WCSU Graduate Catalog 2023-2024

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION IN LITERACY AND LANGUAGE ARTS

Master of Science in Education in Literacy and Language Arts (Online Program)

Annmarie Spatola, Graduate Coordinator  Phone: (203) 837-8510
spatolaa@wcsu.edu
Therese Richardson, Department Secretary,  WH 321 Phone: (203) 837-8510
richardsont@wcsu.edu
Fax: (203) 837-8413

 

Faculty:   A. Brewer; T. Canada; J. Caruso; M. Daria; M. Delcourt; N. DeRonck; S. Kuhn; D. Mariotti; C. O’Callaghan; J. Piro; K. Roe; A. Spatola; T. Stewart.

 

Program Overview and Mission

The mission of the MSED in Literacy and Language Arts Program is to prepare educators to become reading specialists, literacy coaches, and professional leaders who are highly knowledgeable in the theoretical and practical foundations of literacy, recognize access to literacy education, and work to impact student learning in culturally diverse populations in K-12 schools and communities.

Goals, Objectives, and Learning Outcomes of the MSED in Literacy and Language Arts Program

The goals, objectives, and learning outcomes of WCSU’s MSED in Literacy and Language Arts Program are varied and critical to facilitate the development of reading specialists, literacy coaches, and professional leaders. The program is designed to prepare K-12 educators as follows:

A. Graduates of the program will use their knowledge of cognitive, linguistic, motivational, and socio-cultural foundations of literacy to sustain and connect classroom communities;

  1. Synthesize and apply major theories and empirical research that describe the cognitive, linguistic, motivational, and socio-cultural foundations of reading and writing development, processes, and components as indicated by the design of an action research project in literacy.

B. Graduates of the program will demonstrate the ability to plan, develop, and adjust services that meet the needs of diverse learners;

  1. Expand his or her professional knowledge base regarding the education and development of exceptional, gifted, talented, and disabled students as indicated by case studies of struggling readers and writers.
  2. Accurately assess and analyze student learning, and reflect on adjustments needed for both instruction and assessment as indicated by the student learning project.

C. Graduates of the program will demonstrate the ability to use relevant pedagogical skills and educational psychology knowledge in the planning, development, delivery, and assessment of professional services in support of relevant educational goals;

     1.  Demonstrate the ability to apply their knowledge of theory and empirical research to impact student learning as indicated by clinical performance in the practicum.

D. Graduates of the program will demonstrate the ability to work jointly, collaboratively, and cooperatively with learners, peers, educational professionals, and other community members to meet the needs of all learners

     1.  Work collaboratively with administrators, colleagues, parents, and community members to design literacy instruction as indicated by their portfolio in the practicum.

Admission Requirements

Applicants who wish to be admitted to the program must submit the following materials to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

  1. Application for admission to the Office of Graduate Admissions and a $50 application fee: Online application – https://www.wcsu.edu/graduate/application/
  2. One official transcript mailed (not hand-delivered) to the Office of Graduate Admissions from each college or university previously attended, including all earned grades and degree – (For initial nonmatriculating enrollment, an unofficial transcript indicating a 2.7 undergraduate grade point average (GPA) or higher and the baccalaureate degree will suffice.)
  3. A copy of a valid teaching certificate in elementary and/or secondary education
  4. Evidence of successful completion of any required prerequisite courses for a particular concentration
  5. Evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education

Graduate students in the program must complete the requirements for the degree within six-years.

New-York-State-certified teachers must check with the New York State Education Department to determine if a Western Connecticut State University graduate program meets New York State certification requirements.

Program Entry Interviews and Academic Planning

Each candidate must meet with the graduate coordinator to discuss and plan the academic program. Course-sequencing suggestions will be provided at that time.

Degree Requirements

Leadership Foundational Courses (6 SH)
  Cohort Sequence
ED 576 Learning, Coaching, and Reflective Practice 3 SH Spring 2024
ED 593 Standards, Mandates, and Legal Issues in Education 3 SH Fall 2023
   *
Foundational Knowledge in Language and Literacy (21 SH)
ED 517 Development of Reading in the Elementary Schools 3 SH Fall 2023
ED 535 Content Area Literacy: Development of Reading in the Secondary School 3 SH Spring 2024
ED 607 Language Development 3 SH Summer II 2024
ED 608 Sociolinguistics and Literacy Learning 3 SH Fall 2024
ED 609 Assessments in Reading and Language Arts 3 SH  Spring 2025
ED 610 Exploring Children’s and Adolescent Literature and Digital Literacies 3 SH  Summer II 2024
ED 611 Action Research in Literacy Leadership 3 SH Spring 2025
   *
Assessment and Intervention (9 SH)
ED 548 Analysis of Reading Difficulties 3 SH Fall 2024
ED 612 Practicum in Reading and Literacy K-5 3 SH Summer II 2025
ED 613 Practicum in Reading and Literacy 6-12 3 SH Summer II 2025
   *
Total Credits for Degree 36 SH

 

Earn Certification #102: Remedial Reading Specialist by passing the Pearson Reading Specialist exam and submitting an application to the CT State Department of Education.

Tier II

Cross-endorsement: Reading and Language Arts Consultant Program Leads to CT Reading and Language Arts Consultant Certification (#097 certification)

Admission Requirements

Current teaching certification, completed Master of Science in Reading and Language Arts Consultant Program, and earned Certification #102.

To earn Certification #097, candidate must have 10 months experience as a Remedial Reading Specialist and complete the following three courses: ED 614; ED 615; and ED 616. Coursework for #097 certification may be completed prior to obtaining a position as a Remedial Reading Specialist; however, #097 certification will not be granted until 10 months of experience has been completed. 

Cross-endorsement: Reading and Language Arts Consultant Coursework (9 SH) Cohort Sequence
ED 614 Advanced Diagnosis and Remediation 3 SH Fall 2023
ED 615 Organization, Administration, and Evaluation of Reading Programs 3 SH Fall 2023
ED 616 Practicum in Reading and Language Arts Consultant 3 SH Spring 2024
   
Total Required Credits 9 SH