A. English as a Second Language

The specialization in English as a Second Language develops knowledge  and skills in the teaching of English as a foreign or second language. The degree is appropriate for international students who want to teach English as a foreign language outside of the United States or for domestic students who do wish to pursue New Jersey K-12 teacher certification but would like to teach ESL in other education settings. Teachers who already hold a primary certification in elementary or content teaching in New Jersey can fulfill the requirements for an endorsement in ESL through the program’s coursework and with approval from the program director and advisor.

ESL Electives (15 credits, taken from the following):

• EDUC 504 - Diversity in Families, Schools, and Communities
• EDUC 556 - Methods of Teaching and Assessment in Language Classrooms
• EDUC 620 - Introduction to Linguistics and the English Language
• EDUC 621 - Second Language Aquisition
• EDUC 622 - Second Language Literacy Development
• EDUC 623 - Assessment in English as a Second Language Classrooms

B. Teaching Students with Disabilities

The specialization in Teaching Students with Disabilities develops  knowledge and skills in teaching special education. The degree does nol lead  to certiflcation but will prepare teachers  who do not wish to pursue  New Jersey  K-12  teacher certification to teach students with disabilllies in other educational  seftings.  Teachers  who already hold  a primary certification in elementary or content  teaching  in New  Jersey can futlill the requirements  for an endorsement in Teachers of Students  with Disabilities through the program’s  coursework and with approval from the program director  and advisor.

Teaching Students with Disabilities Electives  (15 credits, taken from the following):

• EDUC 504 - Diversity in Families, Schools, and Communities
• EDUC 506 - Differentiated Assessment and Instruction
• EDUC 610 - Understanding Special Populations
• EDUC 611 - Evidence-based Instructional Strategies
• EDUC 612 - Assessment of Students with Exceptional Learning Needs
• EDUC 613 - Positive Behavior Supports
• EDUC 614 - Assistive Technology and Transition Planning

C. Teaching and Learning

The specialization in Teaching  and Learning develops  pedagogical  knowledge and skills. The degree will prepare teachers who do not wish to pursue New Jersey K-12 teacher certification to assess students and plan instruction in other educational settings. 

Teaching and Learning Courses (15 credits, taken from the following):

• EDUC 501 - The Developing Learner
• EDUC 502 - Assessment in Education
• EDUC 503 - Instructional Design
• EDUC 505 - Education Policy and Legal Issues

• And one of the following:

• EDUC 520 - Literacy for All Students in the Elementary Classroom OR
• EDUC 530 - Literacy and Learning in Adolescent Classrooms

D. Literacy and Technology

The specialization in Literacy  and Technology  explores the intersections  between literacy and technology  by approaching the study of literacy from both print and digital perspectives. By understanding the impact  technologies have on literacy practices,  educators  can develop effective practices  for teaching literacy  and integrating technology into instruction  in thoughtful ways.

Literacy and Technology Electives (15 credits, taken from the following):

• EDUC 614 - Assistive Technology and Transition Planning
• EDUC 630 - Integrating Technology in Content Areas
• EDUC 631 - Special Topics in Educational Technology
• EDUC 632 - Developing Digital and Media Literacies
• EDUC 633 - Innovation in Education
• EDUC 634 - Inquiry in Literacy Instruction (National Writing Project Summer Institute)
• EDUC 635 - Special Topics in Literacy Instruction
• EDUC 636 - Teachers as Writers

•  

• NOTE:  Additional courses  from Caspersen  School of Graduate Studies may count toward specialization with approval by advisor.

E. Equity and Culture

The specialization in Equity  and Culture  allows educators to explore the role that culture, background, and identity plays  in learning. By recognizing the diversity of families,  schools, and communities, the program  focuses on the effects of policies on education  and the role of educators in advocating for diverse  students.  An interdisciplinary approach  offers opportunities to look at issues  of race, culture, and equity  from multiple perspectives  and to develop practices that move toward social justice.

i. Equity and Culture Required Courses (6 credits):

• EDUC 504 - Diversity in Families, Schools, and Communities
• EDUC 505 - Education Policy and Legal Issues

ii. Equity and Culture Electives (9 credits, taken from the following)

• EDUC 540 - Inquiry in Math and Science
      OR

• EDUC 550 - Inquiry in Language and Literacy  OR 

• EDUC 560 - Historical Inquiry  

• EDUC 610 - Understanding Special Populations
    

• EDUC 614 - Assistive Technology and Transition Planning
    

• EDUC 622 - Second Language Literacy Development
    

• EDUC 623 - Assessment in English as a Second Language Classrooms
    

• BBST 601 - The Politics of Biblical Interpretation

• BBST 610 - African American Visionaries and the Bible

• BBST 687 - The Kin-dom of God and Social Change

• CHST 768 - Race and American Christianity

• CSOC 500 - Religion and the Social Process

• CSOC 530 - Global Hip-Hop and Youth Activism

• CSOC 550 - Religion and the Earth

• CSOC 619 - The Search for the Good Community

• CSOC 644 - Ethically Responding to Violence Against Women

• CSOC 536 - Everyday Ethics

• CSOC 620 - Religions and Food: Feast, Fast, Farming and Famine

• CSOC 648 - Medical and Healthcare Ethics

• HC 818 - Topics in American History
    

• HC 888 - Gender in American History
    

• HC 889 - History of Sexuality in the Contemporary West
    

• HC 890 - Anthropological Perspectives on History and Culture
    

NOTE:  Additional courses  from Caspersen  School of Graduate Studies may count toward specialization with approval by advisor.

F. Conflict Resolution

The specialization in Conflict Resolution  allows educators or administrators to gain vital skills in leadership, mediation and conflict resolution.  By exploring historical and culiural forces around the globe, educators build in depth knowledge about religion, nationality,  heritage, and social identity as drivers of conflict. An interdisciplinary  approach offers opportunities to learn from experts  in the fields of dispute  resolution and law enforcement  in order to understand effective conflict resolution practices in an education setting.

i. Conflict Resolution Required Courses (6 credits):

• ARCR 801 - Introduction to Mediation and Conflict Management: Practicum
• ARCR 832 - Conflict Resolution for Educational Professionals

ii. Conflict Resolution Electives (9 credits, taken from following):

• ARCR 800 - Religion Culture and Conflict: Intro to Peace and Conflict Studies
• ARCR 805 - Advanced Mediation and Conflict Management
• ARCR 808 - The Anthropology of Peace and Conflict: World Wisdom for Conflict Resolution
• ARCR 809 - Religious Pluralism in America
• ARCR 811 - Advanced Mediation
• ARCR 850 - Supervised Internship

•  

• NOTE:  Additional courses from Caspersen School of Graduate Studies may count toward specialization with approval by advisor.

G. Religion, Theology, and Society

This specialization provides a distinctive learning opportunity for educators who want to work at the intersections of K-12 education  and private religious education.  Providing a basic foundation  in theological traditions and the study of religions and society, the program prioritizes crllical, ethical, and constructive engagement with  faith traditions.  This knowledge is relevant to education in religiously-affiliated  private schools.

i. Christian Traditions Courses (9 credits):

• BBST 501 - Biblical Literature I: Torah, Prophets, Writings 

• BBST 511 - Biblical Literature II: Gospels, Epistles, Apocalypse

And of the following: 

• CSOC 501 - Christian Ethics

• TPHL 501 - Systematic Theology

ii. Religion and Pluralistic Society Electives (3 credits, taken from the following):

• CSOC 500 - Religion and the Social Process
• CSOC 550 - Religion and the Earth
• CSOC 543 - The Changing Religious Landscape of the United States
• PSTH 563 - Music of the World’s Religions
• TPHL 508 - Challenge of World Religions to Christian Faith and Practice

iii. Religion and Social Justice Elective (3 credits, taken from the following):

• BBST 610 - African American Visionaries and the Bible
• BBST 687 - The Kin-dom of God and Social Change
• CSOC 530 - Global Hip-Hop and Youth Activism
• CSOC 551 - Christianity and Ecology
• CSOC 619 - The Search for the Good Community
• CSOC 620 - Religions and Food: Feast, Fast, Farming and Famine
• CSOC 644 - Ethically Responding to Violence Against Women
• TPHL 630 - Religion and Incarceration

NOTE:  Additional courses  from Caspersen  School of Graduate Studies may count toward specialization with approval by advisor.