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Master of Science in Literacy Education

(HEGIS 0830) 36-45 credits

The primary objectives of the Master of Science in Literacy Education are to prepare:
  1. teachers to facilitate literacy and language learning in the classroom;
  2. literacy specialists to assist classroom teachers at all levels (Birth -12);
  3. literacy specialists to assess students’ literacy strengths and weaknesses and plan and implement a theoretically sound literacy instructional program.

The M.S. degree in Literacy Education leads to New York Certification as a reading specialist in either one or both of the following areas
  1. Literacy - Birth through 6th grade
  2. Literacy - 5th grade through 12th grade.

Literacy Education Department Philosophy
The undergirding philosophy of Dowling College’s Literacy Education Program is that reading, writing, listening, and speaking are interrelated, reciprocal, and mutually-facilitative processes. The curriculum for each of the courses in the M.S. in Literacy Education Program emphasizes a “balanced approach” to literacy. Facilitating an in-depth understanding of and respect for cultural, ethnic, and linguistic diversity is a major objective of our program.

Additional Requirements:
  1. Students must attain a minimum grade of B in each practica course before enrolling in the subsequent practica course (e.g., students must attain a minimum grade of B in EDL 7516 or 7518 before enrolling in EDL 7517 or EDL 7519 and students must attain a minimum grade of B in EDL 7517 or EDL 7519 before enrolling in EDL 7523, EDL 7526 or EDL 7527). Graduate students who attain a grade lower than B in any practica course MUST repeat the course (and achieve a minimum grade of B) if they intend to continue to pursue the M.S. in Literacy Education Degree Program.
  2. Transfer credits will not be accepted for required courses. Transfer credits will only be accepted for approved elective courses.
  3. The capstone experience for the M.S. in Literacy Education Program is a cumulative exam administered during our capstone courses, EDL 7523 and EDL 7526/7527.

    Students seeking Birth-6th Grade Certification and 5th-12th Grade Certification (45 credits)

    I. Core Courses (18 credits)
    EDL 5500  
    EDL 5501  
    EDL 6502  
    EDL 5503  
    EDL 6504  
    EDL 6510  
    EDS 5402  

    Birth-6th Grade Certification (36 credits)
    EDL 6508  
    EDL 7518  
    EDL 7519  
    EDL 7523 (6 credits)  


    5th-12th Grade Certification (36 credits)
    EDL 7518  
    EDL 7519  
    EDL 7523 (6 credits)  

    1 elective
    Students seeking Birth-6th Grade Certification and 5th-12th Grade Certification (45 credits)

    I. Core Courses (18 credits)
    EDL 5500, 5501, 6502, 5503, 6504, 6510, EDS 5402

    II. Additional Courses (27 credits)
    EDL 6508, 7516 (6 credits), 7517 (6 credits), 7526 (6 credits) and 7527.

    Literacy, Birth Through 6th Grade Certification , 36 credits of required courses

    Required Courses (33 credits)
    EDL 5500 Literacy Acquisition and Development
    EDL 5501 Children's and Adolescents Literature
    EDS 5402 Principles and Practices of Diverse Learners
    EDL 6502 Reading and Writing Workshop (Prerequisite EDL 5500)
    EDL 5503 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas
    EDL 6504 Literacy Research (Prerequisite EDL 5500)
    EDL 6508 Emergent Literacy (Prerequisite EDL 5500)
    EDL 6510 Supervision of Literacy Programs (Prerequisites EDL 5500, EDL 5501, EDL 6502, EDL 7518 and EDL 7519)
    EDL 7518 * Literacy Assessment Practicum (Prerequisites
    & EDL 6502)
     
    EDL 7519 * Literacy Strategies Practicum (Prerequisites EDL 5500, EDL 5503, EDL 6502, EDL 6510, EDL 7518, and a minimum grade of B in EDL 7518)
    EDL 7523 * Literacy Practicum (Prerequisites EDL 5500, EDL 6502, EDL 7518,
    and a minimum grade of B in EDL 7519)
     



    * Offered Fall and Spring Semesters Only

    Literacy, 5th Grade Through 12th Grade Certification, 30 credits of required courses and one 3 credit elective course

    Required Courses (30 credits)
    EDL 5500 Literacy Acquisition and Development
    EDL 5501 Children's and Adolescents Literature
    EDS 5402 Principles and Practices of Diverse Learners
    EDL 6502 Reading and Writing Workshop (Prerequisite EDL 5500)
    EDL 5503 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas
    EDL 6504 Literacy Research (Prerequisite EDL 5500)
    EDL 6510 Supervision of Literacy Programs (Prerequisites EDL 5500, EDL 5501, EDL 6502, EDL 7518 and EDL 7519)
    EDL 7518 * Literacy Assessment Practicum (Prerequisites
    & EDL 6502)
     
    EDL 7519 * Literacy Strategies Practicum (Prerequisites EDL 5500, EDL 5503, EDL 6502,EDL 6510, EDL 7518, and a minimum grade of B in EDL 7518)
    EDL 7523 * Literacy Practicum (Prerequisites EDL 5500,
    & EDL 7518, EDL 7519 and a minimum grade of B in EDL 7519).
     

    Select one, 3 credit elective from the list of suggested electives.

    *Offered Fall and Spring Semesters Only

    Literacy, Birth Through 6th Grade and 5th Grade through 12th Grade (45 credits)

    Required Courses (42 credits)
    EDL 5500 Literacy Acquisition and Development
    EDL 5501 Children?s and Adolescents? Literature
    EDS 5402 Principles and Practices of Diverse Learners
    EDL 6502 Reading and Writing Workshop (Prerequisite EDL 5500)
    EDL 5503 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas
    EDL 6504 Literacy Research (Prerequisite EDL 5500)
    EDL 6508 Emergent Literacy (Prerequisite EDL 5500)
    EDL 6510 Supervision of Literacy Programs (Prerequisites EDL 5500, EDL 5501, EDL 6502, EDL 7516 and EDL 7517)
    EDL 7516 * Literacy Assessment Practicum (Prerequisites EDL 5500 & EDL 6502)
     
    EDL 7517 * Literacy Strategies Practicum (Prerequisites EDL 5500, EDL 5503, EDL 6502, EDL 7516, EDL 7517 & a minimum grade of B in EDL 7517)
    EDL 7526 * Advanced Literacy Practicum (Prerequisites EDL 5500, EDL 6502, EDL 7516, & a minimum grade of B in EDL 7517)
     
    EDL 7527 Advanced Literacy Seminar (Prerequisites EDL 5500, EDL 5501, EDL 5503,
    EDL 6502, EDL 7516, EDL 7517 and a minimum grade of B in EDL 7517)


    *Offered Fall and Spring Semesters Only

    Suggested Electives
    EDS 5402 Principles and Practices of Special Education
    EDH 6505 Mainstreaming: Meeting the Needs of Readers With Special Needs (1st - 6th grade) (Prerequisite EDL 5500)
    EDL 6508 * Emergent Literacy (Prerequisite EDL 5500)
    EDL 5509 Integrated Approach to Language Arts (Prerequisite EDL 5500)
    EDE 6512 Practicum: Meeting the Needs of Readers With Special Needs (1st - 6th grade) (Prerequisites EDL 5500 & EDH 6505; Approval of Professor)
     
    EDE 5611 Computer Awareness for Teachers
    EDE 6612 Educational Software Evaluation

    *EDL 6508 is only an elective for students who are pursuing the Literacy 5th-12th grade certification. It is a required course for the Literacy Birth-6th grade certification and for students who are pursuing the Literacy Birth through 6th grade and 5th grade through 12th grade certification.

    Practica Course Information
    EDL 7518 and EDL 7519 must be taken in subsequent semesters. Prior to taking EDL 7518, graduate students should select a student who is in a grade that corresponds with his/her certification grade range who is below grade level in reading. Graduate students will assess this student’s literacy abilities in EDL 7518 and then must register for EDL 7519 during the subsequent fall or spring semester so that their EDL 7518 assessment findings can serve as the basis for an instructional plan for their student in EDL 7519.

    EDL 7523 and EDL 7526 are held in a local, high need school district. Graduate students should register early for these courses so that the Literacy Center will have adequate time to enroll a child for each graduate student.

    It is essential for graduate students to call the Dowling College Literacy Center Office if they decide not to enroll in EDL 7523 during the semester they have indicated they will register so that a child will not be enrolled for them.

    Attendance at an evening orientation meeting (held approximately one week prior to the beginning of the semester) is mandatory. If you do not receive a letter informing you of the date of this meeting, call the Dowling College Literacy Center Office at 631-244-3481.