The educator should be able to engage students and colleagues in higher-order thinking by asking probing questions, promoting inquiry, guiding discussion, and creating situations and scenarios that beg for exploration and explanation. The role of the educator in today's society requires an assessment-sensitive knowledge related to the formation of the various curricula. Included in this knowledge base are the philosophical, legal, social, psychological, pedagogical, and content-specific roots from which a curriculum springs. The educator's expertise must include the ability to weave the national standards, state standards, and local expectations into a curricular framework from which educationally sound practices emerge. The educator has the responsibility to serve as a role model to students, educational colleagues, and professional liaison to members of the community.
Students select either an elementary or secondary concentration.
Students without a teaching license and not pursuing one take the subject area option. No more than 3 hours may be at the 500 level. International students not seeking a state teaching license must substitute 3 hours of electives. International students not seeking a state teaching license must enroll in the appropriate Master's Project and sign a non-licensure disclaimer.