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.

Admission Requirements

• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• Official undergraduate/graduate transcript(s)
• Copy of teaching certificate
• Two (2) letters of recommendation
• A one to two-page statement of goals and objectives expected by the candidate while in the program
• Personal interview with Program Coordinator

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