Pursue your advanced degree through the
SDSU
Graduate Program in Reading
Program Options | FAQ's | Program Description |
Courses | Faculty | Course Descriptions | Literacy Center
Program Options:
- Reading Certificate
- Reading and Language Arts Specialist Credential K-12
- Master of Arts in Education with a Concentration in Reading Education
- Combined MA or MAT and Specialist Credential
Prepare to become:
- A better classroom teacher of literacy
- A building level expert in literacy
- A private practitioner
- A community college instructor of literacy
Experience an Exceptional Opportunity to:
- Work in a specially designed Literacy Center
- Work directly with at-risk children in the community
- Study with nationally known experts in the field
Gain knowledge about reading and writing across content areas; the role of writing in learning; the role of literature in the classroom; student motivation and engagement through reading, writing, and discussion; assessment and instruction of struggling readers; strategies for teaching and learning in diverse classroom settings; leadership and coaching skills; and conducting/evaluating research.
Graduates of our program make a difference for children in their schools, actively contribute to the literacy agenda of today’s schools and districts, and serve as productive collaborators for their peers.
Students admitted in both fall and spring semesters
For further information, contact Program Coordinator and Advisor, Dr. Sharan Gibson
Tel. 594-7182
E-MAIL: sgibson@mail.sdsu.edu
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Will my experience as a substitute teacher count toward my three years for the Specialist Credential?
A: Yes, as long as your hours are documented by the district(s) in which you worked.
Q: Does experience in private schools or out of state count toward my three years?
A: Yes, experience in both public and private schools and out of state counts.
Q: When are courses offered?
A: Courses are taught in the late afternoon and early evening to accommodate educational professionals.
Q: Are there summer classes available?
A: At the present time it is possible to take one or two classes of the total number required during the summer.
Q: How long will it take to complete the program?
A: Part time attendance leads to the degree and credential in about two and one half years.
Q: Is it possible to pursue full-time study?
A: Yes, occasionally students who are not working full-time elect to complete the program at an accelerated pace. This usually requires taking classes concurrently that are generally pursued sequentially. As a result, the workload is very demanding.
Q: When are students admitted to the program?
A: Presently, we are admitting students both in fall and spring semester of each year.
Q: If I don’t have a basic teaching credential is it possible to be admitted to the program?
A: If you have taught in another setting, but do not hold a valid California basic teaching credential, you may pursue the Master’s Degree in Reading/Language Arts. Completion of the degree will enable you to work in a number of literacy-related settings, including junior colleges and centers for adult learning. The MA will also enable you to continue further advanced academic study. As you will note in the Graduate Bulletin, if you do not have a teaching credential, it is strongly recommended that you complete some education-related courses such as a methods course in the teaching of reading, prior to enrollment for the Master’s degree.
Q: I have an out-of-state credential. It is still possible to pursue the California Reading and Language Arts Specialist Credential?
A: Yes, you may begin graduate study while you obtain the California credential corresponding to your out-of-state authorization. Once you are enrolled, the SDSU Credentials Office can provide assistance in determining reciprocity between the state from which you obtained your credential and California. You may also go to the Teach California website for immediate answers to your credentialing questions.
Master of Arts in Reading Education
Reading and Language Arts Specialist Credential K-12
(and Reading Certificate)Graduate Advisor and Program Coordinator:
Dr. Pamela Ross
Phone: 594-7033
Email: pross@mail.sdsu.edu
Program Description
The Master of Arts degree in education with a concentration in reading education is designed to provide increased knowledge and skill for those who are or wish to become reading/language arts specialists in public or private schools and clinics. The program is also ideal for elementary and secondary teachers who plan to remain in the classroom but who wish to deepen their theoretical and practical understandings about the teaching of reading and the language arts. Candidates are prepared to teach, tutor, develop curriculum, offer in-service instruction and administer reading centers for students ranging from kindergarten through community college. The master’s degree is often earned concurrently with a California Reading/Language Arts Specialist Credential, which has a number of common requirements.
Program Options
There are four options in the San Diego State Reading/Language Arts graduate program. The option you pursue will depend upon your educational and professional background, as well as your future career plans.
The Certificate provides additional expertise in the literacy instruction beyond the basic teaching credentials and may enable an individual to assume some building level responsibilities. Students who are concurrently enrolled in a master’s program in the SDSU College of Education may earn the Reading Certificate only; candidates may also earn the Certificate as part of their program for the Reading and Language Arts Specialist Credential. Special arrangements must be made for all other Certificate candidates in consultation with the program advisor. Three years of teaching experience are required by the state before you may apply for
the Certificate.
- Reading and Language Arts Specialist Credential (with
Reading Certificate)-32 unitsIndividuals who hold a valid California Multiple Subject or Single Subject credential, and have taught at least one year full-time with satisfactory teaching evaluations, as well as those who already hold a master’s degree, may pursue the Reading Specialist Credential alone. Three years of teaching experience are required by the state before you may apply for this advanced credential.
- Master’s in Reading/Language Arts -32 units (and 3 units of pre- or co-requisites.
Individuals who do not hold a valid basic California K-12 credential and those who work or are seeking to work in a community college setting, may pursue the M.A. alone.
- Combined Reading Specialist Credential and the Master’s degree (with Reading Certificate)-35 units (and 3 units of pre or co-requisites.
Those who do not already hold the M. A. degree, whose career plans may take them outside of California, or who desire to pursue Ph.D. study at some future date often elect the combined program.
List of Courses
- TE530 Children’s and Adolescent Literature (3 units)
- TE639* Literacy and Language (3 units)
or TE 677 Research Based Pedagogy for Diverse Learners (3 units) - TE631 Seminar in Language Arts (3 units)
- TE634 Seminar in Research in Reading/Language Arts (4 units)
or TE 693*** Measuring & Assessing Student Achievement in Schools (3 units)
and TE 638 Research in Reading (1 unit) - TE635* Introduction to Assessment (formerly TE696A) (3 units)
- TE636* Advanced Assessment (formerly TE696B) (3 units)
- TE637* Instructional Strategies for Reading and Language Arts (Clinic)
(4 units) - TE638 Topics in Reading (1-3 units)
- TE640 Assessment and Writing Instruction for Teachers (3 units)
- TE736 Field Experience (Advanced) (3 units)
- TE633 Leadership in Literacy (3 units)
- TE795A** Research Seminar (3 units)
- TE795B** Research Seminar (3 units)
- (* required for Reading Certificate; **required for M.A.; *** Credential only)
Comprehensive Exam
In the last semester of study, students are required to pass a written comprehensive examination. Effective spring 2004, the exam is a "take home" test sent electronically on a Friday morning and must be completed by the following Monday morning. Students are permitted to refer to textbooks, articles and notes from their classes in crafting responses to essay questions. Responses may not exceed five double-spaced pages per question. Students must answer one mandatory question and select two others from the remaining five.
Faculty
Dr. Christianna Alger Dr. Margie Gallego Dr. Marva Cappello Dr. Sharan Gibson Dr. Ricardo Cornejo Dr. Nancy Frey Dr. Gerald Treadway Dr. Pamela Ross Dr. Douglas Fisher Dr. Diane Lapp Dr. Leif Fearn Dr. Jill Kerper Mora Dr. Douglas Fisher Dr. Barbara Moss
Course Descriptions
Each of the courses is briefly described below, along with a notation of the semester(s) in which it is typically offered at San Diego State University. (F= fall semester; Sp.= spring; Su=summer school).
TE 530 Children's/Adolescents' Literature (3 units)
(Is a prerequisite course for those pursuing the M.A. or combined Reading Specialist/M.A. program). Survey of children's/adolescents' literature and its incorporation into the classroom curriculum.
TE 631 Seminar in Language Arts (3 units)
Advanced study of problems in teaching language arts. The study of the scientific research and application to the field.
†TE 635* Introduction to Assessment of Reading/Language Arts (3 units)
(Prerequisite: Valid teaching credential; consent of instructor; and a course in methods and materials for teaching reading). Foundations of formal and informal assessment of students' strengths and weaknesses in literacy development. Involves literacy assessment of actual student clients and reporting results to parents. Course held at the Community Reading Clinic, SDSU.
†TE 636* Advanced Assessment of Reading/Language Arts (3 units)
(Prerequisite: Valid teaching credential; consent of instructor; and TE 635 or equivalent). Advanced formal and informal assessment of students' strengths and weaknesses in literacy development. Involves literacy assessment of actual student clients and reporting results to parents. Course held at the Community Reading Clinic, SDSU.
TE 634** Seminar in Research Investigations in Reading and the Language Arts
(4 units)
Emphasis on interpreting, evaluating, conducting, and implementing findings of research and evaluation in reading and language arts.
TE 693 Measuring & Assessing Student Achievement in Schools (3 units) and TE 638 Research in Reading (1 unit.) Note: for Credential/MAT candidates only.
Development of assessments and tests common in instructional and research contexts. Emphasis on uses and interpretation of assessment data in social/political contexts. Implications for research and instruction.
†TE 637* Instructional Strategies for Reading/Language (4 units)
Supervised experience utilizing instructional strategies in individual and small group settings. Course held at the Community Reading Clinic, SDSU.
TE 638 Topics in Reading: Research in Reading (1 unit)
A mini-course on research and reading for those who have taken a 3-unit general research methods class.
TE 640 Planning for Teaching and Assessment in Writing (3 units)
Comprehensive writing instruction in context of the interactive language arts. Development of plans for curriculum and instruction in diverse classrooms. Examination of multiple assessments and how they inform instruction in K-12 classrooms.
†TE 639 Literacy and Language (3 units)
Theories of literacy and methods for developing literacy in language, reading, and writing. Instructional methods and assessment techniques for children and adults, including English language learners.
TE 677 Research Based Pedagogy for Diverse Learners (3 units)
Research based pedagogy for diverse learners. Examination of instructional strategies across disciplines and grade levels (may be taken in lieu of TE 639.)
TE 736* Field Experience as a Reading/Language Arts Specialist (3 units)
(Prerequisite: 18 units of core courses, including TE 637). Individually designed practicum for the Reading Specialist.
TE 633 Leadership in Literacy Education (3 units)
Working with adult learners in professional development and exploring the roles of the Reading Specialist.
ED 795A Research Seminar (3 units)
Planning and writing about an action research study or curriculum project undertaken in the graduate student’s own setting.
ED 795B Research Seminar (3 units)
Implementing, evaluating, and reporting an action research study or curriculum project undertaken in the graduate students own setting.
†courses required for Certificate
*must be taken sequentially
**must be taken prior to TE 795AThe Literacy Center
The Literacy Center is an exciting place where the University, K-12 schools, and the larger community come together to support literacy development for children and adults. Activities at the Center include direct services to schools and the community, literacy research, and teacher preparation and development.The Literacy Center includes the Community Reading Clinic, Reading Recovery® University Training Center, an annual Reading Conference, and a Writing Institute.