Literacy Education, MSE

You will have access to highly-qualified faculty who are leaders in the field of literacy education. Personal instruction and advising from one of these faculty members helps you be successful in the classroom and in the field. Courses are offered in flexible formats (online and/or hybrid) to work around your busy schedule.

All classes are offered in either online or hybrid formats with exception of the practica requirement (EDFL 5220 and EDFL 5230). Hybrid courses combine traditional course format with online learning to create clear communication and collaboration while still being flexible.

Depending on your personal schedule, it usually takes anywhere from 2 to 4 years to complete the graduate hours required for the degree. We suggest that you take your time with graduate courses as the workload tends to be higher than undergraduate classes.

You will use the knowledge and skills obtained in the program to:

• Demonstrate expertise in theoretical and evidence-based foundations of reading and writing processes and instruction.
• Foster the use of instructional approaches, materials, and an integrated, comprehensive, balanced curriculum to support learning in reading and writing.
• Be responsible for managing and monitoring a variety of assessment tools and practices to plan and evaluate effective reading and writing instruction.
• Model, create, and engage students in literacy practices that develop awareness, understanding, respect, and valuing of differences in our society.
• Create a literate environment that fosters reading and writing by integrating foundational knowledge, instructional practices, approaches and methods, curriculum materials, and appropriate use of assessments.
• Demonstrate a commitment to professional development as a career-long effort and responsibility.
  

MSE classes are offered for the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. You don't need to wait until Fall to start, you can begin your program in Spring or Summer. 

To be accepted into the degree program, you must:

• Have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited or National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education institution with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5
• Submit proof of teacher certification or provide a professional endorsement from any of the 50 states or territories
• Submit a copy of a recent summative teaching evaluation (i.e., a PBTE or similar evaluation form) or a letter from a school superintendent, principal, or professor attesting to teaching abilities and graduate school potential
• Submit an application for admission (including submission of official undergraduate transcripts)

For more information on Graduate Admissions, please visit the Graduate School Admissions page. All application materials should be received a minimum of three weeks prior to the first date of the semester in which you seek to enroll.

After you are accepted, you will be assigned a graduate advisor who will assist you in developing a Program of Study and selecting courses to help you finish your program in a way that best meets your needs.

• Highly-qualified faculty who present and publish nationally and internationally, are leaders in professional literacy organizations, and have many combined years of teaching experience.
• Expertise in research-based best practices for classroom application.
• State-of-the-art technology-based library accessible from home or on campus.
• A long tradition of excellence in teacher education.
• Personal advising with literacy faculty.