The Master of Arts in Literacy Education focuses on development of reading and writing from kindergarten through community college, with an emphasis on research-based intervention strategies for struggling readers. The first seven courses have been approved by the Minnesota Board of Teaching as a K-12 Reading Teacher program. Licensed teachers who complete this seven-course sequence and pass the corresponding Minnesota Teacher Licensing Examination (MTLE) qualify for the Minnesota K-12 Reading Teacher license. Wisconsin K-12 Reading Teachers with two or more years of teaching experience are also eligible for the Wisconsin 316 reading license. More information on testing can be found on the MTLE website (http://www.mtle.nesinc.com).
Additional courses leading to the M.A. in Literacy Education require another 15 months and focus on literacy development. The leadership practicum is completed in an educational setting (K-12 school, technical college, or community-based literacy organization) of the candidate’s choice. Candidates for the degree have an opportunity to choose and develop a topic of interest in reading or writing across multiple courses, culminating with an opportunity to present a personally-designed research project.
Program Outcomes
Consistent with the mission of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and the Board of Teaching requirements for licensure as K-12 reading teachers and reading leaders, the M.A. in Literacy Education program expects its graduates to be able to do the following upon program completion:
- Understand the foundations of reading processes and instruction.
- Employ a wide range of instructional practices, approaches, methods, and curriculum materials to support reading instruction.
- Apply a variety of assessment tools and practices to plan and evaluate effective reading instruction.
- Create a literate environment that fosters reading.
- Value professional development as a career-long effort and responsibility.
- Communicate and collaborate effectively through appropriate modalities across a range of situations.
- Evaluate, synthesize, and apply research related to educational practice.
Program Structure and Delivery
The K-12 Reading Teacher courses, which may be taken as a stand-alone certificate program, can be completed in 15 months. Additional courses leading to the M.A. in Literacy Education require another 15 months to complete.
The program is designed to fit the schedule of employed persons who want to take classes on weekends and during the summer. Courses are delivered in a blended format, integrating face-to-face classroom meetings and online activities or interactions in a planned, instructionally valuable manner.
Students can complete the program at the Winona campus, Minneapolis campus, or at selected Saint Mary’s University outreach sites.