Program Overview
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
Director: Jingzi (Ginny) Huang, Ph.D.
Location: McKee 216
Telephone: 970-351-2908
Website: www.unco.edu/cebs/teacher-education/
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.
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.
Program Requirements:
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.
Admission
Location: Online
Start Term: Fall
General Master's Degree Admission Requirements
Literacy M.A.
Admission Deadline
Starts each fall term
We recommend that you apply by July 1 for the fall term start, but we will accept qualified applicants up until the first day of classes if space is available. Please check with the Admissions Coach (Jori Moore at jori.moore@unco.edu) about space if you are applying just before the program begins.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must apply to the Graduate School at the University of Northern Colorado before the program area reviews the applicant’s request for admission. Failure to submit all required materials will delay the evaluation and screening of your application.
Each applicant must:
- Possess a baccalaureate degree from an Institutionally Accredited college or university or a comparable degree from a foreign institution.
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or better (on a 4.00 scale) for the most recent degree earned or current degree in progress.
- If you are still completing your bachelor's degree at the time you apply, admission will be based on your current cumulative GPA, and you will need to re-submit your official transcript (showing your conferred degree and final GPA) during your first semester. If your final GPA fell below 3.00, you will be given additional requirements as defined by the academic program that must be met within one calendar year to remain enrolled at UNC.
- If you have completed a master's degree, or at least 18 credit hours towards a master's degree, the GPA of your master's work will be used.
Take the following steps to be considered for admission:
Step 1: Complete the Application
Complete the online application.
- Answer the application questions.
- Send your requests for letters of recommendation.
- Request three (3) academic or professional letters of recommendation from those who can attest to your academic potential and abilities. You will be asked to supply information for your recommenders in the application.
- Submit the application and pay the non-refundable application fee.
- Domestic Students: $50 non-refundable application fee
- International Students: $50 non-refundable application fee
- The Graduate School is waiving application fees for all current UNC students and alumni! (The waiver applies only to the UNC Graduate School application.) Click for details.
Once you submit your application you will be assigned an Admissions Portal, allowing you to upload supplemental items, as listed below, and track your application through the admissions process.
Step 2: Request Transcripts
Request one official transcript from any Institutionally Accredited college or university where a bachelor’s degree or higher was earned or is in progress (if you have earned multiple degrees, bachelor’s level or higher, an official transcript is required from each college or university where a degree was conferred). If you received a degree from UNC, you do not need to request a transcript from UNC. The Office of Admissions reserves the right to request that applicants provide official transcripts from other colleges or universities as needed. Applicants who have earned or are directly pursuing a higher degree from a regionally accredited institution without receiving a bachelor’s degree (e.g., PharmD) may be eligible to apply to the Graduate School without the conferral of a bachelor’s degree.
Exceptions: If an applicant intends to use Veteran’s Education Benefits, an official transcript from all colleges or universities attended will be required in order to maintain compliance with Veteran’s Affairs policies.
Official transcripts from U.S. institutions should be sent via mail directly from the educational institution in an unopened, sealed envelope or through an electronically secure digital program from the issuing institution.
Mailed transcripts should be sent to:
University of Northern Colorado
Office of Admissions
Campus Box 10
501 20th St
Greeley, CO 80639
Electronic transcripts from U.S. institutions should be sent directly from the educational institution to: grad.admissions@unco.edu.
The Office of Admissions does not accept email, scanned or PDF transcripts directly from applicants. All official transcripts, submitted as part of the application process, are retained by UNC and not returned to applicants or admitted students.
UNC retains submitted transcripts, from institutions other than UNC, for admitted students for up to five years after graduation or date of last attendance at UNC. Transcripts provided by applicants who were not admitted, denied admissions or did not complete their application are destroyed after one (1) year. The Office of Admissions will make every attempt to use previously submitted transcripts if they are within these timeframes. However, if the Office of Admissions cannot locate previously submitted transcripts, the transcripts fall outside the timeframes listed above or they are considered illegible, applicants must provide new transcripts.
Applicants with academic credentials from outside the U.S. will need to follow the requirements for submission of foreign transcripts. Click on the Transcripts tab for information about international transcripts.
Step 3: Note About the GRE
This program does not require GRE scores.
Step 4: Supplemental Items
Log back into the Admissions Portal to submit the following:
- Statement of Goals addressing your potential as a graduate student and future professional goals. The letter should be 500 words or less.
Once you apply to the UNC Graduate School and your application packet is complete, your application will be reviewed by the Graduate School and then sent to the faculty/program for an admission recommendation. The timing of the admission decision depends on each individual program’s deadline and review process.
International applicants (non-U.S. citizen/non-U.S. Permanent Resident) please refer to the International Admissions Requirements page for further information about submitting transcripts, English proficiency scores, passport copy and financial documentation.
For More Information
For more information about the admission process, please email the Office of Admissions at grad.admissions@unco.edu or call 970-351-2881.