Writing (Grades 5-12), The Teaching of, M.A.

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This program leads to initial/professional certification for Teaching of Writing (Grade 5-12) This program prepares 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. These degrees provide students with additional preparation as teachers of writing and the opportunity to participate in classes that focus on the most current understandings of literacy, writing, and pedagogical practices. Students are prepared for the following teaching positions:

Classroom teachers with advanced preparation in literacy and writing instruction.
Literacy/Writing teachers with advanced preparation in one-on-one and small group instruction in literacy processes.
Literacy/Writing teachers 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 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 faculty members in Literacy Studies.

Notes:

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.
Admission to graduate study with provisional certification requires that a student take a 3 s.h. undergraduate course in Special Education as a prerequisite or corequisite to study.
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: 36

The sequence presented below is recommended. However, Phase I courses must be completed before entering Phase II. 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 201 - Long Island Writing Project Invitational Summer Institute Semester Hours: 3/6
or LYST 264 - Teachers as Poets
LYST 209 - Language, Culture and Identity: Literacy Issues for Adolescents and Young Adults Semester Hours: 3
or
LYST 212 - Family, Community, and School Literacies: Cultural Perspectives Semester Hours: 3
LYST 213 - Introduction to Bilingual and Biliteracy Instruction for Children and Adolescents Semester Hours: 3
LYST 215A - Language and Literacy in Middle Childhood and Adolescence Semester Hours: 3
LYST 219 - Reading and Writing Workshop for Teachers Semester Hours: 3
or LYST 263 - Teachers as Writers
LYST 260 - Cultural and Historical Perspectives of Writing Semester Hours: 3
LYST 261 - Writing Pictures Painting Stories as Mindful Social Practice Semester Hours: 3
LYST 263 - Teachers as Writers Semester Hours: 3
or LYST 219 - Reading and Writing Workshop for Teachers
or
LYST 264 - Teachers as Poets Semester Hours: 3
or LYST 201 - Long Island Writing Project Invitational Summer Institute
LYST 300 - Introduction to Portfolio Preparation Semester Hours: 1

Phase II - Semester Hours: 13

LYST 240 - Assessment and Evaluation of Reading and Writing Semester Hours: 3
LYST 249 - Writing Practicum: Assessing and Supporting Adolescent Writers (Grades 5-12) Semester Hours: 3
LYST 250 - Literacy Teacher as Researcher Semester Hours: 3
or
LYST 251 - Children and Adolescents as Ethnographers in Communities and Schools Semester Hours: 3
LYST 262 - Understanding What a Writer Knows Semester Hours: 3
LYST 301 - Portfolio Advisement and Presentation Semester Hours: 1

Electives - Semester Hours: 3

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

CT 272 - Technology and the Teaching of Writing Semester Hours: 3
FDED 220 - Aesthetic Education Semester Hours: 3
FDED 225 - The Museum as Educator Semester Hours: 3
LYST 201 - Long Island Writing Project Invitational Summer Institute Semester Hours: 3/6
LYST 219 - Reading and Writing Workshop for Teachers Semester Hours: 3
LYST 221 - Literature for Adolescents and Young Adults Semester Hours: 3
LYST 247 - Language, Discourse, and Cinema: Implications for Schooling Semester Hours: 3
LYST 263 - Teachers as Writers Semester Hours: 3
LYST 264 - Teachers as Poets Semester Hours: 3
LYST 351 - International Scholars Forum Semester Hours: 1
MHAE 231 - Teaching Elementary School Children About Health Semester Hours: 3
SPED 201 - The Exceptional Child Semester Hours: 3

International Scholars Forum - Semester Hours: 1

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

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 Semester Hours: 3
LYST 216 - Literacy Learning at Home and in School: Social Contexts of Young Children Learning to Read and Write Semester Hours: 3
or
LYST 218 - Reading and Writing Practices in Early Childhood and Childhood Semester Hours: 3
LYST 220 - Literature in the Lives of Young Children Semester Hours: 3
LYST 248 - Writing Practicum: Assessing and Supporting Children as Writers Semester Hours: 3

Teacher Certification

Upon successful completion of a school-based program, students will be eligible to apply for the University’s recommendation for New York state certification. The state requires applicants 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 (CSTs). The state will not issue certification to individuals not receiving passing scores on all New York examinations. In addition to pedagogical studies, the Commissioner’s Regulations require that all school-based programs provide students with instruction for the purpose of identification of child abuse and maltreatment; fire and arson prevention; prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse; School Violence Prevention and Intervention (SAVE); and highway and school safety/prevention of child abduction. No degrees will be conferred without the completion of all of these requirements. Please contact the Office of Certification and Educational Support Services for information regarding fingerprinting, examinations and seminars.

Graduation Requirements

Completion of a minimum of 36 semester hours in prescribed courses with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
Completion of a minimum of 50 hours of field experiences in addition to 50 hours of practica.
Successful presentation of a learning portfolio to faculty and peers.

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