Literacy Education, M.S.

Old Westbury’s Master of Science in Literacy Education is designed as a pathway to initial (including initial/ professional) certification in Literacy at either the childhood (B-6) or adolescence (5-12) levels, or both. These degrees are designed for educators who already possess initial, professional, or permanent certification in Education and who are seeking professional certification and/or an advanced degree in Literacy Education. This program combines theory and practice and meets all relevant New York State Education Department professional certification requirements. Each 30-credit track (39 credits for the combined Childhood and Adolescence track) has a 15-credit common core that includes pedagogical content in literacy, language acquisition, assessment, literacy coaching, and leadership, all based on current research in the field. The remaining credits include specialized coursework in Childhood and/or Adolescent Literacy including literature studies, literacy practices and strategies for the content areas, writing, and a supervised practicum.

The program is offered for part-time students only. Candidates who take two courses per semester, including summer, can complete the program in two years (5 semesters). The combined Childhood/Adolescence track can also be completed in two years (5 semesters) if candidates take three courses during their second, third, and fourth semesters.

The program’s primary student learning outcomes are:

• Candidates will demonstrate specialized pedagogical tools to increase literacy skills in both childhood and adolescence in the areas of digital literacies, literacy assessment, and various content area strategies and be prepared to serve in school settings in leadership positions as reading specials, literacy coaches, and classroom teachers
• Candidates will be prepared to become literacy specialists who will enhance literacy programs through their pedagogical knowledge, practices, and integration of technologies across curriculum, and communicate information about literacy to school personnel and parents/caregivers
• Candidates will demonstrate the ability to address social justice issues through literacy instruction and encouraging an appreciation for culturally diverse cultures and literature
• Candidates will demonstrate increased knowledge of learning differences in the areas of speaking, listening, writing, and reading
• Candidates will be prepared to become literacy coaches who will provide support to teachers for their reading and writing instruction.

Admissions Requirements

All applications must include or contain evidence of:

• Initial, professional, or permanent teacher certification
• An undergraduate or graduate degree in Education, or related field, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a scale of 4) or the equivalent, in the highest earned degree
• Two letters of recommendation, at least one from an academic source
• An admission essay
• International students must meet additional criteria, including the following TOEFL scores: paper exam = 550; computer exam= 213; Internet exam= 80. Students taking the IELTS English (Cambridge) exams must pass with a broad band score of 6.5. Students must also have their overseas documents evaluated by AACRAO International or WES (World Education Services).

Admission will be based on evidence of a candidate’s ability and motivation for graduate level work. The candidate’s GPA in graduate level courses for this proposed program must average 3.0 or higher for successful completion. A minimum of twenty-four credit hours in graduate level work must be completed at Old Westbury by every candidate.