M.S.Ed in Literacy Studies (Grades 5-12)

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Associate Professor Zaleski, Graduate Program Director, (516) 463-5372, reajmz@hofstra.edu

Assistant Professor McGinnis, Graduate Program Director, (516) 463-5769, reatam@hofstra.edu

Programs leading to Initial/Professional Certification for teaching Literacy:

Program I (Birth-Grade 6)
Program II (Grades 5-12)

Program Overview

The master’s programs in Literacy Studies are designed for certified teachers to introduce students to contemporary theory and practice in literacy studies, so that they become effective scholar practitioners who understand and deliver high quality literacy instruction and offer proactive literacy leadership to schools and community agencies. Our programs reflect advances in literacy research and policies by the New York State Board of Regents regarding learning standards. These policies are designed to articulate the highest learning standards possible for all students and to balance attainment of these standards with consideration of issues of equity and access to education for economically disadvantaged and traditionally underrepresented groups at all levels of the education system.

Our programs prepare scholar practitioners to work with students Birth through Grade 6, and Grades 5 through 12. Students will work at broadening the definition of literacy practices beyond traditional school-based literacy in order to address the issues of equity, access, and opportunity that are involved in literacy acquisition in communities that are as economically, linguistically and ethnically diverse as those found in New York State.

These programs prepare students to meet the educational requirements for certification as literacy teachers in early childhood and childhood education, Birth through Grade 6, or middle childhood and adolescence, Grade 5 through Grade 12. The degree provides students with the opportunity to participate in classes that focus on the most current understandings of literacy and pedagogical practices. Students are prepared for the following teaching positions:

Classroom teachers with advanced preparation in literacy instruction.
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.

Admission Requirements

B.A. or B.S. degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Two letters of recommendation.
Possession of a New York State Initial or Provisional Teaching Certificate (see note b below).
Interview with a Program Director in Literacy Studies.

Program Requirements - Total Semester Hours: 36

The sequence presented below is recommended. However, Phase I courses must be completed before entering Phase II. LYST 240 and 241 are prerequisites for LYST 243. LYST 300 must be taken as part of the first 12 semester hours of study. LYST 301 must be taken as part of the final 12 semester hours of study. Electives may be taken at any time.

Phase I - Semester Hours: 19

LYST 200A - Introduction to Literacy Studies Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 209 - Language, Culture and Identity: Literacy Issues for Adolescents and Young Adults Credits: 3 s.h.
or
LYST 212 - Family, Community, and School Literacies: Cultural Perspectives Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 213 - Introduction to Bilingual and Biliteracy Instruction for Children and Adolescents Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 215A - Language and Literacy in Middle Childhood and Adolescence Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 217A - Reading and Writing With Adolescents Credits: 3 s.h.
or
LYST 219 - Reading and Writing Workshop for Teachers Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 221 - Literature for Adolescents and Young Adults Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 300 - Introduction to Portfolio Preparation Credits: 1 s.h.

Phase II - Semester Hours: 13

LYST 240 - Assessment and Evaluation of Reading and Writing Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 241 - Miscue Analysis and Retrospective Miscue Analysis Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 243 - Literacy Practicum: Assessing the Complexity of Student Learning (Grades 5-12) Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 250 - Literacy Teacher as Researcher Credits: 3 s.h.
or
LYST 251 - Children and Adolescents as Ethnographers in Communities and Schools Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 301 - Portfolio Advisement and Presentation Credits: 1 s.h.

International Scholars’ Forum - Semester Hours: 1

An International Scholars’ Forum (LYST 351) is offered each semester for one semester hour. It is expected that students will take at least one International Scholars’ Forum. Students can take three additional International Scholars’ Forums to satisfy their elective requirements.

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

Electives - Semester Hours: 3

A student may select any graduate course in the School of Education and Allied Human Services, or in the University as an elective with advisement. The following electives are recommended:

FDED 220 - Aesthetic Education Credits: 3 s.h.
FDED 225 - The Museum as Educator Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 244 - Advanced Retrospective Miscue Analysis Retrospective Miscue Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 245 - Revaluing Readers and Writers Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 247 - Language, Discourse, and Cinema: Implications for Schooling Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 351 - International Scholars’ Forum Credits: 1 s.h.
MHAE 231 - Teaching Elementary School Children About Health Credits: 3 s.h.
SPED 201 - The Exceptional Child Credits: 3 s.h.

Additional Certification in Birth-Grade 6 - Semester Hours: 12

Students who specialize in Middle Childhood and Adolescence (Grade 5 through 12) may obtain specialization in Early Childhood and Childhood (Birth through Grade 6) by also taking the following courses:

LYST 214 - Language and Literacy in Early Childhood and Childhood Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 216 - Literacy Learning at Home and in School: Social Contexts of Young Children Learning to Read and Write Credits: 3 s.h.
or
LYST 218 - Reading and Writing Practices in Early Childhood and Childhood Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 220 - Literature in the Lives of Young Children Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 242 - Literacy Practicum: Assessing the Complexity of Student Learning (Birth through Grade 6) Credits: 3 s.h.

Teacher Certification Requirements

Upon successful completion of a teacher education program, students will be eligible to apply for the University’s recommendation for New York State Certification. Students are required to have passing scores on each of the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE): the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST), the Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W), and the appropriate Content Specialty Tests (CST’s). Students not receiving passing scores on all New York State required examinations will not be eligible for certification. Additionally all students who are recommended by Hofstra’s Advisement and Certification Office must either attend seminars in Child Abuse and Maltreatment, Substance Abuse, Fire and Arson and Safe Schools Against Violence (Project SAVE) or provide documentation from an agency providing State registered seminars. Please contact the Advisement and Certification Office for information regarding the fingerprinting requirement and any other specific requirements regarding certification.

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