| Graduate Program Head | Mark Kiselica |
|---|---|
| Program Code | LEDUC |
| Campus(es) | Harrisburg (M.Ed.) |
| Degrees Conferred | Master of Education (M.Ed.) |
| The Graduate Faculty |
The Master of Education in Literacy Education at Penn State Harrisburg is designed to provide full-time and part-time graduate students with a focused program of study in the field of literacy education. This advanced degree provides students with a comprehensive approach to literacy research, instructional practice, assessment, and leadership to meet the varied and diverse needs of PK-12 learners. Grounded in sociocultural and critical literacy approaches, the program affords literacy professionals:
- specialized, in-depth knowledge about the teaching of literacy;
- diagnostic and clinical skills necessary to support and plan instruction for a diverse range of learners;
- the ability to interpret, evaluate, and use literacy research to inform practice;
- opportunities to use both digital and traditional texts to teach literacy across the curriculum;
- knowledge about the role of social context in supporting PK-12 learners’ acquisition of language and literacy; and
- the literacy leadership skills necessary to support and inform professional practice in PK-12 settings.
Students also participate in a final capstone course that provides the opportunity to work closely with PK-12 learners in a faculty-supervised, clinical, or on-site setting. Throughout the program, students work closely with faculty and cultivate strong peer support networks.
The Literacy Education program is recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the International Literacy Association (ILA). The M.Ed. in Literacy Education program is aligned with both state and national standards from the:
- Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE),
- International Literacy Association (ILA), and
- National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).
Accreditation and Licensure
The Literacy Education program is recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the International Literacy Association (ILA). Following successful completion of the program and a passing score on the Praxis 5301 exam, program completers are eligible to receive their PK-12 Reading Specialist Certification in Pennsylvania. Out-of-state students are advised to check with their appropriate state licensing agency to obtain guidelines and to verify specific requirements.
Admission Requirements
Applicants apply for admission to the program via the Graduate School application for admission. Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-300 Admissions Policies.
Students must have achieved an overall junior/senior grade point average of 3.00 or higher on a 4.0 scale. For students applying for admission who have completed credits beyond the baccalaureate degree, we will evaluate the last (approximately) 60 credits completed.
- Two letters of recommendation
- A brief (200-300 words) personal statement describing your interest in pursuing a master’s degree in Literacy Education
- A valid Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate1
- Test scores from one of the following: GRE, Miller Analogies Test, or Praxis examinations completed for certification
| 1 | Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate must include evidence of a course in the methods of teaching reading, such as EDUC 320 or EDUC 321 with a grade of C or better. |
Degree Requirements
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-700 Professional Degree Policies.
The Master of Education degree in Literacy Education consists of 33 credits that prepare students for the Pennsylvania Reading Specialist Certification (K-12). The degree requirements for the Master of Education in Literacy Education include 21 credits in foundational, pedagogical, and advanced theoretical work in reading, writing and educational research design, two courses that make up the capstone clinical practicum (6 credits), and 6 additional credits of electives for a total of 33 credits. At least 18 credits must be taken at the 500 or 800 level, with at least 6 credits at the 500 level. A minimum grade-point average of 3.00 for work completed at the University and acceptable professional dispositions are required for graduation.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| EDUC 452 | Teaching Writing | 3 |
| EDUC 477 | Teaching Struggling Readers and Writers | 3 |
| LLED 445 | Teaching English in Bilingual/Dialectal Education (or an equivalent ELL course approved by the program coordinator) | 3 |
| EDUC 561 | Theoretical Foundations of Literacy | 3 |
| EDUC 862 | Literacy Assessment and Evaluation | 3 |
| EDUC 865 | Literacy Leadership | 3 |
| LLED 594 | Research in Language and Literacy Education | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 6 elective credits: | 6 | |
| Literature for Children and Adolescents | ||
| Children's Literature in Teaching Writing | ||
| Teaching Reading Through the Content Areas | ||
| Culminating Experience | ||
| EDUC 863 | Literacy Methods (Capstone Project) 1 | 3 |
| EDUC 864 | Literacy Clinic (Capstone Project) 1 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
| 1 | Students must enroll in EDUC 863 and EDUC 864 consecutively in the fall and spring during the same academic year. These courses serve as the culminating experience for the degree. In these courses, students complete a case study inquiry project designed to address the needs of a literacy learner, engage in professional development and mentorship, and present their research findings to peers. In EDUC 863, students engage in observation and design of their case study project. In EDUC 864, under the supervision of faculty, students collect data, implement evidence-based instruction, analyze results, and present their findings to colleagues. Students engage in ongoing professional learning and mentorship in both courses. |
Transfer Credits
Credits earned at other institutions but not used to earn a degree and credits earned as a non-degree student prior to admission to the graduate program may be applied toward the requirements for a graduate degree, subject to restrictions outlined in GCAC-309 Transfer Credit. Forms for transfer of credit can be obtained from the graduate program office.
Retention
Students must maintain a minimum 3.00 grade-point average, satisfactorily complete all required key assessments, and attain a grade of "C" or better in all required core courses. Students who do not make satisfactory progress will be notified in writing noting the specific deficiencies and requesting that they meet with the program coordinator to develop a remediation plan. Failure to meet or to satisfactorily complete the remediation plan will result in termination from the program.
All persons enrolled in Teacher Education Programs at Penn State Harrisburg are expected to demonstrate the professional dispositions that are aligned with the unit's vision statement. The faculty shall evaluate the approved dispositions demonstrated by the students in class and during field experiences. Students may be rated as exemplary, acceptable, or unacceptable. Students are expected to attain acceptable or exemplary ratings in order to graduate.
Accreditation and Licensure
The Literacy Education program is recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), the International Literacy Association (ILA), and the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).
Minor
A graduate minor is available in any approved graduate major or dual-title program. The default requirements for a graduate minor are stated in Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-600 Research Degree Policies and GCAC-700 Professional Degree Policies, depending on the type of degree the student is pursuing:
Student Aid
Graduate assistantships available to students in this program and other forms of student aid are described in the Tuition & Funding section of The Graduate School’s website. Students on graduate assistantships must adhere to the course load limits set by The Graduate School.
Courses
Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 699 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.
Contact
| Campus | Harrisburg |
|---|---|
| Graduate Program Head | Mark S Kiselica |
| Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) or Professor-in-Charge (PIC) | Mary Napoli |
| Program Contact | Katherine Wimer Martin |
| Program Website | View |