In Person Courses

Exploration of the use of traditional and experimental watercolor painting techniques. Landscape, still life, and architecture will serve as the subjects of the students' paintings. Students will also work on abstract and non-objective projects. Previous painting and drawing experience is not required. Effort and attendance are essential to the student¿s success.

In-depth examination of fundamental science concepts and subject-specific pedagogy, focusing on Earth, life, and physical sciences, the nature of science and scientific inquiry, the social and cultural significance of science, the relationship of science to technology, and the historical development of scientific concepts and scientific reasoning. Course content emphasizes and integrates state and national standards, problem-solving approaches, curriculum integration strategies, content area literacy, and current research.

In-depth examination of fundamental social studies concepts and subject-specific pedagogy, focusing on history, geography, economics, and civics. Course content emphasizes instructional design and integrates state and national standards, project-based learning approaches, curriculum integration strategies, content area literacy, and current research.

In-depth examination of fundamental mathematical concepts and subject-specific pedagogy, focusing on rational numbers, algebraic thinking, geometry, probability, and statistics. Content emphasizes meeting the needs of struggling students and integrates state and national standards, problem-solving approaches, use of manipulatives and technology, current research, and learning theory. A supervised practical experience using a Response to Intervention (RTI) approach will be incorporated into the course. Emphasis will be placed on using data to make decisions based upon students' needs, monitor progress, and develop individualized mathematical interventions.

EDUC 310U

Introduces students to the wide range of diversity that exists in schools today. Explores diverse learning styles and students' needs, and connections to cultures, communities, and family values as well as student support through trauma informed care. Provides theoretical underpinnings and contemporary perspective on critical issues, professional practices, and state and federal laws influencing the teaching of students with diverse learning needs, including specific learning disabilities (SLD) such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and auditory processing disorders.

In-depth examination of reading comprehension, vocabulary development, critical thinking, word study, and writing instruction within elementary classrooms. Exploration across the components of reading of the methods, materials, and assessment tools associated with elementary literacy instruction. Examines assessment tools and learn techniques for meeting the needs of struggling readers. A supervised practical experience will be incorporated into the course. Emphasis is placed on making decisions based upon students' individual needs and critical reflection to improve instructional effectiveness. Analysis of assessment data and use of this information to inform instructional practices including developing reading and writing interventions. Studies effective literacy techniques designed to support diverse learners.

EDUC 324U

Comprehensive introduction to pedagogy to include principles of learning; application of skills in discipline and grade-specific methodology; selection and use of materials; state and national curriculum standards; and evaluation of student performance.

In-depth examination of fundamental science concepts and subject-specific pedagogy, focusing on Earth, life, and physical sciences, the nature of science and scientific inquiry, the social and cultural significance of science, the relationship of science to technology, and the historical development of scientific concepts and scientific reasoning. Course content emphasizes and integrates state and national standards, problem-solving approaches, curriculum integration strategies, content area literacy, and current research.

In-depth examination of fundamental social studies concepts and subject-specific pedagogy, focusing on history, geography, economics, and civics. Course content emphasizes instructional design and integrates state and national standards, project-based learning approaches, curriculum integration strategies, content area literacy, and current research.

EDUC 507U

In-depth examination of fundamental mathematical concepts and subject-specific pedagogy, focusing on rational numbers, algebraic thinking, geometry, probability, and statistics. Content emphasizes meeting the needs of struggling students and integrates state and national standards, problem-solving approaches, use of manipulatives and technology, current research, and learning theory. A supervised practical experience using a Response to Intervention (RTI) approach will be incorporated into the course. Emphasis will be placed on using data to make decisions based upon students' needs, monitor progress, and develop individualized mathematical interventions.

EDUC 510U

Introduces students to the wide range of diversity that exists in schools today. Explores diverse learning styles and students' needs, and connections to cultures, communities, and family values as well as student support through trauma informed care. Provides theoretical underpinnings and contemporary perspective on critical issues, professional practices, and state and federal laws influencing the teaching of students with diverse learning needs, including specific learning disabilities (SLD) such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and auditory processing disorders.

This course expounds on the instructional strategies and assessment options for engaging English Learners (ELs). It also explores the impacts of culture, linguistics, and language learning principles on ELs through in-depth study and reflection.

In-depth examination of reading comprehension, vocabulary development, critical thinking, word study, and writing instruction within elementary classrooms. Exploration across the components of reading of the methods, materials, and assessment tools associated with elementary literacy instruction. Examines assessment tools and learn techniques for meeting the needs of struggling readers. A supervised practical experience will be incorporated into the course. Emphasis is placed on making decisions based upon students' individual needs and critical reflection to improve instructional effectiveness. Analysis of assessment data and use of this information to inform instructional practices including developing reading and writing interventions. Studies effective literacy techniques designed to support diverse learners.

EDUC 524U

Comprehensive introduction to pedagogy to include principles of learning; application of skills in discipline and grade-specific methodology; selection and use of materials; state and national curriculum standards; and evaluation of student performance.

In-depth exploration of content-specific teaching techniques for planning, teaching and assessing in the middle and secondary classroom. This course combines lecture-based course instruction with in-field experience with content-based teachers in middle and secondary classroom settings.

Examination of reading, writing and critical thinking in secondary content areas. Specific techniques for teaching and assessing comprehensions, vocabulary knowledge, and study skills will be addressed. The effects of text organization and relationship between reading and writing are investigated. The course integrates theory with practice and is designed to help content area instructors learn how to integrate literacy principles into subject matter instruction. A strong emphasis will be placed on the elements of effective comprehension instruction. Literacy techniques designed to support the needs of diverse learners will be studied. Participants will learn strategies to foster motivation and appreciation of a variety of types of literature utilized for independent and collaborative reading.

Effective classroom and behavior management skills to build individual responsibility and self-discipline, promote self-regulation, and maintain a positive learning environment. Research-based classroom and behavior management techniques, classroom community building, positive behavior supports, and individual interventions.

EDUC 507U or EDUC 542U

Investigates reading comprehension, vocabulary development, critical thinking, word study, and writing instruction within the classroom. Study of the methods, materials, and assessment tools associated with elementary and secondary literacy instruction will be explored across the components of reading. Participants will examine assessment tools and learn techniques for meeting the needs of struggling readers. A supervised practical experience will be incorporated into the course.

EDUC 550U

In-depth examination of the influence of adverse childhood experience and adverse community environments on psycho-social growth and brain development in young people. Emphasizes developing responsive practices to support children in overcoming adversity and thriving. Includes solution-finding practices that can be used as crisis intervention, behavior support, co-creation of positive outcomes, and clarification of young people's hope for the future. Project will be incorporated into the course with emphasis placed on reflection and practice.

A survey of the fundamental leadership theories and models as they apply to educational leadership. Includes historical and contemporary conceptions, collaborative case study work on current educational leadership approaches, personal reflection and leadership development, and bridging theory and practice in twenty-first century schools.

This course in human resources uses an HR development point of view in which employees are considered assets to be developed rather than costs to be minimized. Topics include recruiting, hiring, training, retaining, rewarding, and promoting employees; employment planning, performance management systems, and succession planning; and managing outsourced relationships. Special attention is given to quality of working life issues; the balance between work and non-work; traditional and nontraditional incentives; and generational, cultural, and ethnic differences in employees' needs and values.

Every manager and HR professional will face numerous legal challenges to managing people in a workplace. In fact, employment-related litigation is one of the greatest financial risks facing any organization. This class will explore in a practical way the federal and state laws associated with hiring, firing and discipline, medical leave (including FMLA, ADA and worker's compensation), discrimination, harassment, immigration, labor law, unemployment compensation, religion in the workplace and state law torts including defamation and privacy. The course will also explore workplace investigations, workplace violence and employment-related legal processes, including EEOC Charges and lawsuits.

Exploration of the management of risk across the organization with a special emphasis on the risks associated with human capital management. The course focuses on the human resource manager's role in enterprise risk management and managing human capital risk.

Junior-level course in logical and physical design of database systems: rules of normalization in data modeling, SQL programming, and physical design issues impacting the I/O performance of commercial-level database management systems in Oracle. Introduction to data warehousing and business intelligence tools for corporate decision-making using Oracle Discoverer.

College writing and mathematics and foundation course work or experience in IT.

Course teaches the basics of R programming with emphasis on programming for analyses. The following programming concepts will be covered: data types, reading data, indexing, loops, functions, and manipulation of data. The student will be able to apply learned programming skills to other programming courses as well.

Continuation of Legal Research and Writing I, incorporating more complex legal research and writing with development of legal analytical skills.

303U

Survey of issues involved in the field through examination of major cases that have shaped the implementation of major federal environmental statutes since their passage beginning in the 1960s. Topics covered include the common law basis for environmental protection, constitutional and statutory authority to protect the environment, standing to bring environmental cases, the rules of judicial review, and substantive issues involving major environmental statutes and their implementing regulations. The cases are predominantly federal, but Virginia cases are used where appropriate.

An interdisciplinary graduate seminar in the humanities. Topics vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit.

Interdisciplinary exploration of the field of social entrepreneurship and the structures used by social entrepreneurs to affect change.

NPS 501U