Literacy for Special Needs

Katherine L. Schlick Noe, PhD, Program Director and Department Chair

Overview

The literacy for special needs master’s degree program is designed to prepare general education teachers, special educators, and reading specialists to work effectively with K-12 students with a broad range of specialized learning needs. The program prepares candidates for various roles, including literacy assessment, instructional planning, and nurturing lifelong literacy development and skill application. Courses in this program include an examination and evaluation of current literacy and special education research and best practice. Completion of the master’s degree in literacy for special needs leads to the Washington State endorsement in reading and provides 16 credits toward the Washington State endorsement in special education.

The post-master’s certificate/literacy specialist is designed for teachers who already hold a master’s degree but who want to earn the endorsement in reading. The graduate endorsement-only program in reading is designed for teachers with a bachelor’s degree who want to earn the endorsement in reading but not the master’s degree.

Program Design

The program is designed for working professionals who take one or two courses a quarter during the academic year and one or two courses during the summer. Students take a planned program of course work in literacy and special education, culminating in the practicum working with K-6 students with special needs.

Students can begin the program during any quarter. Courses during the academic year meet in the late afternoon and evening hours; some summer courses meet during the day. Part-time students can complete the program in three to four years.

Reading Endorsement

Students who wish to earn the Washington State endorsement in reading through the literacy for special needs program must already hold a Washington state teaching certificate.

Students completing the master in teaching program may apply up to 13 credits toward the post-master’s certificate/literacy specialist prerequisites and required courses and the endorsement in reading by completing the following courses:

Prerequisites:

6 credits of TEED 512 satisfy EDUC 515 and EDUC 511 /EDUC 512

Required courses:

4 credits of TEED 521 satisfy LITC 525 and the 1 credit elective.
4 credits of TEED 522 satisfy LITC 526 and the 1 credit elective.
MIT elective in Literacy (3 credits) can meet a literacy course requirement.

ProTeach Preparation for the Professional Certificate

Students enrolled in the literacy for special needs program who plan to complete the Washington State ProTeach Portfolio Assessment for the professional certificate at Seattle University may substitute ProTeach Prep Seminar I for LITC 521.

Admission Requirements

Application for Graduate Admission with non-refundable $55 application fee. (Application fee waived for SU alumni.)
Evidence of four-year equivalent bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
Minimum GPA of 3.00 calculated from transcripts of all post-secondary educational institutions attended in the last 90 quarter/60 semester credits of the bachelor’s degree, including transfer credit earned during this time, and any post-baccalaureate course work. Applicants with less than a 3.00 GPA are required to submit official scores from the GRE or MAT by the application deadline. Test scores must be from tests taken within the last five years to be considered official.
Copy of valid Washington State Teacher certification
Résumé reflecting at least two years of full-time teaching experience at the K-12 level
Two recommendations, including one from an immediate supervisor and one from a professional colleague who can evaluate the candidate’s teaching experience, using the College of Education forms
Two-page (maximum) statement of purpose (including goals for the program and professional goals)
College of Education Self-Evaluation form
Select candidates will be invited for an interview with the program director. Admission decisions are sent by letter within 30 days after the interview.