& Student Handbook - Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Master Degree Programs 185
Master of Arts in Literacy Education
The Master of Arts in Literacy Education prepares teachers for
leadership through immersion in the theory, research, and best practice
of literacy development across the lifespan. The first seven courses
qualify a classroom teacher for licensure as a Minnesota K-12 or
Wisconsin 316 Reading Teacher and may be taken as a stand-alone
program graduate certificate. Those who wish to earn a master’s degree
in literacy education continue with seven additional courses that focus on
reading and writing development across the lifespan. Beginning with a
focus on literacy development in American children, students also
investigate cross-cultural and adult issues. Candidates for the degree
have an opportunity to choose and develop a topic of interest across
multiple courses, culminating in presentation of a research project.
Program Outcomes
Consistent with the mission of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and
the Board of Teaching requirements for licensure as a reading specialist,
the M.A. in Literacy Education/K-12 Reading Teacher expects its
graduates to do the following:
1. Understand the reading process and the process of learning to read
and design developmentally appropriate instruction that advances
students’ reading proficiency and encourages them to read.
2. Understand how to assess the reading development of individual
students and groups of students, how to use assessment data to
design appropriate reading curriculum and instruction based on the
assessment data, and how to communicate this information to
relevant audiences.
3. Know how to integrate knowledge of reading with the teacher’s
understanding of pedagogy, students, learning, classroom
management, and professional and instructional development and
leadership.
Program Delivery
The Graduate Certificate program and the Master of Arts in Literacy
Education/K-12 Reading Teacher is designed to fit the schedule of
employed persons who desire to take classes on weekends, during the
summer, or partially online. The program is delivered on the Winona and
Minneapolis campus and at selected Saint Mary’s University outreach
sites. The K-12 Reading Teacher program can be completed in 15
months. Additional courses leading to the M.A. in Literacy require an
additional 15 months.
Program Structure
K-12 Reading Teacher Program
The first seven courses in the program address the Minnesota standards
for K-12 Reading Teacher endorsement. These courses are designed to
be completed in 15 months through weekend, partially online, and
summer classes. Pre-requisite to enrollment in the K-12 Reading
Teacher program is eligibility for a Minnesota classroom teaching license.
Those who wish to add the Wisconsin 316 Reading Teacher license
must have two years of full-time teaching before Wisconsin licensure is
granted. The courses that meet the requirements for K-12 Reading
Teacher endorsement include the following:
EDRD600 Foundations of Reading .....................................................3 cr.
EDRD601 Elementary Reading Instruction:K-6 ..................................2 cr.
EDRD602 Secondary Reading Instruction: 7-12.................................2 cr.
EDRD603 Reading Instruction for Linguistically and
Culturally Diverse Learners ............................................................2 cr.
EDRD604 Diagnosis and Remediation of Reading
Difficulties .......................................................................................3 cr.
EDRD605 Clinical Reading Practicum ................................................3 cr.
EDRD606 Development and Supervision of
Reading Programs..........................................................................2 cr.
State Required Testing
In addition to successful mastery of the 25 reading specialist standards,
candidates need to pass a PRAXIS II test for reading specialists. This
test is developed by the Educational Testing Service, and passing scores
are determined by the State of Minnesota. More information on testing
can be found on the ETS website (www.ets.org/praxis), or from program
staff.
Master of Arts in Literacy Education program
Students who complete the Saint Mary’s Minnesota K-12 Reading
Teacher program in good standing (cumulative GPA 3.0 or higher) and
who wish to earn a master’s degree in literacy education may do so
through completion of seven additional courses, culminating in the
presentation and defense of a research project. These courses are
offered primarily through summer sessions, partially online, and on
weekends during the school year. The leadership practicum is completed
in an educational setting (K-12 school, technical college, communitybased
literacy organization) of the candidate’s choice.
EDRD607 Theoretical Models and Processes of Reading..................3 cr.
EDRD608 Theory and Research in Writing.........................................3 cr.
EDRD609 Explorations in Children’s Literature...................................1 cr.
or
EDRD610 Explorations in Adolescent Literature ................................1 cr.
EDRD611 Leadership Practicum in Literacy Education......................3 cr.
EDRD612 Advanced Diagnosis and Remediation of
Reading and Writing Disabilities.....................................................3 cr.
EDRD613 Educational Research Design............................................3 cr.
EDRD614 Master’s Project Presentation ............................................1 cr.
Faculty
The faculty and advisers for the K-12 Reading Teacher/Master of Arts in
Literacy Education program have earned doctorate or master’s degrees.
Faculty are selected for their educational and professional experience
and expertise and proven ability to teach adult students.