M.Ed in Elementary Education - Concentration in Literacy

This updated master’s degree is designed for educators who want to deepen their knowledge and practice in literacy instruction.  It is ideal for classroom teachers and those who are or want to become reading specialists or literacy coaches.  Graduates will leave with a strong understanding of the research and theory behind the development and effective teaching of language, reading, and writing. 

Program description

This M.Ed in Elementary Education with a Concentration in Literacy is designed to be a rigorous program of study aligned with the standards from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), the International Reading Association (IRA), and Washington State endorsement standards for reading.  The program features a flexible approach that recognizes the busy schedules and demands of working professionals and a supportive context in which teachers can explore and extend their capacity for leadership in the field.  The goal is for the scholarship that teachers engage in during their time in the program to be as applicable to their everyday work in classrooms as possible.  The courses are taught by full-time literacy faculty who not only have expertise in the field but also have real experience in the classroom.

PLEASE NOTE: This is not a certification program.  Those interested in getting certified to teach should investigate our other programs.

Who should apply?

Most successful applicants are certified P-12 teachers with at least one year experience prior to the quarter they enter the program.  Exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis for those having non-traditional or substitute teaching experience or who wish to prepare for other positions for which this degree program would provide obvious benefits.

This degree program supports:

·     Teachers working on the individualized core portion of their Washington State   Professional Certificate

·     Educators participating in the university’s TESOL CIRCLE grant

·     Teachers who want to add a reading endorsement to their certificate

·     Teachers who want to achieve National Board Certification in Literacy: Reading/Language Arts

How are students admitted?

Application Information: Graduate School.  Note: Applications being accepted now for a winter 2009 start. Potential students may take courses in advance and transfer up to 9 quarter credits of graduate work.  Not all credits will count and students should get recommendations and approvals in advance.

Application Requirements:

·      WWU Graduate School application

·      Application fee

·      Resume

·      Three (3) letters of reference

·      Statement of purpose for seeking the M.Ed., not to exceed 1 page

·      GRE, MAT scores (unless you hold a Master’s, PhD, JD, or MD)

·      Interview (only if requested by the department)

What are the program requirements?

Foundations Courses

            EDUC 501 – Introduction to Educational Inquiry

            EDUC 505 – Creating Classrooms for Learning

Core Courses

            ELED 518 – Current Issues: Assessment and Evaluation in Literacy

            ELED 521 – Seminar in Elementary Ed: Teaching the Integrated Language Arts

            ELED 535 – Research and Analysis of Current Issues: Leadership Capstone

Literacy Concentration

            ELED 583 – Improvement of Instruction in Literacy

            TESOL 410 – Second Language Acquisition Theory

            ELED 586 – Seminar for Reading Specialists: Focus on Instruction

            ELED 583 – Literacy and Children’s Literature

Electives

            Additional literacy-related electives are to be selected by advisement.

Master’s Research Project and Comprehensive Exam

            EDUC 691 – Research Seminar and Inquiry Project

            Inquiry under the direction of faculty committee, presentation, and defense to

Woodring faculty.  Note: Students interested in the thesis option should speak

with an advisor.

How long will the program take?

Students who follow the designed sequence should be able to complete the program in just under two years.  Courses are offered evenings, weekends, and summers.

What if I still have questions?

Faculty and staff are happy to provide more details and to respond to your questions.

Dr. Marsha Riddle Buly (marsha.riddle.buly@wwu.edu)

Dr. Tracy Coskie (tracy.coskie@wwu.edu)