Course assignments foster creative thinking, technical, communication, analytic, collaboration, and podcasting skills. In a final group assignment, students create a podcast to investigate a global educational issue and the opportunities for innovation and improvement.
This course explores key global trends in education to introduce students to field of global, international, and comparative education as well as the role of international organizations in the identification of and response to shared educational challenges. Using case examples, podcasts, research evidence, and discussion students describe and analyze the impact of climate change, migration, and technological advancement on educational equity, access, quality, and innovation in diverse global contexts. Students develop a critical understanding of the ways in which education is influenced by complex global issues, but also conceptualize education as a strategic vehicle for solving global problems and improving lives on our planet. Course assignments foster creative thinking, technical, communication, analytic, collaboration, and podcasting skills. In a final group assignment, students create a podcast to investigate a global educational issue and the opportunities for innovation and improvement.
881.611 Action Research for School Improvement
881.611 Action Research for School Improvement
ED.881.611. Action Research for School Improvement. 3 Credits.
ED.881.611. Action Research for School Improvement. 3 Credits.
Students explore the role of the educator as an action researcher, with special emphasis on formulating and refining research questions as well as on selecting appropriate methodologies for classroom or school-based research. Students review research as a tool for assessing and improving teaching/learning environments.
Students explore the role of the educator as an action researcher, with special emphasis on formulating and refining research questions as well as on selecting appropriate methodologies for classroom or school-based research. Students review research as a tool for assessing and improving teaching/learning environments.
881.622 Advanced Instructional Strategies
881.622 Advanced Instructional Strategies
ED.881.622. Advanced Instructional Strategies. 3 Credits.
ED.881.622. Advanced Instructional Strategies. 3 Credits.
Students review recent research on effective instruction and explore advanced classroom strategies and techniques designed to enhance their effectiveness in meeting the needs of diverse populations of learners. Examples include direct instruction, cooperative learning, dimensions of learning, creative problem solving, and applications of technology to thinking and learning. Students develop expert teaching skills and learn to diagnose and deliver instructional strategies that are most appropriate in specific circumstances.
Students review recent research on effective instruction and explore advanced classroom strategies and techniques designed to enhance their effectiveness in meeting the needs of diverse populations of learners. Examples include direct instruction, cooperative learning, dimensions of learning, creative problem solving, and applications of technology to thinking and learning. Students develop expert teaching skills and learn to diagnose and deliver instructional strategies that are most appropriate in specific circumstances.
Select two of the following courses:
Select two of the following courses:
855.609 Introduction to Entrepreneurship in Education
855.609 Introduction to Entrepreneurship in Education
ED.855.609. Introduction to Entrepreneurship in Education. 3 Credits.
ED.855.609. Introduction to Entrepreneurship in Education. 3 Credits.
This course provides students with the foundational skills necessary to think and behave entrepreneurially within educational systems and organizations in order to solve intractable problems. Students will formulate an understanding of themselves as entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs, evaluate entrepreneurial opportunities around them, and develop a method for solving a problem relevant to them. Further, students will learn the role of capital and socially conscious capitalism in creating sustainable ventures.
This course provides students with the foundational skills necessary to think and behave entrepreneurially within educational systems and organizations in order to solve intractable problems. Students will formulate an understanding of themselves as entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs, evaluate entrepreneurial opportunities around them, and develop a method for solving a problem relevant to them. Further, students will learn the role of capital and socially conscious capitalism in creating sustainable ventures.
887.615 Explorations in Mind, Brain, and Teaching
887.615 Explorations in Mind, Brain, and Teaching
ED.887.615. Explorations in Mind, Brain, and Teaching. 3 Credits.
ED.887.615. Explorations in Mind, Brain, and Teaching. 3 Credits.
During the past decade, the learning sciences have produced a vast frontier of knowledge on how the brain processes, stores, and retrieves information. Educators have increasingly recognized a role as consumers of this emerging knowledge. Participants in the course will review this research, examining how it intersects with the correlates of a model of research-based effective teaching including the teaching of the arts across content areas. Topics of study will include the brain’s memory systems, the impact of emotions on learning, the processes involved in higher order thinking and learning, and issues related to child development. Participants will apply course studies to the creation of learning units that emphasize application of knowledge and the integration of the arts.
During the past decade, the learning sciences have produced a vast frontier of knowledge on how the brain processes, stores, and retrieves information. Educators have increasingly recognized a role as consumers of this emerging knowledge. Participants in the course will review this research, examining how it intersects with the correlates of a model of research-based effective teaching including the teaching of the arts across content areas. Topics of study will include the brain’s memory systems, the impact of emotions on learning, the processes involved in higher order thinking and learning, and issues related to child development. Participants will apply course studies to the creation of learning units that emphasize application of knowledge and the integration of the arts.
893.653 AI in Education
893.653 AI in Education
ED.893.653. AI in Education. 3 Credits.
ED.893.653. AI in Education. 3 Credits.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming education, influencing how we learn, teach, and—perhaps—think about understand knowledge itself. This course critically examines AI as both a tool and a mirror, reflecting human cognition, creativity, ethics, and systemic biases. Through hands-on experimentation, critical analysis, and applied projects, students will explore AI’s potential to enrich and expand educational goals and practices while questioning its limitations and potential dangers. Designed for a broad range of educational professionals, this course balances theoretical inquiry with practical skill development. Students will engage with AI tools, analyze their impact, and apply them in meaningful ways to their professional contexts.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming education, influencing how we learn, teach, and—perhaps—think about understand knowledge itself. This course critically examines AI as both a tool and a mirror, reflecting human cognition, creativity, ethics, and systemic biases. Through hands-on experimentation, critical analysis, and applied projects, students will explore AI’s potential to enrich and expand educational goals and practices while questioning its limitations and potential dangers. Designed for a broad range of educational professionals, this course balances theoretical inquiry with practical skill development. Students will engage with AI tools, analyze their impact, and apply them in meaningful ways to their professional contexts.
Course Sequence
Course Sequence
Fall
Fall
XXX.XXX Focus Area Course
XXX.XXX Focus Area Course
855.631 Global Trends in Education: Challenges and Opportunities
855.631 Global Trends in Education: Challenges and Opportunities
855.610 Seminar in Teacher Leadership
855.610 Seminar in Teacher Leadership
855.600 Extended Learning I
855.600 Extended Learning I
Two of the following:
887.615 Explorations in Mind, Brain, and Teaching
Two of the following:
887.615 Explorations in Mind, Brain, and Teaching
855.609 Introduction to Entrepreneurship in Education
855.609 Introduction to Entrepreneurship in Education
893.653 AI in Education
893.653 AI in Education
Spring
Spring
XXX.XXX Focus Area Course
XXX.XXX Focus Area Course
855.619 Global Leadership
855.619 Global Leadership
813.652 Introduction to Global Education Policy and Analysis
813.652 Introduction to Global Education Policy and Analysis
881.622 Advanced Instructional Strategies
881.622 Advanced Instructional Strategies
855.610 Seminar in Teacher Leadership
855.610 Seminar in Teacher Leadership
855.601 Extended Learning II
855.601 Extended Learning II
Summer
Summer
XXX.XXX Focus Area Course
XXX.XXX Focus Area Course
881.611 Action Research for School Improvement
881.611 Action Research for School Improvement
855.610 Seminar in Teacher Leadership
855.610 Seminar in Teacher Leadership
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