Individually Designed Program

Program Overview

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The Individually Designed Program (IDP) Masters Degree is a customizable 30-unit program for practicing teachers. It allows students to tailor their education by selecting courses from various areas, including instructional leadership, special education, and content area instruction. The program culminates in a master's project, where students apply their acquired skills in their own classroom or school. The IDP program prepares graduates for diverse careers in education, including teaching, instructional leadership, and educational research.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

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The Individually Designed Program (IDP) Masters Degree

is a 30-unit program for currently practicing teachers. This program allows students to customize their education by choosing from a variety of courses to achieve their individual goals and career aspirations. The program offers flexibility, allowing students to complete it in five semesters or at their own pace. The program culminates in a master's project, conducted in the student's own classroom or school, putting the acquired skills into practice.

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Objectives:

• Develop expertise in areas of individual interest.

• Advance knowledge and skills in specific areas of education.

• Prepare for leadership roles in education.

• Meet the needs of diverse learners.

• Contribute to a more just and equitable educational system.

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Program Description:

• The IDP program consists of 30 units, with 6 units dedicated to core courses and 24 units of electives.
• Core courses include:
• EDU 200: Research Methods (3 units)
• EDU 296A: Masters Project Proposal Seminar (1 unit)
• EDU 296B: Masters Project Seminar (2 units)
• Students can choose from a wide range of electives, including:
• Content Area Courses: Secondary Education & Content Area Modules, Content-Based Reading Instruction & Content Area Modules.
• Elementary Education: Typical and Atypical Child and Adolescent Development, Elementary Instruction: Theory and Practice, Culture and Cultural Diversity.
• Certificate in Inclusive and Responsive Teaching (CIRT)
This certificate requires 12 units of specific electives focused on working with students with diverse special needs.

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Outline:

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Content:

• The IDP program focuses on developing students' knowledge and skills in their chosen area of focus.
• Students can choose from a variety of courses in areas such as instructional leadership, special education, content area instruction, and elementary education.

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Structure:

• The IDP program is a 30-unit program that can be completed in five semesters or at the student's own pace.
• The program includes 6 units of core courses and 24 units of electives.
• Students can choose their electives based on their individual interests and goals.

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Course Schedule:

• Course offerings, class schedules, and program requirements are subject to change.
• Students should contact the department for the most up-to-date information.

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Modules:

• The IDP program does not have a modular structure.
• Instead, students choose their own courses based on their individual needs and interests.

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Assessment:

• The IDP program uses a variety of assessment methods to measure student learning.
• Projects: individual and group projects to assess students' ability to apply their knowledge and skills to real-world problems.
• Presentations: oral presentations to assess students' ability to communicate their ideas effectively.
• Master's Project: a culminating project that demonstrates students' ability to conduct research, analyze data, and apply their knowledge to a real-world problem.

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Teaching:

• The IDP program utilizes a variety of teaching methods to cater to diverse learning styles and needs.
• These methods may include:
• Lectures:
presentations by faculty members on key concepts and theories.
• Discussions: interactive sessions where students discuss course readings and engage with each other's ideas.
• Group work: collaborative projects and activities to promote teamwork and problem-solving skills.
• Technology: use of technology to enhance learning, such as online resources and multimedia presentations.
• The program's faculty consists of experienced educators and researchers with expertise in various areas of education.

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Careers:

• The IDP program prepares graduates for a variety of careers in education, including:
• Teachers:
elementary, middle, and high school teachers in public and private schools.
• Instructional Leaders: curriculum developers, instructional coaches, and school administrators.
• Special Education Teachers: teachers who work with students with disabilities.
• Educational Researchers: researchers who study teaching and learning and develop new educational programs and interventions.
• Policy Analysts: analysts who work for government agencies or non-profit organizations to develop education policy.

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Other:

• The IDP program is designed for currently practicing teachers who want to deepen their knowledge and skills in a specific area of education.
• The program offers flexibility in terms of pacing and course selection, allowing students to customize their learning experience.
• The program culminates in a master's project, which provides students with an opportunity to apply their learning to a real-world problem in their own classroom or school.