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About the Cognition & Education Graduate Certificate

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GRADUATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Graduate Certificate in Cognition and Education provides an advanced understanding of current theories and principles of academic learning and motivation, as well as strategies that instructors can use to foster students’ learning and motivation. Students who complete the certificate will have documentation that they have developed the intellectual and practical tools necessary to design effective instruction.

The Graduate Certificate in Cognition and Education is appropriate for graduate students who are considering careers as teachers, higher education professors, educational researchers, educational program administrators, educational leaders, instructional designers, sports coaches, and others interested in designing effective instruction.

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WHAT YOU'LL STUDY

Certificate Requirements: Students must complete 3 of the 4 courses listed below (for a total of 9 credit hours of coursework) with a grade of B or better to receive the certificate.

Students may complete the three courses in any order; however, it is recommended that students complete EDEP 5114 before enrolling in EDEP 6114 because some of the foundational learning concepts are provided in EDEP 5114.

  • EDEP 5114 (Learning and Cognition)
  • EDEP 6114 (Cognitive Processes and Educational Practice)
  • EDEP 6224 (Constructivism and Cognition)
  • EDEP 6444 (Motivation and Cognition)

Course Descriptions

Psychological theories and models which serve as a basis for educational models and practice. Emphasis on conceptions of learning and cognitive process. Pre: Graduate standing.

Credit Hour(s): 3

Lecture Hour(s): 3

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture, Online Lecture

Prerequisite(s):

Corequisite(s):

Investigates complex human learning from the perspective of cognitive/information processing theories. Emphasizes methods of investigation in cognitive science as well as strategies for using a cognitive orientation in educational settings.

Credit Hour(s): 3

Lecture Hour(s): 3

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture, Online Lecture

Prerequisite(s):

Corequisite(s):

Philosophical, theoretical, and empirical foundations of the broad field of constructivism, including the limits of epistemology and ontology, the determination of truth and reality, and applications to education and everyday life. Emphasis on radical constructivism, social constructivism, symbolic interactionism, social constructionism, and cognitive constructivism, and their applications to education.

Credit Hour(s): 3

Lecture Hour(s): 3

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture, Online Lecture

Prerequisite(s):

Corequisite(s):

Explores current research in the field of motivation as it relates to educational settings. Students will learn how motivation constructs relate to student behavior and cognition, how to select appropriate strategies to motivate students, and how to design measures to assess student motivation.

Credit Hour(s): 3

Lecture Hour(s): 3

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture, Online Lecture

Prerequisite(s):

Corequisite(s):

NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FACULTY

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Brett Jones, Professor and Program Leader
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Peter Doolittle, Professor
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Marcus Johnson, Professor