WCSU Graduate Catalog 2024-2025

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION IN LITERACY AND LANGUAGE ARTS

Master of Science in Education in Literacy and Language Arts

Dr. Annmarie Spatola, Graduate Coordinator  Phone: (203) 837-8938
spatolaa@wcsu.edu
Therese Richardson, Department Secretary,  WH 321 Phone: (203) 837-8510
richardsont@wcsu.edu
Fax: (203) 837-8413

 

Faculty:   M. Daria; K. Roe; A. Spatola.

 

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 grades 1-12 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 grades 1-12 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.
  2. Indicate application of major theories and empirical research through 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 their 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.
  2. 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.
  2. Utilize these collaborations 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 that may be waived for current WCSU students and alumni through online registration using the Fast-Track Application System: https://www.wcsu.edu/graduate/application/
  2. An earned baccalaureate degree or evidence that conferral is pending
  3. Demonstrate a 2.7 grade point average (GPA) or higher
  4. Hold an initial teaching certificate or documentation that certification is pending

Out-of-state certified teachers must check with their State Education Department to determine if a Western Connecticut State University graduate program meets their state’s certification requirements.

New York State Certification requirements include additional assessments and workshops:

  • Pathway: Completion Of A Comparable Educator Program In Another U.S. State
  • Completion of a Comparable Approved Program in Another Jurisdiction – Literacy (Birth-Grade 6)
  • Education – Bachelors Degree
  • Minimum 2.50 Undergraduate GPA
  • New York State Teacher Certification Exam – Educating All Students Test (EAS)
  • Content Specialty Test (CST) – Literacy or Safety Net Literacy
  • Workshop – Child Abuse Identification
  • Workshop – School Violence Intervention and Prevention
  • Workshop – Dignity For All Students Act
  • Fingerprint Clearance

Candidates should confirm with the New York State Education Department or another State to determine if a Western Connecticut State University graduate program meets the State certification requirements. NASDTEC coordinates the Interstate Agreement that outlines cooperation for reciprocity.

Program Entry Interviews and Academic Planning

Each candidate must meet with the graduate coordinator to discuss and plan the academic program.  

LiveText License Requirement
All candidates who enter in Education Programs at Western Connecticut State University must purchase a LiveText license before or during the first week of class. LiveText is part of Western’s assessment system and essential for continuous accreditation. Information about purchasing the license is at this link: https://www.bkstr.com/wcsustore/home . If you have questions, please contact, Alicia Schmidt, Livetext Coordinator at schmitta@wcsu.edu.

 

Degree Requirements

ONE-YEAR / ONLINE / MSED IN LITERACY & LANGUAGE ARTS PROGRAM

SEMESTER COURSES CREDITS
Fall

 

 ED 548 Analysis of Reading Difficulties 

ED 608 Sociolinguistics

 3

3

Winter Intersession ED 535 Content Area Literacy: Development of Reading in the Secondary School

 

 3

 

 
Spring

 

 ED 609 Assessments in Reading and Language Arts

ED 611 Action Research in Literacy

 

 3

3

 
Summer Session I

 

 ED 517 Development of Reading in the Elementary School 

ED 576 Learning, Coaching, and Reflective Practice 

 

 3

3

Summer Session II

 

 ED 612 Practicum in Reading and Literacy 1-5  

ED 613 Practicum in Reading and Literacy 6-12 

 

 3

3

 
Summer Session III ED 607 Language Development    3
  TOTAL CREDITS:   30

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

*To Earn Certification #102: Remedial Reading Specialist, candidates must first earn their master’s degree by completing the MSED in Literacy Program, pass the Pearson Reading Specialist exam, and submit an application to the CT State Dept. of Education.

**Tier II – Cross-Endorsement: Reading and Language Arts Consultant #097 Certification                                         

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

Admission Requirements

Must hold a current teaching certification, have completed the Master of Science in Reading and Language Arts Consultant Program, and have earned Certification #102.

 

Earn Certification #097: Reading and Language Arts Consultant(Additional Credits: 12)     

To earn 097 certification, a candidate must have 10 months of experience as a Remedial Reading Specialist and complete the following four courses: ED 614, ED 615, ED 616, ED 593. 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.

SEMESTER COURSES CREDITS 
Fall ED 614 Advanced Diagnosis and Remediation

ED 615 Organization, Administration, and Evaluation of Reading Programs

  3

 3
Winter Intersession ED 593 Standards, Mandates, and Legal Issues in Education  3
Spring ED 616 Practicum in Reading and Language Arts Consultant  3
    12 TOTAL