Curriculum and Instruction

PLEASE NOTE:  For many graduate programs in the School of Education, the Miller Analogies Test is NO LONGER REQUIRED.  Please check with the director of the specific program in which you are interested about this requirement.

Master of Science Education Degree

Literacy Education (K through 12)

Overview - Admission Requirements - Program of Study - Graduate School Application Form - Department Application Form

Overview
The Department of Curriculum and Instruction offers a program leading to the Master of Science in Literacy Education degree. This program is intended to provide advanced preparation in Literacy Education for a kindergarten through grade twelve Literacy/Reading Specialist or Language Arts Coordinator. After passing the Illinois Assessment of Professional Teaching Exam (APT) and the Content Area Reading Specialist Exam, and successfully completing the following courses, certification candidates will earn an Illinois Type 10 Reading Specialist Certificate.

For more information contact:
Dr. Stephanie L. McAndrews
Literacy Program Director
618.650.3426

Apply to the graduate school and the C and I Department by November 1st for spring admission and July 1st for fall admission.

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Admission Requirements
The Department of Curriculum and Instruction limits the number of students admitted to the Master of Science Degree in Literacy Education program depending on departmental resources and the following criteria:

• General requirements for admission to the graduate program in literacy education include a bachelor’s degree with a grade point average of 3.0 or above (A=4.0), and a minimum of a 3.0 in all graduate coursework.

• A valid Illinois teaching certificate.

• 3 hours of Children’s Literature at the undergraduate or graduate level.

• A minimum of at least two years of contracted teaching, prior to enrolling in CI 571.

• 2 Letters of professional recommendation addressing your teaching and leadership

• Write a 3 page paper reflecting on each of the identified dispositions

• An interview with university literacy faculty

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Program Of Study
Candidates for the Master of Science in Literacy Education Degree will complete a 39-semester hour program of study planned in consultation with an advisor with a minimum of a 3.0 in all course work. Each approved program of study includes two components:

General Professional Core (9 hours):
EDUC 515/ EPFR 515 Advanced Educational Psychology
EDFD 506a or b/ EPFR 520 or EPFR 521 Social Foundations: Analysis of Educational Issues
EDUC 501/ EPFR 501 Research Methods in Education (to be taken 2-4 semesters before graduation)

Literacy Core Courses (30 hours):
CI 520 Theoretical Foundations in Literacy
CI 521 Emergent and Primary Level Literacy
CI 525 Upper Elementary and Middle Level Literacy
CI 540 Middle and Secondary Level Content Area Literacy
*Prior to CI 571: Earn at least a 3.0 on above courses, have 2 years of successful teaching, and pass the APT (104) and the Content Area- Reading Specialist Exam (176). You can enroll for these exams on line at www.ICTS.nesinc.com and take them at SIUE. Present evidence that candidate is a member of an organization that will enhance their professional development in literacy (i.e. IRC, IRA, NCTE, AERA).
CI 571 Literacy Diagnostics: Assessment and Instruction*
CI 572 Diagnostic Literacy Practicum: Elementary Level (Prerequisite CI 571)
CI 573 Diagnostic Literacy Practicum: Middle and Secondary Level (Prerequisite CI 571)
CI 548 Evaluation of Classroom Instruction: Action Research in Literacy (Prerequisite CI 571)
CI 578 Organization and Administration of Literacy Programs (Prerequisite CI 571)
CI 591 Issues and Trends in Literacy Instruction (Prerequisite CI 571)

EXIT REQUIREMENTS: All candidates must complete and present a literacy program notebook and an action research paper on an approved literacy research project.