The Literacy MS program was updated effective Summer 2024. The new program requirements are reflected below. Students admitted prior to Summer 2024 will follow the prior degree requirements outlined 2023 Literacy M.S. Degree Program page.
Students who are completing the prior program (Spring 2024 and prior) must complete their degree requirements and be awarded their degree by Summer 2026 (no later than August 31, 2026) in order to comply with the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Additional details regarding this requirement can be found NYSED requirements pdf. The department is currently in the process of creating a new program that meets the new NYSED certification requirements. Please check the Graduate Bulletin and the School of Education webpage for updates.
This program leads to the M.S. degree needed for initial/professional teacher certification in the area of Literacy Specialist (all grades). Admitted candidates are required to hold a valid NY State classroom teacher certificate upon the start of the program.
Graduates of our MS in Literacy are certified to work with students who encounter the most difficulty with literacy, and to coach and mentor other teachers. To ensure that these specialists are appropriately qualified to receive literacy specialist certification, students in these degree programs must receive a B or better in practicum courses before taking the capstone class. These practicum courses include: Ltl 601, Ltl 619, and Ltl 623. In addition, students must also receive a B or better in the final practicum experience Ltl 620. Students receiving a B- or lower in such courses have the following options: a) retake the course for a better grade; b) request admission to a professional certification degree in the School of Education. This latter option might require taking additional courses.
This program is available online. The distance learning program is available to full-time teachers pending administrative permission for practicum experiences within your school district after the regular school day. Distance learning students need access to K-12 students to complete the required practicum.
Teaching is a profession. Master’s students have professional responsibilities to their students, their peers, their classmates and instructors, and to society at large. Students in the master’s program will work with children and other professionals in educational contexts, including schools, community centers, and other sites of learning. Their professional responsibilities include following through on commitments made to children and schools, being appropriately prepared and on time for all interactions/lessons, maintaining confidentiality and respect, and interacting with all stakeholders/participants in a professional manner. Professional interactions include everything from dressing appropriately for the situation to maintaining appropriate language both in talking with and talking about others. Failure to meet professional responsibilities can result in a student’s academic dismissal from the program.
MS in Literacy - Literacy Specialist All Grades (30 Credits)
Required Courses - 27 credits
- Ltl 500 Classroom Literacy Instruction (3)
- Ltl 505 Academic Literacy Across Instructional Contexts, 5-12 (3)
- Ltl 546 Literature for Children and Young Adults (3)
- Ltl 601 Practicum: Instruction to Prevent Literacy Difficulties (3)
- Ltl 619 Practicum: Writing in the Classroom (3)
- Ltl 623 Practicum: Differentiated Instruction (3)
- Ltl 677 Data Based Decision Making: Linking Literacy Assessments and Instruction (3)
- Ltl 620 Practicum: Differentiated Instruction and Coaching (6)
Elective - 3 credits
- Ltl 610 Literacy in Society
- Ltl 625 Integrated Literacy Instruction, B-6
- Ltl 654 Early Literacy Development
- Ltl 657 Literacy for English Language Learners
- Or other as approved by Advisor
Final Culminating Project
Successful completion of the final culminating project milestone
Additional Program/NYSED Requirements:
- School Violence Prevention and Intervention (SAVE) Training
- Child Abuse Identification and Reporting Training
- DASA Training
Please note: This program requires an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience requirement. 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 you have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of your intended academic program.
As an approved teacher preparation program with the New York State Education Department, there may be additional certification requirements applicable. These requirements may include, but are not limited to additional workshops. Certification procedures and requirements are outlined on the School of Education’s Teacher Certification website.
Federal Licensure/Certification Disclosure
Effective July 1, 2024, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to make a determination whether a Title IV eligible academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the U.S. State where the institution is located and the U.S. States where “distance education” students are located at the time of initial enrollment in the program, as well as U.S. States where the program is advertised as meeting such requirements, and if applicable, the U.S. State where students attest they intend to be licensed/certified.
The Literacy MS program at the University at Albany is registered by the New York State Education Department and thus meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification for New York State. Through a good faith effort, and for the purpose of complying with the federal regulation, we have determined that the Literacy MS program at the University at Albany meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the additional following U.S. States: none.
It is important to note that the University at Albany is not the licensure/certification authority in other U.S. States and cannot assess whether an individual candidate will be issued a license/certificate in other U.S. States and instead it is incumbent on each individual candidate to contact the licensure/certification authority in the applicable U.S. State for any further guidance on the requirements for licensure/certification requirements and application processes.