Mission

With quality experiences encouraging inquiry along with practical study, a comprehensive knowledge of the field of literacy education is developed for candidates who pursue this degree. This comprehensive understanding of the developmental literacy process parallels the school’s goal of developing “principled educational leaders who are knowledgeable, reflective, and ethical professionals” conceptual base which further undergirds the knowledge base provided candidates who pursue this degree.

The general goals and objectives of the program are:

1. A knowledge and mastery of all aspects of the literacy process;
2. A knowledge of those skills necessary to select, administer, and interpret informal and formal assessments used to examine children’s and adolescents literacy strengths and weaknesses;
3. A knowledge of the abilities and skills which enhance a wholesome teacher- student-parent relationship in working with students identified as at-risk readers in order to develop a case study;
4. A knowledge of those skills necessary to recognize and accommodate for individual differences in literacy instruction;
5. A knowledge of how to plan, supervise, and enhance programs as a reading consultant;
6. A knowledge of and ability to demonstrate effective literacy instructional strategies;
7. A knowledge of communicating information about literacy;
8. A knowledge of the relationship of literacy skills to subject-matter content areas;
9. A knowledge of significant research conducted in literacy education; and
10. A knowledge of a broad range of children’s and adolescent’s literature and how to incorporate this literature into the classroom.
11. A knowledge of how to effectively support and mentor educators and serve as a literacy leader.

Admission requirements

1. Complete and return application form along with appropriate nonrefundable application fee to the Graduate College (CGC), Bond Hall room 101.
2. Applicants must have a 2.50 overall undergraduate grade point average in order to be accepted into the Master of Education in Literacy Education program.
3. An official transcript of the baccalaureate degree and all other undergraduate or graduate work from accredited colleges and universities.
4. Submit a valid teaching certificate issued by South Carolina or another state.
5. The minimum acceptable score is a score of 396 on the MAT or 900 on the GRE (Current within five years of application). Candidates who score between 380 and 395 on the MAT or 750-899 on the GRE may apply for provisional status. After enrolling for one semester under provisional status, completing 6 hours and earning a 3.50 GPA, the candidate may be re-classified as degree seeking. Regular admission status is granted upon completion of college requirements, and respective program requirements.
6. Candidate must be in good standing with the State Board of Education at the time of acceptance.
   

Note: Course work taken prior to official program admission or course work taken in other programs does not count toward the Master of Education in Literacy Education program/degree without written approval from the faculty advisor and the Dean.

Program requirements

The Master of Education in Literacy Education is a 36-hour program, consisting of 2 professional core requirements and 10 literacy courses. A program of study which details the degree requirements is completed by the student and the advisor. The candidate for the Master of Education in Literacy Education degree must satisfactorily complete the Praxis II, exam number 10200: Introduction to the Teaching of Reading, and have a practicum application on file prior to admission to EDUC 591, Practicum in Literacy Education. Candidates must also complete EDUC 512 or EDUC 549 prior to enrollment in EDUC 594, Internship in Literacy Education. Additionally, candidates will be required to complete a program completion portfolio prior to graduation. Recommendation and verification for certification are completed by the School of Education upon graduation and a passing score on the Praxis II.

Recommendation for certification as Reading Teacher in South Carolina requires two years teaching experience. Recommendation for certification as Reading Consultant in South Carolina requires five years teaching experience. Upon completion of coursework, a satisfactory score on the Praxis II, and the requisite years of teaching experiences, a candidate completing the MEd in Literacy Education is certified as both Reading Teacher and Reading Consultant provided the candidate already possesses a valid teaching certificate in the state of South Carolina.

Required program
All courses must be taken in sequence as laid out in the program of study.

Reading Teacher Certification Requirements

• A current South Carolina teaching certificate
• Two years teaching experience
• Completion of EDUC 588, 589, 590, 59l
• Successful completion of the required Praxis II examination

Reading Consultant Certification Requirements

• A current South Carolina teaching certificate
• Five years teaching experience
• Completion of EDUC 588, 589, 590, 59l, 592, 599
• Successful completion of the required Praxis II examination