Master of Science in Literacy

Help Students Discover the World as a Literacy Professional

The Master of Science in Literacy programs are designed for the certified, working teacher. Keuka College offers two different master of science degree programs in literacy. While both programs provide opportunity for certification as a literacy professional, one is focused on birth through 6th grade, and the other is focused on grades 5 - 12.

Highlights

Built by Teachers, for Teachers

Although the program is offered online, there are plenty of opportunities for live interaction with professors. The program is designed by teachers and around a teacher's schedule

Get Certified

You’ll complete 30 credit hours of coursework, leading to the ability to apply for initial New York state certification as a literacy specialist. The coursework provides the opportunity to meet the standards set by New York state and the International Literacy Association.

Build Your Knowledge Base

The curriculum requires extensive research and demonstration of professional competence throughout the program. You’ll be challenged to achieve advanced levels of theoretical and practical knowledge. Coursework culminates with an independent, mentored capstone literacy project commensurate with master’s-level work.

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Guide to Moving Forward

Get more information to make the decision that's right for you:

  • Featured courses and program outcomes
  • Admission requirements
  • Tuition and financial aid information
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Every course in the program is online and asynchronous, allowing you to balance your academic pursuits with the increasing demands of teaching.

Online Format

  • Designed to enhance teachers' knowledge about contemporary theories and research-based practices in literacy. 
  • While fully online, the asynchronous format provides students with options to meet with classmates. 
  • Students can complete the program in 1 year.

 

With Keuka College’s master’s degree in literacy, you’ll gain the skills you need to make a life changing difference in a child’s ability to read and write. 

Requirements

You'll need to earn 30 credits to receive your M.S. in Literacy from Keuka College.

In addition to New York state teaching certification, applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, with a minimum cumulative 3.0 G.P.A., and at least a 3.0 G.P.A. in the major field of study.

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12 Grade-Level Courses

 

You will earn 12 credits completing courses that will prepare you to deliver high quality literacy instruction and offer proactive literacy leadership in B-6 or 5-12 educational settings.

18 Core Courses

 

The curriculum is based on three central and integrated themes—research, application of research-based best practices, and reflection on the efficacy of instructional practice and teacher decision-making. 

Core Courses

You'll need to complete 30 credits to complete your Master of Literacy degree. 

You’ll work closely with extraordinary faculty who have designed this program with working teachers in mind. 

EDU-536: Tech/Intruct Materal to Promote Literacy

This course is designed to provide students with knowledge of genres and uses of children's literature, materials, and technology as an instructional tool for literacy learning in grades B-6. This course will include assessing student interest, evaluating the developmental levels, qualities, and efficacy of the literature, materials and technology, developing aesthetic and critical responses to literature, and consideration of instructional frameworks for technology-enhanced literacy instruction.

EDU-537: Prof Leadership in Literacy Education

An important component of leadership in literacy education is the ability to evaluate, plan, and conduct research. This course will begin to provide students with skills to be effective leaders for literacy education. These skills include: (1) identification of current concerns or issues in literacy; (2) evaluation of research surrounding the issue or concern; (3) planning the implementation of an action to address the issue or concern; and (4) communicating the research-based plan to others. As a culminating activity in this course, each student will prepare a draft capstone proposal (as defined by the Graduate Handbook), and present that proposal to peers and other stakeholders of the program. A second component of literacy leadership is the ability to advocate for effective literacy education. Therefore, an additional goal of this course is to provide students with the opportunity to develop their leadership and advocacy skills.

EDU-540: Best Practices in Teaching Writing

In this course students learn about the development of writing, theories about writing, and effective instructional practices to use with children, birth through grade six. Throughout the course, the focus in on communicative intent, with an awareness of the conventions (spelling, grammar, punctuation, handwriting, etc.) that children must learn and use in order to carry out that intent. Emergent writing skills and the spring ties of writing to oral language development are examined. Participants learn how to implement a process approach to writing, scaffolding the process and expectations of the learner to changing developmental levels of students as they mature. Participants also learn to construct learning environments that support and facilitate the development of writing strategies and skills, using peer as well as teacher assistance. Process in this course is approaches as a recursive, individual approach to writing, rather than a linear, formulaic sequence of activities. Varied purposes for writing are explored along with the craft skills that writers use to enhance their writing. Application of writing across the subject areas is also stressed.

Keuka College has helped thousands of students like you earn an affordable degree. Estimate your costs, explore financial aid options, and talk with an admissions counselor today.

Estimate Your Costs

See how affordable your master's degree can be

12 months

Program Length

56

Credits Needed

$475

Cost per Credit

$13,300

Estimated Total Cost Before Financial Aid

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Affording Your Master of Science in Literacy Degree

A degree is an investment in your future and your family that has everlasting benefits. Here are a number of ways to make your degree even more affordable.

Financial Aid
Scholarships, state and federal grants, employer tuition remission, and military benefits are financial aid options that may be available to you.

Find Financial Aid

Credit for What You Already Know
From military and corporate training to subject-specific examinations, you could save thousands of dollars because of what you already know.

Learn How

A Literacy Degree Isn't Just for Reading Teachers

Becoming a certified literacy professional is about more than just teaching children and adolescents to read. With a Master of Science in Literacy, you can:

  • Serve as the expert on literacy, assessment, and reading intervention programs at your school.
  • Coach other teachers in becoming more confident in their own literacy instruction in any content area by using evidence-based practices.
  • Help students with their unique needs in areas of developmental, social and cultural adaptations, and utilizing their specific strengths and abilities to lead them to become lifelong learners by building a strong literacy foundation – a skill they’ll need for the rest of their lives.
  • Earn an additional New York State certification.
portrait of Aspyn

From this program, I believe I have become a knowledgeable and confident literacy specialist who has much to offer the professional field of literacy development and education.

Aspyn Landis

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Ways to Connect

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