Bachelor of Science in Educational Studies Courses

An introduction to early childhood, elementary, and secondary education specifically for students interested in teaching. Students will explore their potential for teaching in light of the admission criteria and licensure requirements. This course includes the study of historical and social foundations of education, and topics such as inquiry in the teaching and learning process; schools in a multicultural and diverse society; the profession of teaching; principles of cooperative group learning; and cultural differences, communication, and stereotyping. Course requires a 20-hour field experience.

The focus of this course is educational uses of technology. Students will explore computer applications as tools for their own learning, as well as the ethics of electronic communications and the exploration of emergent technologies.

This is an introductory study of child growth and development from conception through adolescence with a concentration on the physical, cognitive, and social-emotional domains of development. Emphasis areas of the course include: historical foundations and theories associated with the study of child development, the research process, the implications of teaching and learning, student diversity and pertinent topics associated with the possible effect of environment and behavior on prenatal development through adolescence.

This course covers concepts and ideas that enable students to recognize and identify oppression, discrimination, and racism, along with learning techniques for building a community of teachers and learners in a pluralistic society with its great variety of cultures, value systems, and lifestyles. This course includes the study of diverse groups, language, history, government, and culture. Through inquiry-based learning, students will critically examine bias, discrimination, and prejudice, focusing on their impact within educational settings. The course emphasizes culturally responsive teaching practices, equity in education, and fostering inclusive classroom environments that support diverse learners. Students will explore effective communication strategies for engaging with families from various cultural backgrounds, including school-to-home connections and community involvement. Course assignments include a DEI Textual Analysis Presentation, a Multicultural Research and Presentation Project, and a Culturally Responsive Lesson Plan, all of which assess students ability to apply human relations principles to teaching. Additionally, students will complete a Teacher Interview Assignment, engage in lesson planning that integrates diverse perspectives, and participate in reflective writing assignments that analyze best practices in human relations for educators. Assessments align with the Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice (MN-SEPT) and require students to demonstrate competency in areas such as cultural and community diversity, contributions and lifestyles, bias awareness, and American Indian education. The course also emphasizes professional responsibility, ethical teaching practices, and self-reflection.

Provide education teacher candidates an understanding of the principles of effective classroom management and an opportunity to use a range of strategies to promote positive relationships, cooperation, and purposeful learning in the classroom; grow in their knowledge on how to create learning environments that contribute to the self-esteem of all persons and to positive interpersonal relations, establish a positive climate in the classroom and participate in maintaining a positive climate in the school as a whole. Participants will professionally grow in their development of skills necessary to lead with confidence, compassion, creativeness and commitment and team planning and teaching with multi-age grouping for P-6 diverse learners. Teacher candidates integrate strategies within an existing lab setting to collaboratively plan and deliver content and skill objectives.

Students will complete an extended supervised field experience in an organized setting serving children ages Birth – 18.

Course is repeatable up to 12 credits.

This course provides information on the various exceptionalities and facilitates understanding of the basic special needs education services provided to children with disabilities, and includes gifted and talented. Topics include federal and state mandates, planning with parents, team approaches, teaching methodologies, and curriculum modifications and adaptations. A portfolio, reflective journal, and field experience will assist students in valuing diversity and inclusion.

A course in theories of behavior, functional behavior assessment, and the laws, policies, and ethical principles regarding the planning and implementation of positive behavior supports for students with challenging behavior.

This course is designed to introduce TESL teacher candidates to fundamental theories in the field of teaching ESL. The course builds a foundation of understanding of English learners and topics impacting the academic experiences of language minority students in the United States. TESL teacher candidates will participate in a 15 hour lab field experience with focus on culturally and linguistically diverse learners. The required preparation includes two years of HS foreign language or one year of foreign language in a post-secondary setting.

Exploration of parent-child relationships within diverse family and cultural settings. Examination of parenting styles, attitudes, and behaviors and their effects on children’s development.

Emphasis will be on constructivist approaches to hands-on creative activities, expressive arts, and discovery learning for young children that is inclusive. Facilitating children’s development through planning implementing, and evaluating learning experiences in the visual arts, music, movement, dance, and dramatic play will be the heart of this integrated curriculum course. A lab experience is included.

The course focuses on various developmentally appropriate and best curricula in the field of early childhood education in which instructional strategies, theories of curriculum development, and integrated curriculum for traditional/thematic types, to newer experimental and/or research-based models are explored. Approaches to anti-bias curriculum and inclusion of all children will be studied. A lab experience is included.

This course develops a framework for establishing and maintaining high quality programs for infants and toddlers and their families. Students will develop techniques for care giving, facilitating learning, and assessment that are developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive. Attention to infants and toddlers with special needs is included.

This course explores the foundations of literacy with focus on the role of language and culture in language development. With emphasis on the pillars of effective reading instruction, candidates will consider structured, evidenced-based instructional strategies and modifications to support literacy and language development for diverse learners. Course includes an in-depth study of genres, authors, story elements, teaching strategies, and assessments of the literature of children and young adolescents with an emphasis on diversity and a focus on learners in early childhood, elementary, special education, early childhood special education, and multilingual learners.

This course is designed to provide the student with an overview of health, safety, and nutritional issues of the child from birth to grade three in preparation for a profession of working with children. The prenatal environment and its impact on the health of the individual will be given great emphasis.

A course for students interested in learning to stimulate children’s creative visual expression. It is organized to develop insight into children’s expression as well as understanding and discovering their environment. Basic art concepts, motivations, developmental characteristics, and curriculum are also presented.

This course explores the foundations of literacy with focus on the role of language and culture in language development. With emphasis on the pillars of effective reading instruction, candidates will consider structured, evidenced-based instructional strategies and modifications to support literacy and language development for diverse learners. Course includes an in-depth study of genres, authors, story elements, teaching strategies, and assessments of the literature of children and young adolescents with an emphasis on diversity and a focus on learners in early childhood, elementary, special education, early childhood special education, and multilingual learners.

This course provides the characteristics and educational programming for mild to moderate disabilities, including emotional behavior disorders, learning disabilities, developmental cognitive disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, traumatic brain injuries, and other health disorders.

This course provides an overview of autism spectrum disorders for individuals from birth through age 21. Identification and legal requirements, current theories and practices, medical and neurological perspectives, social/behavioral characteristics, and coexisting conditions will be studied with an understanding that educators rely on the assistance of a partnership with parents.