SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

M.S.Ed. in Literacy (B-6 & 5-12)

Designed for students who already hold certification, this M.S.Ed. program has two primary purposes: to prepare individuals to work in school and/or clinical settings as reading specialists and to help teachers meet requirements for New York State professional certification as reading teachers B-12. Students enrolled in this program will gain expertise in conducting reading assessments and evaluations, designing programs to accommodate specific needs, and selecting and organizing materials for enrichment and remedial instruction. This program may be offered in distance format.


Admissions Requirements

  1. Underlying teacher certifications
  2. A written statement of professional goals

Plan of Study

M.S.Ed in Literacy (Birth – Grade 6 and Grade 5 – 12)

36 Credits

PREREQUISITES: PRIOR CERTIFICATION AS A CLASSROOM TEACHER

Course Number

Course Title

Credits

TED 510

Introduction to Students with Disabilities

3

TED 515

Multicultural Perspectives in Education

3

TED 520

Language and Literacy

3

TED 525

Teaching Literacy and Language Arts 1-6

3

TED 550

Teaching Literacy and Language Arts 5-12

3

TED 610

Assessing Students with Literacy and Learning Problems

3

TED 625

Interventions in Reading

3

TED 640

Phonological Awareness and Beginning Reading

3

TED 645

Methods for Teaching Writing

3

TED 6

Literacy Elective

3

TED 710

Practicum in Literacy for Students with Learning Problems 1-6

3

TED 715

Practicum in Literacy for Students with Learning Problems 5-12

3

Successful completion of the CST in literacy Is required prior to the second practicum experience.

PORTFOLIOS:

• Initial portfolio submission is due after 12 credits in the program have been completed
• Final portfolio is required prior to the award of the Ms.Ed. and should be submitted during the second semester of practicum

See Portfolio Guidelines

Course Descriptions

TED 510 Introduction to Students with Disabilities

This course focuses on the nature and needs of students with a range of disabilities and special health-care needs, and the effect of these disabilities and needs on learning and behavior. Course participants examine the field of special education including historical perspectives and current practices, legal mandates, assessment and planning procedures, and instructional strategies. Students also explore the uses of technology, instructional as well as assistive, to enhance teaching and learning. They develop skills for collaborating with families as well as with other professionals in order to help students with disabilities attain their highest levels of academic achievement and independence.
3 Credits

TED 515 Multicultural Perspectives in Education

This course examines the historical evolution, theories, and practices of multicultural education. Factors of race, ethnicity, culture, language, socioeconomic status, gender, ability, and sexual orientation are explored as they relate to teaching and learning. Students investigate instructional strategies and design curricula that support multicultural education and select and evaluate commercially available multicultural curricula and literature. 
3 Credits

TED 520 Language and Literacy

This course focuses on the relationship between oral language and reading and writing. Students examine theories of cognition, syntactic and semantic development, comprehension, metalinguistic, and vocabulary growth and how they relate to reading and writing processes. Principles of first and second language acquisition, dialectal differences, and the development of literacy in English language learners, bilingual children, and youngsters with a range of learning difficulties are addressed. Attention is focused on the social and cultural contexts of language use, function, and literacy acquisition. Students examine approaches to curriculum development and instruction based on theories of language development, learning processes, motivation, and reading and writing acquisition.
3 Credits

TED 525 Teaching Literacy and Language Arts 1-6

This course focuses on the teaching of literacy in grades 1-6 to native English speakers and students who are English language learners, including methods of reading enrichment and remediation. Students are introduced to theories of literacy development, a variety of approaches for teaching reading, writing, listening and speaking, including strategies for teaching phonological awareness, word recognition, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and building literacy in the content areas. Assessing literacy abilities, organizing and managing the classroom for literacy instruction, and using technology for teaching and learning are also addressed.
3 Credits

TED 550 Teaching Literacy 5-12

This course focuses on the teaching of the literacy skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing to native English speakers and to students who are English language learners at the middle childhood and adolescence education levels, including methods of reading enrichment and remediation. Students are introduced to theories of literacy development, a variety of approaches to teaching literacy, particularly strategies for teaching vocabulary, comprehension, and building literacy in the content areas. Assessing literacy abilities, organizing and managing the classroom for literacy instruction, and using technology for teaching and learning are also addressed.
3 Credits

TED 600 Introduction to Students with Learning Problems

This course focuses on the nature and needs of children and adolescents with learning disabilities and with other mild disabilities that interfere with learning. Students explore historical trends, current issues, definitions, etiological factors, and social/emotional components. They also study the theoretical bases for and practical applications of assessments and interventions. 
3 Credits

TED 610 Assessing Students with Literacy and Learning Problems

This course focuses on the assessment of children and youth with a range of literacy and/or learning problems. Course participants explore a range of assessment measures and strategies and how to use information gathered through assessment and analysis to plan or modify instruction utilizing an RTI framework. Topics covered include measurement concepts, administering tests and interpreting test data, communicating testing information to parents, caregivers, and school personnel, using testing information for instructional planning, and legal mandates. Students will be required to perform assessments.
3 Credits

TED 625 Interventions in Reading

This course examines theories of literacy development and individual differences to form a basis for understanding possible difficulties encountered in mastering literacy skills. Interventions, for all aspects of literacy acquisition, appropriate for students experiencing difficulty are addressed.
3 Credits

TED 640 Phonological Awareness and Beginning Reading Instruction

This course explores ways teachers, and teachers working with families and other professionals, create positive instructional environments for beginning readers and writers. This course also examines curriculum development, assessment, and instructional strategies for teaching beginning reading and writing skills and strategies, particularly phonological awareness, to children within the full range of abilities.
3 Credits

TED 645 Methods of Teaching Writing

This course focuses on curriculum development, formal and informal assessment techniques, and research validated instructional strategies for teaching writing to students within the full range of abilities. Course participants explore approaches to the teaching of writing, particularly the process writing approach, interventions for remediation and enrichment, and the uses of technology to enhance teaching and learning.
3 Credits

TED 710 Practicum in Literacy for Students with Learning Problems, Grades 1-6

In this course, participants evaluate and teach a youngster in the childhood grades who is experiencing difficulty in acquiring literacy skills and strategies. Class discussions focus on assessment techniques and research validated instructional strategies effective for teaching all aspects of literacy acquisition.
3 Credits

TED 715 Practicum in Literacy for Students with Learning Problems, Grades 5-12

In this course participants evaluate and teach a youngster, in grades 5-12, who is experiencing difficulty with literacy skills and strategies. Class discussions focus on assessment techniques and research validated instructional strategies effective for teaching all aspects of literacy acquisition and development.
3 Credits

CONTACT

Hudson@liu.edu
914-831-2700