Mission Statement: The Master of Education degree with a major in language and literacy studies prepares the classroom teacher in all aspects of reading instruction. The program will enable the student to explore current theory, research, and best practices in literacy instruction and assessment. Upon completion of the degree the student will be eligible to apply for professional certification as a Reading Specialist and will be prepared for a variety of careers
in the field of reading.
Reading specialists are required to have 160 hours of supervised experience in accredited schools. Field experience is required in several courses, including two practicums, which contribute to this requirement. Completion of the master’s program in language and literacy studies enables the student to apply for Professional Certification as a Reading Specialist (1-12) upon satisfactory completion of the state mandated TExES requirement.
All students must meet the admission standards of the University and the West College of Education. Professional Certification as a Reading Specialist (1-12) requires an elementary or secondary provisional certificate and three years of classroom teaching in an accredited school. Students may enroll in the program without three years of classroom teaching experience, but they cannot be certified until they meet the three year teaching requirement. Completion of one additional course enables the student to apply for Master Reading Teacher certificate. Focusing on bilingual education for elective hours (6) prepares the student to take the Bilingual Education supplemental certificate.
The graduate program requires 36 semester hours. Each candidate is required to submit a satisfactory research paper directly related to some phase of the graduate program.
A portfolio presentation may be required as a part of the master’s oral comprehensive examination.
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