Online Liberal Studies Degree

This course transitions students through the foundations of study at University of Phoenix. Students develop personal strategies for achieving educational goals and develop skills in critical thinking, collaboration, and communication.

This course is designed to provide an orientation to the primary components of the Teacher Education Program. Students will be introduced to the program's progression and degree completion requirements. Field Experience, E-Portfolio, Student Teaching, Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA), and technology resources will be discussed.

This course introduces students to the teaching profession. Historical foundations, professionalism, the role of technology, and trends and issues in education are introduced. Students will examine personal reasons for wanting to teach and will create a personal philosophy of education.

This course explores the development of the child from birth through eighth grade. Physical, cognitive/intellectual, social/emotional, and moral development will be examined. The course focuses on defining the various stages as they impact instructional practices and decisions in a pre-K-8 environment.

This course focuses on the theoretical models that underlie teaching and learning for all learners. Effective teaching strategies that promote student learning will be examined. Various lesson plan designs will be explored, and students will create an original lesson plan.

This course focuses on the five key themes of English language arts (ELA) and literacy--meaning making, language development, effective expression, content knowledge, and foundational skills--as well as English language development (ELD) instruction in multiple-subject classrooms. Candidates develop their knowledge of phonemic awareness, spelling patterns, implementing multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), and the literature, language, and comprehension components of literacy instruction. Emphasis is placed on applying interdisciplinary teaching strategies, utilizing universal design for learning (UDL) principles, and supporting diverse learners including English learners and students who have dyslexia. In addition, the course includes a guided field experience in a lower elementary (K-2nd grade) classroom.

This course focuses on instruction for English language learners (ELLs). It emphasizes knowledge of and sensitivity to the history and culture of other languages and ethnic groups, as well as to multiethnic curriculum and instruction. It provides strategies for effective instruction, including standards-based lesson planning and implementation models, and assessment of linguistically diverse K-12 students. In addition, the course addresses ways in which a learner-centered approach to teaching can provide ELLs with a greater opportunity to interact meaningfully with educational materials as they learn subject matter and acquire English.

This course provides an overview of the categories of exceptionality for elementary-age students with special needs. The course focuses on differentiated methods and techniques used for the identification, assessment, and instruction of diverse populations. Historical perspectives and information related to special education law and current policies and practices are examined.

This course examines the strategies used in managing a positive elementary classroom. Topics include management models, motivation, disruptive students, classroom expectations and procedures, communication, and record keeping. Managing materials and technology will also be addressed. Students will develop an individual classroom management plan.

This course is the first of a 2-part series that focuses on preparing teacher candidates for the edTPA® performance-based assessment. Emphasis is placed on Task 1 of the edTPA® final project, which addresses requirements and expectations for edTPA®, academic language, and planning instruction.

This course defines and provides a context for teaching and assessing students in the area of social science and visual and performing arts. Participants will explore state and national standards, student engagement and motivational techniques, and instruction and assessment methods. An emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary practices and the integration of social science and visual or performing arts into other content areas. The course also investigates the use of technology and community involvement in the social science and visual and performing arts classrooms.

This course focuses on methodology and assessment strategies that enhance instruction in mathematics and science. Integrated content, interdisciplinary teaching, classroom management, and curriculum and assessment issues are emphasized. Multiple perspectives of students as learners of math and science, along with current research on pedagogy, are explored. Students are provided the opportunity to develop the ability to evaluate and apply instructional methods, curricular materials and resources, and appropriate assessment strategies.

This course is the second of a 2-part series that focuses on preparing teacher candidates for the edTPA® performance-based assessment. Emphasis is placed on understanding the edTPA® process and Tasks 2, 3, and 4 of the edTPA® final project, which addresses teaching planned lessons, assessment, and evaluation.