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Certificate of Advanced Study in
Literacy
Online or On Campus

Broaden Your Knowledge of Literacy Education

Prepare for career advancement or for the academic rigor of a PhD program as you expand your expertise in literacy education by earning the Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in Literacy.

The advanced literacy certificate accommodates full-time students as well as working teachers. If you teach, you can complete the program part-time through online and/or evening classes, and immediately apply what you learn in your own classroom. 

Beyond your core coursework, you create a customized plan of study that will help you achieve your goals in academia or as a professional literacy teacher, coach, program director, or administrative leader in schools and other educational settings.

Program of Study

programofstudy

The CAS in Literacy program prepares you for leadership roles in literacy education.

This program is designed for you if you're a student seeking advanced coursework in literacy research and pedagogy, aiming for career advancement or entry into a PhD program in Literacy.

It's also ideal for you if you're a classroom teacher or literacy specialist with a master’s degree, looking to deepen or broaden your professional knowledge or clinical expertise. The literacy certificate offers you the opportunity to pursue professional development beyond the master’s degree.

 

Core Courses

Foundational Core Courses

  • Proseminar in Theoretical Models and Frameworks in Literacy Teaching and Learning
  • Proseminar in Approaches to Literacy Research Methods
  • Introduction to Dissertation Literature Reviews


Selected Core Courses
Choose from the following courses:

  • Theory and Research in Teaching of Literature
  • PreK-12 Disciplinary Literacy Development: Potential in PreK-12 ELA, Science, & Soc Studies Standards
  • Teacher Leadership
  • Literacy Education: Research, Practice, Policy, and Politics
  • Early Literacy and Language Development
  • Research on Preparing Literacy Teachers to Cultivate Equitable & Diverse Learning Contexts
  • Other courses as advised

Research Methodology Courses

Choose from the following courses:

  • Quantitative Methods in Literacy Research
  • Qualitative Research Methods
  • Practitioner and Participatory Action Research
  • Discourse Analysis
  • Other courses as advised

 

Graduate Education Courses

Up to 30 credits, may include MS level transfer courses

 

Capstone Project

You will complete a capstone experience through a Comprehensive Examination or an Inquiry Project.

 

Professional Development

As an advanced studies certificate student, you have the opportunity to develop professional teaching and research skills by assisting with the teaching of graduate courses or clinical practica, and by participating in faculty research projects.

In addition, you may gain experience presenting scholarly papers at a variety of professional conferences and submitting academic articles to peer-reviewed journals.

 

Additional Information

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.

For more information, contact Reisha Rieder at [email protected] or 518-442-5100.

Graduate Student Funding


Assistantships and fellowships are regularly offered to full-time students when funding is available through the University and/or externally funded projects.

If you are awarded an assistantship or fellowship, you receive a stipend for 20 hours of research or teaching assignments per week, and a tuition waiver for 9 credits of coursework per semester for an academic year (fall and spring).

Some assignments require to you gather information, organize and analyze data, and assist with manuscript preparation, while others may involve teaching activities at the undergraduate or master's level.

 

 

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Career Pathways

 

With a literacy certificate in advanced studies, you'll be qualified to pursue a career improving literacy instructional methods in K-12 classrooms and other educational settings to help students achieve success.

Program alumni are employed by public and private schools, nonprofit organizations and government agencies.


 

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careers

Admissions Requirements

admissions
Deadlines

Deadline for Admissions and Departmental Assistantship Consideration

Fall: January 30
Spring: Not Available
Summer: Not Available

Required Application Materials
  • Transcripts from all schools attended
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
    At least one letter must be from a college/university professor/instructor and address the candidate's academic abilities and potential for graduate study.
  • Literacy essay within application
  • Official GRE scores 

Supplemental Documents

  • Writing Sample
    The writing sample should be an example of academic writing. 
  • Available information for International Applicants.
Special Notes

This program is not eligible for federal financial aid.

This program offers an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience in the course listing as an option to fulfill course requirements. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. If applicants have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of the intended academic program.

Student Learning Objectives


Learning objectives that UAlbany students are expected to attain through their course of study within their academic program.

Certificate of Advanced Study
  • Understand literacy theory and research.
  • Critically analyze, interpret, and apply research.
  • Lead collaborative inquiry to promote literacy.
  • Engage in and reflect on effective methods of teacher preparation.
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Careers and Advisement

The Pathways Into Education (PIE) Center is the central office on campus serving undergraduate, graduate, and prospective students interested in pursuing careers in education and programs leading to teacher certification.

Please call or email to schedule an appointment.

Graduate Advisement:
Email Graduate Advisement
518-442-3529

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