Teaching Literacy Birth-Grade 12, M.S.

JungKang Miller, Ph.D., Chair
914-674-7333
jkmiller@mercy.edu

The M.S. in Teaching Literacy, Birth-Grade 12 prepares candidates to be dually certified as a Literacy teacher in both Birth-Grade 6 and Grades 5-12 (Dual Certification). Our program prepares candidates to become reading teachers, literacy coaches, and remedial reading/writing specialists. Our graduates also remain Elementary and Secondary classroom teachers who have strong competence in classroom Literacy instruction and assessment.

The program offers teachers a philosophical foundation with hands on strategies for developing an awareness that speaking, listening, reading, and writing are interrelated and how these skills as a whole impact a child’s literacy development. Applicants to the program must also include a copy of the initial certificate with their application materials.

Teaching Literacy Program Goals

Candidates in the Teaching Literacy Program will acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to meet the literacy needs of children in urban and suburban settings, and will be able to do the following:

Link theory and practice to create environments conducive to literacy learning.
Provide appropriate instruction for students experiencing difficulty in acquiring literacy skills including students with disabilities and English language learners.
Analyze assessment data for instructional decision-making.
Communicate information about literacy to parents, caregivers, and school personnel.
Set professional goals and responsibilities.
Provide differentiated instruction that focuses on students diversities.

Fieldwork experiences pertinent to the grade level of the certificate are required. Degree-seeking candidates must complete an e-portfolio capstone project in EDUC 658 Seminar in the Organization and Administration of Literacy Programs , and pass the Content Specialty Test in Literacy within 27 credits of course registration.

Course Requirements for the Master of Science in Literacy, Birth–Grade 12

EDUC 507 - Approaches to Literacy Instruction in Early Childhood through Adolescence Credit(s): 3
EDUC 522 - Language Development and Literacy Acquisition Credit(s): 3
EDUC 561 - Literacy Instruction for Students with Special Needs Credit(s): 3
EDUC 573 - Learning Technology across the English Language Arts Curriculum Credit(s): 3
EDUC 590 - The Teaching of Writing and the Writing Process Credit(s): 3
EDUC 591 - Child and Adolescent Literature Credit(s): 3
EDUC 643 - Reading and Writing in the Content Areas, Grades 5–12 Credit(s): 3
EDUC 648 - Dimensions of Learning and Literacy Credit(s): 3
EDUC 659 - Practicum in Literacy Assessment (cc) Credit(s): 3
EDUC 660 - Practicum in Literacy Instructional Practices Credit(s): 3
EDUC 658 - Seminar in the Organization and Administration of Literacy Programs Credit(s): 3 (Capstone)

Total Credits: 33

Additional Program Requirements

Program Progression:

Courses EDUC 507 , EDUC 561 and EDUC 648 should be completed prior to registering for EDUC 659 .
At the completion of 12 credits, candidates should register for EDUC 659 .
At the completion of 15 credits, candidates should register for EDUC 660 .
EDUC 658 should be taken in the candidate’s last semester and students must have completed 27 credits, at least one practicum, and have permission from the chair.

*Degree-seeking candidates must pass the CST in Literacy in order to enroll in the clinical course, EDUC 658 .

Professional Licensure

If you are interested in obtaining professional licensure, please check with the appropriate licensing body in the state where you intend to practice. For additional information and detailed requirements, please refer to the specific program of interest on the “School Resources” section of the Mercy College NC-Sara webpage.