Program Requirements

1. Verification of a current teaching certificate is required within the first 12 credit hours completed. Students will not be able to register for any additional courses beyond the semester in which they attain 12 credits.  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 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 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 Early Childhood and Childhood (Birth-Grade 6)
• MSED Literacy Middle Childhood and Adolescence (Grades 5-12)

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

In accordance with New York State certification regulations, candidates for the Literacy 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 Birth-Grade 6 program. Candidates holding a certificate in Middle Childhood or Adolescence Education may enroll only in the Literacy Grades 5-12 program. Candidates holding certificates in K-12 areas (i.e., Art, Music, Physical Education) should consult with Literacy Education Program.

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 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.

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. Candidates not making satisfactory progress will be counseled by their adviser and may be dropped from the program.