Program Overview

The Certificate of Advanced Study in Literacy Studies is designed for certified teachers with a master’s degree who want certification in literacy. This program introduces 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 program reflects 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 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.

This program prepares scholar-practitioners to work with students Grades 5 through Grade 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.

This program, leading to professional certification for teaching of Literacy, prepares students to meet the educational requirements for certification as literacy specialists middle childhood and adolescence, grade 5 through grade 12. The Certificate of Advanced Study 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:

1. Classroom teachers with advanced preparation in literacy instruction.
2. Literacy specialists with advanced preparation in one-on-one and small group instruction in literacy processes.
3. Literacy specialists prepared to work collaboratively with classroom teachers in designing and implementing effective literacy instruction in inclusive environments.

Admission Requirements

1. M.A. or M.S. degree, with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
2. Two letters of recommendation.
3. Possession of a New York State Teaching Certificate (See note (b) below).
4. Interview with faculty member in Literacy Studies.

Program Requirements - Total Semester Hours: 27

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

• 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 242 - Literacy Practicum: Assessing the Complexity of Student Learning (Birth Through Grade 6) Semester Hours: 3

Graduation Requirements

1. Completion of a minimum of 27 semester hours in prescribed courses with a minimum grade point average of 3.0
2. Completion of a minimum of 70 hours of field experiences which includes a 50-hour practicum.

Teacher Certification Requirements

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 fulfilling the required courses of study, the Commissioner’s Regulations mandate that all prospective teachers, pupil personnel and education leaders receive instructions regarding:
    1.     Identification of Child Abuse and Maltreatment.
    2.     Fire and Arson Prevention.
    3.     School Violence Prevention and Intervention.
    4.     Prevention of Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug Abuse.
    5.     Highway and School Safety/Prevention of Child Abduction.

New York State legislation also requires all persons seeking certification as special education teachers or school administrators working in special education to have training in the area of children with autism. All of these requirements must be completed before the conferral of the degree and recommendation for certification. Candidates for certification in New York state must also demonstrate satisfactory performance on the requisite state assessment. 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.