Unless otherwise indicated, each of the specialty courses in educational leadership is an approved graduate-level course at both Minnesota State University Moorhead and North Dakota State University and may be offered on either the MSUM or NDSU campus. Courses at NDSU are listed as 700 numbers; courses at MSUM are listed as 600 numbers for master's level courses and 700 numbers for post-master's study.
ED 703/603 Research, Measurement, and Program Evaluation
Methodology and design of research studies; organizational reporting analysis, and interpretation of research. (3 credits).
ED 713/613 Social, Political, and Community Dimensions of Education
This course provides school leaders with an understanding of the historical, philosophical, ethical, social, and economic influences affecting education to the degree that they can apply their understandings to professional decisions. Students are expected to apply political concepts, strategies, and approaches to collaboration that involve the community in decision making, build community support for integrating health and social services in support of students, and develop community support for school priorities. Throughout the course, students' work will be expected to manifest a sensitivity to issues of diversity in a pluralistic society. (4 credits)
ED 717 Adult Learning
Deals with recent research concerning adult learning within the context of planning and operating effective adult education programs. (2 credits)
ED 718 Community Education
A study of the theory base on which community education is founded. Consideration is given to implementing the concept in the community with available resources. (2 credits)
ED 730/630 Leadership, Planning, and Organizational Behavior in Education
This course provides school leaders with preparation in skills for providing purpose and direction for individuals and groups, shaping school culture and value, facilitating the development of a shared strategic vision for the school, formulating goals and planning change efforts with staff, and setting priorities for one's school in the context of community and district priorities for student and staff needs. (3 credits)
ED 731/631 Educational Law and Organizational Structure of Education
This course is designed as a beginning law course for school administrators. Topics to be studied include organizational structure of schools, federal and state court systems, church-state issues, teacher rights, student rights, rights of students with disabilities, instructional issues, tort liability, and equal opportunity in education. (3 credits)
ED 732/632 Curriculum, Instruction, and Learning Theory
This course provides school leaders the ability to understand major curriculum design models, interpret school district curricula, initiate needs analyses, plan and implement with staff a framework for instruction, align curriculum with anticipated outcomes, monitor social and technological developments as they affect curriculum, and adjust content as needs and conditions change. (4 credits)
ED 733/633 Technology and Information Systems
This course provides an understanding of selected computer applications for educational administrators. The focus of instruction is to have educational leaders use the computer as a decision-making and planning tool for carrying out communication functions of leadership at the building and district office levels. (2 credits)
ED 734/634 Personal Communications and Ethics
This course prepares aspiring school leaders to plan for their personal and professional development, understand and use the principles of interpersonal, oral, and written communication, and follow a professional code of ethics and values. (3 credits)
ED 735/635 Personnel, Supervision, and Staff Development
This course provides school leaders with preparation in skills for instructional improvement and working with faculty and staff to identify professional needs. Classes are designed for in-depth study and practice planning, organizing, and facilitating programs that improve faculty and staff effectiveness and are consistent with institutional goals and needs; supervising individuals and groups; providing feedback on performance; arranging for remedial assistance; engaging faculty and others to plan and participate in recruitment and development activities; and initiating self-development. (4 credits)
ED 736/636 Policy and Educational Finance
This course provides school leaders with an understanding about managing and allocating resources in a political climate in which policy decisions are based upon historical resource allocations. (2 credits)
ED 738/638 Administration of the Elementary School
This course presents the common elements of leadership and practices of management as they apply to the elementary school principal. as they apply to the principalship. (2 credits)
ED 739/639 Administration of the Secondary School
This course presents the common elements of leadership and practices of management as they apply to the secondary school principal. (2 credits)
ED 742/642 Elementary School Curriculum
History, development, and evaluation of curriculum. Analysis of recent trends and development of curriculum sequence at elementary level. Prerequisite: Education 537 is recommended. (2 credits)
ED 743/643 Secondary School Curriculum
A study of contemporary curriculum patterns with emphasis on curricular construction and evaluation. (2 credits)
ED 744/644 Administration of the Middle School
The organization and administration of educational programs for early adolescents with special consideration given to block scheduling, interdisciplinary teams, adviser-advisee problems.(2 credits)
ED 748 Collective Bargaining and Negotiation in Education
A study of the principles and processes of collective bargaining in public educational institutions. Development of negotiation skills through participation in simulations. (2 credits)
ED 777 Tort Liability
An examination of the legal liability of teachers, administrators, and public school boards for injurious intentional and unintentional acts. Prerequisite: Educ. 731. (2 credits)
ED 779 Politics and Policy Analysis in Education
An examination of politics and policy development in American public education with consideration given to current development in local, state, and national issues. Prerequisite: Ed 712, 731. (2 credits)
ED 780 Instructional Models
Investigation of current practices and trends in instructional models. Emphasis will be placed on the relationship of current research to contemporary practice. (2 credits)
ED 782 Supervisory and Administrative Theories
A study of management models and techniques, needs assessment, goal setting, planning and evaluation systems, and decision-making problems as they relate to the school improvement process. (4 credits).
ED 783 Computer Data Management and Decision Making
An understanding of effective computer applications in order to use the computer as a decision-making and planning tool for school financial and managerial functions relating to the field of school business administration and school district superintendency. (2 credits)
ED 784 School Personnel Administration
A study of personnel administration in public school systems. Includes an examination of the purposes, policies, plans, procedures, and processes of personnel administration. Prerequisite: Ten semester credits of graduate level coursework in professional education. (2 credits)
ED 786 School Facility Planning
An overview of the principles in planning, construction, and maintenance of school buildings. The course will include visits to educational facilities and the assessment of school buildings. (2 credits)
ED 788 School Finance and Business Management
An overview of school fund revenues and expenditures pertaining to local, state, and federal funding. This includes an in-depth study of the skills and practices of school business administration pertaining to all fund activities in instruction and ancillary activities. (4 credits)
ED 789 School Community Relations
The purposes, organization, agencies, and criteria of good school-community relationships, knowledge and techniques for effective public relations. Prerequisite: Ed 739, M.S. or equivalent in educational leadership. (2 credits)
ED 790 Seminar: Superintendency
An examination of the role and functions of the public school district superintendent. Prerequisite: Ten credits of graduate level coursework in professional education. (2 credits)
ED 794 Practicum: Budget and Business Management
ED 794 Practicum: Community Education Leadership
ED 794 Practicum: Elementary School Principalship
ED 794 Practicum: General Leadership
ED 794 Practicum: Secondary School Principalship
ED 794 Practicum: Superintendency
ED 794 Practicum: Supervision
ED 796 Special Topics (NDSU, 1-5 credits) or Seminar in School Leadership and Supervision (MSU, 1-4 credits)
ED 797 Masters Research Paper/Individual Study
For advanced graduate students on independent problems. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.(2 credits)
ED 798s/799 Field Study (1-4 credits)
Supporting Courses in Professional Education
The supporting professional education courses for students in educational leadership are drawn from graduate-level education courses offered by Moorhead State University and North Dakota State University. This section describes those courses which are currently included among the various Educational Leadership Program curricula.
EECE 625 Improvement of Instruction in Reading and Language Arts
Designed to meet needs of teachers enrolled. All phases of reading and language arts process or evaluation are appropriate. Prerequisite: Teaching experience. (2 credits)
ED 595 Special Problems
Individual exploration of topical area through field placement, reading or research. (1-2 credits)
EECE 650 Science: Elementary School Research
Current issues, and assessment in elementary school science. Hands-on experience with a variety of physical science activities. Prerequisite: Teaching license or consent of instructor.
EECE 651 Trends and Methods in Elementary School Mathematics
Current trends, methods, and materials relating to the teaching of mathematics in the elementary school will be analyzed with an emphasis on children's needs and understanding. Prerequisite: Teaching licensure or consent of instructor.
EECE 652 Current Trends in Elementary Social Studies
Examines the teaching of social studies as a process approach. Emphasis on skill development in inquiry teaching as social science study technique. Prerequisite: Teaching experience. (2 credits)
ED 701/601 Psychological Foundations of Education
Schools and systems of psychology; principles underlying learning and instruction. (2 credits)
ED 702/602 Statistics in Educational Research
Basic theory, techniques for using descriptive and inferential statistics, and application in educational research designs. (2 credits)
ED 603 Methods of Research
Methodology and design of research studies, organization, reporting, analysis, and interpretation of research. Prerequisite: Education 702/502 is recommended. (2 credits)
ED 710/610 Philosophy of Education
Major philosophical concepts and principles as they apply to education from Plato to the present. (2 credits)
ED 714 History of American Education
Historical and intellectual development of education in the United States from the colonial period to the present. (2 credits)
ED 717 Adult Learning
Deals with recent research concerning adult learning within the context of planning and operating effective adult education programs. (2 credits)
ED 733/633 Computer Utilization in the Classroom
Exploration of computer equipment, operations, means of communication with computers, and instructional use and impact of computers in society. (2 credits)
ED 743/643 Secondary School Curriculum
A study of the contemporary curriculum patterns with emphasis on curricular construction and evaluation. (2 credits)
ED 641 Developments in Elementary Education
A study of a particular problem of recent program developments in elementary education. Topics vary each quarter. (2 credits)
ED 642 Elementary School Curriculum
History, development, and evaluation of curriculum. Analysis of recent trends and development of curriculum sequence at elementary level. Prerequisite: Education 537 is recommended. (2 credits)
ED 747 Analysis of Elementary Reading Instruction
Reading process, psychological and linguistic foundations, program assessments, and diagnostic approaches, skills, and individualization. (2 credits)
ED 780 Instructional Models
Investigation of current practices and trends in instructional models. Emphasis will be placed on relating current research to contemporary practice. Use of videotaping and simulation experiences are included. (2 credits)
ED 785 Organization and Administration of Vocational-Technical Education
Developing and operating vocational and technical education programs on the secondary, junior college and college levels. (2 credits)
