University of West Florida

EDF 1005   Introduction to Education

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

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

EDF 2085   Teaching Diverse Populations

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

Provides students with the opportunity to explore personal values and attitudes toward cultural diversity. Designed for the prospective educator, the theoretical component will examine the issues of teaching in culturally diverse classrooms. Attention will be given to teaching all children about ethnicity in a pluralistic society. Field experiences and examination of educational materials will enhance the students' understanding of multiculturalism. Meets Multicultural Requirement. Credit may not be received in both EDF 2085 and EDG 2701.

EDF 3234   Applied Foundations of Education

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

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 5255   Classroom Management: Harry Wong's Approach

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

Provides students with the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills to practice classroom organization and structure to maximize student learning time. An end of course product will be a binder containing a personal classroom management plan.

EDF 6218   Psychological Foundations for Education: Learning and Instruction

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

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 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
Prerequisite: EDF 6225, EDF 6226

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

EDF 6225   Foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis in Education

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

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 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
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 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

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 6442   Assessment for Educational Leaders

1 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

Lead organizations to apply and create sound classroom assessment and standardized testing strategies.

EDF 6460   Foundations of Measurement

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

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 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

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 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
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 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

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 6557   Ethics in Applied Behavior Analysis

3 sh (may be repeated for up to 0.0 sh of credit)
Prerequisite: EDF6225, EDF6223, EDF6226

Students will study and apply the ethical issues relevant to practicing behavior analysis and implications for the decisions they make in practice.

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

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

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

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

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 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

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

EDF 6915   Action Research for Educational Leaders

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

Guides future educational leaders in the process of sound action research in order to support and sustain positive change to enhance student achievement in K12 schools.

EDF 6943   Supervised Experience in Single Case Design

3 sh (may be repeated for up to 9.0 sh of credit)

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

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

Explores the traditional and contemporary theories of cognition and merges them with educational practices. Examines the ways theories of cognition inform instructional theories and models and informs teaching and learning in specific content areas. Provides students with an 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 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
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 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

Measurement of behavioral data, data display, data interpretation, experimental evaluation of interventions, and ethical considerations of applied behavior analysis and research in educational settings. This course specifically addresses the function of Applied Behavior Analysis as applied to individuals with varying exceptionalities and particularly focuses on those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Continuous and accurate data collection, data interpretation, evaluation of intervention, and ethical considerations are crucial components to competent and responsible intervention for individuals on the Autism Spectrum.

EDF 7476   Survey Research

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
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 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
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 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
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 7489   Advanced Research Methods

1-3 sh (may be repeated for up to 3.0 sh of credit)
Prerequisite: EDF 6475 and EDF 6481

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 7573   Contemporary Curriculum Issues and Theories

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

Explores curriculum conceptions, contributions to curriculum decisions, issues and dilemmas in curriculum development, proposals for the organization of curriculum choices (both past and present), and analysis of curricular reforms. Theoretical foundations underlying curriculum considerations and implications of these for curriculum decision-makers at all levels.

EDF 7638   Social Change and Reform

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

The dynamics of social and cultural change in democratic societies with a special focus on social movements and collective behavior. Practical methodologies in common use among activist and other agents of social change. Provides participants with opportunities to develop and apply some social-change skills. Permission is required.

EDF 7659   Innovative Curriculum and Pedagogical Approaches

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

Provides students with opportunities to review, discuss and implement innovative curriculum and pedagogical strategies that connect school and community learning environments.

EDF 7685   Educational Foundations: A Philosophical and Multicultural Analysis

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

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 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
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 8289   Curriculum Design

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

Historical, sociological, psychological and philosophical foundations of curriculum models, theory and design. Curriculum implementation, construct ion and evaluation. The course incorporates study of recent general develop ments in curriculum theory and construction, and a critical review of curre nt specific curriculum models, plans and guidelines.

EDF 8406   Educational Statistics III: Multivariate Analyses

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
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 8446   Instrument Development and Validation

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
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 8486   Advanced Quantitative Research and Statistics

3 sh (may be repeated for up to 9.0 sh of credit)
Prerequisite: EDF7407, EDF6475, EDF7407

Student will develop advanced skills required to conduct educational resear ch and analyze results. Emphasis is placed on aligning research methodology with appropriate statistical techniques for a particular purpose and set of research questions, and the interpretation of statistical output.

EDF 8936   Advanced Qualitative Research and Strategies: Special Topics

3 sh (may be repeated for up to 9.0 sh of credit)
Prerequisite: EDF6475, EDF6481

Student will develop advanced skills rquired to conduct educaiton research and analyze results. Emphasis is placed on aligning research methodology with appropriate data analysis strategies for a particular purpose and set of research questions.

EDF 8980   Dissertation

1-6 sh (may be repeated for up to 18.0 sh of credit)

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.