P.D. in Advanced Literacy Studies

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

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.

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.

Admission Requirements

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

Note:

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 3 to 4 week session with K- 12 students) during the first year.

Professional Diploma Core Courses Year One - Semester Hours: 12

LYST 270 - Revaluing Language, Language Learning, and Language Learners Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 271 - Family, Community, School and Workplace Literacy Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 272 - Community Literacy Project Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 273A - Supervised Field Work in Literacy: Teacher to Student I Credits: 1 s.h.
LYST 273B - Supervised Field Work in Literacy: Teacher to Student II Credits: 1 s.h.
LYST 273C - Supervised Field Work in Literacy: Community Literacy Project Credits: 1 s.h.

Professional Diploma Core Courses Year Two - Semester Hours: 11

LYST 275 - Literacy Teaching and Professional Development Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 276 - Cultural Roots of Literacy Development Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 277 - Literacy Teacher as Professional Writer Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 278A - Supervised Field Work in Literacy: Teacher Project Design Credits: 1 s.h.
LYST 278B - Supervised Field Work in Literacy: Teacher Project Implementation Credits: 1 s.h.

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.

LYST 351 - International Scholars’ Forum Credits: 1 s.h.

Electives - Semester Hours: 6

Chosen from:

LYST 250 - Literacy Teacher as Researcher Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 251 - Children and Adolescents as Ethnographers in Communities and Schools Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 261 - Writing Pictures Painting Stories as Mindful Social Practice Credits: 3 s.h.

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

Completion of a minimum of 30 semester hours in prescribed courses, including at least 24 hours in residence, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
Completion of the supervised field experience involving a minimum of 70 hours of field work.
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.

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