Academic Catalog 2025-2026

Slippery Rock University

Curriculum, Instruction, and Educational Leadership (CIEL)

CIEL 139 -  Foundations of Academic Discovery  

Foundations of Academic Discovery serves as the entry point to the Rock Integrated Studies Program. With its strong faculty-student interaction, the course promotes intellectual inquiry, critical and creative thinking, and computer skills needed for academic success. Through varied content, the course introduces students to academic discourse and information literacy while exploring topics such as diversity and inclusion and global awareness. This course will set students along the path to becoming engaged with issues and scholarship important to a 21st century education while they learn about themselves and their place in the world.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Freshman 1 or Freshman 2.
Enrollment limited to students with the ROCK STUDIES 2 STUDENT or ROCK STUDIES STUDENT attributes.

CIEL 190 -  Experimental  

A unique and specifically focused course within the general purview of a department which intends to offer it on a "one time only" basis and not as a permanent part of the department's curriculum.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

CIEL 195 -  Workshop  

A workshop is a program which is usually of short duration, narrow in scope, often non-traditional in content and format, and on a timely topic.

Credits: 1-6

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

CIEL 198 -  Selected Topics  

A Selected Topics course is a normal, departmental offering which is directly related to the discipline, but because of its specialized nature, may not be able to be offered on a yearly basis by the department.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

CIEL 245 -  Innovation and Instructional Technology  

The course focuses on continuous learning, demonstrating leadership, digital citizenship, collaboration, instructional design, innovation, facilitating learning, and creating and analyzing assessments using technology.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

CIEL 290 -  Experimental  

A unique and specifically focused course within the general purview of a department which intends to offer it on a "one time only" basis and not as a permanent part of the department's curriculum.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

CIEL 298 -  Selected Topics  

A Selected Topics course is a normal, departmental offering which is directly related to the discipline, but because of its specialized nature, may not be able to be offered on a yearly basis by the department.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

CIEL 316 -  Diagnostic, Formative, and Summative Assessment Strategies  

A study of assessment for children from birth to Grade 12. Diagnostic, formative, and summative assessment strategies will be discussed with the emphasis on tools that can be used by teachers to inform developmentally appropriate instruction and practices on a daily basis. Considerations in choosing, creating, administering, and reporting results of assessments will also be addressed.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1 may not enroll.

CIEL 326 -  Teaching Multi Language Learners  

A course designed to acquaint the prospective teacher at any level with the methodology used to teach English Language Learners. Topics include linguistic and cultural diversity, standard-based instruction, assessment, and professionalism.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CIEL 348 -  Educational Leadership, Advocacy & Program Development  

This course will focus on leadership, advocacy and program development for teacher candidates preparing to work with children Pre-K to Grade 12. Focus will be on the design, development, and evaluation of education programs, including theory, paradigms and models, policy in the program development process, and the use of technology in program development. In addition, this course will include theory, research and practice in early childhood and secondary education as a foundation for leadership in the field and advocacy on behalf of students, families, communities, and the education profession. An examination of current issues in the field and strategies for articulating positions and for working toward change will also be addressed.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment limited to students with the ACCEPTANCE - TEACHER CANDIDACY attribute.

CIEL 390 -  Experimental  

A unique and specifically focused course within the general purview of a department which intends to offer it on a "one time only" basis and not as a permanent part of the department's curriculum.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CIEL 398 -  Selected Topics  

A Selected Topics course is a normal, departmental offering which is directly related to the discipline, but because of its specialized nature, may not be able to be offered on a yearly basis by the department.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CIEL 455 -  Student Teaching: Elementary or Secondary School  

Under the guidance of a cooperating teacher and university supervisor, candidates engage in teaching assignments on a full-time basis in specified school districts and/or early childhood agencies and attend scheduled seminars. Student teaching requires a partnership between the university and cooperating school districts and agencies. It is considered the culminating experience and the most beneficial teacher preparation course. It is a transition between pre-service and in-service teaching. Must meet all requirements to enroll in student teaching, including, but not limited to, grade point average, clearances, required courses, and field experiences.

Credits: 1-12

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment limited to students with the ACCEPTANCE - TEACHER CANDIDACY attribute.
Enrollment limited to students with department of Curriculum, Instr & Educ Ldshp.

CIEL 490 -  Independent Study  

Independent Study courses give students the opportunity to pursue research and/or studies that are not part of the university's traditional course offerings. Students work one on one or in small groups with faculty guidance and are typically required to submit a final paper or project as determined by the supervising professor.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CIEL 498 -  Selected Topics  

A Selected Topics course is a normal, departmental offering which is directly related to the discipline, but because of its specialized nature, may not be able to be offered on a yearly basis by the department.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.