2016 - 2017 Graduate Catalogue 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2016 - 2017 Graduate Catalogue [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Descriptions | 4


Abbreviation of Courses

Accounting (AC)
Anthropology (AN)
Biology (BY)
Business Administration (BA)
Business Quantitative Analysis (BQ)
Chemistry (CH)
College Teaching (CT)
Community Counseling (CC)
Computer Information Systems (CS)
Cooperative Education (CEP)
Early Childhood Education (CE)
Earth Science (ES)
Economics (EC)
Education (ED)
Educational Psychology (EP)
Elementary Education (EE)
English (EH)
Environmental Science (EN)
Finance (FI)

History (HY)
Instructional Leadership (IL)
Journalism (JN)
Library Media (LM)
Management (MN)
Marketing (MK)
Mathematics (MH)
Online Teaching (OT)
Physical Education (PE)
Political Science (PS)
Psychology (PY)
School Counseling (SC)
Sociology (SY)
Special Education (SE)
Speech (SH)
Student Affairs (SA)
Teacher Leader (TL)
Theatre (TH)

The Unit of Credit

The unit of credit at the University of West Alabama is the semester hour. One semester hour represents one hour of class work or two hours of laboratory work each week throughout the semester. Two hours per week of out-of-class preparation is usually required for each semester hour of credit.

The Numbering System

The University of West Alabama uses a three-digit numbering system. The first digit designates the level of the course, as follows:

500-599 — courses for masters-level students
600-699 — courses for Education Specialist-level students

The second digit is reserved to the department to designate relevant classifications of courses within the respective disciplines. The third digit is used to designate sequence of courses (but not necessarily prerequisites) or to distinguish a special type of course, such as independent study.

 

COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS (CS)

  
  • CS 581. Network Administration I (3)


    Introduces Client/Server networking features associated with network operating systems related to the needs of business, industry, and government agencies. Prerequisites: CS 510 .
  
  • CS 582. Network Administration II (3)


    Introduces the installation, networking, and security concepts of servers as related to the needs of business, industry, and government agencies. Prerequisites: CS 581 .
  
  • CS 590. Information Security (3)


    Introduces concepts of information security including organizational policy on confidentiality, authentication, integrity, nonrepudiation, access control, and availability and mechanisms to implement those services. Covers different types of security including physical security, computer security, and network security; common threats to and attacks against information systems, including accidental damage, identity thefts, malicious software, and "spam" and defensive measures.

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM (CEP)

  
  • CEP 501. Alternating Cooperative Education I (No Credit)


    1st Training Period Prerequisites: Acceptance into a graduate program, complete employability seminar, acceptance into the cooperative education program, and payment of the materials fee.
  
  • CEP 502. Alternating Cooperative Education II (No Credit)


    2nd Training Period Prerequisites: CEP 501 
  
  • CEP 503. Alternating Cooperative Education III (No Credit)


    3rd Training Period Prerequisites: CEP 502 
  
  • CEP 504. Alternating Cooperative Education IV (No Credit)


    4th Training Period Prerequisites: CEP 503 
  
  • CEP 505. Parallel Cooperative Education I (No Credit)


    1st Training Period Prerequisites: Acceptance into a graduate program, complete employability seminar, acceptance into the cooperative education program, and payment of the materials fee.
  
  • CEP 506. Parallel Cooperative Education II (No Credit)


    2nd Training Period. Prerequisites: CEP 505 .
  
  • CEP 507. Parallel Cooperative Education II (No Credit)


    3rd Training Period. Prerequisites: CEP 506 .
  
  • CEP 508. Parallel Cooperative Education II (No Credit)


    4th Training Period. Prerequisites: CEP 507 .

COUNSELING (CO)

  
  • CO 500. Professional Orientation (3)


    Introduction to professional roles and functions of a school counselor; exploration of the ethical and legal issues of the profession; clinical training in attending, listening, and influence skills.  Supervised practicum in counseling of 100 hours in an appropriate P-12 setting.
  
  • CO 506. Life-Span Development and Learning (3)


    Physical, social, cognitive, and emotional development during the life-span of human beings.
  
  • CO 508. Pre-Practicum in Counseling (3)


    An experiential course involving applied elements of theoretical models and customary helping skills to orient and prepare students for their initial supervised work with counseling clients.
  
  • CO 510. Theories and Treatment of Addiction (3)


    Examines the major theories and accepted treatment options of addiction and other compulsive behavior syndromes.  Evaluates the major theories and treatment methods of addiction counseling to formulate working theory and treatment approaches of addictions counseling.  Addresses current laws and ethical issues pertaining to substance abuse counseling. Prerequisites:  .
  
  • CO 511. Issues in Addiction Recovery (3)


    Introduction and general overview to the major areas of addictions counseling and behavioral syndrome. Addresses the biological basis for addiction of chemical addictions. Examines special addiction issues such as cultural issues, gambling, eating disorders, debting, sexual addictions, and co-existing disabilities and mental disorders.
  
  • CO 512. Family Issues in Counseling Addicted Clients (3)


    Examines therapy with addicted people in the context of their families, from the perspectives of addiction and recovery.  Addresses family and group counseling as well as 12-step and non-12-step support programs will be addressed as well as follow up to maintain sobriety. Requires attendance at programs such as AA, NA, REBT and Al-Anon.
  
  • CO 513. Techniques of Addictions Counseling (3)


    Focuses on areas of pharmacology, neurology, assessment, treatment protocol documentation, and differentiation between process and substance addictions.  Addresses expectations of individuals in treatment, professional intake for outpatient or inpatient programs, and informed consent. Prerequisites:  .
  
  • CO 530. Theory and Techniques in Distance Counseling (3)


    Study of integration and application of counseling theories and techniques used for successful practice of distance counseling.
  
  • CO 531. Law and Ethics in Distance Counseling (3)


    Overview of ethical and legal principles and strategies for distance counseling.
  
  • CO 532. Administration and Practice of Distance Counseling (3)


    An examination of the development and maintenance of practice in distance counseling.
  
  • CO 533. Distance Counseling with Special Populations (3)


    Exploration of distance counseling application with applicable populations such as military, prisons, and persons with limited access to face to face counseling.
  
  • CO 540. Introduction to School Counseling (3)


    The philosophy and functions of guidance and counseling in the classroom. Legal/ethical issues are also addressed. This course emphasizes the interrelationship between the school and family.
  
  • CO 541. Techniques of Counseling (3)


    The approaches to counseling with an emphasis on individual and group counseling, the counseling interview, ethical/legal considerations, consultation, referral, crisis counseling, and counseling research.
  
  • CO 542. Career Development and Counseling (3)


    Theories of career development and career choice, sources and uses of educational, vocational and social information, methods of collecting, evaluating and disseminating information.
  
  • CO 543. Counseling Children and Adolescents (3)


    Physical, social, and intellectual aspects of child development, emphasizing sources of information, cooperation between school and home, informal techniques of evaluation, mental health principles and techniques, case studies, and case conferencing techniques.
  
  • CO 544. Strategies for Crisis Intervention (3)


    Students will explore various types of crisis along with their related hardships, and the impact caused on individual and family functioning. Participants in this course will gain knowledge of the impact of stressor events and will utilize the current research to design intervention strategies for dealing with stress and crises.
  
  • CO 545. Diagnostic Techniques for School Counselors (3)


    Concepts and skills of standardized testing, and interpreting individual and group tests, psychometric statistics and the use of the results in the helping process.
  
  • CO 546. Group Counseling (3)


    Theories and practices of group counseling, including the analysis of group interaction and planning, and conducting group counseling activities. The legal/ethical considerations of group counseling are presented.
  
  • CO 547. Counseling Multicultural Populations (3)


    Studies of societal changes within groups and subgroups; emphasis on multicultural trends and different lifestyles in order to facilitate the delivery of counseling services to these groups.
  
  • CO 548. Practicum (3)


    Students will complete a supervised counseling practicum experience that totals 100 clock hours over a 10 week period with at least 40 hours of direct client service, one hour weekly of individual supervision, and 1.5 hours weekly of group supervision.
  
  • CO 548. Practicum in School Counseling (3)


    Students will complete a counseling practicum experience in an approved school setting that totals a minimum of 100 clock hours. The practicum will include individual and group counseling experiences. Students will receive both individualized and group supervision under the directions of a University faculty member.
  
  • CO 550. Theory and Treatment of Trauma (3)


    Examines theory of the trauma process. Provide practical methods in development of treatment for trauma. Explore ethical consideration such as confidentiality in crisis intervention and trauma response.
  
  • CO 551. Counseling with Special Populations Grief, Trauma, or Crisis (3)


    Focuses on assessment and treatment of special populations such as children, victims of domestic violence and rape, veterans, and victims of natural disasters.
  
  • CO 553. Substance Abuse and Addictions Counseling (3)


    Students will explore the foundations, contextual dimensions, and practice of counseling for substance abuse and other addictions. Prerequisites: CO 541  and CO 546 .
  
  • CO 554. Technology and the Counseling Profession (3)


    Students will explore technology's impact on the counseling profession, ethical guidelines for integration of technology into counseling, and application of technology resources within the practice of counseling.
  
  • CO 559. Internship in Counseling I (3)


    Supervised internship of at least 300 clock hours at the P-6 grade level or site approved by course instructor. Prerequisites: CO 540 , CO 541 , ED 504 , ED 506  and CO 500  to include completion of 100 clock hour practicum.  A criminal background check and proof of professional liability insurance are required prior to starting internship hours.
  
  • CO 560. Theory and Treatment of Grief (3)


    Examines theory of the grief process and provide practical methods in development of treatment for grief.  Explore ethical issues such as palliative care and family presence during death and critical medical treatment as well as frameworks for making difficult ethical decisions.
  
  • CO 561. Assessment and Intervention Strategies for Crisis (3)


    Knowledge and information necessary to assist victims in the wake of a crisis or traumatic event.
  
  • CO 569. Internship in Counseling II (3)


    Supervised internship of at least 300 clock hours at the 7-12 grade level or site approved by course instructor. A criminal background check and proof of professional liability insurance are required prior to starting internship hours. Prerequisites: CO 540 , CO 541 , ED 504 , ED 506  and CO 500  to include completion of 100 clock hour practicum.
  
  • CO 571. Introduction to Play Therapy (3)


    This course is a comprehensive overview of counseling children through play including history, theories, and beginning skills.
  
  • CO 572. Advanced Play Therapy (3)


    This course will review the theoretical foundations of play therapy and how theory can be applied.  Assessment, treatment, and interventions with children and their families will be reviewed from a play therapy perspective.  This course also provides an overview of ethical and legal issues in play therapy.
  
  • CO 573. Adult/Child Relationship (3)


    This course is an overview of parent-child relationship therapy as well as teacher-child relationship therapy, and other adult-child relationships.
  
  • CO 574. Play Therapy with Special Populations (3)


    This course gives an overview of how to utilize play therapy with special populations including older adults, abused children, and adolescents.  This course will provide information regarding the use of play therapy with special populations in both individual sessions and group counseling settings.
  
  • CO 597. Independent Study in School Counseling (1-3)


    Offers the qualified graduate student an opportunity for independent study in school counseling. Specific content and nature of courses are determined by student needs and interests. Research papers required. One to three semester hours per semester, may be repeated for a maximum of six semester hours. Prerequisites: Permission of the Dean.
  
  • CO 598. Selected Topics in School Counseling (1-3)


    Critical readings, lectures, discussion, and laboratory experiences in school counseling not generally included in course offerings. Specific content and nature of course determined by student needs and interests. May be repeated for a maximum of six semester hours. Prerequisites: Permission of the Dean.
  
  • CO 599. Thesis in School Counseling (1-3)


    A thesis evidencing research capacity, independent thought and the ability to interpret materials is required of students pursuing the thesis option. Normally students enroll in this course continuously from the inception of their thesis project until the final document is approved by the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies. A maximum of six semester hours in this course will be counted toward the Master's degree. Prerequisites: Permission of Dean of the College.
  
  • CO 641. Advanced Elementary School Counseling (3)


    The focus of the course is on developing knowledge and practical skills in providing school counseling services to elementary school students.
  
  • CO 642. Adolescent Counseling (3)


    This course is a study of the various counseling modalities available to the school counselor for the prevention and remediation of adolescents' psychological, social, and behavioral problems.
  
  • CO 643. Substance Abuse Counseling (3)


    The focus of this course is on identification of at-risk K-12 students and prevention of treatment of substance abusing students in the schools.
  
  • CO 644. Family Counseling (3)


    The course provides an overview of family counseling theory, methods, and effective practices for the school counselor, including knowledge of assessment and intervention methods and models.
  
  • CO 645. Supervision and Consultation in School Counseling (3)


    This course is focused on theories of supervision and consultation relevant to practicing school counselors, including implementation of development models and training issues, knowledge of stages, roles, and legal/ethical guidelines in consultation and supervision.
  
  • CO 647. Research Seminar in School Counseling (3)


    The course requires library research on topical areas of interest to school counselors with research findings presented orally and in writing to the class and instructor.
  
  • CO 648. Current Issues in School Counseling (3)


    This course will address topics that school counselors have or will face on a day-to-day basis. Topics include bullying, grief and loss, divorce and adjusting to parent remarriage, physical, emotional, and verbal abuse issues, including reporting responsibilities, helping children cope with alcoholism or drug addiction in the home, the counselor's role on the BBSST committee, the role of the 504 Coordinator, working with students with physical and mental disabilities, and the counselor's role as Test Coordinator.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (CE)

  
  • CE 506. Literature for Early Childhood Education (3)


    Evaluation of major literary genre, motivational techniques for encouraging life-long reading habits in young children.
  
  • CE 510. Current Trends in Early Childhood Education (3)


    Critical review of prominent issues and practices affecting program organization, management and instruction in grades P-3.
  
  • CE 512. Planning Programs for Early Education (3)


    Specific classroom organizational needs, daily program planning, and effective teaching strategies emphasized.
  
  • CE 514. Language Development for Young Children (3)


    Influences and stages of oral language acquisition; strategies affecting oral language development.
  
  • CE 517. Directed Studies in Early Childhood Education (1-3)


    Independent study and research in area of early childhood education. Individual needs and interests determine content and nature of the course. Research and/or critical papers required. Maximum six semester hours. Prerequisites: Permission of the Dean.
  
  • CE 518. Directed Studies in Early Childhood Education (1-3)


    Independent study and research in area of early childhood education. Individual needs and interests determine content and nature of the course. Research and/or critical papers required. Maximum six semester hours. Prerequisites: Permission of the Dean.
  
  • CE 519. Internship in Early Childhood Education (3)


    Meets requirements of State Department of Education for Fifth-Year Non-Traditional Program and add-on certification in grades P-3. Requires 4-14 weeks. Full-time internship at cooperating public school.
  
  • CE 597. Independent Study in Early Childhood Education (1-3)


    Offers the qualified graduate student an opportunity for independent study in early childhood education. Specific content and nature of courses are determined by student needs and interests. Research papers required. One to three hours per semester, may be repeated for a maximum of six semester hours. Prerequisites: Permission of the Dean.
  
  • CE 598. Selected Topics in Early Childhood Education (3)


    Critical readings, lectures, discussion, and laboratory experiences in early childhood education not generally included in course offerings. Specific content and nature of course determined by student needs and interests. May be repeated for a maximum of six semester hours credit. Prerequisites: Permission of the Dean.
  
  • CE 599. Thesis in Childhood Education (3)


    A thesis evidencing research capacity, independent thought and the ability to interpret materials is required of students pursuing the thesis option. Normally students enroll in this course continuously from the inception of their thesis project until the final document is approved by the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies. A maximum of six semester hours in this course will be counted toward the Master’s degree. Prerequisites: Permission of Dean of the College.
  
  • CE 632. Family, Community, and School Dynamics: Promoting Great Beginnings (3)


    This course is designed to have students learn to connect with children and families in birth-through-eight age range settings. Students will use their knowledge and understanding of equity, fairness, and diversity to build family and community relationships in an ethical way.
  
  • CE 633. Assessing Current Practices in Early Childhood Environments (3)


    This course is designed to have students observe, document, and appropriately assess diverse, early childhood environments. Students will be required to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of an early childhood professional as one that uses assessment data to advocate for change, developmentally appropriate practices, and safe, caring learning environments.
  
  • CE 634. Current Trends and Critical Issues in Early Childhood Development and Learning (3)


    This course is designed to allow students to build and promote the use of meaningful curricula in the birth-through-eight age range setting. Students will use their knowledge and understanding of developmentally effective approaches and early education content to build and promote such curricula. This course requires extensive amounts of scholarly reading in the field of early childhood education. Students will be required to identify a problem or issue appropriate for an action research project they will design. Prerequisites: ED 604 .
  
  • CE 635. The Early Childhood Professional (3)


    This course is designed to allow students to synthesize and reflect on the early childhood profession. Students are required to complete an action research project that focuses on a critical issue or current trend in early childhood education that they have identified through extensive scholarly readings, discussions, observations, and other assignments. Prerequisites: CE 634 .

EARTH SCIENCE (ES)

  
  • ES 568. Selected Topics in Ocean Science (1-4)


    Requirements and interests of students determine the topics to be covered from within the fields of coastal weather and climate, oceanography, or others. Prerequisites: Twelve semester hours of earth science/geology and permission of the instructor and the Dean.

ECONOMICS (EC)

  
  • EC 500. Managerial Economics (3)


    Applications of economic theory to management decisions. Topics include economic systems; market forces; cost-benefit analysis; price determination; elasticity; estimation and forecasting; production and cost estimation; market structure analysis; resource allocation methods for organizational decisions; and economic policy.
  
  • EC 510. Financial and Economic Analysis (3)


    Implications of current events are examined through the applications of economic theory and financial analysis. Emphasis is placed on acquainting the student with methods of analyses in the contexts of current economic and financial issues that impact organizations.

EDUCATION (ED)

  
  • ED 500. Foundations of Education (3)


    Examines the sociological, cultural, philosophical and historical foundations of education.
  
  • ED 501. Educational Planning (3)


    Basic concepts of educational planning to include curriculum patterns, current issues, and program assessment.
  
  • ED 502. Critical Issues in Education (3)


    Sociological, cultural, economic, legal, and ethical issues in education are among the topics that are explored. This course is presented in a seminar setting that incorporates a global perspective with emphasis on diverse classroom settings.
  
  • ED 503. Effective P-12 Classroom Management (3)


    This course is designed to assist P12 teachers in developing skills to effectively manage student behavior. Course material is designed to prepare P12 teachers to be efficient managers of their classrooms so that student learning is maximized.
  
  • ED 504. Techniques of Educational Research (3)


    Major concepts and techniques of educational research to include types of research, application and interpretation of data, and the development and use of data collection instruments. Extensive reading and research project required.
  
  • ED 505. Technology and Education (3)


    An overview of the methods and techniques in computer assisted instruction, current issues, and hardware and software as they relate to the educational process.
  
  • ED 506. Educational Statistics (3)


    Incorporation of computer usage in the principles and practices of psychological and educational assessment. Inferential and descriptive statistics, formal and informal methods of assessment, designing assessment programs, interpretation of test results, and analysis of research results are explored.
  
  • ED 507. Learning Theories and Instructional Design (3)


    An exploration of various learning theories and how they relate to digital instructional design.
  
  • ED 508. Technology Portfolio (1)


    Students will prepare a portfolio that provides evidence of technology abilities as required by the State of Alabama. Much of the documentation is to be completed in a K-12 setting. Prerequisites: ED 505 .
  
  • ED 509. Internship in Teaching: P-12 (3)


    Fourteen weeks of full-time teaching in a public school setting. Designed for the Non-Traditional Fifth-Year pre-school through grade twelve teacher education program. Prerequisites: Must provide documentation of fingerprint clearance by ABI and FBI. Passing score on Praxis II. Unconditional admission to TEP and completion of all field experiences.
  
  • ED 510. Interactive e-learning Design (3)


    Introduces students to instructional principles and requires students to apply the principles in the design of an interactive learning program using Lectora or Adobe Captivate.
  
  • ED 512. Learning Systems Design (3)


    Students will develop knowledge of the instructional design process. In a project-based context, students will acquire skills and hands-on experience in designing effective learning and instruction, as well as develop an understanding of the practical aspects of instructional design in classroom and workplace settings.
  
  • ED 513. Digital Citizenship and the Law (3)


    Explores copyright, fair use, and other issues related to digital citizenship.
  
  • ED 514. Techniques of Educational Research II (3)


    Major concepts and techniques of educational research to include research application, data interpretation, use and development of data collection instruments related to the field of study. Prerequisites:  .
  
  • ED 515. Educational Technology 2.0 (3)


    Overview of methods and techniques in Web 2.0 tools, computed assisted instruction and current issues in educational technology as they relate to educational processes. Prerequisites:  .
  
  • ED 516. Educational Statistics II (3)


    Introduction to qualitative statistics and quantitative research methodology. Consideration to mainstream qualitative research traditions, including case study, phenomenology, ethnography, grounded theory, and participatory/action research. Introduction of computer software used for coding textual data and exploration of various analytic approaches. Students will conduct observations, interviews, basic data analysis, and reporting. Prerequisites:  .
  
  • ED 517. Educational Games, Simulations, and Mobile Applications (3)


    Student will be exposed to games simulations, and mobile applications. Capstone project will require students to create a game, simulation, or mobile application for educational or training purposes.
  
  • ED 518. Professional Portfolio (1)


    Develops reflective practices that assist students to explore professional growth and demonstrate technological abilities related to experiences in the current field of study. Prerequisites:   or  .
  
  • ED 521. Imaging, Graphic Design Technology and Learning (3)


    Students will develop an understanding about using images to promote learning. Additionally, students will be introduced to graphics applications and training.
  
  • ED 533. Reading Methods Secondary/P-12 (3)


    An overview of reading methods and techniques of teaching reading as related to different content areas. This course will prepare students for successful preparation of integrated unit planning and lesson planning. Students will be exposed to the components of Educate Alabama to better ensure success in the classroom.
  
  • ED 582. Methods of Teaching Language Arts (3)


    Students will develop competencies in methods of teaching language arts. This course will prepare students for the successful preparation of integrated unit planning and lesson planning. Student will be exposed to the components of Educate Alabama to better ensure success in the classroom.
  
  • ED 583. Methods of Teaching Mathematics (3)


    Students will develop competencies in methods of teaching mathematics. This course will prepare students for the successful preparation of integrated unit planning and lesson planning in mathematics. Student will be exposed to the components of Educate Alabama to better ensure success in the classroom.
  
  • ED 584. Methods of Teaching Physical Education (3)


    Students will develop competencies in methods of teaching physical education. This course will prepare students for the successful preparation of integrated unit planning and lesson planning in physical education. Student will be exposed to the components of Educate Alabama to better ensure success in the classroom.
  
  • ED 585. Methods of Teaching Science (3)


    Students will develop competencies in methods of teaching science. This course will prepare students for the successful preparation of integrated unit planning and lesson planning in science. Student will be exposed to the components of Educate Alabama to better ensure success in the classroom.
  
  • ED 586. Methods of Teaching Social Science (3)


    Students will develop competencies in methods of teaching social science. This course will prepare students for the successful preparation of integrated unit planning and lesson planning in social science. Student will be exposed to the components of Educate Alabama to better ensure success in the classroom.
  
  • ED 597. Independent Study in Education (1-3)


    Offers the qualified graduate student an opportunity for independent study in education. Specific content and nature of course determined by student needs and interests. Research papers required.
  
  • ED 598. Selected Topics in Education (3)


    Critical readings, lectures, discussion, and laboratory experiences in education not generally included in course offerings. Specific content and nature of course determined by student needs and interests. Prerequisites: Permission of the Dean. May be repeated for a maximum of six semester hours credit.
  
  • ED 599. Selected Topics in Education (3)


    Critical readings, lectures, discussion, and laboratory experiences in education not generally included in course offerings. Specific content and nature of course determined by student needs and interests. Prerequisites: Permission of the Dean. May be repeated for a maximum of six semester hours credit.
  
  • ED 601. Curriculum Design (3)


    This course focuses on an examination of principles, problems, and practices influencing curriculum planning; and research in general curriculum problems.
 

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