Literacy, MSEd

Program Description

The purpose of the MSEd-Literacy degree is to furnish students with the necessary knowledge and skills to be competent teachers of literacy from preschool through college. Those completing the program will be qualified to work as reading interventionists, Title I Teachers, or Reading Recovery Teachers  (additional training required).  In addition, graduates may supervise reading/literacy programs and may qualify as literacy coaches. The MSEd-Literacy degree includes coursework requirements for DESE K-12 Special Reading Teacher certification (note: DESE also required undergraduate coursework in special education, educational psychology, and literacy methods). A research component is required for completion of the degree.

Entrance Requirement

Admission to the program requires the following minimum criteria:

1. appropriate teacher certification or eligibility for certification by a state or national board; and
2. a minimum GPA of 3.00 for courses taken in undergraduate area of study. Candidates who do not meet the GPA requirement must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) earning a minimum combined score of 290. Results from the GRE must be provided prior to the candidate’s registering for more than nine hours.
3. Applicants must also submit a letter of intent, which includes the candidate’s teaching and professional goals, future plans, background, and teaching experience.

A candidate who does not meet all the above criteria, but who demonstrates outstanding potential, may be fully admitted with approval from the Literacy Program Director, School Director, College of Education Dean, and Graduate College Dean on the basis of individual merit and successful completion of the first nine hours (3.00 GPA or higher).

Student Program of Study Courses

The Graduate Program Director will meet with students upon admission to map out coursework designed to meet each individual student’s needs.

Accelerated Master’s Degree Option - MSEd, Literacy

The MSEd-Literacy accelerated master’s degree option provides exceptional MSU undergraduate students the opportunity to enroll in a combined baccalaureate and master’s degree program.

Eligible BSEd majors may apply for preliminary acceptance into the MSEd-Literacy program after admission requirements for the accelerated master’s option have been satisfied. Once accepted, students will be able to take up to 12 hours of graduate-level literacy courses that apply to both their undergraduate and graduate programs. Before enrolling in courses for both undergraduate and graduate credit, an undergraduate student must be accepted into the accelerated program and receive prior approval from the Literacy Program Director, the School Director, and the Dean of the Graduate College. This is done by using a mixed credit form. A student will be fully admitted to the Graduate College upon completion of the requirements for the baccalaureate degree, provided the student meets all other requirements for admission to the Graduate College. Acceptance into the program and all approvals must be completed prior to the end of the Change of Schedule Period for the course(s). See the Graduate College for further information.

Admission Requirements for Accelerated Master’s Option

1. Junior standing, with an overall GPA of 3.00
2. BSEd major
3. Elementary, Early Childhood, and Special Education majors - completed or enrolled in: LTC 318 or LTC 420, and LTC 421
4. Middle School and Secondary majors - completed or enrolled in: LTC 474
5. Other BSEd majors - contact the Graduate Literacy Program Director

Graduate Coursework in Literacy Taken by Undergraduates and Accepted into the Accelerated Master’s Option:

LTC 700 ; LTC 640 ; LTC 660  or LTC 665  ; LTC 680 ; LTC 685 . Other courses may be substituted with approval from Graduate Literacy Program Director.

Completion of MSEd-Literacy Requirements:

Students must complete the additional course requirements and number of required hours as listed in the regular MSEd-Literacy degree upon completion of the BSEd degree.