Contacts

Sharon Dotger, Faculty Director of Teacher Education and Undergraduate Studies, 315-443-9138, sdotger@syr.edu
Bong Gee Jang, 200 Huntington Hall, 315-443-5186, bojang@syr.edu

Syracuse University’s 30-credit master’s program in literacy education, birth through grade 12, reflects the latest thinking about literacy instruction. The program aligns with the professional standards of the International Literacy Association and the New York State Teaching and Learning Standards. Through face-to-face instruction, online experiences, and community-based projects, you will learn to provide culturally responsive literacy instruction in classrooms and in school-wide programs where all students are helped to learn at high levels. The literacy education birth-grade 12 program prepares you for a range of jobs in the field of literacy education. Our graduates become outstanding classroom teachers, literacy specialists, and literacy coaches; with additional preparation, some become faculty members in higher education, school administrators, state department administrators, professional development providers, and language arts consultants. Graduates meet the academic requirements for New York State Literacy Birth - grade 6 and Literacy grades 5-12 teaching certificates. 

The program can be pursued full time over a year, in a fall-spring-summer sequence, or part time over several years. It is open only to those who hold or will qualify before beginning the program for a New York State initial teaching certificate in another certificate title.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Acquire knowledge of each student, and demonstrate knowledge of student development and learning to promote achievement for all students
2. Know the content they are responsible for teaching, and plan instruction that ensures growth and achievement for all students
3. Implement instruction that engages and challenges all students to meet or exceed the learning standards
4. Work with all students to create a dynamic learning environment that supports achievement and growth
5. Use multiple measures to assess and document student growth, evaluate instructional effectiveness, and modify instruction
6. Demonstrate professional responsibility and engage relevant stakeholders to maximize student growth, development, and learning
7. Set informed goals and strive for continuous professional growth

Program Requirements

Students will complete a professional portfolio requiring the integration of research and practice at two different points in the program–one following the completion of four courses (RED 613 Teaching Comprehension; RED 614 Teaching 21st Century Writers In and Out of School; RED 616 Academic Language and Reading,  RED 626 Early Intervention for Children's Reading Problems), and the other following the completion of the capstone course, RED 747 Literacy Clinic.

Degree Awarded: M.S. in Literacy Education: Birth to Grade 12

Literacy Education Birth to Grade 12 Content Requirements

In addition to the graduate courses listed above, this program requires applicants to hold or be eligible to hold initial or professional teacher certification. Typically, a 3.0 average in these courses is required.

It is expected that students will enter the program with most of these requirements completed. Students who do not complete all of the requirements cannot be recommended for certification.

Also Required

Workshops in violence prevention, child abuse and abduction, substance abuse, the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA), and school and fire safety.

As a culminating experience, students complete a portfolio demonstrating evidence of professional competence.