Bachelor of Science in Art and Design

at Shorelight Group - Towson University USA

Women’s and Gender Studies majors are required to complete 39 units with a grade equivalent of 2.00 or higher from among the following courses. In addition, all Women's and Gender Studies majors must complete a minimum of 18 units toward the major at Towson University, with at least 12 units at the upper (300-400) level.

The field of Health Education and Promotion (HEP) explores the complexities of human behavior and identifies ways to promote healthy behaviors. Health Education and Promotion prepares students to educate and empower the public to understand their health, to make healthy choices, to improve their quality of life, and to reduce disease and disability. Health educators design, market, implement and/or evaluate health education and health promotion programs. The settings in which community health educators work include, but are not limited to health departments, voluntary health agencies, hospitals, universities, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and schools.

The Health Education and Promotion major gives students the foundation needed to be effective health professionals based on principles from the behavioral, biomedical and social sciences. Through coursework and a 12-unit internship, students will graduate with a solid foundation in a variety of health topic areas including public health, health education theory and practice, and program planning and evaluation.

This highly flexible concentration is ideal for the working professional, as each student designs a curriculum that best fits their present career needs and future aspirations. The concentration is particularly well suited for students who wish to integrate specialized study with a broader understanding of related fields. It also permits individuals primarily interested in personal growth to design a program that corresponds with their interests.

Although the plan of study may be built around traditional academic disciplines, many students combine courses from such practical areas of study as:

• Digital media and communications
• Information technology and applied systems theory
• Management and administration
• Public policy and regional planning
• Health care
• Education
• Professional writing in specific areas
• Theater management
• Science journalism
• Global studies

Others might emphasize courses from the humanities, fine arts and social sciences.

An individualized plan of study places special responsibilities on the student. In consultation with the program director, the entering student must design and submit a plan of study. The M.A. in Professional Studies graduate program is committed to offering working professionals flexible and convenient ways to earn an advanced degree through collaborative learning and independent study.

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is designed for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education, who have no formal teacher training and wish to enter the teaching profession. It is well suited to recent graduates and to those seeking to change careers.

Graduates of the MAT program are eligible for teacher certification in the general education tracks of early childhood, elementary and secondary education.

• Early childhood education prepares students to teach Pre-K through grade three.
• Elementary education prepares students to teach grades one through six.
• Secondary education prepares students to teach grades seven through 12 in biology, chemistry, earth-space science, English, mathematics, physics, or history/social studies. 
• World Languages prepares students to teach Pre-K through grade 12 in French or Spanish.

The Master of Arts in Professional Studies is an interdisciplinary program that crosses traditional academic boundaries and provides a solid intellectual framework. The core curriculum common to both tracks provides a foundation in research, writing and the liberal arts. A culminating seminar emphasizing a major project provides the capstone for each student’s program of study. A key theme of the culminating seminar is globalization and the changing workplace.

The Master of Science in Health Science is designed to meet needs within the state of Maryland for graduate-trained professionals to work in health care, community, worksite, and nonprofit settings. The program is intended both for people with academic or work experience in the health sciences or related fields as well as those seeking to expand their expertise to include the field of health science. It is particularly well suited to people who have been in the work force and now wish to receive additional education to enhance their performance as well as their competitiveness on the job.

Students may select a concentration in Community Health or Health Administration. Students may also elect to take a dual concentration.

A graduate of the Community Health concentration might pursue a career as a health education specialist in a variety of public or private sector organizations. Students holding current credentials in pharmacy, nursing, dentistry, dietetics and other professions may wish to combine their skills from prior training and redirect their careers toward community health. A graduate of the Health Administration concentration, on the other hand, is prepared for positions in a variety of settings that require a sound background in the business and organizational aspects of health care.

The Master of Education degree in Elementary Education is an advanced curriculum and instruction program that provides leadership skills needed for teachers to navigate an ever more complex school and social system. The program is designed for those involved in instructional and curricular decision-making in schools and districts and those committed to quality professional growth. Course, program goals and learner outcomes are based on the professional setting to ensure transfer of theory to practice. The program of study helps the student achieve the following goals:

• Develop advanced capabilities in cultural competency, design thinking, action inquiry, equity, creative curriculum design and innovative data-focused instruction.

• Understand the diverse nature of learners, society and the impact on learning.

• Assume specialty roles in areas identified as important to the school community and the changing educational landscape.

• Use technology and media to enhance teaching and learning.

• Understand and use appropriate assessment and evaluation within the teaching process.

• Engage in scholarly activities to promote student achievement as well as one’s own professional development.

• Think, reflect, and critically analyze the educational processes and professional practices.

The goals and objectives of the degree program are based on MSDE Professional Development Standards and the core propositions endorsed by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The areas addressed by the standards are reflected in the required and elective courses.

• Students will demonstrate development of communication skills using American Sign Language.
• Students will demonstrate cultural sensitivity.
• Students will demonstrate appropriate interpersonal and intrapersonal skills.
• Students will demonstrate competency in essential skills required of a college graduate by using software as appropriate for writing, spreadsheets, statistical analyses, for calculations or for presentations. (ILTC)

The program provides advanced study in the theory of writing, writing techniques and style, principles/techniques of editing, and the functions of written communication within the professional/occupational setting. Courses aim to develop the communication skills of people seeking to enter or to advance in occupations requiring extensive writing and/or the analysis and reporting of data. Students choose from tracks in writing for the public and private sectors, technical writing and information design, teaching writing, journalistic writing, scientific writing and creative writing.