About the Program
Elementary Education, Literacy and Education Leadership Department
Accredited: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) (formerly NCATE)
Bacon Hall 302, (716) 878-5916
https://elementaryeducation.buffalostate.edu/
Enrollment in all teacher education programs follows the guidelines for "Admission to Teacher Education Programs" found in this catalog. Applicants who do not yet meet all admissions criteria should consult with the department.
Professional Licensure: This program leads to a recommendation for NYS certification; please check for certification requirements in all other states.
This program prepares professional literacy specialists to provide instruction for students with reading or writing difficulties. Graduates of this program also will be able to serve as effective resources and leaders for school-wide literacy curriculum and instruction. Students who successfully complete this program are eligible for a college recommendation for NYS certification in Literacy Birth - Grade 6 and Literacy Grades 5-12.
Candidates should consult the Teacher Certification website for current seminars and workshops.
Admission Requirements
1. Have a degree from an accredited college or university leading to New York State teacher certification.
2. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) in undergraduate work. Please submit all transcripts.
3. Write a well-crafted statement addressing the following:
a. Your reasons for seeking Literacy Specialist certification
b. The professional challenge(s) you encountered during your field experiences/first classroom experiences that you hope to address in your graduate work
c. Discuss what you hope to learn in your graduate program focusing on your interest in working with struggling readers
Your statement will be evaluated according to the following criteria (see rubric):
i. Organization
ii. Conventions of language
iii. Content
iv. Interest in working with struggling readers, rationale, and significant support for rationale
Note: Please refer to the rubric provided with the application materials for the statement prompts and specific evaluation criteria.
4. Submit three letters of reference that attest to the applicant’s potential as a literacy specialist. Please note that references should be from professors, school administrators, cooperating teachers (only one), or student teaching supervisors (only one).
5. Submit a professional resume
Applicants will be judged on demonstrated academic records; the strength of recommendations, and the quality of the candidate's statement.
In addition, all applicants should review the Admission to a Graduate Program section in this catalog.
Program Requirements
Required Courses (36 credit hours)
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
EDU513 THEORY, RESEARCH AND PRACTICE IN LITERACY INSTRUCTION | 3 - Credit Hours
EDU535 TEACHING WRITING: B-12 | 3 - Credit Hours
EDU605 ADVANCED ADOLESCENT LITERACY RESEARCH AND PEDAGOGY | 3 - Credit Hours
EDU606 LITERACY INSTRUCTION FOR CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE STUDENTS | 3 - Credit Hours
EDU611 EARLY LITERACY INSTRUCTION | 3 - Credit Hours
EDU612 DEVELOPING LITERACY THROUGH LITERATURE | 3 - Credit Hours
EDU642 LITERACY ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION | 3 - Credit Hours
EDU643 TEACHING STRATEGIES FOR READING AND WRITING INTERVENTION | 3 - Credit Hours
EDU646 LITERACY LEADERSHIP | 3 - Credit Hours
EDU647 PRACTICUM IN LITERACY | 3 - 6 Credit Hours
EDU650 LITERACY THEORY AND RESEARCH | 3 - Credit Hours
EDU655 TEACHING OF LITERACY: GRADUATE SEMINAR | 3 - Credit Hours