Education Policy and Equity Program
Leadership
Kathryn Mitchell Pierce, Ph.D.
Program Director
Overview
Saint Louis University's program in education policy and equity, designed to support critical inquiry into the nature of education policy and practice, provides an ideal environment for those who want to develop advanced skills as education researchers. Through an interdisciplinary course of study, students will develop a solid theoretical foundation and learn how to apply advanced research skills to the study of issues in education policy and practice from a social justice perspective.
About the Faculty
Faculty members take a genuine interest in students, serve as strong role models of success and acquaint students with the challenges and joys of the profession. The faculty seeks an appropriate balance between theory and practice, between action and reflection, and between intellect and affect.
EDF 2010 - Foundations of Education
3 Credits
A systematic analysis of how social issues impact schools forcing continual change and reform. Each part of educational system will be analyzed including organization philosophy, environment, management, and assessment. Field experiences are required and structured to focus on early childhood education, elementary education and special education for mild/moderate disorders.
EDF 2020 - Foundations of Elementary Education
3 Credits
A systematic analysis of how social issues impact schools forcing continual change and reform. Each part of educational system will be analyzed including organization philosophy, environment, management, and assessment. Field experiences are required and structured to focus on early childhood education (1 - 6).
Corequisite(s): EDI 2940
EDF 2030 - Foundations of Middle School Education
3 Credits
A systematic analysis of how social issues impact schools forcing continual change and reform. Each part of educational system will be analyzed including organization philosophy, environment, management, and assessment. Field experiences are required and structured to focus on early childhood education (5 - 9).
Corequisite(s): EDI 2940
EDF 2040 - Foundations of Secondary Education
3 Credits
A systematic analysis of how social issues impact schools forcing continual change and reform. Each part of educational system will be analyzed including organization philosophy, environment, management, and assessment. Field experiences are required and structured to focus on early childhood education (9 - 12).
Corequisite(s): EDI 2940
EDF 2240 - Growth Development and Learning
3 Credits
Addresses opportunities to understand various principles, theories, and strands of developmental stages of life (including psychological development of the child and adolescents.) Human development will be examined through the lens of education. Address the psychology/education of the exceptional child and the process of language acquisition. Field experiences included.
EDF 2930 - Special Topics
1-3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
EDF 2980 - Independent Study
1 or 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
EDF 3620 - Culture and the Classroom
3 Credits
This course will permit students to examine multi-cultural education, how it is defined, how it is taught in schools, its conceptual base, and reasons for its development, A special focus will be given to over-arching issues common to development, race, culture, language, gender, age, social class and disability.
EDF 3710 - Development of the Young Child
3 Credits
An examination of the basic theories, principles and research relating to growth and development from a physical, intellectual, social and emotional perspective. Covers development from prenatal period through age five. Review of characteristics of major conditions (including developmental disabilities and giftedness) impacting on development. Field experience with infant/toddlers.
EDF 3840 - Professional Ethics
3 Credits
This course begins with an examination of the concept of professional ethics and its relationship to general ethics. It studies the notions of morality and justice as well as the relationship between morality, values, and religion. Particular emphasis will be placed on the dynamic nature of moral and professional ethical developments, their similarities and the differences between ethics in a variety of service-oriented professions, and the impact of one's values on the ethical treatment of individuals. Ethical issues in education, governments, clinical settings, healthcare, law and business will be investigated through a case study approach and an individual code of professional ethics will be generated.
EDF 3890 - School and Community
3 Credits
This course is designed to acquaint pre-service teachers with the theories, practices, skills, and knowledge of school and community partnerships. This course explores the question 'what role does the family and community play in the educational development of children?' There is a focus in this course to develop understandings of diverse contexts when working with communities, families, children. In this course students will study themselves, the schools, communities, families, and children in the contexts of future teaching situations.
EDF 3930 - Special Topics
3 Credits
EDF 3980 - Independent Study
1-3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
Independent Study.
EDF 4835 - Foundations of Catholic Education
3 Credits
This course examines the foundations and special dimensions of education in a Catholic school including: 1) Self-knowledge and Spiritual Development; 2) The foundations of governance in a Catholic school including the following topics: canon law and Catholic education; mission, vision, and the role of parents in Catholic education; 3) The historical foundations of Catholic education in the United States 4) Church documents on Catholic Education. Offered annually.
EDF 4930 - Special Topics
1-3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
EDF 4980 - Advanced Independent Study in Education Foundations
1-3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
Independent Study.
EDF 5300 - Advanced Educational Psychology
3 Credits
An in-depth investigation of the principles of psychology as they relate to education. Learning theory and learning process, growth and development, mental hygiene, group process, and measurement and evaluation theory and analysis will be examined, along with related research. (Offered every other semester.)
EDF 5600 - Foundations of Urban Education
3 Credits
A survey of the social and cultural factors involved in the educational opportunities provided in large urban areas. Special attention to the issues and problems that arise. (Offered occasionally.)
EDF 5700 - Advanced Growth and Development
3 Credits
A balanced and systematic multidisciplinary look at all stages of human growth and development through the life span. In family and school contexts the perspective includes contributions from education, biology, developmental psychology, sociology, and cultural anthropology. Research, including its many discoveries and controversies, is examined at all stages. In addition, critical topics into which research is increasingly gaining insight are explored. (Offered annually).
Attributes: MPH-Maternal & Child Health
EDF 5835 - Foundations of Catholic Education
3 Credits
This course examines the foundations and special dimensions of education in a Catholic school including: 1) Self-knowledge and Spiritual Development; 2) The foundations of governance in a Catholic school including the following topics: canon law and Catholic education; mission, vision, and the role of parents in Catholic education; 3) The historical foundations of Catholic education in the United States 4) Church documents on Catholic Education. Offered annually.
EDF 5930 - Special Topics
3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
EDF 5950 - Special Study for Exams
0 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
EDF 5980 - Graduate Independent Study in Education Foundations
1-3 Credits
Prior permission of guiding professor.
Attributes: Urban Poverty - Applied
EDF 6000 - Foundations of Doctoral Study
3 Credits
This course focuses on facilitating the orientation of incoming doctoral students to requirements of being a successful PhD student, to understand the requirements of doctoral research, and to consider possible dissertation research ideas as well as research designs.
EDF 6050 - Multicultural Issues in Public Service
3 Credits
Examination of the theory and practice of multiculturalism in public-service settings. Discussion of educational, social, legal, and ethical issues in multiculturalism. The impact of cultural membership on personal and professional functioning. Develops cultural competence in professionals who work with culturally diverse populations. (Offered twice each year.)
EDF 6300 - Studies in Catholic Education
3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
An intensive study of selected problems and issues related to Catholic educational programs. (Offered occasionally.)
EDF 6310 - Seminar: Catholic Education
3 Credits
An investigation of selected educational topics related to Catholic educational programs. Permission of Instructor only.
EDF 6460 - History of American Education from 1865
3 Credits
Lecture and discussion about the educational ideas and events in the United States since 1865 as they related to the history of the period. (Offered annually.)
EDF 6600 - Education in American Culture
3 Credits
A critical study of the many problems and issues in American education from various frames of reference. (Offered occasionally.)
EDF 6650 - Seminar: History of American Education
3 Credits
An investigation of selected educational developments as related to the history of the period. (Offered annually.)
EDF 6700 - Reimagining Schools for Equity, Justice, & Healing
3 Credits
This course is an action-oriented deep dive into theory and practice toward creating a socially just education system in the St. Louis region that enables all young people to thrive. Our mission in this course is to solve the most pressing educational issues through deep learning, meaningful discussions and a commitment to service of our students. These issues are complex and tackling them effectively requires a reimagined, creative approach.
EDF 6850 - Seminar: Comparative Education
3 Credits
Investigation of relationships between education and society or education of different societies. (Offered occasionally.)
EDF 6870 - Seminar: Current Educational Problems
3 Credits
Study and critical comment on significant research recently published. Selection of problems from sources such as educational journals, superintendents' reports, yearbooks. (Offered occasionally.)
EDF 6930 - Special Topics
3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
EDF 6950 - Special Study for Written Comprehensive Exams
0 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
EDF 6960 - Project Guidance
0-4 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
EDF 6970 - Advanced Research Topics in Education Foundations
1-3 Credits
EDF 6980 - Graduate Independent Study in Education Foundations
1-3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
Prior permission of guiding professor.
EDF 6990 - Dissertation Research
0-12 Credits (Repeatable for credit)