Literacy Education Specialist

Literacy Education Programs

Literacy Specialist (birth-grade 6)
Literacy Specialist (grades 5-12)

The Literacy Education Programs prepare teachers to integrate learning theories, practices, and research thoughtfully and effectively to address all learners’ literacy needs and interests in an inclusive and supportive manner.

The program faculty subscribes to notion as a result of completing the program, all teachers will be knowledgeable in regard to strategies and support services to improve the literacy instruction for all students.

Based on standards developed by the New York State Education Department and the International Reading Association, the program’s expectation is that all teachers who complete a Literacy Education Program will demonstrate by their attitudes and practices, the following beliefs:

All effective teachers are literacy learners and instructors.
Teachers learn and apply appropriate literacy strategies to address the needs of diverse student populations in urban, suburban, and rural classrooms effectively.
All children can learn the requisite literacy skills and strategies, enabling them to be lifelong readers, writers, speakers, visualizers, and dramatizers.

Course Blocks

Courses should be taken in “blocks” of six credit hours (part-time) or twelve credit hours (full-time). Students must complete each block before they take courses from the next block. Courses will be scheduled to allow students to move though the program at either a part-time rate (6 credit hours per semester) or full-time rate (12 credit hours per semester). Variance from these course loads and the designated blocks of coursework may slow a student’s progress in future semesters since not all courses will be offered each semester. Individualized initial and/or supplemental advisement is required for any deviation from these blocks. Please refer to the course description section for specific prerequisite and co-requisite requirements for courses.

Program Director
Literacy Education Programs
Naomi Erdmann, Ed.D.

Entry Requirements

Completion of a baccalaureate degree at an accredited institution with a cumulative index of 3.0 and a B average in the major field. An applicant who does not meet these expectations must address them in his/her personal statement. Please see the Personal Statement section of the admissions application form for further information.
Presentation of official transcripts.
Two letters of recommendation from individuals who know the applicant as a student and/or a teacher.
Copy of teacher certification.
Application and fee.
Completion of the personal-professional statement as described on the application form.

Certification required for admission:

Literacy Specialist (birth-grade 6) requires Early Childhood Education or Childhood Education certification.
Literacy Specialist (grades 5-12) requires Childhood Education or Adolescence certification.
A candidate holding a K-12 (or birth-12) certification may choose either age level Literacy Specialist program. Please note, however, that additional coursework may be required. This will be determined through individual advisement.

Program leads to: Additional certification as a Literacy Specialist (birth-grade 6) or Literacy Specialist (grades 5-12)
AND
Professional certification in the area(s) of certification held at the time of entrance to the graduate program