Master of Arts in Spanish - Applied Linguistics and Pedagogy

at Kent State University USA

The Bachelor of Science in Education degree in School Health Education prepares individuals to teach health education in the schools. Graduates are eligible to pursue the state's multi-age licensure. Students complete a variety of field experiences and a culminating student teaching experience.

The Health and Physical Education optional concentration allows students to seek Ohio teacher licensure in both health education and physical education. The program is designed to be completed in five years, and can allow students to satisfy up to 12 credit hours of program requirements with graduate courses.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Analyze factors affecting the successful implementation of health education and Coordinated School Health (CSH); select media and resources best suited to implement plans for diverse learners; exhibit competence in carrying out planned programs; and monitor educational programs, adjusting objectives and instructional strategies as necessary.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of CSH; develop plans to assess student achievement of program objectives; carry out evaluation plans; interpret results of program evaluation; and infer implications of evaluation findings for future programs.
• Coordinate provision of health education programs and services and develop a plan for comprehensive school health education with other components of a school health program; demonstrate the dispositions and skills to facilitate cooperation among health educators, other teachers, and appropriate school staff; formulate practical modes of collaboration among health educators in all settings and other school and community health professionals; and organize professional development programs for teachers, other school personnel, community members, and other interested individuals.
• Utilize computerized health information retrieval systems effectively; establish effective consultative relationships with those requesting assistance in solving health-related problems; interpret and respond to requests for health information; and select effective educational resource materials for dissemination.
• Communicate health information needs, concerns, and resources; interpret concepts, purposes, and theories of health education; predict the impact of social value systems on health education programs; select a variety of communication methods and techniques in providing health information; and foster communication between health care providers and consumers.
• Obtain health-related data about social and cultural environments, growth and development factors, and needs and interests of students; distinguish between the behaviors that foster and those that hinder well-being; and determine health education needs based on observed and obtained data.
• Recruit school and community representatives to support and assist in program planning; develop a logical scope and sequence plan for a health education program; formulate appropriate and measurable learner objectives; and design educational strategies consistent with specified learner objectives.
• Communicate and advocate for health and school health education by analyzing and responding to factors that impact current and future needs in comprehensive school health education, applying a variety of communication methods and techniques, advocating for school health education, and demonstrating professionalism.

The Bachelor of Science in Information Technology degree in Information Technology provides students with an applied approach that focuses on supporting end-users in a variety of workplace settings by utilizing a range of computing technologies. The degree program gives students the tools to support computing and network infrastructures and the needs of individuals and organizations, write programs necessary to help them render their tasks more efficiently on their desktop or mobile devices, utilize databases and write the web-based interfaces to pull the data, and code and deploy applications across the cloud.

Graduates are qualified to work in a wide range of computer and network infrastructures in small to large-sized enterprises in such positions as: web or software developer; hardware, network, cloud, virtualization technician or engineer; IT support specialist or consultant; help desk, network, or IT project manager; security or forensic analyst; and systems, network or database administrator in all sectors of business, education, manufacturing, healthcare, non-profit, and government.

The Information Technology major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Application Development concentration provides students with the ability to program in languages typically utilized in contemporary business environments. Students will code in applications such as Visual Basic, C++, Java, C# and other industry-standard applications to develop programs employing event-driven and object-oriented techniques.
• The Cybersecurity and Forensics concentration places an emphasis on security of computer and network systems, including forensic work to prevent and/or determine and correct security issues utilizing cybersecurity devices, procedures, tools, and solutions.
• The Database Design and Administration concentration focuses on skills needed to become a database manager. Topics include relational database design; working with database servers, users, and permissions; SQL statements used for queries and reports; and incorporating databases into programming used in web-based and desktop forms.
• The Health Information Technology concentration provides students with the tools to install, manage, troubleshoot and secure hardware and software systems in healthcare environments. The course of study includes health IT privacy, security, EHR Implementation and support, mobile device management, technology and application life-cycle management, organizational behavior, medical business operations and regulatory requirements.
• The Integrated Information Technology concentration is ideal for students who want a flexible course of study for positions that require IT staff to perform a wide range of technical duties.
• The Internet/Multimedia concentration focuses on scripting, server-side form handling, web database integration, and interactive and dynamic multimedia Internet development.
• The Networking concentration focuses on configuring and maintaining network information systems and components in various network operating system and cloud computing environments that are prevalent in today's businesses. The emphasis is on network administration (i.e. managing Active Directory and network services), servers, workstations, virtualization, security, troubleshooting, installation, and maintenance.

The Master of Landscape Architecture I degree in Landscape Architecture is a professional program that prepares graduates for active, creative and leadership roles in landscape architecture profession through inclusive and interdisciplinary design methodologies that are focused on issues surrounding urban landscapes, ecologies and social concerns.

Students are engaged in issues — ranging from hydrology in the Great Lakes and Ohio River Basins watershed to the role of urban landscapes associated with industrial cities. In addition, they study matters of global significance relating to the role of landscape and design relative to reclamation of urban vacancies, infrastructural systems, natural resources, climate change, water quality for health and social justice and cultural landscapes.

Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Pursue careers in landscape architecture
• Synthesize higher-level learning necessary to practice landscape architecture; and develop critical understanding through increased independent, collaborative, interdisciplinary and course-based research.
• Establish a design process that is firmly based upon research, technology and artistic expression.
• Appraise and understand geo-cultural differences and develop skills to engage local phenomena.

The Master of Arts degree in Biology is for students wishing to gain additional knowledge in any area of the biological sciences. This is a non-thesis master's degree designed for secondary school science teachers, individuals looking for additional background or preparation for professional school (e.g. medicine, dentistry or Ph.D. programs) and those seeking employment in life science industries in a non-research capacity.

The Biology major includes the following concentration:

• The Medical Biology concentration provides students with a deep understanding of physiological systems and the mechanisms that underlie various disorders and disease pathologies.

Students who declare the Biology major with no concentration will select their area of specialization in consultation with an academic faculty advisor.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Understand advanced biological concepts beyond the scope of the typical undergraduate degree and to increase the depth of their knowledge through coursework and hands-on experiences.
• Apply scientific principles and appreciate work outside of their particular field.
• Effectively communicate about science with colleagues as well as those outside of the student's area of expertise.
• Develop the necessary laboratory skills that will allow testing of hypotheses.

The Master of Education degree in School Psychology provides a focus on the core principles and foundations of the practice of school psychology. The M.Ed. degree is not considered a terminal degree and is not sufficient for earning the Ohio state license in school psychology.

Additional training beyond the M.Ed. (e.g., an Ed.S. or Ph.D.) is required in order to gain the credential of 'school psychologist' at the state (i.e., Ohio Department of Education) and national (i.e., through the National Association of School Psychologists national certification program) levels as well as for licensure and practice in most states.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design integrates conceptual, technical and production design knowledge and skills, leading to a synthesis of the design process from concept to production. These processes include color, design and trend research; technical sketching and rendered illustration; pattern-making and garment construction; analysis of appropriate fit and fabric selection; and the ability to communicate specifications for production using industry standards appropriate to specific markets.

The degree program prepares students for professional careers by developing technical competency, creative/independent problem solving and conceptual understanding necessary for the challenges of a career in the creative industries. Students develop portfolios for presentation at industry interviews and are prepared to be strongly competitive for any entry-level design position in the industry. In addition, students participate in a study abroad/away experience, which includes opportunities to study for a semester in New York City and Florence, Italy, as well as through collaborative partnership programs with the Paris American Academy, Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Regent's University in London.

The B.F.A. degree in Fashion Design engages students in a focused-study thesis project (collection development) as a capstone experience that results in submitting their collection for formal review by faculty and industry designer-critics, followed by public presentation in a fashion venue and completion of a thesis "magazine" (print collateral).

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Understand the fashion industry, fashion markets, fashion products, and services
• Demonstrate understanding of integrating conceptual, technical and production design knowledge and skills, leading to a synthesis of the design process from concept to production.
• Apply knowledge and skills in the use of basic tools, techniques, and processes sufficient to produce work from draft or specifications to finished product, including skills in portfolio preparation.
• Articulate conceptual and critical thinking applicable to the fashion industry.
• Employ research processes and practices employed in the fashion industry.
• Articulate professionalism and communication skills in the appropriate creative industry.

Journalists are reporters, watchdogs, storytellers. The Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism teaches students how to cover real stories that make a difference. Whether using a camera, a microphone, a smartphone or a laptop, students become journalists by doing journalism inside and outside the classroom.

Gaining critical skills that equip them for storytelling in all its forms, students will practice their craft in Kent State’s award-winning student media. Working with these outlets, students will learn how to engage audiences where they “live,” on TV, radio, online, social media and in print.

Journalism students will produce news and feature content on visual, digital and emerging platforms, and they’ll apply what they’ve learned as part of the required professional internship.

With a grounding in ethics and an understanding of media’s role in democratic society, students graduate prepared to continue as journalists or apply their skills to other professions that value critical thinking, information gathering and the ability to make sense of it for others.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate critical thinking, grounded in a legal and ethical framework.
• Gather information, analyze it and make informed judgments using methods and tools appropriate to their professions.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply theory and research appropriate to their professions, including quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply basic ethical principles to their professional work.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply laws and regulations applicable to their professional work.
• Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve.
• Demonstrate understanding of how media and their professions evolved historically, their role in societal development and their global interaction today with institutions and individuals.
• Demonstrate appreciation for diverse cultures and individual differences, and reflect that appreciation in their work.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish provides students with opportunities to explore the rich diversity of Spanish cultures, develop reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in the Spanish language. Students will also acquire an in-depth knowledge and critical perspective on history and culture of the Spanish-speaking world through the analysis of literary and non literary texts.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Perform tasks at Intermediate High and Advanced Low levels of proficiency as described by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Guidelines. Proficiency, in ACTFL terms, is understood to describe a range of qualities rather than an absolute norm and will vary according to task type, language function, topic, skill (listening, speaking, reading, writing), and so forth.
• Contribute to most informal and some formal conversations with sufficient accuracy, clarity, and precision to convey their intended message without misrepresentation or confusion. They will for the most part be understood by native speakers unaccustomed to dealing with non-native speakers.
• Vary the register (formality level) of their speech.
• Talk about personal interests, topics of general interest, literature and culture, and so forth in the target language.
• Listen to extended discourse on a variety of topics and understand main ideas and most details.
• Read texts written for native speakers and not edited or adapted for students. They will read a wide variety of text types such as poems, plays, novels, magazine articles, newspaper articles, brochures, pamphlets, menus, letters written for native speakers of Spanish.
• Compose routine social correspondence, take notes, write cohesive summaries and resumes, as well as narratives and descriptions of a factual nature in the target language. Additionally, they will be able to complete course-related writing tasks such as essays and term papers in the target language. They will be able to defend a thesis statement and make stylistic decisions based on the needs of specific audiences and on specific writing purposes.
• Demonstrate a historical knowledge of Spanish history and culture and understand the diverse nature of culture throughout the ages.
• Discuss cultural differences, distinguishing between fact, opinion and stereotypes.
• Learn to recognize and esteem diversity as they gain the skills necessary for sensitive, effective interpersonal and intercultural interaction.
• Learn to view concepts, issues, events, and themes from the perspectives of diverse ethnic and cultural groups and to esteem diversity as they gain the skills necessary for sensitive, effective interpersonal and intercultural communication. Additionally, in learning to recognize and accept cultural differences, graduates will be able to maintain an ongoing assessment of their own cultural values and behaviors. Successful completion of the program will foster in our students a lifetime commitment and desire to continue learning about languages, literatures and cultures different from their own.

The Master of Science degree in Business Analytics provides students with a comprehensive knowledge of analytics that balances the technologies, analytical methods and business expertise needed to glean useful information from data to make strategic business decisions. The language of business today is dependent on information and data management, and the emergence of advanced technologies for capturing, preparing and analyzing data provides unprecedented opportunities for those with business analytics expertise that spans all industries and organizations.

Students in the Business Analytics major gain the technical, analytical, communication, decision-making and leadership skills needed to be successful business analysts. The curriculum includes integrative capstone analysis projects, and there is an internship option for additional professional development through the on-site College of Business Administration's Career Services Office.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Identify key characteristics of the business problem
• Identify opportunities and constraints of various data analytical frameworks and tools.
• Formulate appropriate data analytic techniques to solve the business problem.
• Perform necessary data preparation steps (retrieve, clean and manipulate data).
• Demonstrate necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to implement several data-analytic frameworks using different tools.
• Lead and work with teams to frame the business problem.
• Convey in writing the outcomes of analytics for stakeholders.
• Use visual outcomes of analytics to communicate orally effective messages for stakeholders

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology and Justice Studies takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of crime, law and justice. Faculty members view crime, deviance and society’s response from the fields of sociology, political science, psychology and traditional criminal justice viewpoints. The curriculum provides a firm understanding of the basic institutions of the criminal justice system. Students are also exposed to criminological theory and diversity courses, which help them understand the complex relationship between the individual, society and the criminal justice system. The program stresses effective writing and analytical skills. Students are afforded the opportunity to earn credit through internship placements.

Students select at least one concentration in consultation with a faculty advisor or the undergraduate coordinator. Consultations with faculty enable students to make informed choices about which combination of courses will maximize their preparation for future careers and graduate education.

The Criminology and Justice Studies major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Corrections concentration is for students interested in pursuing careers in institutional corrections for adults or juveniles, or in such community corrections fields as probation and parole.
• The Criminology and Deviance concentration is for students interested in understanding the origins and nature of deviance and crime, their patterns and societal responses; this concentration is appropriate for students preparing for graduate study in sociology, criminology, criminal justice, public policy or social work.
• The General–Criminology and Justice Studies concentration is for students who either choose not to pursue specializations within the major or wish to pursue an individualized program of study (through general electives), which does not align with the other concentrations.
• The Justice and Human Relations concentration is for students interested in such fields as social work, counseling, clinical psychology, victimology, victim advocacy, juvenile justice, public/community relations in criminal justice, community organizing, diversity or social justice. (Interdisciplinary training and/or specialized graduate training are necessary for careers in many of those fields.)
• The Law and Society concentration is for students interested in the social relevance of law and social influences on law; this concentration is appropriate preparation for law school or graduate study in the social sciences.
• The Policing concentration is for students intending careers in law enforcement and other occupations related to security and public safety.
• The Victimology concentration is relevant for students interested in the scholarly study of crime victims, their treatment in the justice systems and programs that serve victims. It is useful for those interested in victim advocacy.