2014-2015 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Literacy for Diverse Learners
|
|
Department Chair: TBD
Overview
The literacy for diverse learners master’s degree program is designed to prepare experienced teachers, special educators, and literacy specialists to work effectively with K-12 students from diverse backgrounds with a broad range of specialized language and literacy learning needs. The program prepares candidates for various roles, including literacy assessment, instruction and intervention planning, and nurturing lifelong literacy development. Courses in this program examine and evaluate current research and best practice in English language learners (ELL), literacy, and special education. Completion of the master’s degree in literacy for diverse learners leads to the Washington state endorsement in reading and provides 12 credits toward the Washington state endorsement in special education. The program is in the process of making it possible for a student to add an ELL endorsement through the LITC program.
The post-master’s certificate/literacy specialist is designed for experienced 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 experienced 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/ELL and special education, culminating in the practicum working with K-6 students with diverse language and learning 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 diverse learners 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:
Required courses:
- 4 credits of TEED 5021 satisfy LITC 5250 and the 1 credit elective.
- 4 credits of TEED 5022 satisfy LITC 5260 and the 1 credit elective.
- MIT elective in Literacy (3 credits) can meet a literacy course requirement.
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 using the College of Education forms, including one from an immediate supervisor and one from a professional colleague who can evaluate the candidate’s teaching experience.
- 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.
|