M.A. in Literacy Instruction
The M.A. in Literacy Instruction, offered through the Caldwell University Division of Education, is a 36-credit program. Twenty-one credits constitute the program’s required core courses. Candidates are then required to choose a 15-credit concentration in either reading or writing from the elementary or secondary strands offered. Through selection of appropriate courses, a Reading Specialist Certification may also be acquired.
The M.A. in Literacy Instruction program is designed for K-12 certificated classroom teachers who seek to improve and/or enhance their knowledge and skills in literacy instruction. Through the structure of the course offerings, this graduate literacy program is designed to balance the requirement of successful K-12 reading and writing development.
Program Requirements
Required Core Courses (21 credits)
| ED 528 | Literacy Assessment and Evaluation (3) 12-hour field requirement |
| ED 576 | Reading Foundations (3)*** |
| ED 564 | Diagnosis and Correction of Reading Difficulties (3) 12-hour field requirement |
| ED 577 | Teaching Writing: Process to Product (3) |
| ED 628 | Supervised Practicum and Reading (3) 40-hour field requirement |
| ED 610 | Educational Research I (3) |
| ED 611 | Educational Research II (3) |
*** ED 510 Reading and Communication (3) may be substituted for this course.
Areas of Concentration
A. Elementary Strand (15 credits)
The Elementary Strand for the M.A. in Literacy Instruction offers K-6 classroom teachers courses that will provide them with an opportunity to concentrate on reading or writing at the elementary (K-6) school level. The reading specialist certification requires that a teacher have at least two years of successful full-time teaching experience.
| Course # | Course Title | |
| ED 526 | The Reading Specialist as Teacher Consultant (3) | |
| ED 534 | Instruction and Assessment of Writing for Special Needs Students (3) | |
| ED 535 | Neurophysiological Basis of Learning, Theories of Teaching for Students with Individual Needs (3) 12-hour field requirement | |
| ED 574 | Literature for Children (3) | |
| ED 578 | Brain-Based Literacy Instruction (3)* | |
| ED 579 | Critical Thinking and Literacy (3) | |
| ED 581 | Teaching Writing in the Elementary School (3)** |
* ED 505 may be substituted for this course.
** ED 500 may be substituted for this course.
B. Secondary Strand (15 credits)
The Secondary Strand for the M.A. in Literacy Instruction offers secondary classroom teachers courses that will provide them with an opportunity to concentrate on reading or writing at the 6-12 level. The reading specialist certification requires that a teacher have at least two years of successful full time teaching experience.
| Course # | Course Title | |
| ED 529 | Teaching Reading in the Content Areas (3) | |
| ED 573 | Teaching Writing in the Content Areas (3)* | |
| ED 583 | Literature for Adolescents (3) | |
| ED 526 | The Reading Specialist as Teacher Consultant(3) | |
| ED 534 | Instruction and Assessment of Writing for Special Needs Students (3) | |
| + | ED 535 | Neurophysiological Basis of Learning, Theories of Teaching for Students with Individual Needs (3) 12-hour field requirement |
| ED 578 | Brain-Based Literacy Instruction (3)** | |
| ED 579 | Critical Thinking and Literacy (3) |
*ED 500 may be substituted for this course.
** ED 505 may be substituted for this course.
Transfer Credits
No more than nine Caldwell University graduate credits may be transferred into this graduate program. No more than three graduate credits will be considered for transfer from another college or university graduate program. All transfer credits are subject to approval by the M.A. in Literacy Instruction program coordinator.
Post- Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program Courses for Transfer
Certified teachers who have completed the Caldwell University Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program may, with approval, substitute the following three (3) courses for those listed among the M.A. in Literacy Instruction required and/or concentration courses:
| Course # | Course Title | Substitute for: |
| ED 500 | Curriculum Theory and Development (3) | ED 573 |
| ED 505 | Student Development and Learning (3) | ED 578 |
| ED 510 | Reading and Communication (3) | ED 576 |