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MSEd. Literacy and Post-Master’s Literacy Certification (Birth-Grade 6 or Grades 5-12) Programs

• New York State certifies two levels of literacy specialists: Birth – Grade 6 (Early Childhood/Childhood) and Grades 5 - 12 (Middle School/High School). Our program is Nationally Recognized by the International Reading Association (IRA) and is cited as being “An Exemplary Program.” Our program is listed on the IRA web site as a national model. Our program meets all IRA Standards to prepare certified teachers to become reading specialists and literacy coaches. 100% of our completers have passed the New York State Content Specialty Test in Literacy. We offer both an MSEd. in Literacy program and a Post-Master’s Literacy Certification program for teachers with a master’s degree in another area of education who now want to gain certification as a literacy specialist
• Upon completion of either the MSEd. Literacy program or the Post-Master’s Literacy Certification program along with a passing score on the New York State Content Specialty Test in Literacy, program completers will receive Literacy Certification in New York State. This certification enables a completer to be hired as a reading specialist at the appropriate level. It also provides strong support for being hired as a literacy coach or an instructional facilitator.
• Our program meets New Jersey requirements for being hired as a reading specialist, reading teacher, basic skills teacher, literacy coach, or instructional facilitator. Completers who teach in New Jersey do not need to take any additional Praxis tests to be eligible for any of these positions.

Program Requirements

• The 36 credit Graduate Literacy program consists of 6 credits of core course requirements, 21 credits of literacy specialization courses, and 9 credits of capstone experiences, including the New York State and IRA-required practicum. We meet this requirement by building a summer school reading clinic on campus for students who struggle with reading. The 21 credit Post-Master’s Literacy Certification program includes 18 credits of literacy specialization courses and 6 credits of capstone experiences, including the New York State and IRA-required practicum, contingent upon completion of two prerequisite core courses from the Master’s program (Cognition and Instruction, and Research Methods.)

• Up to 6 credits of graduate level course work can be transferred into either the Master’s program or the Post-Master’s program contingent upon alignment with the St. Thomas Aquinas College programs.

• All courses are three credits. Courses are scheduled during the school year after the school day from 4:20-7:05 once-a-week. Summer courses are offered in July.