Teaching Literacy Birth-Grade 12, M.S.

Mi-Hyun Chung, Ph.D., Chair
(914) 674-3057
mchung@mercy.edu

NOTE: Effective Fall 2024, we will no longer be accepting students for the current program. We are excited to introduce our new Literacy and Multilingual Studies, M.S. program, which will begin in Spring 2025. For more information and to access details about this new program, please click here .

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: Orgn/Admin Lit Prgms , 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 - Aprchs Lit: EChldhd-Adolescenc Credit(s): 3
EDUC 522 - Lang Develop & Lit Acquisition Credit(s): 3
EDUC 561 - Ltrcy Instctn Stdnts Dsbls Credit(s): 3
EDUC 573 - Lrng Tchnlgy Across Eng Lang Credit(s): 3
EDUC 590 - App & Theories to Tchng Wrtng and Dig Lit Credit(s): 3
EDUC 591 - Child & Adolescent Literature Credit(s): 3
EDUC 643 - Read/Write Cntnt Area Grd 5-12 Credit(s): 3
EDUC 648 - Dmsns of Lrng & Ltrcy Credit(s): 3
EDUC 658 - Seminar: Orgn/Admin Lit Prgms Credit(s): 3 (Capstone)
EDUC 659 - Pract Literacy Assess Birth-12 Credit(s): 3
EDUC 660 - Practicum in Lit Instr Practic Credit(s): 3

Total Credits: 33

Additional Program Requirements

Program Progression:

Courses EDUC 507 and EDUC 561 should be completed prior to registering for EDUC 659 .
At the completion of 9 credits, candidates should register for EDUC 659 .
At the completion of 15 credits or at the completion of EDUC 659 , 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 capstone 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 University NC-Sara webpage.