M.A. in The Teaching of Writing (Birth-Grade 6)

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Programs leading to Initial/Professional Certification for Teaching of Writing/Literacy (Birth-Grade 6 or Grade 5-12)

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. 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.

Note:

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 Credits: 3/6 s.h.
or LYST 264 , LYST 219, or LYST 263, or LYST 214
LYST 208 - Language, Culture and Identity: Literacy Issues for Teachers and Children 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 214 - Language and Literacy in Early Childhood and Childhood Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 219 - Reading and Writing Workshop for Teachers Credits: 3 s.h.
or LYST 264, or LYST 263, or LYST 214, or LYST 201
LYST 260 - Cultural and Historical Perspectives of Writing Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 261 - Writing Pictures Painting Stories as Mindful Social Practice Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 263 - Teachers as Writers Credits: 3 s.h.
or LYST 219 - Reading and Writing Workshop for Teachers
or
LYST 264 - Teachers as Poets Credits: 3 s.h.
or LYST 201 - Long Island Writing Project Invitational Summer Institute
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 248 - Writing Practicum: Assessing and Supporting Children as Writers 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 262 - Understanding What a Writer Knows Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 301 - Portfolio Advisement and Presentation 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:

CT 272 - Technology and the Teaching of Writing Credits: 3 s.h.
FDED 220 - Aesthetic Education Credits: 3 s.h.
FDED 225 - The Museum as Educator Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 201 - Long Island Writing Project Invitational Summer Institute Credits: 3/6 s.h.
LYST 219 - Reading and Writing Workshop for Teachers Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 220 - Literature in the Lives of Young Children Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 247 - Language, Discourse, and Cinema: Implications for Schooling Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 263 - Teachers as Writers Credits: 3 s.h.
LYST 264 - Teachers as Poets Credits: 3 s.h.
MHAE 231 - Teaching Elementary School Children About Health Credits: 3 s.h.
SPED 201 - The Exceptional Child Credits: 3 s.h.

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 Grades 5-12 - Semester Hours: 12

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

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.
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 249 - Writing Practicum: Assessing and Supporting Adolescent Writers (Grades 5-12) Credits: 3 s.h.

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.

Teacher Certification Requirements

See Teacher Certification Requirements within the School of Education and Allied Human Services.

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