About the Program
Accredited: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) (formerly NCATE)
Accredited by International Reading Association
Enrollment in all teacher education programs follows the guidelines for "Admission to Teacher Education Programs" found in this catalog. Applicants who do not yet meet all admissions criteria should consult with the department.
This program prepares professional literacy specialists to provide instruction for students with reading or writing difficulties. Graduates of this program also will be able to serve as effective resources and leaders for school-wide literacy curriculum and instruction. Students who successfully complete this program are eligible for a college recommendation for NYS certification in Literacy Birth - Grade 6 and Literacy Grades 5-12.
Candidates should consult the Teacher Certification website for current seminars and workshops.
About the Elementary Ed, Literacy, Ed Ldrsp Department
302 Bacon Hall
1300 Elmwood Ave
Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 878-5916
Fax: (716) 878-6033
https://elementaryeducation.buffalostate.edu/
Admission Requirements
1. Have a degree from an accredited college or university leading to New York State teacher certification.
2. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) in undergraduate work. Please submit all transcripts.
3. Write a well-crafted statement addressing the following:
a. Your reasons for seeking Literacy Specialist certification
b. The professional challenge(s) you encountered during your field experiences/first classroom experiences that you hope to address in your graduate work
c. Discuss what you hope to learn in your graduate program focusing on your interest in working with struggling readers
Your statement will be evaluated according to the following criteria (see rubric):
i. Organization
ii. Conventions of language
iii. Content
iv. Interest in working with struggling readers, rationale, and significant support for rationale
Note: Please refer to the rubric provided with the application materials for the statement prompts and specific evaluation criteria.
4. Submit three letters of reference that attest to the applicant’s potential as a literacy specialist. Please note that references should be from professors, school administrators, cooperating teachers (only one), or student teaching supervisors (only one).
5. Submit a professional resume
Applicants will be judged on demonstrated academic records; the strength of recommendations, and the quality of the candidate's statement.
In addition, all applicants should review the Admission to a Graduate Program section in this catalog.
Program Requirements
Required Courses (36 credit hours)
EDU 513 THEORY, RESEARCH AND PRACTICE IN LITERACY INSTRUCTION 3
EDU 535 TEACHING WRITING: B-12 3
EDU 606 LITERACY INSTRUCTION FOR LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE STUDENTS 3
EDU 609 RESEARCH AND PRACTICE IN ADOLESCENT LITERACY 3
EDU 611 EARLY LITERACY INSTRUCTION 3
EDU 612 DEVELOPING LITERACY THROUGH LITERATURE 3
EDU 642 LITERACY ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION 3
EDU 643 TEACHING STRATEGIES FOR READING AND WRITING INTERVENTION 3
EDU 646 LITERACY LEADERSHIP 3
EDU 647 PRACTICUM IN READING 3-6
EDU 650 LITERACY THEORY AND RESEARCH 3
EDU 655 TEACHING OF READING: GRADUATE SEMINAR 3
Total Credit Hours 36
Program may be completed on a part-time basis through advisement. Pre-requisites apply.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
New York State prides itself in the high quality of its licensed and certified professionals. For the protection of its citizens, each license and certificate has requirements that individuals must meet in order to be licensed or certified in New York State. SUNY’s academic programs leading to licensure or certification are carefully designed to meet and exceed these State requirements. This is a role SUNY plays in protecting the public. Other states frequently have their own requirements, so if your goal is to practice in another state, this disclosure will help you check to see what that state requires.
Enrolled students and prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact their State’s licensure entity using the links provided in the full disclosure document to review all licensure and certification requirements imposed by their state(s) of choice.