These programs prepare students to teach across all grade levels in specialized areas, such as Physical Education or Music Education. Candidates gain a deep understanding of how to support learning across developmental stages and participate in field experiences in both elementary and secondary settings.
EDUC 100 – Introduction to Education
3 credit hours
This course is designed to acquaint students who plan to become elementary school teachers with the teaching profession, as well as William Penn University Education Division policies and procedures. Students will complete a 15-hour field experience and begin their education portfolios during this course. Fee required. Every fall and spring.
EDUC 200 – Social Foundations of American Education
3 credit hours
This course provides students with the historical and philosophical foundations of American Education (EDUC) education. In addition, the areas of school culture, organization, finance, and law will be explored. Offered every fall and spring.
Prerequisite: EDUC 100:01 or 02
EDUC 350 – Technology in the Classroom
3 credit hours
Designed to strengthen the student’s writing and critical thinking skills by providing a close examination of how the media constructs messages. Tailored to fit the student’s needs for a variety of future career paths, students will explore and compose in various genres such as social media, print journalism, advertisements, and documentary film. Offered spring of odd years.
Prerequisites: EDUC 100
EDUC 355 – Classroom Management
3 credit hours
This course is designed to equip educators with the tools necessary to create and maintain a physically and emotionally safe environment in which all students can learn. Students will learn how to identify and implement a variety of behavioral, instructional and management strategies. Every spring.
Prerequisites: EDUC 200, EDSP 100
Content Area Reading
Content Area Reading provides literary strategies for teaching content reading across the curriculum. Students will examine types of text structures, as well as the dimensions of content area vocabulary and comprehension. Reading Recovery strategies will be explored. Students will demonstrate knowledge and the ability to implement content area instruction in reading and writing that effectively uses a variety of research-based strategies and practices. Every fall and spring.
EDUC 365 – Human Relations for Teachers
3 credit hours
This course provides prospective teachers with knowledge, skills and resources that will enable them to work effectively with the variety of students they will encounter in today’s multicultural society. Every fall.
Prerequisite: EDUC 200
Secondary General Methods
This course is designed to acquaint students with methods of teaching at the secondary level. Topics of study include learning styles, varied teaching strategies, lesson plan design, unit design, assessment strategies, and establishment of a productive classroom environment. Students complete a credit/no credit 25-hour field experience as part of the course requirements. Every spring.
EDSP 100 – Introduction to Exceptional Learners
3 credit hours
This general survey course presents an overview of children and adolescents with exceptionalities. Students will be introduced to the history of special education; pedagogical, curricular, and social considerations involved in educating diverse learners in the general education and special education classrooms; the MTSS process; multidisciplinary teams, and IEPs. This course includes a 15-hour field experience in a special education setting. Offered every fall and spring.
Prerequisite or co-requisite (at the discretion of the professor): EDUC 100
Differentiated Instruction Methods & Strategies (K-12)
Students will learn and demonstrate ways to differentiate instructional strategies and methods for diverse learning needs including, but not limited to: at-risk students, students with mild/moderate disabilities, gifted students, and/or culturally and linguistically diverse students. Accommodations to address individualized needs, collaborative/co-teaching approaches, and accessible/assistive technology will be explored. Offered every fall.
PSYC 303 – Developmental & Educational Psychology
3 credit hours
This course focuses on human development of child and adolescent (K-12) including physical, personal, social and cognitive development. Psychological principles are applied to the educational process with units in learning, motivation, measurement, and evaluation. This course is required for all education majors.
Prerequisites: EDUC 100, Junior standing or consent of the instructor
Secondary Student Teaching
Students spend 16 weeks observing and student teaching in a 7-12 classroom under the direction of a classroom teacher and university supervisor. During the semester, student teachers are required to attend professional development seminars. Fee of $300 required. Every fall and spring.
Elementary Music Methods
Students explore the principles and techniques of teaching elementary music; selecting materials, integration of music into elementary curriculum, and unit and lesson planning are integral parts of this course. Topics include, but will not be limited to, the use of Orff instruments, Kodaly methods, recorders, traditional styles and genres, and world music. Designed for the Music Education major, teaching strategies and assessment tools for Pre-K-7th grade students will be studied. Offered every fall.
Applied Communications Seminar
This is a preparatory capstone course for Communications majors focusing on professional development, skills and discussion of professional and ethical issues. Individual research and technology-based presentations in students’ specific disciplines in the form of a senior project will prepare students for professional positions or graduate study. Specifically, students in English, Journalism, Fine Arts, or Public Relations will learn interview skill techniques and how to prepare professional portfolios.
LDRS 220 – Arts & Society I
3 credit hours
Focusing on art, music, theatre, literature and their impact on society, this course will equip the student with an understanding of early major movements and style periods in both the visual and performing arts and an appreciation for the works of major artists who were influential in changing society. The course will use lecture demonstration, guided listening, small group discussion, attendance at cultural events, and field trips to museums and/or concerts to engage the student with the arts at a personal level. Content will cover the time periods of the early Egyptians to the Renaissance.
Prerequisite: LDRS 102 with grade of C- or above.
MUSI 123 – Music Theory I
3 credit hours
The first of a two-course sequence focusing on fundamentals of notation, keys, diatonic chords, cadences and beginning formal analysis. Students not having sufficient keyboard ability should also study piano.
MUSI 124 – Music Theory II
3 credit hours
Continuation of MUSI 123. Seventh chords in root position and their inversions, non-chord tones, modulations, and work in improvisation and composition. MUSI 124 must follow MUSI 123 in sequence except with instructor’s permission.
Prerequisite: MUSI 123
Woodwind Methods
Woodwind Methods is a course designed to provide the music education major an introductory study, with actual playing experience, of the major woodwind instruments (Flute, clarinet and saxophone). Pedagogical approaches to these as well as double reed instruments will be examined and explored. Theoretical concepts such as transposition and the harmonic series will also be included in the course. This course is designed to enable the student to provide beginning instrumental instruction in either a public school or private studio setting.
Brass Methods
Brass Methods is a course designed to provide the music education major an introductory study, with actual playing experience, of the major brass instruments (trumpet, trombone, French horn and tuba). Pedagogical approaches to these instruments will be examined and explored. Theoretical concepts such as transposition and the harmonic series will also be included in the course. This course is designed to enable the student to provide beginning instrumental instruction in either a public school or private studio setting.
String Methods
String Methods is a course designed to provide the music education major an introductory study, with actual playing experience, of the major string instruments (violin, viola, cello and bass). Pedagogical approaches to these instruments will be examined and explored. Theoretical concepts such as transposition and the harmonic series will also be included in the course. This course is designed to enable the student to provide beginning instrumental instruction in either a public school or private studio setting.
Percussion Methods
Percussion Methods is a course designed to provide the music education major an introductory study, with actual playing experience, of the major percussion instruments (snare drum, keyboard percussion and timpani). Pedagogical approaches to these instruments will be examined and explored. Theoretical concepts such as transposition and the harmonic series will also be included in the course. This course is designed to enable the student to provide beginning instrumental instruction in either a public school or private studio setting.
MUSI 216 – History of Music I
3 credit hours
An introduction to Western music literature from early music to the present.
Prerequisite: Completion of MUSI 123 or instructor permission
MUSI 217 – History of Music II
3 credit hours
Music in American from the time of the Puritans to the present day. Historical, biographical material and listening will be included. For the general students as well as for music majors and minors.
MUSI 223 – Music Theory III
3 credit hours
This course continues the study of the concepts introduced in Music Theory I and II, with the addition of augmented sixth chords, Neapolitan sixth chords, and changes of tonal centers.
Prerequisites: MUSI 123 and MUSI 124
MUSI 224 – Music Theory IV
3 credit hours
This course studies counterpoint, fugues, sonata allegro, rondo, and variation forms, as well as 20th century chord structures and techniques.
Prerequisites: MUSI 223
MUSI 336 – Conducting I
2 credit hours
Instrumental and choral conducting and score reading, use of baton and rehearsal techniques, ranges of instruments, clefs, and transpositions. Offered fall semester of even-numbered years.
Prerequisite: Student must also be concurrently enrolled in the William Penn University Jazz Ensemble (MUAP 130) and/or William Penn Singers (MUAP 250) and must have successfully completed MUSI 123.
MUSI 337 – Conducting II
2 credit hours
Continuation of conducting studies with emphasis on instrumental conducting, baton technique, score reading/marking, transpositions, and rehearsal techniques. Offered spring semester of odd-numbered years.
Prerequisite: MUSI 336
MUSI 339 – Aural Skills I
2 credit hours
A skills course designed to improve the student’s aural acuity and sight-reading ability.
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in or completion of MUSI 123
MUSI 340 – Aural Skills II
2 credit hours
This course is a continuation of the class Ear and Training and Sight Singing I. The content is designed to complement the Theory II course though it is not necessary they be taken in the same semester
Prerequisite: MUSI 339
Performance Ensembles
Sections may be repeated to achieve required credits:
MUAP 130 – WPU Jazz Ensemble
1 credit hour
A contemporary music ensemble focusing on twentieth-century musical forms such as jazz, rock and world music.
Prerequisite: The equivalent of three years of high school ensemble playing or permission of instructor
MUAP 131 – Marching/Pep Band
1 credit hour
Rehearsal and performance of typical pep band music, with required participation at home football games, including set up and tear down. The first rehearsal of this group will be held during the first week of classes, for an extended period. Prior to each home game, pep music will be played through at the regularly scheduled jazz ensemble rehearsal. Other performance opportunities will be taken under consideration by the director. Open to all qualified students at William Penn University and all qualified members of the local community.
MUAP 250 – William Penn Singers
1 credit hour
Choral music from a wide variety of style periods from madrigals to sacred to vocal jazz/rock will be studied. Singers of all interests and levels are welcome to participate. It is assumed that students are enrolled in the ensemble for the full academic year. May be repeated for credit. Offered every fall and spring. Lab fee required.
MUAP 251 – Concert Band
1 credit hour
Symphonic concert band open to all William Penn University students, community members, and area high school students. Performance of traditional and modern concert band literature. One major concert each semester plus graduation ceremony. May be repeated 8 times.
Vocal Emphasis
MUAP 105 – Piano/Keyboard
1 credit hour
Instruction is offered for the beginning and advancing musician in twelve weekly, one-half hour lessons per semester. A private lesson tuition fee is charged. May be repeated for credit. Offered every fall and spring.
MUAP 106 – Brass
Instruction is offered for the beginning and advancing musician in twelve weekly, one-half hour lessons per semester. A private lesson tuition fee is charged. May be repeated for credit. Offered every fall and spring.
MUAP 107 – Guitar/Bass
Instruction is offered for the beginning and advancing musician in twelve weekly, one-half hour lessons per semester. A private lesson tuition fee is charged. May be repeated for credit. Offered every fall and spring.
MUAP 108 – Percussion
Instruction is offered for the beginning and advancing musician in twelve weekly, one-half hour lessons per semester. A private lesson tuition fee is charged. May be repeated for credit. Offered every fall and spring.
Voice
Instruction is offered for the beginning and advancing musician in twelve weekly, one-half hour lessons per semester. A private lesson tuition fee is charged. May be repeated for credit. Offered every fall and spring.
MUAP 110 – Woodwind
Instruction is offered for the beginning and advancing musician in twelve weekly, one-half hour lessons per semester. A private lesson tuition fee is charged. May be repeated for credit. Offered every fall and spring.
MUAP 111 – String
Instruction is offered for the beginning and advancing musician in twelve weekly, one-half hour lessons per semester. A private lesson tuition fee is charged. May be repeated for credit. Offered every fall and spring.
MUSI 100 – Applied Music Seminar
0 credit hours
A weekly convocation or studio class is held every Tuesday afternoon. Applied Music Seminar is an opportunity for students to perform with the permission of their applied music instructors. Students registered for any MUAP 101 section are required to attend. Held each semester
BIOL 216 – Anatomy & Physiology
4 credit hours
A course designed for non-biology majors that study the structure and function of the human body. Includes how the various systems of the body work with homeostasis. Three lectures and one lab per week.
Elementary Physical Education Methods
The primary goal of this course is to prepare pre-service physical education students to effectively and efficiently teach Physical Education at the elementary level. Topics include: National standards, unit/lesson planning, classroom management and organization, assessment, social emotional learning and activity/game ideas. Students will gain valuable experience through field experience hours off-campus. Offered every spring.
EXSC 377 – Motor Development and Behavior
3 credit hours
This course acquaints students with motor development patterns across the lifespan (infancy through older adults). Additionally, students will be made aware of normal and abnormal development as well as have practical experience assessing motor development in pre and school age children as well as in older adults. Offered fall semester
Prerequisite: PSYC 102 and EXSC 205
KINS 110 – Wellness & Fitness
3 credit hours
This course is designed to improve movement efficiency and provide knowledge of recreational activities. Included will be the effects of exercise on the body, basic nutrition, an introduction to relaxation and stress management techniques, and basic weight training principles. Offered fall & spring semesters.
KINS 150 – Introduction to Kinesiology
3 credit hours
This course is designed to provide students with history, principles, career opportunities, and job requirements in the fields of sport, health and human performance. Offered fall & spring semesters.
KINS 217 – Adapted Physical Education
3 credit hours
This course is designed to expose students to unique needs addressed in IDEA as they relate to physical education. Accommodations for assessment, activities and other elements necessary to successful inclusion are addressed.
KINS 218 – Prevention & Care of Sports Injuries
3 credit hours
Theory and practical application involving prevention, care and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. Required of all students seeking a coaching certification.
Prerequisite: BIOL 216
KINS 221 – Teaching Individual and Team Sports
3 credit hours
Theory and practice of the fundamentals, methods, and materials of teaching individual and team sports. Offered fall and spring semesters. Lab fee required.
KINS 227 – Community Health
3 credit hours
Hygiene of the basic systems of the body with emphasis on care, functions and disorders, natural and acquired defenses against disease, elements of preventive medicine, and modern standards of sanitation. Exploration of causative community factors; diagnosis of disease and programs to combat these conditions.
KINS 336 – Organization & Administration of Physical Education
3 credit hours
This course is designed to provide students with knowledge, skills and abilities to effectively manage physical education and athletic programs. Areas of focus include K-12 public and private schools, as well as, K-12 public and private recreational facilities.
Prerequisite: Junior standing
PSYC 240 – Health Psychology
3 credit hours
Psychological contributions to understanding the causes, prevention, and treatment of physical illness. Research addressing the reciprocal effects of behavior and physical health will be emphasized.