Literacy M.A.
The Literacy M.A. graduate program prepare students to be inquiring practitioners who seek knowledge and experiences about literacy processes and practices.
These evolving scholars are guided and encouraged to pursue knowledge, commit to inquiry, engage in problem solving related to literacy processes and practices, and participate as leaders in literacy related activities. The inquiring practitioners learn to use literacy knowledge, practices, and processes to serve the changing technological, diversity, and literacy education needs of dynamic local and global environments.
Admission. Applicants must have one year of full-time teaching experience, an overall 3.0 GPA on the last 60 semester hours; must complete the Literacy program Application and have three letters of recommendation sent to the Coordinator of the Literacy Program in McKee Hall. Upon receiving formal notification of admission a student must meet with their assigned advisor to plan a program of study.
There are several steps to the evaluation of the Literacy Program as well as to the evaluation of the students enrolled in the Literacy M.A. degree program. The evaluation process is ongoing. For admission into the Graduate School and admission into the Literacy M.A. degree program a student must complete and submit specific documents (Graduate School application, Literacy program application, three letters of reference and a resume) that Literacy program faculty members review and evaluate. As a student takes courses, they complete a university generated course evaluation form and may be asked to complete an instructor developed evaluation form. When a student reaches the mid-point of taking the eleven reading courses (after five courses), the student and the student’s advisor meet to complete a progress interview. The purpose of the interview is for the student to reflect upon their performance to date, as well as to make known their evaluation of the strengths and needs of the Literacy program. At the conclusion of all the Literacy M.A. degree coursework, a student completes a synthesis notebook and oral defense or completes a thesis. Following the successful completion of the synthesis notebook and oral defense or thesis defense, the student completes an exit survey evaluating all of the elements of the Literacy program that the student has participated in and completed. Two years after graduating from the Literacy program with a Master of Arts degree the student will be asked to complete another survey and to reflect on their overall program experience.
Endorsement
By completing the Master of Arts degree in Literacy students fulfill the requirements for institutional recommendation for endorsement as a K-12 Reading Teacher. Students seeking endorsement must provide evidence of two or more years of teaching experience in an accredited and/or established elementary, middle, or secondary school while holding a Type A or teaching license equivalent certificate before such recommendation is made. Students wishing to obtain Colorado licensure in reading are required to pass a State of Colorado administered proficiency examination PLACE Reading Teacher. Students should contact the Licensure Officer in McKee for information.
For degree and program requirements, see:
Literacy M.A.