Bachelor of Science in Education - Middle Childhood Education

at Kent State University USA

The Master of Arts degree in Cultural Foundations explores education through a range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives: philosophy of education, history of education, sociology of education, comparative/international education, anthropology of education, gender studies, multicultural studies and religious studies. Students examine the social contexts of education, with particular emphasis on structural inequalities, issues of access, and the distribution of educational opportunity, normative considerations about the purposes of education, and the transformative potential of education.

The degree program promotes students' responsibilities as change agents in a range of educational settings, including schools, cultural and religious institutions and civic associations. Graduates of the program have the knowledge and skills to interpret and critique educational policies and practices and to promote innovative practices in a variety of educational settings, domestically and worldwide.

Students in the M.A. degree write a thesis on an educational topic of their own choosing. Thesis students work closely with their academic supervisor to generate a thesis topic and design a research study or undertake a scholarly analysis of an issue of interest to the student.

Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the social, cultural, economic and political assumptions shaping educational policies and reforms in the United States and other societies.
• Understand the nature of the democratic challenge for schooling in answering such foundational questions as: "What should be taught?" "Who should be taught?" and "Who should teach?"
• Demonstrate an understanding of the convergence of social class, race, gender, sexual orientation and disability as barriers to and opportunities for educational change, domestically and internationally.

The Master of Arts degree in Latin provides advanced coursework in Latin literature and the history and culture of the Roman civilization.

The Latin major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Applied Linguistics and Pedagogy concentration is designed for students already certified to teach Latin and classics in elementary and secondary schools and who wish to increase their language proficiency and effectiveness as teachers.

Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Applied Linguistics and Pedagogy concentration will be able to:

• Demonstrate skills in the analysis of Latin literature.
• Read Latin proficiently and demonstrate general knowledge of the literature, history and culture of Roman civilization.
• Demonstrate theoretical knowledge of second language acquisition and linguistics.
• Demonstrate theoretical knowledge and applied skills in the teaching and assessment of outcomes for second language learners.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology focuses primarily on the applied aspects of science and engineering and prepares graduates for practice in that portion of the technological spectrum closest to product improvement, manufacturing, construction and engineering operational functions.

The Engineering Technology major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Electrical/Electronics concentration allows seamless articulation with technical associate degrees for students who wish to advance their careers in the electrical/electronic engineering field. Electrical engineers and technologists design, develop, test and supervise the manufacturing of electrical equipment, such as electric motors, radar and navigation systems, communications systems, and power generation equipment. Electronics engineers design and develop electronic equipment, such as broadcast and communications systems-from portable music players to global positioning systems (GPS).
• The Green and Alternative Energy concentration refers to energy sources that have no undesired consequences, for example, fossil fuels or nuclear energy. Alternative energy sources are renewable and are thought to be "free" energy sources. They all have lower carbon emissions, compared to conventional energy sources. These include biomass energy, wind energy, solar energy, geothermal energy, and hydroelectric energy sources. Combined with the use of recycling, the use of clean alternative energies such as the home use of solar power systems will help ensure man's survival into the 21st century and beyond. By 2050, one-third of the world's energy will need to come from solar, wind, and other renewable resources, according to British Petroleum and Royal Dutch Shell, two of the world's largest oil companies.
• The Integrated Engineering Technology concentration permits graduates from a variety of associate degree backgrounds to formulate a program of advanced study in upper-division technical courses, chosen with a faculty advisor, to gain additional technical depth or breadth.
• The Mechanical/Systems concentration allows seamless articulation with technical associate degrees for students who wish to advance their careers in the mechanical or manufacturing field. Mechanical engineering technology is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers and technologists design, develop, build and test mechanical and thermal devices, including tools, engines and machines. Graduates of this program can expect to work mostly in engineering services, research and development, manufacturing industries, and the federal government.

The Master of Education degree in Research, Measurement, and Statistics develops educators and specialists in the areas of assessment, measurement, research design and program evaluation. The program serves teachers and administrators seeking applied measurement, research and evaluation skills for use in schools (pre-kindergarten to grade 12) and in higher education. The program also serves professionals seeking careers in the areas of evaluation, research and psychometrics.

Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of descriptive and inferential statistics at a conceptual and application level.
• Demonstrate knowledge of research design and methods by selecting and executing the appropriate research design and methods for a variety of applications.
• Demonstrate knowledge of measurement, including the methods to develop valid and reliable measures of constructs.
• Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary and classic theories in program evaluation, the purposes and logic of program evaluation and the processes of different types of program evaluation.

The Master of Business Administration degree for professionals (Executive M.B.A.) prepares students for leadership positions in regional, national and international organizations. Curricular and co-curricular emphases are on ethical leadership, teamwork, creative problem solving, global perspectives and skillful applications of information technology.

The Executive M.B.A. is a highly personalized and interactive educational experience. The program is structured such that students take all their classes together, study in teams and interact with senior business faculty. Professional development workshops and free career coaching are included in the program.

The program is offered in an accelerated delivery, with courses offered in seven-to-nine-week modules, and students being able to earn the degree in 19 months. Students enter the program in August, starting with a three-day overnight residency. After that, they meet once monthly on weekends for classes. A 10-day international business experience is included midway through the program, providing participants with an applied learning experience abroad.

Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates from the program will be able to:

• Identify the problem and select the appropriate tool(s) to resolve the problem.
• Analyze the problem in order to come to a decision or conclusion.
• Articulate their position and apply their ideas effectively in writing.
• Articulate their position and apply their ideas orally.
• Articulate their ideas collaboratively as part of a team and provide some meaningful contribution to the overall team effort.
• Identify stakeholders related to ethical dilemmas and understand the difference between the ethical and legal aspects of the dilemma.
• Identify alternatives and consequences regarding an ethical dilemma and support a course of action.
• Identify global factors involved in making business decisions.
• Prioritize and analyze alternatives and consequences related to global factors and support a strategic decision in a global business context.

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree in Public Health broadly prepares students to enter the workforce as a public health professional or to enter an advanced program of study. Students explore the five disciplines of public health: biostatistics, environmental health, epidemiology, health policy and management and the social and behavioral sciences through general coursework.

The Public Health major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Allied Health concentration seeks to augment the career portfolio of the allied health professional or aspiring student. Students who are interested in a generalist focus in public health or interested in moving to a professional degree (accelerated nursing) or technical allied health degree (respiratory care, radiologic technology, occupational/physical therapy assisting, etc.) are encouraged to pursue this path.  Students may currently hold or may be actively pursuing a state licensure in an allied health field and may be eligible to receive a maximum 12 credit hours of upper-division credit for their prior experience and demonstrated competency in select areas. Students without a state licensure may still pursue this concentration but will complete 12 hours of coursework in allied health-specific areas. Students in this concentration will be exposed to broad areas of public health including epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, global health and health policy; thus, preparing students to meet the increased demands for a trained and educated public health workforce.
• The Clinical Trials Research concentration focuses on training students in the epidemiology methods used in clinical research. The curriculum provides students a thorough understanding of the management of research studies, the scientific literature related to drugs, medical devices and other new therapies, and the federal regulations related to conducting clinical trials. Students are prepared to design and answer research questions, collect and manage data and communicate research findings to both scientific and lay audiences. An internship experience provides necessary experience in a clinical research setting. Potential places of employment for graduates include hospitals, contract research organizations, medical schools and pharmaceutical companies where graduates assist with and manage clinical research studies.
• The Community Health Outreach and Development concentration focuses on identifying and exploring ways to influence the multi-level determinants of population health and health behaviors, from a perspective that prioritizes health equity and social justice. Approaches focus on community- and system-level strategies to promote health and healthy behaviors among populations and eliminate health disparities through media, policy and education initiatives. Career options include the public sector, social services, non-profit agencies and other community-based health promotion and advocacy efforts. Graduates are prepared to assist with developing, implementing and coordinating public health interventions that promote community health and organize diverse communities around issues related to health and health behavior.
• The Global Health concentration educates students in identifying and working to address the critical public health and human needs of diverse, underserved and vulnerable populations locally and globally. Students learn the need for multidisciplinary (biological and social sciences) approaches and cooperation to address the major global public health problems. In addition, they have the opportunity to focus on a specific aspect of global health, e.g. HIV/AIDS, health policy, health disparities, health education, environmental health, nutrition. Graduates are prepared to work at entry-level positions in public health with local, regional, national or international public health agencies in both public and private sectors. Students who pursue this concentration are required to participate in a study abroad experience and complete four courses (at the elementary and intermediate levels) of either Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish
• The Health Services Administration concentration establishes a foundation for graduate work in health policy and management. Students analyze national and local public health infrastructure, evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of health care delivery and explore the legal and ethical issues of health care administration. Graduates enter the health care workforce as finance managers, compliance officers, patient navigators, insurance specialists and other health care managers. Students are encouraged to pair this concentration with a minor.
• The Pre-Medicine, Dentistry, Osteopathy concentration includes preparatory courses for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) and admission entry into other professional schools including pharmacy, podiatry, occupational/physical therapy and physicians assistant programs. The overall curriculum—focusing on biological, social and economic determinants of health, prevention and control of diseases, introduction to biostatistics and public health research—makes this program highly desirable for admission to professional schools. The unique features of the program open new opportunities and offer competitive advantages for students seeking to enter into clinical medicine.

The Master of Arts degree in Music Theory is designed to enhance music theory abilities of advanced students and to prepare them for admission to doctoral study. Based on a solid undergraduate music degree, the master's degree further develops abilities in music theory, including analytical, aural, written, keyboard and pedagogical skills. The program further develops breadth and depth in the area of Western music history and literature

Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Analyze music from a wide range of styles and style periods, and communicate results in written and oral formats.
• Demonstrate and apply functional aural, written and keyboard skills.
• Recognize, identify and analyze representative literature from different historical periods, countries and composers.
• Communicate knowledge of music theory and other aspects of music as would be done in classroom and private teaching.

The Master of Arts degree in Computer Science enables students with a bachelor's degree in any area to enter the many fields that require both computer science skills and skills gained in a student's prior studies. The program requires no prior computer science training and covers a breadth of knowledge in advance computer science topics that can also be used to solve problems in the field of the student's bachelor's degree.

Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate breadth-of-knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relating to advanced topics in computer science.
• Conduct literature searches, comprehend advanced research materials and uncover connections between related work and critical evaluation and synthesis.
• Perform research, discovery and integration by applying advanced knowledge of computer science.

The Master of Arts degree in Physics is a highly flexible program consisting of graduate coursework that can be customized according to the academic background and needs of the individual student. This flexibility is a good match for the needs of part-time students who continue to hold full-time employment in secondary education or in industry.

Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate cognitive skills important to a physicist, including to think critically and analytically and define and solve problems in physics.
• Demonstrate a core knowledge and understanding of the foundations of physics.

The Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Design and Technology is a terminal degree designed for those who are interested in achieving the artistry and skills necessary to qualify as practicing professionals in the entertainment industry and/or professional theatre educators. The program is a three-year course of study with a flexible curriculum for students to explore areas of special interest.

The Theatre Design and Technology major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Lighting Design concentration balances instruction and experience in lighting design with instruction and experience in lighting technology. Studies include digital rendering, CAD, lighting technology and automated lighting. Students research and study all of aspects of theatrical lighting, including the design process from concept to execution, communication skills, integration of technology into design, documentation of the work and critical evaluation of the work.

Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Acquire creative and technical ability to develop the design of a production from concept to finished product.
• Acquire advanced abilities in the unification of all design elements used in professional production.
• Understand analytical or academically oriented theatre studies in areas related to and supportive of the work in the major field such as history, theory, dramatic literature and performance studies.
• Understand information resources associated with theatrical design and production.
• Produce full working drawings for mounted productions.
• Analyze text, music and dance and the ways that historical, critical and theoretical content inform playwriting, acting, directing and design.
• Communicate ideas clearly and effectively to the theatre community, production teams and the public.
• Know the history of their area of specialization and have the ability to integrate that history into production design.
• Know current technology, tools and methods in their area of specialization and have the ability to integrate technology into production design.
• Know health and safety practices associated with theatre production.
• Communicate and navigate effectively within the field of professional theatrical production design.
• Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethics and practice.