The University at Albany currently offers two fully online master's degree programs, MS in Curriculum Development & Instructional Technology and the MS in Childhood Education (Literacy) and an online certificate program, the Certificate in Public Health - Fundamentals and Principles. Several other schools and departments in the University offer online courses as well.
Please Note: To register for these courses, you must be a matriculated degree student in one of the above programs or you must be accepted to the University as a graduate non-matriculated student. To learn more about how to apply as a non-matriculated graduate student please visit the Office of Graduate Studies website or call (518) 442-3980.
Online courses at the University at Albany are delivered using the Blackboard Learning System (BLS). Courses on BLS will go live to students 2 weeks before the first day of classes. If you enroll in a course that uses Blackboard after the go live date, you will be able to access the course within 12-24 hours.
Please note that course and session information is current as of 6/4/2009.
The most current course information can be accessed using the Schedule of Classes search tool.
College of Computing & Information
School of Education
School of Public Health
School of Social Welfare
College of Computing & Information
IIST 523 Fundamentals of Information Technology (3) - Class # 31384
Provides a basic grounding in the basic information technology skills necessary for information professionals. Students learn how operating systems, hardware, software, and networks interoperate. Includes an introduction to office and web-based applications, online content design, user accessibility concepts, database basics, and information security. This course fulfills three credits toward the MSIS degree's technology requirement.
School of Education
Philosophy of Education
EPHL 601 Philosophy of Education (3) - Class # 21684
An examination of the methods of philosophy and its application to educational issues. Topics considered include social justice, moral education and theories of learning and knowledge. These topics are examined in the context of historic and contemporary philosophical writings.
Educational Psychology
EPSY 530 Statisitical Methods I (3) - Class # 27104
Descriptive statistics including measures of central tendency and variability, correlation and regression. Introduction to statistical inference, including sampling distributions, significance tests, confidence intervals, and power of tests of significance.
EPSY 540 Assessment in Education (3) - Class # 25058
Theory and practice of assessment for teachers and other professionals. Emphasis on classroom assessment and evaluation practices consistent with the NYS Learning Standards. Methods include performance assessments, instructional rubrics, student portfolios and exhibitions, and objectively-scored tests. Assessments used for improving student performance and teaching practice. Prerequisite: None.
Reading
ERDG 500 Introduction to Literacy Teaching and Learning, B-6 (3) - Class # 26920 & 30830
Introduces instruction in reading, writing, listening, and speaking development from birth to grade 6. Teachers will learn productive research-based strategies, materials, and assessment practices, and reflect on their own literacy as a resource for understanding children's literacy development. Involves practical literacy experiences for children.
ERDG 504 Literature for Reading Programs (3) - Class # 26620
Examination of the broad range of genres and the rich variety of materials for use in classroom settings. Focus includes strategies for incorporating tests into various curricular areas. Topics include literacy events with text for emergent readers, knowledge of book difficulty, and uses of literature in the classroom.
ERDG 600 Practicum in Literacy Teaching and Learning, B-6 (3) - Class # 33119
Extends Rdg 500, emphasizing the knowledge teachers need to address and prevent problems in children's learning and in school practices. Teachers will learn assessment tools (e.g. standardized tests, portfolios, informal assessments) and to negotiate solutions to instructional problems with colleagues and parents. Involves tutoring a student encountering difficulty with literacy development. Prerequisite: Rdg 500 or 508.
ERDG 610 (Tap 610) Literacy in Society (3) - Class # 23822 & 23824 & 33118
Provides opportunities for building shared understanding among teachers working with students across grade levels. Involves critical examination of social and linguistic perspectives on language and literacy. Addresses the relationship among schooling, literacy, and social and cultural life. Encompasses family literacy, media studies, and the nature and significance of sociocultural and linguistic diversity.
ERDG 615 Teaching Writing, B-6 (3) - Class # 26988 & 28892
Examines major instructional strategies and theories for teaching writing from Birth-Grade Six. Major themes include using writing to assess student learning and inform instruction, recognizing the roles of talk, reading, and other forms of communication in writing development, writing within and across disciplines, and focusing on audiences and purposes for writing.
ERDG 617 Teaching Social Studies & Language Arts in Preschool and Elementary Settings (3 )- Class # 26806
Focuses on New York State Standards and Assessment in teaching social studies and language arts. Teachers will learn theoretical and practical applications of historical and literary concepts. Examines productive ways to integrate across the subject areas. Emphasizes material selection, instruction, and assessment to promote conceptual understandings for all students.
ERDG 625 Integrated Literacy Instruction, B-6 (3) - Class # 25762
Theory and practice of integrated literacy instruction. Topics include: historical perspectives on integrated language arts, and between language arts, different kinds of integration (within language arts, between language arts and subject areas, within and across grade levels, etc.) developing integrated units of instruction, teaching skills within themes, and assessing children's literacy programs.
ERDG 655 (Tap 654) Emergent Literacy (3)- Class # 28890
Language and literacy development in young children is examined in everyday contexts, in and outside the home. The reciprocal relationship between early writing and reading is emphasized, as is a serious reconsideration of some long-held notions, such as reading readiness, pre-reading, and pre-requisite skills.
Special Education
ESPE 560 Introduction to Human Exceptionality (3) - Class # 28938
Characteristics of individuals whose cognitive, physical, or emotional development differs from typical individuals. Special education history and laws are discussed, as is the process leading to the development of individualized education plans and special education services. Selected strategies for students with special needs are also presented. (Not open to those students who previously completed E Psy 460)
Educational Theory & Practice
ETAP 510 Fundamentals of Program Development (3) - Class # 26852
Examines and identifies the concepts, principles, and models of curriculum and the interrelationships of these elements in developing programs and evaluating them.
ETAP 512 Teachers in Context (3) - Class # 21874
An examination of the influence of sociological, cultural, and historical factors on the place of teachers in society and the professional practice of teaching with an emphasis on representative countries.
ETAP 519 Learning in the Academic Disciplines (3) - Class # 23682
This course is an introduction to general theories of human learning and their application to learning in academic disciplines. The course explores some aspects of the relationships among sociology, technology, and human learning, and raises pedagogical and curricular issues related to the creation of instruction and learning environments in subject matter domains.
ETAP 523 Media in Teaching & Learning (3)- Class # 21876
Design and use of media for teaching and learning; characteristics, sources, selection, creation and evaluation of non-print educational materials.
ETAP 526 Educational Computing (3) - Class # 21878
Overview of computing in education; introduction to computer software, application packages, programming, hypermedia, and telecommunications. Project required. May not be taken for credit by students who have completed Tap 426.
ETAP 612 Mathematics in the Elementary School (3) - Class # 30970
This course prepares students to teach elementary school mathematics. Students will explore what it means to learn mathematics with understanding while they deepen their own understandings of fundamental mathematical ideas, consider how different groups of students experience mathematics instruction, and develop pedagogical strategies that emphasize mathematical reasoning, communication, and problem-solving.
ETAP 614 Science for Children (3) - Class # 26958
This course prepares graduate students to monitor and enhance the development of science literacy in pre-school and elementary school children. Graduate students will deepen their understanding of fundamental scientific principles and develop pedagogical strategies applicable in formal and informal educational settings that provide all children the opportunity to develop understanding of science and the abilities of science inquiry appropriate to their developmental level.
ETAP 621 Understanding Learning & Teaching (3) - Class # 21880
This course is an introduction to what it means to observe, see, and make sense out of learning in educational environments. It asks participants to analyze what happens in these environments (learning and teaching, student interactions, teacher-student relationships, etc.) and take concrete action based on that analysis.
ETAP 622 Hypermedia Design & Production (3) - Class # 29118
Introduction to hypermedia design issues through experience with hypermedia authoring. Emphasis on graphical design, navigation, and structural issues. Prerequisite: Tap 523 and Tap 623, or permission of instructor.
ETAP 623 Systematic Design of Instruction (3) - Class # 30290
Promotes systematic, analytical approaches to curricular and instructional planning. Surveys contemporary theories of learning, instruction, and instructional design, and requires application of these theories to the preparation of educational materials. Although planning for classroom activities and presentations is discussed, primary focus is on design of materials that support independent learning.
ETAP 633 (ERDG 633) Cultural Diversity in Education (3) - Class # 33409
An exploration of culture in formal and informal educational settings. An introduction to perspectives on race, ethnicity and cultural diversity as related to teaching and learning.
ETAP 634 Using Media in the Language Classroom (3) - Class # 21882
Survey of issues on practical utilization of media in language classrooms. Hands-on activities with media resources, with lesson plan development, and with web page design. Planning and implementation of media-assisted language activities built on current theory and research. Emphasis on correspondence between language teaching practice and learners' media use inside and outside classrooms.
ETAP 638 Media Literacy (3) - Class # 26560 & 26562
Developing an informed and critical understanding of new communication media, including ways to read and write electronic texts. Explore implications of these technologies and their uses in schools, communities, and workplaces. Focus on practices involving cutting-edge technologies that hold promise for the teaching of writing language, and literature.
ETAP 680 Research Seminar: Critical Introduction to Educational Research Paradigms (3) - Class # 21892
This course focuses on the different models and paradigms in educational research and how these paradigms can inform educational practice. It will involve critical reading of published exemplars of different paradigms, analyzing previously collected data, and making sense of the application of these data. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and 12 graduate credits in master's program.
ETAP 681 Research Seminar: Research in Practice (3) - Class # 27672
This course focuses on action (teacher) research. The theory and practice of action research will be examined through a review of the theoretical foundations of educational research and its link to the improvement of educational practice. Students will design and implement a small action research project in their own setting.
ETAP 777 Qualitative Research Methods (3) - Class # 23896
Problems and issues related to research in program development and evaluation: problem identification and statement, instrumentation selection and design, use of computer application packages for data analysis, data interpretation and presentation. Prerequisite: Tap 771 or equivalent.
School of Public Health
HHPM 500 Health Care Organization, Delivery and Financing (3) - Class # 32288
This is an introductory course intended to familiarize students with the organization, delivery and financing of the health care system. The course covers historical, societal, political and economic forces influencing the accessibility, cost and quality of personal and public health services. Descriptions of the current structures within the system, as well as changes occuring (the advent of managed care) and their effect are emphasized. Health care concepts and terminology, provider characteristics, methods of financing, government regulations and private sector services will be discussed. The course is designed to provide baseline understanding of the US health care system and its dynamics. But it is also meant to begin training the student on how to apply this understanding to issues in health policy and management.
HHPM 525 Social and Behavioral Aspects of Public Health (3) - Class # 32649
This course provides an introduction to the role of social, cultural, psychological, and behavioral factors in determining the health of populations. Students will: gain understanding of the significance of social, cultural, psychological, and behavioral factors in relation to health status and well-being; learn to analyze public health problems in terms of the social, psychological, cultural, economic, and demographic factors that contribute to or protect from vulnerability to disease, disability, and death; and improve their ability to apply social science theory, research, and principals to the critical analysis of the appropriateness of public health interventions.
HHPM 645 International Health (3) - Class # 29458
This course explores international public health issues and various health care systems are identified; measures of health outcomes in populations are evaluated. Specific issues to be explored include infectious disease; reproductive health; nutrition; chronic disease; mental health; unintentional injuries and violence; and health and the economy. International health programs and projects as well as the globalization and practice of international health will also be discussed. Each student will select a national public health system for an in-depth study which will identify major population-based health issues and make recommendations for improved outcomes. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
HSPH 559 Toics in Public Health (2-3) - Class # 22350
This course focuses on a specific public health topic that might unexpectedly become significant or an interdisciplinary topic that may not fit neatly into the curriculum of a department of the School of Public Health. Possible topics include occupational ergonomics, disaster preparedness, preparedness for biological terrorism, confidentiality of medical data.
HSTA 552 Principles of Statistical Inference I (3) - Class # 32928
An introduction to descriptive statistics, measures of central tendency and variability, probability distributions, sampling estimation, confidence intervals and hypothesis testing. Computing will be introduced and used throughout the course. Sta 552 and Sta 553 will satisfy the core requirement in statistics for programs in the School of Public Health.
School of Social Welfare
RSSW 600 Social Welfare Policy & Services (3) - Class # 24928
Introduction to the analysis of social policies and programs. Based upon frameworks of policy dimension, values, and knowledge, selected social policies are examined within an historical and contemporary context. The principles of social and economic justice are used in analyzing social policies and programs. Attention given to the differential impact of these policies and services on at-risk and oppressed populations.
RSSW 610 Human Behavior & Social Environment I (3) - Class # 23694
Foundation knowledge of human behavior and the social environment as a basis for direct practice with individuals and families and for the management of social service programs. Theoretical and empirical knowledge about the range of normal bio-psycho-social development and the nature and impact of oppression and discrimination as individuals and families transact with their changing environments throughout the life course.
RSSW 661 Evaluation Clinical Practice (3) - Class # 23372
Application of research methods in testing and evaluating the effectiveness of interpersonal helping methods. The practitioner as researcher; development of skills in using research methods and materials as aids in the process of direct clinical practice. Prerequisite: Ssw 660.
RSSW 705 Special Areas of Social Welfare (3) - Class # 25748
Readings and discussions on topics of current interest in specific fields of research and study. May be repeated if the topic is different. Prerequisites: Ssw 651 or consent of instructor.
Pleae note that course information is current as of 10.9.2009
The most current course information can be accessed using the Schedule of Classes search tool.
School of Business
School of Education
School of Business
BITM 510 Advanced Excel with Visual Basic for Applications (1) – Class #1068
Excel is the most used software in any organization. This course includes advanced Excel including the use of Excel objects, Macros, Functions, Goal Seek, Solver, Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), regression analysis, charts, pivot tables, etc. Problems will focus on business decision support, scenario analysis and statistical techniques. The student will learn how to improve productivity using spreadsheet software and VBA for problem solving in a business environment. S/U graded. Students must attend a mandatory on-campus session Thursday, December 17 from 6:00pm-9:00pm in AS 13. The remainder of the course offered online through Blackboard Learning System.
School of Education
Special Education
ESPE 560 Introduction to Human Exceptionality (3) - Class # 1070
Characteristics of individuals whose cognitive, physical, or emotional development differs from typical individuals. Special education history and laws are discussed, as is the process leading to the development of individualized education plans and special education services. Selected strategies for students with special needs are also presented. (Not open to those students who previously completed E Psy 460)
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