EDF-EDUCATION: FOUNDATIONS AND POLICY STUDIES
 

EDF 1005          Introduction to Education         3

Consideration of career opportunities in the field of education, including clinical experiences in selected agencies/institutions.

EDF 3234          Applied Foundations of Education         3

Principles of growth, development and learning in the context of teaching in the schools of today. Methods of formal and informal assessment, measurement and evaluation are addressed and the ability to analyze educational phenomena in America and other countries from interpretive, normative and critical perspectives is developed. May include observation/participation in educational settings.

EDF 6133          Pre-Early Adolescent Development        3

Examines the developmental changes that occur during pre- and early adolescence. Of particular interest will be the biological, cognitive, and social changes that occur during the middle school years. The genetic and environmental influences on these developmental processes will be examined and will be described in terms of their relationship to the positive or negative developmental outcome. May not be taken for credit by students having credit for DEP 4304. Credit may not be earned in both EDF 6132 and EDF 6133.

EDF 6149          Experiential Education Leadership           3

Emphasizes the principles of experiential education and is designed to teach students how to design, implement, evaluate, and lead instruction of high and low ropes challenge programs. Students will learn basic and advanced techniques in challenge programming and how to teach these skills to others.

EDF 6218          Psychological Foundations for Education: Learning and Instruction          3

Examines current theories of learning, behavior, cognitive development, and instruction and their practical application in educational practice. Beyond theories and their application will explore current issues in human development and learning. Develops knowledge and skills for determining an appropriate theoretical framework from which to investigate and solve education problems. Students complete a review of research in their area of emphasis to examine an issue in depth and apply their findings to educational practice. Recommended: Educational Statistics I.

EDF 6223          Positive Behavioral Change and System Support in Educational Settings      3

Prerequisite: EDF 6225, EDF 6226.

Positive behavioral support strategies, establishing system support for behavioral change, and documenting behavioral change using single case design methodology in educational settings. Relation between behavior analysis, single case design, and best practices in education will be discussed.

EDF 6225          Foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis in Education         3

A basic introduction to behavior analytic principles, definitions, characteristics, processes, and concepts in the field of education. Includes a review of the national legislation that mandates the use of ABA in educational settings.

EDF 6226          Behavioral Assessments, Interventions, and Outcomes in Education         3

Prerequisite: EDF 6225.

Behavioral assessment, selecting behavioral outcomes, selecting behavioral strategies, and ethical and professional standards issues relevant to the practice of behavior analysis in educational settings.

EDF 6404          Educational Statistics I         3

Designed as an entry level course in statistics and covers both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques to solve applied research problems. Emphasis is also placed on using statistical software packages and will cover the most widely used statistical procedures in education.

EDF 6460          Foundations of Measurement          3

Provides an understanding of the nature of instrument and test development and focuses on the information and skills needed to design, develop, analyze, and interpret tests and instruments; the use of testing or instrument results in planning, monitoring, and evaluating instruction or programs; and to evaluate student or program progress. Intended to provide a foundation in testing and instrument development skills for those who work in a variety of applied settings.

EDF 6464          Applied Program Evaluation           3

Provides an introduction to program evaluation design, development, and implementation. Students will become familiar with a wide range of evaluation strategies, as well as how to interpret, use and communicate formative and summative evaluation results. These skills will be practiced through an applied research focus on using qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis strategies to develop organizational accountability systems.

EDF 6475          Qualitative Research I - Methods       3

Prerequisite: EDF 6481.

Enables graduate students to comprehend and apply new research paradigms, strategies, and techniques to better understand social change and cultural settings. Qualitative research concepts, theories, and methods offer an empirical basis to explore nonnumeric data. Students will experience and practice a variety of qualitative applied research techniques designed to enhance learning.

EDF 6481          Educational Research          3

Develops skills for evaluating and for conducting applied research studies in an appropriate area of emphasis. Includes strategies of research appropriate for particular area of emphasis and methods appropriate for those strategies. Students are required to select a problem, perform a review of the research literature, plan a research study, and write a research proposal. Completion of EDF 6404 and EDF 6218 is recommended prior to taking this course.

EDF 6602          Trends and Issues in Education: Social, Multicultural, Historical and Philosophical Analysis      3

Enables students to develop skills as empowered persons and professionals and use critical and analytical thinking skills to demonstrate an understanding of the history and philosophy of education and an increased awareness of multicultural and other critical issues in education.

EDF 6608          Educational Theories and Practices: Social, Multicultural, Historical, and Philosophical Analyses        3

Introduces graduate students to the basic theories of educational philosophies. Broadens and deepens awareness of theories utilized in current educational settings. Topics include: the relationship between school and society; multiculturalism in education; historical influences on education; roles of educational philosophies; and effective applications for teaching and learning.

EDF 6691          Issues in Teacher Education: A Bio-Psycho-Social Understanding         3

Examines current issues in education from a multi-perspective point of view. Issues may include changes in school achievement, standardized testing, motivation, social, economic, and political pressures, character education, population make-up exceptionalities, new technologies, and the role of the public school in society. Will focus on understanding the biological, psychological and social factors that inform these issues.

EDF 6725          Critical Issues in American Education            3

Major issues in American education which confront educational leaders. Problems growing from these issues are considered.

EDF 6943          Supervised Experience in Single Case Design          3

Supervised field experience of positive behavioral support implementation in educational or related settings evaluated using single case designs. Topics covered will include the ethics and philosophy of positive behavioral support. Graded on satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis only.

EDF 7XXX        Social Change and Reform Pending Faculty Senate Approval     3

Looks at the dynamics of social and cultural dynamics of social and cultural change in democratic societies with a special focus on social movements and collective behavior. Also looks at the practical methodologies in common use among activities and other agents of social change. It provides participants with opportunities to develop and apply some social-change skills. Permission is required.

EDF 7191          Psychological Foundations for Education: Cognition, Curriculum and Instruction            3

Explores the traditional and contemporary theories of cognition and merges them with educational practice. Examines the ways theories of cognition inform instructional theories and models and informs teaching and learning in specific content areas. Provides students with the opportunity to explore multiple perspectives of learning that enhance their ability to understand educational goals and processes. Completion of EDF 6218, EDF 6481, and EDF 7407 is recommended prior to taking this course.

EDF 7407          Educational Statistics II: General Linear Model         3

Prerequisite: EDF 6404.

Designed as an intermediate course in statistics for students who work in applied settings. Emphasis is on the introduction of more complex topics such as regression and the various ANOVA models, and in developing knowledge and skill in the appropriate techniques and application of various statistical software packages. Permission is required.

EDF 7437          Measurement and Single Case Design         3

Measurement of behavioral data, data display, data interpretation, experimental evaluation of interventions, and ethical considerations of applied behavior analysis and research in educational settings.

EDF 7468          Advanced Program Development and Evaluation     3

Prerequisite: EDF 6464.

Provides graduate students the opportunity to advance their skills in social program evaluation beyond the introductory level through an in-depth examination of leading evaluation approaches. Students will be encouraged to critically examine and discuss current and emerging variations in theoretical evaluation development. These relationships will be analyzed through an applied research perspectives designed to illuminate and evaluate the effectiveness of organizational program strategies dealing with societal concerns. Grant funding methods will be introduced as an intervention tool in this process.

EDF 7476          Survey Research           3

Prerequisite: EDF 7407, EDF 6475.

Designed as an entry level course in survey research and includes design and selection of questionnaires and interviews as data collection instruments in both quantitative and qualitative research that is conducted in applied settings. Permission is required.

EDF 7477          Qualitative Research II - Theory         3

Prerequisite: EDF 6475.

Focuses on major perspectives in contemporary social theory so as to attune students to the diverse connections between social theory and qualitative research. Covers the intersecting perspectives of feminist, postmodernist, social constructionist, multiculturalists, hermeneutic, and other theorists. Through practice exercises it provides students with opportunities to apply these perspectives to small samples of qualitative data in preparation for Qualitative Research III - Analysis. Finally in conjunction with Qualitative Research I and III this course equips students to undertake qualitative inquiry in their dissertations without needing further substantial preparation.

EDF 7478          Qualitative Research III -Analysis          3

Prerequisite: EDF 6475.

Provides doctoral students advanced instruction to qualitative research analysis. Students are expected to have developed an understanding of their research skills in qualitative methodologies prior to enrollment. Will assist students in applying their methodological skills to their theoretical and philosophical orientations. Qualitative data analysis software (QDAS) will be used as a tool to enhance the research analysis process. Students are expected to work with their own research data through applied practical applications.

EDF 7483          Exploratory Quantitative Data Analysis           3

Prerequisite: EDF 7407.

Designed as a practical experience in quantitative data preparation for analysis. Emphasis is on making the transition from coding and data entry to final output for manuscript preparation using the major statistical software packages in education. Permission is required.

EDF 7489          Advanced Research Methods              3

Prerequisite: EDF 6404, EDF 6481, EDF 6475.

Identify a potential dissertation topic, analyze and synthesize research on the topic, and produce a concept paper for the dissertation to be presented to the dissertation committee. Study the application of both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies towards addressing a research problem. Apply concepts from educational research in synthesizing current research articles for the development of a research project. Gain expertise in educational research that will facilitate student research agendas for action research, thesis research, and dissertation research.

EDF 7685          Educational Foundations: A Philosophical and Multicultural Analysis            3

Aims to broaden and deepen students’ awareness of various educational philosophies and their influences in everyday classroom practice. Emphasis will be on the pluralism and diversity of educational ideas, the practical implication of such ideas, development of critical and analytical thinking and open mindedness. Completion of EDF 6602 is recommended prior to taking this course.

EDF 7944          Advanced Single Case Design in Applied Settings    3

Prerequisite: EDF 7437.

Apply knowledge and skills of positive behavioral support and single case design to an identified problem in an educational setting. Evaluate programs of behavioral support and collaborative system support using single case designs.

EDF 8195          Psychological Foundations in Education: Motivation for Learning and Performance        3

Prerequisite: EDF 6218, EDF 6475, EDF 6481, EDF 7407.

Analyze, synthesize, and apply theories of motivation and learning which have implications for professionals in today’s workforce. An emphasis will be placed on merging theories with contemporary education and training issues and practices through the use of relevant research reviews culminating in the design of several research projects. Study the influence of motivation and learning to suggest appropriate applications. Focus on building a strong knowledge base and a firm foundation in the motivational constructs relevant to education and training environments. Apply concepts from human learning, educational research, and statistics and measurement in analyzing and synthesizing current research and application. Students will use empirical and referred research as the primary source of current information and development of knowledge and understanding of motivational constructs and their application. Work toward developing expertise in motivational theories and their application of education and training settings, analyzing measures of motivational constructs for use in research, and conducting exhaustive reviews of research on a topic.

EDF 8406          Educational Statistics III: Multivariate Analyses      3

Prerequisite: EDF 7407.

Provides the student with the necessary skills required to conduct educational research at an advanced level. Emphasis is placed on selecting the appropriate multivariate technique for a particular purpose and given data set, and the interpretation of statistical output generated from the major statistical packages. Permission is required.

EDF 8411          Factor Analysis               1

Prerequisite: EDF 8406

Designed to provide instruction in factor analysis and includes such topics as principal components, exploratory factor analysis, criteria for factor extraction and retention, factor rotation, loading interpretation, and impact of sample size on factor analysis. Emphasis is on practical applications using the major statistical packages for data from applied settings. Permission is required.

EDF 8412          Structural Equation Modeling          1

Prerequisite: EDF 8406

Designed to provide instruction in LISREL (linear structural relations) and includes such topics as regression models, path analysis, measurement models, confirmatory factor analysis, path analysis with latent variables and analysis of ordinal variables. Emphasis is on practical applications using LISREL for data from applied settings. Permission is required.

EDF 8446          Instrument Development and Validation       3

Prerequisite: EDF 8406

Provides an understanding of the nature of measurement as well as the underlying theory and methodology of reliability estimation and test validation. Emphasis is on applied skills such as the conceptualization, development, and validation of instruments for assessment, research, and evaluation. Topics include the logical empirical, and statistical models of measurement processes with emphasis on scaling, reliability and validity. It will function as both a seminar and practicum within which the student will acquire applicative skills in the process of providing evidence of instrument reliability and validity. Permission is required.

EDF 8937          Teaching Seminar in Higher Education I        3

Provides doctoral students teaching experience in higher education through a teaching assistantship. Each assistant will lead a small group of research students in qualitative research fieldwork. The seminar aligns with a three-course sequence in Qualitative Research for students in the Ed.S. and Ed.D. programs. Each course in the sequence is taught at multiple sites from the distance learning classroom on the Pensacola campus. At each site teaching assistants participate in the delivery of each class and facilitate group discussion therein. This seminar, thrice required of these teaching assistants, furthers their competence in qualitative research while enabling them to work effectively as facilitators with their small fieldwork groups of graduate students. Graded on satisfactory/ unsatisfactory basis only. Permission is required.

EDF 8938          Teaching Seminar in Higher Education II           3

Prerequisite: EDF 8937.

Provides doctoral students teaching experience in higher education through a teaching assistantship. Each assistant will lead a small group of research students in qualitative research fieldwork. The seminar aligns with a three-course sequence in Qualitative Research for students in the Ed.S. and Ed.D. programs. Each course in the sequence is taught at multiple sites from the distance learning classroom on the Pensacola campus. At each site teaching assistants participate in the delivery of each class and facilitate group discussions therein. This seminar, thrice required of these teaching assistants, furthers their competence in qualitative research while enabling them to work effectively as facilitators with their small fieldwork groups of graduate students. Graded on satisfactory/ unsatisfactory basis only. Permission is required.

EDF 8939          Teaching Seminary in Higher Education III          3

Prerequisite: EDF 8938.

Provides doctoral students teaching experience in higher education through a teaching assistantship. Each assistant will lead a small group of research students in qualitative research fieldwork. The seminar aligns with a three-course sequence in Qualitative Research for students in the Ed.S. and Ed.D. programs. Each course in the sequence is taught at multiple sites from the distance learning classroom on the Pensacola campus. At each site teaching assistants participate in the delivery of each class and facilitate group discussions therein. This seminar, thrice required of these teaching assistants, furthers their competence in qualitative research while fieldwork groups of graduate students. Graded on satisfactory/ unsatisfactory basis only. Permission is required.

EDF 8980          Dissertation          1-6

Major individual research in an area of significant educational interest; designed specifically for candidates in the Ed.D. Curriculum and Instruction, Teacher Education Specialization. The dissertation reflects intensive educational research produced by the student and collaboratively developed with the student’s graduate committee. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis only. Admission to candidacy, completion of all other doctoral program requirements and permission are required.