Literacy Specialist

Programs Offered: Ph.D. (Reading Education), Ed.M. (Literacy Specialist), Childhood Education Ed.M. (Literacy Emphasis) and Post Master's Coursework leading to a Literacy Specialist Certificate

Ed.M. Literacy Specialist Program

The Literacy Specialist Program leads to dual certifications: (a) B-6 Literacy Specialist and (b) 5-12 Literacy Specialist. Certification is required to be a New York State Reading Teacher.

This is a 36-37 hour program including courses in primary, elementary, and secondary reading; language, literacy and culture; diagnosis and reading re-mediation; a clinic-based practicum on the UB campus and a summer classroom-based practicum at an elementary school in the area.

The Literacy Specialist program is for classroom teachers who recognize a need to expand their knowledge of the theories, methods, and materials, of reading, reading instruction, language, language instruction, reading assessment and diagnosis, and re-mediation of reading difficulties.

A major focus of the program is developmental reading, including study of developmental readers, reading processes, and reading instruction at the pre-school and emergent level, elementary grades, and secondary grades. Important components of the developmental reading program include study of literacy and technology; adolescent literacy practices, content area reading instruction, language, literacy, and culture; and children's and young adult literature.

A second major focus of the program is the study of reading difficulties including classroom and clinical measurement, assessment, evaluation, and diagnosis of reading. Culminating courses and experiences in the program include a clinic-based practicum in the diagnosis and reading re-mediation of struggling readers in the University at Buffalo Center for Literacy and Reading Instruction and a classroom-based summer practicum at a school in a local district.

Ed.M. Childhood Education: Literacy Emphasis Program

The Childhood Education: Literacy Emphasis Program is an extension of the Childhood Education Ed.M. program and leads to Childhood Education professional certification for grades 1-6. This program does not lead to certification as a New York State Reading Teacher.

Post Master's Coursework leading to a Literacy Specialist Certificate

This is targeted at teachers with a master's degree and school teaching certification in Early Childhood/Childhood/Adolescence who are interested in a Literacy Specialist certificate (and NYS certification in literacy through BOCES) without obtaining another master's degree. Coursework and experience needed for NYS Certification in Literacy Specialist Initial Certificates (B-grade 6, Grades 5-12, or both) and Professional Certification are provided based on the assumption that the teacher currently holds a master's degree. It is important to note that applicants must work directly with BOCES to obtain NYS Certification in Literacy. While the courses are offered through the University at Buffalo to complete the certificate program, this institution does not recommend those students completing the certificate program for NYS Certification.

Teachers coming from a master's degree program with a strong Literacy cognate will be able to complete the certificate with 15 hours of coursework. Teachers coming from a general education or non-literacy focused master's program may need to take prerequisite coursework to meet certificate and NYS Certification requirements for the Literacy Specialist certification.

Prerequisite classes: Can be fulfilled through transcript review at BOCES showing equivalent coursework taken at the graduate level. The Literacy Faculty will meet with individuals to design a program that best fits your needs and experiences and applicants are encouraged to discuss their needs and experiences with BOCES as well.

Birth–Grade 6:

550   Literacy Acquisition and Instruction, Pre-K-Primary
551   Childhood Literacy Methods
556   Classroom Assessment & Instruction
560   Language Arts Methods
565   Children's Literature

Grades 5–12:

551   Childhood Literacy Methods
552   Middle Childhood Adolescent Literacy Methods
556   Classroom Assessment & Instruction
560   Language Arts Methods
580   Literature for Young Adults

Program Coursework (Note: Any program coursework taken at UB or a comparable accredited graduate program may be substituted with a literacy elective to maintain the 15-credit hours)
563   Language, Literacy & Culture
557   Clinical Literacy Assessment & Instruction
558   Clinic-Based Practicum in Teaching Literacy
559   School-Based Practicum in Teaching Literacy
One literacy elective (approved by advisor; may be one of the prerequisite courses)

Note on program coursework: If the student has taken LAI 563, 557, 558 and 559 as part of her/his master's degree program, the student will not repeat these courses. One course may be used as an elective.