The Department of Literacy Education offers two Master of Science in Education programs that prepare candidates to serve in the field of literacy education: Literacy Specialist and Literacy Educator.

Requirements for Admission

General Graduate Admission Requirements  Additional Admission Requirements 

1. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0) in the most recent 60 credit hours of undergraduate study is required for admission.
2. Submission of three professional letters of recommendation with cover sheets from persons who can provide information about the academic and teaching potential of the applicant (e.g., former or current professors, school administrator, or other professional references).
3. Candidates will submit a thoughtful and well-written letter of intent in which they discuss why they wish to develop their knowledge and skills in the field of literacy education and highlight their personal attributes that will help them meet the challenges of graduate study in the program. The letter shall include a statement that the candidate has read and understands the MSED Literacy Procedures for Assessing and Monitoring Professional Dispositions. These are available online or by contacting the Center for Graduate Studies.

A student who does not satisfy one or more of the above may, in some cases, be conditionally admitted.

Program Requirements

1. Verification of a current teaching certificate is required within the first 18 credit hours completed and, for Literacy Specialist candidates, prior to registering for the literacy practicum or prior to completing the first semester of the literacy internship. Students will not be able to register for any additional courses if they have not obtained Initial certification by the indicated time. Until they meet the certification requirement, students participating in the literacy internship will receive an “IP” grade for the internship.
2. Six credit hours of undergraduate or graduate (from Initial certification programs) study in literacy education focusing on teaching methods are required within the first 15 credit hours completed and, for Literacy Specialist candidates, prior to registering for the literacy practicum. Students will not be able to register for any additional courses if they have not completed these prerequisites by that time.

Candidates in the Literacy Specialist program are eligible to obtain Initial certification in one of the following levels as well as satisfying the academic requirements for Professional certification in their Initial New York certification area:

• MSED Literacy Specialist Early Childhood and Childhood (Birth-Grade 6)
• MSED Literacy Specialist Middle Childhood and Adolescence (Grades 5-12)

The Literacy Specialist program is nationally recognized by the International Literacy Association (ILA).

In accordance with New York State certification regulations, candidates for the Literacy Specialist program must have preparation in general education at the level they are seeking in literacy certification. For example, candidates holding a certificate in Early Childhood or Childhood Education may enroll only in the Literacy Specialist Birth-Grade 6 program. Candidates holding a certificate in Middle Childhood or Adolescence Education may enroll only in the Literacy Specialist Grades 5-12 program. Candidates holding certificates in K-12 areas (i.e., Art, Music, Physical Education) should consult with Literacy Education Department.

Additional Degree Information

Candidates are advised that most, but not all, degree requirements may be completed in the Watertown area.

All degree candidates are required to complete a Culminating Experience in the School of Education and Professional Studies designed to synthesize the academic experience. For candidates in the Literacy Specialist program this requirement is fulfilled by completion of the practicum (GRDG 690 /GRDG 691  or GRDG 696 /GRDG 697 ) or by completing the yearlong six-credit internship (GRDG 699 ). While New York state certification requirements have set a minimum of 50 clock hours in the field, candidates in our programs can expect to serve additional hours. There is no practicum requirement for the Literacy Educator program. For candidates in the Literacy Educator program, the Culminating Experience requirement is fulfilled by completing GRDG 681 , Literacy Educator Portfolio.

Candidate progress is carefully monitored throughout the program, based on demonstration of appropriate knowledge, skills, and dispositions. Candidates are provided with information on program expectations in the first semester (GRDG 600 ). Candidates not making satisfactory progress will be counseled by their adviser and may be dropped from the program.