Continuing Teacher Education Courses

This course investigates the concepts of funding public education. Methods of revenue sources, taxation, legislative issues, adequate funding, equality of funding, financing school facilities, and other school finance considerations will be examined. The development and practical application of the public school budget will be analyzed.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course will focus on the responsibilities of personnel administration/human resources in education. Methods of recruitment, selection, induction, development, compensation, and appraisal will be examined. Strategic planning, employment continuity, employment justice including laws, policies and procedures, and unionism will be analyzed.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course will provide opportunities for students to examine the constitutional framework, court systems, legal issues, and the impact each has on the educational environment. Landmark cases will be reviewed and analyzed regarding their impact on the education community.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course is designed to give students an understanding of charter schools within the framework of public education. Students will develop, design, and discern the value of charter schools within their community. This course will teach the critical components of developing a charter, understanding the governance of charter schools and applying those rules and laws within their charter development, and comparing the value of charter schools within their community.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course focuses on the duties and responsibilities of the superintendent and the local school board. The importance of the internal and external relationships will be addressed. Particular attention will be given to the relationship between the superintendent and the local school board, communication, and leadership skills. Insight will be provided on the process of preparing and obtaining the superintendency.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course is designed to provide students with an overview of educational leadership and an understanding of the issues facing women in educational leadership positions. It examines the various styles of leadership and explores how leadership occurs in an educational environment. The course provides women with the foundation necessary to become educational leaders and explores the unique perspective of women as high achieving leaders.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course is designed to provide information and direction for the formal implementation and maintenance of a school-based management model. The course will describe the roles of all stakeholders, including the district, governing board, and site councils, and analyze the importance of setting parameters on a district-wide basis to ensure quality and accountability. Students will determine how, when, and where to work with school reform as it relates to school-based management and school councils.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course provides information on federal and state laws and guidelines related to implementing special education within the school setting. Parents' and students' rights are addressed. The course focuses on the responsibilities of the administration and the impact on the educational program as a whole.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course will examine the ethical principles of an administrator in the educational setting. Students will develop and refine the skills necessary to analyze and integrate constructive ethics into practices that lead to success. Emphasis is placed on the ways ethics affect thinking, decision making, professional conduct, and learning.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course introduces students to the historical, legal, and theoretical frameworks of education for second language learners in the United States. It also identifies effective instructional models and teaching practices and defines aspects of multicultural education that impact the development of programs for second language learners.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course introduces issues related to the assessment of students who are second language learners. The relationship between teaching and assessment, progress reporting, content area testing, program interventions, and the role of parents will be addressed.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

Linguistics introduces educators to the study of nature, structure, and acquisition of language. This course examines the first and second language acquisition process. It addresses the cultural implications of language and classroom instruction, focusing on the integration of theory and practice. The course explores the following areas of linguistics: semantics, pragmatics, syntax, phonetics, and grammar.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course focuses on the strategies appropriate for teaching bilingual students. It introduces a variety of instructional theories, methods, and approaches to promote learning and language. Also, effective parental involvement within diverse communities is explored.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course is designed to give educators information and techniques that will increase their students’ understanding, knowledge, and appreciation of many cultures and countries around the world. Teachers will learn how to integrate this information with many other academic areas; thus giving additional motivation and enhancing tools to the informed teacher. Using a variety of hands-on experiences, teachers will learn historic, geographic, and religious influences that contribute to the creation of the art forms of these cultures.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course focuses on basic helping-relationship practices based on individual intervention and guidance. Techniques and skills are investigated and applied to situations commonly faced by personnel in the context of the populations they serve within a school setting.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course examines the various aspects of small group work within a school setting. It also presents techniques and strategies for the non-counseling credentialed adult who is interested in working with students who may benefit from the small group process.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course introduces the new Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program (CGCP) of the American School Counseling Association’s (ASCA) National Model for elementary, middle/junior high, and high school students.  It also presents a systematic approach to the foundation, delivery, management, accountability elements, and implementation of guidance programs in schools.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course introduces counseling theories commonly used in a school setting. The theoretical frameworks including philosophies, key concepts, techniques, and procedures studied in this course will give an introductory experience of learning how school counselors assist school-age children in working through personal issues that prevent social and academic success.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course emphasizes the legal and ethical responsibilities of the school counselor. Students become familiar with the code of ethics and legal parameters of their disciplines in order to effectively interpret and act upon situations in an appropriate and effective manner. Content includes client rights, confidentiality, duty to warn and protect dual relationships, supervision and consulting, ethics and special populations, and ethical decision making.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course provides a foundation of knowledge in psychometric principles, necessary to gain an understanding of instruments and other methods of assessment to make educational counseling decisions. Ethical and legal issues of assessment are examined and common testing instruments are reviewed. Administration, scoring, and interpretation of standardized tests are described. The purposes of assessment are considered for placement, planning, and accountability in the educational counseling setting.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course provides a study of health and nutrition education for the classroom teacher.  Topics include wellness, nutrition, cardiovascular health, sexually transmitted diseases, and alcohol, narcotics, drugs, and tobacco use. Health assessments and reflections provide an opportunity to assess personal health habits. Plans and resources for sharing important health information with students are also explored.

Credits: 2

Full Course Description

This course provides an overview of Arizona history and its constitution from pre-territorial days to the present. The focus is on learning the original intent and current impact of the Arizona constitution.

Credits: 1

Full Course Description

This course is a study of the creation, application, and viability of the United States Constitution.  Students explore the historical and philosophical origins of the document in an effort to understand the Constitution's original intent and current usage. This course also focuses on the Constitution's evolution by examining the interpretation of the Constitution during the changing social and political climates of the United States.

Credits: 1

Full Course Description

This course is designed to meet the Nevada teacher licensure requirements in Nevada school law and Nevada Constitution. The course introduces students to the sources of educational law, related research, fundamental law concepts, case briefings of significant court decisions at the state and federal level, and Nevada statutory and regulatory materials used by school practitioners. The course also addresses codes of ethics and morality related to educational law.

Credits: 2

Full Course Description

This course is designed to provide an overview of technology and its applications in the school library/media center setting. Students will develop an understanding of computer networks in libraries, library automation software, and Web applications for information retrieval. Students will explore acceptable use policies for technology, technology standards for students and teachers, and emerging trends in library technology.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course is a survey of the practices, standards, and values of the library profession focusing on current trends. The roles and responsibilities of the school library media specialist as teacher, information specialist, instructional partner, and program administrator will be explored. Additional attention will focus on concepts of information retrieval and the ethical and legal contexts in which it occurs; as well as exploring leadership, advocacy, and partnership opportunities.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course is designed to familiarize students with the processes and procedures used to select resources for school libraries. Students will survey children’s and young adult's literature and techniques for building and maintaining library collections. Additional focus will be given to integrating library resources and curriculum standards. Students will have the opportunity to examine censorship and the needs of diverse populations.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course will survey principles and practices involved in the role, function, and administration of K-12 school library media centers. Topics will include budgeting, personnel issues, time management, fund raising, and resource sharing. In addition, issues of copyright compliance will be discussed.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course is designed to examine the programs and services of the school library media center. Topics will include the identification of student characteristics, ways to lead innovation in the school community, and professional resources for faculty and staff. Consideration will be given to both everyday activities and special events. Additionally, students will explore ways to encourage and promote the effective use of the library and its resources and to develop collaborative efforts within the school community.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course will focus on the ability to find and use information-the keystone of lifelong learning. Emphasis will be placed on selecting, evaluating, and cataloging resources. Students will discuss instructional techniques and assessment for teaching information literacy. Ethical issues of plagiarism will also be addressed.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course is designed to assist classroom teachers and reading specialists in diagnosing reading difficulties as demonstrated by the students in the classroom. It examines the definition of reading, problems exhibited by students, and the use of group and individual instruction methods for remediation. The course covers a variety of remediation activities and materials to meet the problems presented by students through their learning styles, as well as a variety of assessment procedures.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course provides an overview of current theory regarding the teaching of reading. Students become familiar with the philosophical and research bases of various reading techniques.  Emphasis is placed on acquiring new strategies for instruction and assessment, which are practiced during the course practicum. Included in the practicum is the opportunity for each student to tutor a school-aged child in reading.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course offers an integrated approach to the teaching of reading, particularly for the intermediate and middle school grades 4-8. Students explore specific strategies designed to help children construct meaning across the curriculum and efficiently handle content area text. Pre-reading techniques, vocabulary development, writing, and motivational issues are addressed, as well as word identification through the use of semantic, syntactic, and graphophonic cues.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course explores methods to help children in primary grades K-3 develop effective literacy skills through an integrated reading approach.  It focuses on the philosophy of literature-based reading programs, teaching techniques for integrated content instruction, and the development of holistic assessment/evaluation methods for young emergent readers.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course offers a cross-curricular approach to the teaching of reading in the secondary school, grades 7-12. Through modeled and practiced activities, content area educators will learn pre-, during-, and post-reading strategies to meet the needs of students who do not read at grade level.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course examines the language and literacy needs of elementary bilingual and ESL learners in the classroom. The focus will be on communication skills and strategies of reading, writing, speaking, listening, thinking, collaborating, viewing, and presenting. Students learn to judge the literary quality and cultural authenticity of multicultural literature. Integration of multicultural literature through literature-based instruction will be emphasized throughout the elementary curriculum to increase sensitivity to the role literature plays in the development of understanding across cultures.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course addresses the basic premise that explicit integrated phonics instruction is a fundamental component of effective reading programs. Students study the relevant research and applications that support principles of phonological awareness, and sequential phonics instruction. They also review traditional and contemporary phonics approaches.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This beginning Spanish language course introduces learners to simple grammar and appreciation of the Hispanic culture.  The course specifically focuses on educators who are beginning Spanish-language learners and need to communicate with English Language Learners (ELLs) and their parents.  The focus will be on real-life situations, the classroom, and school terminology.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course informs educators of proper methods of student and parent communication in Spanish. This course focuses on real-life situations, the classroom, and school terminology using complex grammatical structures, verb tenses, and conjugations. In addition, students analyze the sociolinguistic aspect of the Spanish language to improve their comprehension of cultural differences.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course offers an introduction to children with special needs (physically and mentally disabled) in early childhood education programs.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course will begin by exploring the normal development of articulation and language skills.  Beginning with the birth cry, language acquisition will be traced through childhood.  Various speech/language disorders encountered in the school setting, as well as in clinical environments, will be investigated.  The following areas will be addressed: articulation disorders, language disorders, cleft palate, stuttering, and voice disorders.  General remediation principles will be presented, as well as an overview of the speech/language profession today.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course explores definitions of giftedness, ways of identifying gifted students, and types of programs developed for this population. It addresses issues in educating the gifted and introduces concepts that apply to gifted endorsement.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course examines the need for guidance and counseling of children with gifts and talents.  Motivational and self-concept issues will be analyzed, and career and family counseling for children with gifts and talents will be discussed.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course provides an overview of the categories of severe disabilities. Students will be introduced to special education laws, instructional strategies, assessments, inclusion, and cultural issues as they relate to students with severe disabilities. The importance of social development, vocational education, and transition services is discussed.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course examines the history, definition, and current theories of creativity, including intermingling concepts of giftedness, talent, and creativity.  Steps of the creative process are outlined and characteristics of creative individuals in various domains are examined.  Strategies to encourage creativity through motivation and schooling are presented, as well as things to avoid.  Techniques for creativity training are demonstrated.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course examines mainstreaming/inclusion of children with special needs in regular classroom programs. Options for success are explored, along with the problems that may arise. Through classroom discussions, class projects, and class materials, students focus on strategies that enable both the child and the regular classroom teacher to meet with success.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course will introduce students to the concept of and methods for instructing in a Structured English Immersion (SEI) environment. Students will learn about assessment of K-12 students, state standards, research-based instructional activities, and lesson planning and implementation models. Students will study how a learner-centered approach to teaching can provide English Language Learners (ELL), as well as native English speakers, with a greater opportunity to interact meaningfully with educational materials as they learn subject matter and EL Learners acquire English.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course addresses Structured English Immersion (SEI) instruction and assessment of K-12 English Language Learners (ELLs), and is designed to meet the standards set by the Arizona Department of Education. It examines the legal, historical, and educational reasons for SEI, as well as theoretical principles of language acquisition and the role of culture in learning. It also emphasizes the alignment of ELL Proficiency Standards to Arizona’s Academic Standards and their application to lesson planning. The Arizona English Language Learner Assessment (AZELLA), use of alternative assessments, analysis of data, and the application of data to instruction, are emphasized as well. A final project synthesizes the concepts and instructional strategies taught in the course.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course is designed to give educators information and techniques that will increase their students’ understanding, knowledge, and appreciation of many cultures and countries around the world. Teachers will learn how to integrate this information with many other academic areas; thus giving additional motivation and enhancing tools to the informed teacher. Using a variety of hands-on experiences, teachers will learn historic, geographic, and religious influences that contribute to the creation of the art forms of these cultures.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course focuses on methodologies for instructing Second Language Learners (SLL). Also, it reviews theories, programs, and instructional strategies that support effective methods for teaching second language learners.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course introduces students to a variety of cultural beliefs and customs, which may affect communication and interactions between the school and home communities. Students will become familiar with the characteristics and traditions of various cultures by studying multicultural concepts, teaching strategies, effective parental involvement, and appropriate multicultural materials.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course examines literacy issues related to the acquisition of English and the use of home language by Second Language Learners (SLL) in all second language programs. It also presents processes and strategies to enhance the biliteracy skills of SLL students.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course will present ideas for implementing critical and creative thinking in the classroom, as well as strategies for teaching higher-order thinking skills. The course will provide opportunities to practice and incorporate thinking skills into the classroom curriculum and the learning environment.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course will examine the elements that contribute to the violence occurring in America's P-12 school system. Students will analyze and generate possible steps for alleviating the tragic violence that has intruded on our educational system.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course is designed to help educators and administrators develop effective interpersonal, group, and public communication skills. Strategies and techniques presented will include one-on-one interaction, organizational teamwork, strategies for conducting productive meetings, public presentation, and speaking styles. Emphasis is placed on communications with parents, teachers, the governing board, the superintendents, and the community.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course provides an overview of the history, development, mission and purpose, governance, curriculum and instruction, functions, trends, and issues of the community college. Additionally, this course will discuss funding sources and will identify essential and non-essential student services. National, state and local perspectives will also be reviewed and analyzed.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course is designed to explain how Arizona's Instrument to Measure Standards (A.I.M.S.) is used to assess students' knowledge and skills in relation to the Arizona Academic Standards. Individuals taking this course will be provided with a brief historical background of the development process used to create A.I.M.S. and procedures used to validate the assessment. The assessment will be explained in terms of the type of test items, grading procedures, and required cut-scores. The rubric used to grade student writing samples, known as the six-trait analytical writing rubric, will also be presented to assist teachers in integrating this rubric into their daily writing activities. Instruction will be provided showing how to integrate Arizona's Academic Standards for students into lesson plans and to create simple assessments to evaluate these standards.

Credits: 1

Full Course Description

This course is designed for educators who wish to learn how the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) will impact their districts and schools, as well as their own experiences as a teacher or administrator.  Students will learn the basic provisions of the act, including its requirements for the state, district, and individual school accountability.  Additionally, the course will examine the assessment requirements of NCLB, the requirements for highly qualified teachers and paraprofessionals, the act’s implications for special populations such as special education and Limited English Proficient (LEP) children, and the requirements governing “persistently dangerous schools.”  Completion of the course will enable students to consider thoughtfully how best to respond to the often daunting requirements of the law.

Credits: 1

Full Course Description

This course examines the junior high and middle school. The course will evaluate the unique characteristics of the adolescent, diversity among middle school students, structures of middle school, and curriculum and instruction.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course will focus on strategies for developing and implementing critical and creative thinking skills for gifted and talented students. The course will provide opportunities to practice and incorporate thinking skills into the classroom curriculum and the learning environment.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course focuses on what effective schools are doing to increase achievement of all students. It examines approaches for developing and implementing a strategic school improvement plan, including school- and community-wide decision making, shared governance, and action research.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course explores the current trends and approaches to the mental, physical, social, and emotional characteristics of adolescents and their subcultures. In this course, students review how adolescents react to and cope with influential factors in today’s society. Students also analyze how adolescents interact with their peers and families in school environments and in various settings throughout the community.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the duties and responsibilities of the school administrator and how leadership occurs in the educational environment.  The course also explores leadership in terms of the changing role of the administrator, communication and human interaction, analysis and planning, and decision making.  This course incorporates and reflects current research in the area of educational leadership and schools as organizational systems.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

Students explore the theories, models, and strategies for teaching and learning the components of the language arts program for elementary school. Students are given the opportunity to acquire knowledge and to apply strategies for teaching reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing, and visual representing.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This methods course is designed for elementary educators who instruct children in citizenship education. The course emphasizes the instructional methods and strategies that help students understand key social studies concepts through active learning.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course focuses on the methodology and assessment strategies that enhance learning in elementary mathematics. Topics include an overview of mathematics content and process standards, developmentally appropriate instructional strategies, assessment, and classroom and materials management.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

The purpose of this course is to focus on the development of a balanced and articulated elementary school science program. An evaluation of texts and reference materials, development of hands-on activities, and the use of teacher-made and commercial equipment are among the topics discussed.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course is designed to introduce the elements and principles of art instruction to the regular classroom teacher.  An emphasis is placed on integrating art across the curriculum.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course examines the secondary mathematics classroom, including research and learning theories in mathematics, curriculum, teaching strategies, integrating technology into the mathematics classroom, and assessment strategies.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course is designed to explore secondary art instruction. Students learn to create relevant art lesson plans and assessments for diverse learners. The following topics are also explored: analyzing art, incorporating art from diverse perspectives, using technology for art instruction, and managing art activities in the classroom.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course is designed for the elementary classroom, the math lab, and some high school classrooms. This course examines how the different art disciplines apply to processing math concepts. Students learn to integrate art into math instruction, create math–art lessons, adapt math–art lessons for diverse populations, and utilize technology tools and resources for math–art instruction. Students create materials for use in their respective classrooms and grade levels.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course examines the components comprising quality cooperative education programs for high school students, including work-based learning, youth employment laws, employability skills, equity issues, workplace standards, and other work-related experiences related to career and technical education cooperative programs.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course focuses on designing school curriculum and instructional strategies and examines the history of curriculum development. The social impact on curriculum is addressed, as well as the importance of national and state standards in curriculum development.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course examines the major issues in United States education and their historical, social, cultural, economic, and philosophical bases. The course also examines the implications of instructing diverse student populations.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course is a study of growing and learning theories of early childhood through adolescence. The focus is on the stages of life and the developmental domains in each stage including language, cognitive, physical, moral, and social-emotional. In addition, growing and learning theories are explored through a developmental perspective.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course covers time management, student self-motivation. Instructional equipment, subject-centered strategies, laboratory safety, and discipline, as well as written and verbal communication skills from early childhood through the secondary level.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course analyzes and assimilates procedures for integrating technology into elementary education curricula for student learning. Evaluation and enhancement of student learning methods are distinguished. Discussion on educational technology leadership is also evaluated.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course focuses on technology teaching methods, the process of integrating technology into curricula, and advocating for technology utilization at the secondary level. Students will learn methods to evaluate and enhance learning. Students will also analyze exemplary lesson plans that incorporate technology and will create lesson plans and units. In addition, an overview of strategies for educational technology leadership will be provided.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course provides students with the knowledge necessary to assist with technical support issues in an educational environment. Topics include the role of the troubleshooter, an overview of the personal computer, systematic approach to troubleshooting, and maintenance. Troubleshooting basics will be provided for the personal computer, peripherals, and software problems.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course is intended for students with a basic proficiency in computer applications who wish to learn the fundamental techniques and procedures in a multimedia environment. Students will be able to explore multimedia presentation software, still images, and/or video images designed to produce classroom lessons. Students learn applications and procedures that effectively incorporate multimedia-based information resources.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course is designed for students who have a basic proficiency with computers and who wish to explore the instructional resources on the Internet. The course focuses on instructional models that effectively incorporate real-world information resources within instructional units, lesson plans, and student projects. Students will create technology-enhanced lesson plans.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course is designed for intermediate-level Internet users. The focus of the course is the integration of the Internet into the educational setting. The design, development, and implementation of curriculum webs, Internet research techniques, and assessment of student achievement are discussed. The course features the application of the Internet to enhance curriculum content, lessons, and instructional materials.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course provides teachers, trainers, and other educators with fundamental knowledge of Web construction. Students explore Web content theories and apply them directly to educational projects. Students will use a variety of Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) editors to create material appropriate for educational settings. Students will research educational Web related issues and implement the knowledge gained when designing Web sites.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course will focus on the use of Microsoft® PowerPoint® as an instructional aid for teachers and a presentation tool for students. The course covers basic concepts, including creating slide shows, incorporating features such as animation, speaker notes, video, and Internet links.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description

This course focuses on the use of various technologies and software applications appropriate for P-12 curriculum. The emphasis of this course is on implementing student-centered learning by effectively integrating technology into lesson plans. The use of technology as a classroom management tool will also be explored.

Credits: 3

Full Course Description