Mar 28, 2024  
2007-2008 Graduate Studies Bulletin 
    
2007-2008 Graduate Studies Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Literacy Studies, P.D. in Advanced


Professor Taylor, Graduate Program Director, (516) 463-5370,
Denny.Taylor@hofstra.edu

Program Overview


The Professional Diploma in Advanced Literacy Studies is designed for teachers with a master’s degree in education and an interest in advanced studies in literacy. The P.D. in Advanced Literacy Studies provides a critical examination of current issues in literacy pedagogy for experienced teachers interested in the professional development of literacy teachers. The professional diploma involves advanced course work in contemporary theory and practice in literacy studies, language and language learning, reading and writing processes, advocacy for language learners, literacy in families and communities, and cultural and historical perspectives of literacy and schooling. Students will examine a range of theoretical approaches to teacher inquiry, staff development, and teacher leadership in literacy education. Two years of supervised field work provide first hand experiences working with readers and writers who struggle, and examining critical issues in literacy learning and teaching with colleagues and parents.

Program I: Professional Diploma in Advanced Literacy Studies


This program provides advanced studies in literacy pedagogy and professional development for students who have a master’s degree in reading or literacy studies and current certification in reading or literacy. We are looking for applicants who are committed, life-long teacher/learners with a potential for language arts/literacy staff development. This program prepares students for the following positions:

  • Classroom teachers with advanced preparation in literacy learning, teaching, and teacher research.
  • Literacy specialists with advanced preparation in one-on-one and small group instruction in literacy processes.
  • Literacy specialists prepared to work collaboratively with classroom teachers in designing and implementing effective literacy instruction in inclusive environments.
  • Lead teachers or mentor teachers, working at the building level to provide consultations, demonstrations and resources for language arts/literacy teachers.
  • Language arts/literacy specialists at the building or district level.
  • Language arts/literacy consultants and writers.

Admission Requirements



  1. Master’s degree in education with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
  2. Current certification in reading or literacy.
  3. A letter of application describing teaching experiences and interest in professional development in literacy.
  4. Minimum of 2 years of full-time teaching experience.
  5. Two recommendations including at least one school administrator.
  6. Interview with a member of the Literacy Studies faculty. Portfolios or other examples of applicant’s work are welcome at interviews.

Notes:


Students are accepted into the program throughout the school year, however the P.D. core courses start during the fall semester and continue for six semesters (fall, spring, and summer). Graduate students who enter a program of study on a nonmatriculated basis are limited to a maximum of 12 semester hours of course work. A maximum of 6 semester hours of advanced standing may be accepted for relevant graduate course work taken elsewhere.

Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 30



The Professional Diploma in Advanced Literacy Studies includes a series of six courses, with related field experiences, providing advanced course work in literacy pedagogy and professional development in literacy studies. The core sequence is typically taken during six consecutive semesters (fall, spring, summer) in a cohort group. All P.D. students are expected to participate in the Summer Community Literacy Project (involving a three- to four-week session with K-12 students) during the first year.

International Scholars Forum - Semester Hours: 1


International Scholars Forums (LYST 351) are offered each semester and feature prominently known teacher/researchers in literacy studies from across the United States and around the world.

Open Elective in Literacy, Pedagogy, and Teacher Leadership - Semester Hours: 3


Select any course in the School of Education and Allied Human Services, with advisement, or select three additional International Scholars Forums.

Graduation Requirements



  1. Completion of a minimum of 30 semester hours in prescribed courses, including at least 24 semester hours in residence, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
  2. Completion of the supervised field experience involving a minimum of 70 hours of field work.
  3. Completion of a professional paper on literacy teaching.

Program II: P.D.: Adv. Literacy Studies With NYS Teacher of Literacy Certification (B-G 6 or G 5-12)


This program provides advanced studies in literacy pedagogy and professional development for students who have completed a Master’s Degree in Education and have initial or provisional certification. We are looking for applicants who are committed, life-long teacher/learners with a potential for language arts/literacy staff development. Students in this program work towards certification in Literacy Studies as they complete the Professional Diploma. Students in this program are prepared to meet the educational requirements for certification as literacy specialists in either early childhood and childhood education, Birth through Grade 6, or middle childhood and adolescence, Grade 5 through 12.

This program prepares students for the following positions:

  • Classroom teachers with advanced preparation in literacy learning, teaching, and teacher research.
  • Literacy specialists with advanced preparation in one-on-one and small group instruction in literacy processes.
  • Literacy specialists prepared to work collaboratively with classroom teachers in designing and implementing effective literacy instruction in inclusive environments.
  • Lead teachers or mentor teachers, working at the building level to provide consultations, demonstrations and resources for language arts/literacy teachers.
  • Language arts/literacy specialists at the building or district level.
  • Language arts/literacy consultants and writers.

Admission Requirements



  1. Master’s degree in education with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
  2. Possession of a New York State Teaching Certificate (see note (b) below).
  3. A letter of application describing teaching experiences and interest in professional development in literacy.
  4. Minimum of 2 years of full-time teaching experience.
  5. Two recommendations including at least one school administrator.
  6. Interview with a member of the literacy studies faculty. Portfolios or other examples of the applicant’s work are welcome at interviews.

Notes:


Students are accepted into the program throughout the school year, however the P.D. core courses start during the fall semester and continue for six semesters (fall, spring, and summer).

  1. Admission to graduate study requires a baccalaureate degree with a general core in the liberal arts and sciences in order to meet New York State certification requirements.
  2. Students admitted to graduate study with a provisional certification must take a 3 s.h. undergraduate or graduate course in Special Education as a prerequisite or corequisite to study.
  3. Graduate students who enter a program of study on a nonmatriculated basis are limited to a maximum of 12 semester hours of course work.
  4. A maximum of 6 semester hours of advanced standing may be accepted for relevant graduate course work taken elsewhere.
   

Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 42



The Professional Diploma in Advanced Literacy Studies includes a series of six courses, with related field courses, providing advanced course work in literacy pedagogy and professional development in literacy studies. The core sequence is typically taken during six consecutive semesters (fall, spring, summer) in a cohort group. All P.D. students are expected to participate in the Summer Community Literacy Project (involving a three- to four-week session with K-12 students) during the first year.

Students in Literacy Studies with NY State Teacher of Literacy Cert. (Birth-Gr 6 or Gr 5-12) program also take five additional courses in Literacy Studies. These courses are taken as a prerequisite or corequisite to core courses, as indicated on the plan of study. With advisement, students may transfer up to one course (3 s.h.) in language arts/literacy teaching and one course (3 s.h.) in children�s or adolescent literature taken previously at the graduate level.

International Scholars Forum - Semester Hours: 1


International Scholars Forums (LYST 351) are offered each semester and feature prominently known teacher/researchers in literacy studies from across the United States and around the world.

Courses in Literacy Studies (Birth-Grade 6) - Semester Hours: 15


Phase II - Semester Hours: 6


These courses should be taken as a prerequisite or corequisite to the P.D. Core Courses—Year Two

Courses in Literacy Studies (Grades 5-12) - Semester Hours: 15


Phase I - Semester Hours: 9


These courses should be taken as prerequisites or corequisites to the PD Core Courses—Year One

Phase II - Semester Hours: 6


These courses should be taken as a prerequisite or corequisite to the P.D. Core Courses—Year Two

Graduation Requirements



  1. Completion of a minimum of 42 semester hours in prescribed courses, including at least 36 hours in residence, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
  2. Completion of a 50-hour practicum as a literacy specialist.
  3. Completion of the professional diploma supervised field experience involving a minimum of 70 hours of field work.
  4. Completion of a professional paper on literacy teaching.

Relationship Between P.D. in Advanced Literacy Studies and the Literacy Studies Doctoral Program


The Professional Diploma in Advanced Literacy Studies is recommended for teachers with a primary interest in exploring issues of pedagogy and staff development in literacy. It is also recommended for advanced graduate students interested in literacy certification. Students with a primary interest in teacher research, research in language and literacy, and/or a position in higher education are encouraged to apply to the Literacy Studies doctoral program. Completion of the Professional Diploma in Advanced Literacy Studies does not guarantee admissions into the doctoral program.

Students awarded a diploma must meet all of the requirements and complete all the standard procedures for admissions into the Literacy Studies doctoral program. Students who receive a Professional Diploma in Advanced Literacy Studies at Hofstra and are accepted into the doctoral program may bring up to 45 semester hours into the doctoral program subject to approval by faculty in the Literacy Studies Department.