Graduate Programs: Language and Literacy Master's

Overview of Graduate Programs in Language and Literacy

The Department of Teacher Education offers three graduate programs in the area of Language and Literacy:

1. The Reading Certificate Program - This is a two semester, twelve-unit level of specialization that prepares teachers to work assist students with reading difficulties. Areas of study include decoding and fluency, comprehension and study skills, and the psychology and sociology of literacy. This certificate authorizes the holder to assess student reading and provide reading instruction in response to those assessments. Reading Certificate holders are also authorized to develop, implement, and adapt the reading content curriculum and assist classroom teachers in these areas. Holders of the Reading Certificate may perform the above services at one or more school sites at the grade levels authorized by their prerequisite teaching credential. This program recently has been revised so courses listed in the CSUS Catalogue are not current for teachers beginning the program during or after the fall of 2003. More specific information on courses and application requirements and procedures can be found under the Reading Certificate section.
2. The Reading Specialist Credential - This is a four semester, 24-unit program that includes all of the courses in the reading certificate and adds twelve more units in areas such as reading disability, juvenile literature, literacy development in linguisticly and culturally diverse populations, and program evaluation.This credential prepares teachers for literacy related teaching positions PreK through 12 as well as for leadership roles at school and district levels.This program recently has been revised so courses listed in the CSUS Catalogue are not current for teachers beginning the program during or after the fall of 2003 More specific information on courses and application requirements and procedures can be found under the Specialist Credential section.
3. The Master of Arts in Education with a Language and Literacy Option - This is 33 unit program of study includes all but one of the courses in the credential along with "core" courses in education and research and the writing of a thesis or a project. The dregree is designed for the administrator, the classroom teacher, and the specialist teacher of language and literacy for all types of children, youth, and adults. This program recently has been revised so courses listed in the CSUS Catalogue are not current for teachers beginning the program during or after the fall of 2003. More specific information on courses and application requirements and procedures can be found under the Masters in L & L section.

Combinations of the above Programs

MA + Specialist Credential - A majority of teachers in Language and Literacy have pursued these two programs at the same time. In the Revised Programs effective in the fall of 2003, this course of study involves taking a total of 36 units, 3 beyond the MA or 12 beyond the Credential. Teachers starting prior to the fall of 2003 have a different set of courses but still need to take 36 units, 6 beyond the 30-unit MA or 12 beyond the Credential. Please note that just completing the MA and the extra three unit course does not guarantee that that a specialist credential will be awared. Teachers need to apply separately to the specialist credential program early on in the program so they can determine whether they will meet requirements that do not apply to the MA.

MA + Reading Certificate - This combination requires no extra courses beyond the MA, but, as noted above, teachers need to apply for the certificate program early on so they can determine whether they will meet requirements that do not apply to the MA.

Course Sequence

There is a certain sequence in which courses should be taken. In the revised programs, there is a cohesiveness across all three programs. Tier I courses [EDTE 200, 205, 201, and 203] are taken before Tier II courses [EDTE 202, 207, 206, and 209]. Note that within tiers, courses often are paired by semester.

Fall Entrance to the Program