Literacy Specialist, MSEd
Campus: Online
For
Individuals with a teaching certificate in childhood or adolescent education who want to become certified literacy specialists.
What You Learn
Graduates of this 30-credit hour online program will gain an understanding of the interrelationships among language acquisition, cognitive and metacognitive processes, and literacy development; and develop strategies for working with teachers and students to support children with literacy needs at all levels of competencies.
How You Learn
You choose between an Early Childhood/Childhood (birth–grade 6) or Middle Childhood/Adolescent (grades 5–12) concentration and, after a 12-credit core curriculum, you then take a 12-credit sequence of courses in your concentration. These courses are available online.
Your program culminates in a one-semester practicum with clinical and school experiences and a related teacher-as-researcher course project.
The Pace University Center for Literacy Enrichment on the White Plains Campus may be a setting for your internship and research project. For more than 25 years, the Center has provided instruction to improve the reading and writing of elementary and middle school children, with emphasis on literature.
Career Outcomes
Candidates who complete this program are eligible for an advanced or professional certificate in the teaching of literacy to Early Childhood/Childhood (birth–grade 6) or Middle Childhood/Adolescent (grades 5–12) students.
Prerequisites
Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution, with a minimum GPA of 3.0. (Upon the recommendation of the dean, graduate faculty admissions committee, or the director of Student Support Services, candidates whose GPA is less than 3.0 may be admitted on a conditional basis, provided that it is determined that the candidate has the necessary knowledge and skills to complete the program successfully.) Candidates must also have a Provisional, Initial, or Professional teaching certificate or comparable certificate from another state. Candidates must also have transcripts demonstrating arts and sciences, content-area major, and pedagogical core consistent with our program requirements. We require the GRE-Graduate Record Examination—General Test. Performance on the GRE will not outweigh the other required criteria in your application.
Track 1
Early Childhood/Childhood Concentration (Birth-Grade 6)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| ED 650 | Research/Theory in Developing Literacy | 3 |
| ED 758 | Instructional Approaches for Tchng Writing, Digital Cmpsng, & Media Prdctn for a Diverse Pop of Stds | 3 |
| ED 677 | Literacy for Children with Special Needs | 3 |
| ED 652 | Assessment in Literacy: Grades B - 12 | 3 |
| TCH 211A | Child Abuse and Violence Prevention | 0 |
| TCH 211D | DASA- Harassment, Bullying, Cyberbullying and Discrimination in Schools, Prevention & Intervention | 0 |
| Early Childhood/Childhood Concentration | ||
| ED 754 | Literature and Digital Storytelling | 3 |
| ED 655A | Early Literacy Development in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Settings | 3 |
| ED 755B | Literacy Instruction & Technological Applications for a Diverse Population of Middle Grade Students | 3 |
| Elec 000 | Elective | 3 |
| Practica and Capstone Experience | ||
| ED 693B | Literacy Practicum II: Birth - Grade 6 | 3 |
| ED 690 | Teacher as Researcher | 3 |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Track 2
Middle Childhood/Adolescent Concentration (Grades 5–12)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| ED 650 | Research/Theory in Developing Literacy | 3 |
| ED 758 | Instructional Approaches for Tchng Writing, Digital Cmpsng, & Media Prdctn for a Diverse Pop of Stds | 3 |
| ED 677 | Literacy for Children with Special Needs | 3 |
| ED 652 | Assessment in Literacy: Grades B - 12 | 3 |
| TCH 211A | Child Abuse and Violence Prevention | 0 |
| TCH 211D | DASA- Harassment, Bullying, Cyberbullying and Discrimination in Schools, Prevention & Intervention | 0 |
| Middle Childhood/Adolescent Concentration | ||
| ED 754 | Literature and Digital Storytelling | 3 |
| ED 757 | Adolescent Content Literacies in Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Settings (Grades 9-12) | 3 |
| ED 755B | Literacy Instruction & Technological Applications for a Diverse Population of Middle Grade Students | 3 |
| Elec 000 | Elective | 3 |
| Practica and Capstone Experience | ||
| ED 694B | Literacy Practicum II Grades 5-12 | 3 |
| ED 690 | Teacher as Researcher | 3 |
| Total Credits | 30 | |