Literacy Department
Michele Irvin Gonzalez, chair
William Buxton, graduate coordinator
Cornish Hall, Room 1303
(607) 753-2705
Fax: (607) 758-5006

Overview

Enhance your passion for helping people learn to read, whether in school settings, employment situations or through community agencies. Build on the solid foundation of your bachelor’s degree in teacher education and work toward earning your professional New York state teaching certification by choosing the M.S.Ed. in literacy education at SUNY Cortland.

Program Highlights

With the guidance of our expert literacy education faculty, you’ll select one of two tracks to achieve your degree: birth to grade 6 or grades 5-12. You also have the option to complete both tracks for certification. For more information, contact the Literacy Department.

Track 1: Birth to Grade 6

You’ll examine critical topics in language and literacy development, children’s literature and the effects of literacy on society. You’ll gain key skills in assessment and instruction of learners from birth to grade 6 and those experiencing literacy difficulties. You’ll also explore important issues in literacy history and research and the relationship of the literacy specialist to the literacy program. In addition, you’ll apply theory to practice in field experiences and a literacy practicum.

Track 2: Grades 5-12

You’ll investigate literacy development and language, young adult literature, and the importance of literacy to society. You’ll acquire key skills in assessment and instruction of learners in grades 5-12 who experience literacy difficulties. In addition, you’ll explore literacy history, instruction and research, as well as relationships between literacy programs and the literacy specialist. Field experiences and a literacy practicum help you learn to apply theory to practice.

Regardless of the track you pursue, you’ll also select one of the following three-credit courses to enhance your literacy focus: gender issues in education, teaching the inner city child or teaching the special education learner in the general education classroom.

Students wishing to receive dual certification may do so by completing the required courses in both tracks plus additional field experience hours.

Culminating Experience

In addition to fulfilling the specific requirements for state certification, including workshops, each track requires you to complete a master’s project in literacy education.

Career Potential

With the well-regarded M.S.Ed. in literacy education from SUNY Cortland, you’re prepared to take on the responsibilities of a literacy resource teacher, literacy teacher/coach, classroom teacher, facilitator of intervention services, school-level curriculum specialist or a community college instructor.

Admission Requirements

This program requires you to have a bachelor’s degree in teacher education. It requires a minimum of 33 hours of approved graduate course work, including a culminating experience. In addition to meeting the requirements for admission to a degree program as stated in this catalog, you should present the following for enrollment in the program leading to a M.S.Ed. in literacy education:

1. Official transcripts documenting a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
2. Documentation of an initial/provisional certificate or a certificate of qualification for initial or provisional certification for early childhood, childhood, elementary education, middle school education, adolescence education or secondary education, special education, students with disabilities, students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, students who are blind or visually impaired, students with speech and language disabilities, library media specialist, or English to speakers of other languages issued by the New York State Education Department.
3. An overall undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0.
4. Two recommendation checklists, which are available as part of the online application.
5. A typewritten statement demonstrating commitment to and interest in literacy education as well as an ability to write clearly and well.
   

Entry into the Literacy Department graduate program is very competitive, with more eligible applicants than can be accommodated. The criterion listed above is the minimal acceptable requirements but does not guarantee admission into a degree program. The Literacy Department will evaluate all applications and make final admission decisions on all candidates. The final notification regarding admission is transmitted to the applicant from the Graduate Admissions Office. You should matriculate (be accepted and enrolled in the program) before beginning course work.

According to College policy, no more than six graduate credit hours may be transferred from another college. In addition, all course work must be completed within the five years prior to completion of the graduate program.

Apply for the M.S.Ed. in literacy education.