Master's Degree in New Jersey
Program Overview (New for Summer 2021)
- A) Required Instructional Core – 5 courses (15 credits)
- B) Concentration Options - 3 courses (9 credits) chosen from one of five Concentrations Options
- C) Electives - choose 2 courses (6 credits) from any RTC courses (may include transfer courses, pending approval)
- D) Required Culminating Experience Presentation (0 credits)
TOTAL: 5 + 3 + 2 (+ 0) = 30 CREDITS
A) Required Instructional Core (5) (Five 3-Credit Courses)
*It is strongly suggested that EDUC510 be one of the first three courses taken
- Assessment Techniques: Assessing for Student LearningEDIN542
Experience and analyze authentic assessment, as well as study the progression of the standards-based movement and how the Common Core State Standards will better allow educators to prepare students for the future.
- Styles of Teaching: Personality Type in the ClassroomEDIN548
Based on Jung’s four temperaments, issues pertaining to teaching, learning, classroom management, communication, conflict resolution, esteem building, and problem solving will be examined and applied to classroom situations.
- Exploration of Reflective TeachingEDUC510 *see note above
This exploratory course guides teachers through personalized classroom inquiry based on their own challenges, questions, and professional needs.
- Brain-Based Teaching and LearningEDIN560
Current research in neuroscience indicates ways that brains naturally learn best, and applications to the K-12 classroom.
- Differentiated InstructionEDIN570
The focus of this course is to provide a framework to design effective instruction for all students using students’ learning styles, interests and level of readiness.
B) Concentration Options (3 courses (9 credits) chosen from one of five Concentrations Options)
Option 1: Teaching Strategies
select three (3-credit courses) of the following options
- Encouraging Skillful, Critical, and Creative ThinkingEDIN545
A practical, experiential course for all educators to explore and apply a variety of instructional strategies to teach students to be better thinkers.
- Technology with Ease: Enhancing the Modern Classroom EDIN573
Focus on keeping ahead of the technological curve, regardless of your initial comfort working with technology. This course is designed to increase confidence in integrating technology using emerging web applications. Explore the use of educational technology to facilitate student learning and have students become digitally prepared for the 21st Century.
- UDL: Transforming Learning Through Technology and Design EDIN536
Learner variability is the rule in today's fast-paced classrooms. Research suggests that is is no longer acceptable to design with an average learner in mind. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework designed to personalize learning, proactively address learning challenges, and design with access in mind. This course provides participants with a fundamental understanding of UDL, how to design accessible lessons and infuse educational technology to personalize learning.
- The Kinesthetic Classroom: Teaching and Learning Through Movement EDIN553
Instructional content can be enlivened in the K-12 classroom through the use of dynamic movement and kinesthetic activity. By using movement, academic standards can be met, test scores can be improved and important life skills can be developed.
- The Kinesthetic Classroom II: Moving Across the Standards EDIN554
Design kinesthetic activities for the K-12 classroom focusing on teaching Common Core and national standards based on content. Design effective action plans to increase movement in the school environment.
Option 2: The Diverse Classroom
select three (3-credit courses) of the following options
- The Bully Proof ClassroomEDIN559
Bullying is an important issue facing families, schools, communities, and society. Understand the issues and develop strategies to address the problem.
- Skills and Strategies for Inclusion and Disability Awareness EDIN555
Educators will gain a deeper understanding of disabilities, and examine the social, academic and physical considerations in school, community and home as factors in the learning environment.
- Strategies for ADHD, LD, and a Spectrum of Learners EDIN552
Today's classrooms include a spectrum of learners who have different levels of attention, learning, communication, and behaviors. Learn how to tap into your students' strengths with appropriate interventions and curriculum practices.
- The Culturally Distinctive Classroom EDIN546
Strategies for classroom engagement and lesson delivery in a changing diverse classroom will be examined. The focus is on understanding ourselves in today's society in order to understand and guide our young learners. A study of multiculturalism, the changing diverse learners through a lens of their socioeconomic status and making lasting parental connections within our school communities will be explored.
Option 3: Classroom Climate and Management
select three (3-credit courses) of the following options
- Increasing Student Responsibility and Self-Discipline in Learning CommunitiesEDIN544
Develop approaches to help students resolve their inner conflicts, and improve responsibility and self-discipline.
- Cooperative Discipline EDIN565
Shift discipline from controlling student behavior by rewards and punishment to managing and motivating students by building self-esteem and helping them make better choices.
- Skills for Building the Collaborative Classroom EDIN528
Collaboration, cooperation, innovation, creativity and critical thinking are demonstrated using interactive hands-on structures and activities.
- Motivation: The Art and Science of Inspiring Classroom Success EDIN556
Increase awareness of various motivational techniques through research, literature, simulations, discussions, applications and reflection.
- The Kinesthetic Classroom: Teaching and Learning Through Movement EDIN553
Instructional content can be enlivened in the K-12 classroom through the use of dynamic movement and kinesthetic activity. By using movement, academic standards can be met, test scores can be improved and important life skills can be developed.
Option 4: Classroom Well-Being & Physical Activity
select three (3-credit courses) of the following options
- The Kinesthetic Classroom: Teaching and Learning through MovementEDIN553
Instructional content can be enlivened in the K-12 classroom through the use of dynamic movement and kinesthetic activity. By using movement, academic standards can be met, test scores can be improved and important life skills can be developed.
- The Kinesthetic Classroom II: Moving Across the Standards EDIN554
Design kinesthetic activities for K-12 classroom focusing on teaching Common Core and national standards based on content. Design effective action plans to increase movement in the school environment.
- Creating Health and Balance in Today's Classroom EDIN539
Mindfulness in Education" will be emphasized as a technique to reduce student anxiety and help students succeed. The impact of stress, poor time management, lack of physical activity, and poor nutrition, on students and educators will be examined in order to better facilitate the learning process.
- The Movement and Technology Balance: Classroom Strategies for Student Success EDIN564
Defining and creating the movement/technology balance in our schools is now a vital necessity for future growth and academic achievement. The course implements the principles of Move Students Often with a Steady flow of Technology (M.O.S.T.)
- The Mindful Classroom EDIN540
This course introduces educators to mindfulness as a lifestyle and more importantly, as an instructional style rather than an isolated period of instructional time.
Option 5: Collaboration and Classroom Inquiry
select three (3-credit courses) of the following options
- Skills for Building the Collaborative ClassroomEDIN528
Collaboration, cooperation, innovation, creativity and critical thinking are demonstrated using interactive hands-on structures and activities.
- Increasing Student Responsibility and Self-Discipline in Learning Communities EDIN544
Develop approaches to help students resolve their inner conflicts, and improve responsibility and self-discipline.
- Motivation: The Art and Science of Inspiring Classroom Success EDIN556
Increase awareness of various motivational techniques through research, literature, simulations, discussions, applications and reflection.
- Data-Inspired Decision Making (Prerequisite EDUC510) EDUC601
This second inquiry course helps teachers develop the skills to conduct a classroom-based inquiry project based on their own self-identified areas of greatest interest.
- Inquiry in Practice (Perquisite EDUC601) EDUC602
This third inquiry course assists teachers as they conduct a personally-designed research project in their own classroom, culminating in a presentation of insights and implications for enhanced teaching practice.
C) Electives Choose 2 courses (6 credits)
Students must complete two (2) additional elective RTC courses of their choice to complete the program or two approved transfer courses to complete the program.
For more information about Electives click here
D) Required Culminating Experience Presentation (0 credits)
All candidates for the M.Ed. Instruction degree must register for and complete a Capstone Course as the Culminating Experience Presentation of the program. The required Capstone Project is incorporated into the program as a “0-credit, 0-tuition” course (EDUC700). Students should review the specific requirements for completing EDUC700, which will be graded as “Pass / Fail.”
For more information about The Culminating Experience Presentation click here
M.Ed. students please view this informational video on EDUC700 - Culminating Experience Presentation
