MWSU Master of Applied Science (MAS) in Assessment

Master's of Applied Science in Assessment

Learning Improvement Option | Writing Option | Autism Spectrum Disorders Option | TESOL Option

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Learning Improvement
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For more information, contact John Ellis at
816-271-4302 or jellis6@missouriwestern.edu.

Learning Improvement: Sequence of Courses

YEAR ONE - SUMMER

EDU 510 - Policy Decisions and the Data that Drives Them (3) (Core)
Analysis of policy debates that impact the effectiveness of educators, literacy providers, and other professional fields. Special attention given to historical and theoretical considerations that constrain or facilitate equity and access for end users, to include issues of power, resistance, and assessment measures.

EDU 520 - 21st Century Educators: Foundations of Professional Behaviors (3) (LI Option)
How the philosophical, historical, and political foundations of education inform research. Special attention will be placed on understanding the theories, values, and assumptions that drive much of the current research base in American schools and to help the professional educator engage research practices with more rigor and understanding.

YEAR ONE - FALL

EDU 530 Research Approaches in Assessment (3 cr.) (Core)
Introduction and comparison of quantitative and qualitative research methods in assessment to include mixed methods. Early exploration of data leading to an improvement plan and outcomes begins here.

EDU 540 Current Barriers to Learning Improvement (3 cr.) (LI Option)
A constructivist/research approach to identifying barriers to learning within P-12 classrooms and developing strategies to improve learning.

YEAR ONE - SPRING

EDU 570 Seeking Support for Assessment: Funds, Partners, and Disseminating Results (3 cr.) (LI Option)
Exploration of the importance of partnerships to include funding opportunities and drafts of proposals to gain support. Attention will also be given to the importance of disseminating results and ways in which technology can assist.

EDU 580 Literature Review and Case Study Analysis (3 cr.) (Core)
A review of significant literature and cases of school and learning improvement: what has been tried, what has worked, what has failed, and why. Students will begin to apply the concepts and strategies gained in this course to their own work as they narrow the focus of their emerging research.

YEAR TWO - SUMMER

EDU 615 Data Informed Analysis and Decisions (3 cr.) (Core)
Critical analysis and presentation of data sets using quantitative tools. Data will take many forms, including authentic data assembled by students, and students will be expected to use the data to develop hypotheses and support projected solutions.

EDU 620 Applied Educational Research: Developing a Learning and Assessment Plan (3 cr.) (LI Option)
The development of an applicable knowledge base regarding learning and assessment that is based on current research and best practice. Prominent educational research regarding learning and assessment with an emphasis on validity, reliability, measurability, accountability, differentiation, and application will be key elements as well as traditional and non-traditional methodologies to learning and assessment. As a culminating activity for the course, a draft learning and assessment plan for a classroom, building, or district will be developed.

YEAR TWO - FALL

EDU 630 Improving Outcomes: Documenting the Process and Results (3 or 6 cr.) (Core)
The capstone course of the degree. The final improvement plan will be created in a format that is a professional fit with the degree option.

EDU 640 Applied Research for School Improvement (3 cr.) (LI Option)
Refinement of the draft learning and assessment plan to include interaction with in-school professional school leaders and one-on-one mentoring by an education faculty member. This course provides students with an opportunity to examine their learning and assessment plan within the authentic context of the school.

YEAR TWO - SPRING

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