Digital Age Teaching and Learning

[1] Program Summary

The purpose of the Educational Specialist (EdS) program in Digital Age Teaching and Learning is preparing educators to transform face-to-face learning through active student-centered pedagogy that is enhanced through mobile technology. The EdS in Digital Teaching and Learning is geared toward the education professional who wants to go beyond his or her master’s degree with a focus on how to transform the face-to-face classroom into an environment where digital age students have increased voice and choice in their learning and where students are provided learning opportunities with ensured equitably and accessibility for all.

[2] Objectives

• Students will create personalized digital learning experiences aligned to state standards and core competencies.
• Students will design curriculum and implement a variety of teaching approaches to increase digital equity and accessibility in the classroom.
• Students will demonstrate digital citizenship and the responsible use of digital media as an empowered professional.
• Students will integrate mobile technology in teaching and learning to increase student engagement, allow for student voice, and promote accessibility.

[3] Admission Requirements

Prospective students can apply to the Digital Age Teaching and Learning program at any time during the year. Applicants who qualify may enter the program on a full-time or a part-time basis. As an applicant for admission, students must present evidence of their ability to participate successfully in a graduate-level academic endeavor. To be considered, applicants must hold a master’s degree from an accredited university and meet the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School.

During the application process, applicants will be required to provide the following:

1. A statement of the applicant’s interest in digital age teaching and learning, and how UCA’s program fits applicant’s goals and career aspirations
2. At least three professional references who can speak to the applicant’s potential for success in the program

[4] Program Requirements/Curriculum

The program provides students access to graduate-level instruction from faculty with diverse backgrounds, including field practitioners.

The academic program requires the completion of 30 graduate semester credit hours, including a 6-hour capstone course that culminates the program.

Required Courses (21 credit hours)

Elective Courses (3 credit hours)

Capstone (6 credit hours)

[5] Other Program Policies

1. Transfer Credit: A maximum of six hours of transfer work may be accepted to meet program requirements. Transfer credit must reflect a final grade of A or B and be approved in advance by both the program coordinator and the department chair.
2. Per UCA Graduate School policy, a graduate student is expected to maintain a cumulative 3.00 average. A student whose cumulative grade point average is less than 3.00 is on academic probation. In the next semester or summer term of attendance, the student should achieve a cumulative 3.00 or at least show meaningful improvement towards a 3.00 GPA. If the cumulative 3.00 is not met or meaningful improvement is not shown, the student will be ineligible to continue in the EDDL program.
3. Professionalism: Candidates are expected to act in accordance with ethical principles established in their profession as well as principles of academic integrity established by UCA. Conduct that violates these principles will be subject to disciplinary action, ranging from probation up to or including expulsion from the program.

[6] Continuous Enrollment Requirement

College of Education graduate students are expected to maintain continuous enrollment throughout their program of study until achieving program completion. Specifically, College of Education graduate students are expected to be enrolled in at least two of the three semesters in a given calendar year (Spring, Summer I or II, and Fall). If a student must take a time-out, the student must notify the department in which the program of study resides. If a student fails to register for more than one semester out of three in a given calendar year, that student may be ineligible for readmission unless granted by the home department.

[7] Graduate Course Links (EDDL)

Follow this link to EDDL course descriptions: course link.