Literacy, MEd

Program Description

The purpose of the MEd degree in Literacy is to educate literacy professionals who have an in-depth knowledge of reading and writing theories, processes, strategies, curriculum and research, and who can use that knowledge to plan appropriate literacy programs and curricula. The program is approved by the International Literacy Association.

Summary of Degree Requirements

The MED Literacy program requires 36 credit hours of coursework. Additional requirements for certifications may include requisite years of teaching experience, PRAXIS exam, and other requirements as indicated by the South Carolina State Department of Education.

Coursework

Literacy Coaching Strand

• EDLT 8100 - Foundations of Reading and Writing 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8110 - Advanced Children’s and Young Adult Literature 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8120 - Assessment Strategies in Reading and Writing 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8130 - Instructional Strategies for Literacy in Grades K-12 3 Credits   
• EDLT 8150 - Guided Reading and Guided Writing Scaffolded Instruction for Classrooms and Small-Group Intervention 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8160 - Practicum in Differentiated Instruction for Learners with Literacy Difficulties 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8170 - Content Area Reading and Writing for Early Childhood and Elementary School Classroom Teachers 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8180 - Organization, Administration and Supervision in Literacy 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8190 - Coaching for Literacy Education 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8200 - Action Research in Coaching: Literacy Coaches as Agents of Change 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8210 - Practicum in Literacy Coaching 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8260 - Selected Topics in Literacy Education 1-3 Credits  

Secondary Strand

• EDLT 8100 - Foundations of Reading and Writing 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8110 - Advanced Children’s and Young Adult Literature 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8120 - Assessment Strategies in Reading and Writing 3 Credits   
• EDLT 8140 - Reading and Writing Instruction and Assessment for Emergent Bilingual Students 3 Credits  or EDLT 8260 - Selected Topics in Literacy Education 1-3 Credits  
• EDLT 8150 - Guided Reading and Guided Writing Scaffolded Instruction for Classrooms and Small-Group Intervention 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8160 - Practicum in Differentiated Instruction for Learners with Literacy Difficulties 3 Credits   
• EDLT 8180 - Organization, Administration and Supervision in Literacy 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8190 - Coaching for Literacy Education 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8200 - Action Research in Coaching: Literacy Coaches as Agents of Change 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8210 - Practicum in Literacy Coaching 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8270 - Content Area Reading and Writing for Middle and Secondary Teachers 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8370 - Disciplinary Literacy: Instructional Strategies for Middle and Secondary Teachers 3 Credits  

Note: Students may choose to substitute EDLT 8280 - Critical Issues in Instructional Coaching and School Leadership 3 Credits  and EDLT 8290 - Reflective Instructional Coaching Practice 3 Credits  for EDLT 8200 and 8210 and not complete the Literacy Coach certification requirements.

ESOL Strand

• EDF 8710 - Cultural Diversity in Education 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8100 - Foundations of Reading and Writing 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8110 - Advanced Children’s and Young Adult Literature 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8120 - Assessment Strategies in Reading and Writing 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8130 - Instructional Strategies for Literacy in Grades K-12 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8140 - Reading and Writing Instruction and Assessment for Emergent Bilingual Students 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8150 - Guided Reading and Guided Writing Scaffolded Instruction for Classrooms and Small-Group Intervention 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8170 - Content Area Reading and Writing for Early Childhood and Elementary School Classroom Teachers 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8180 - Organization, Administration and Supervision in Literacy 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8220 - Principles and Strategies for Teaching English Speakers of Other Languages 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8230 - Introduction to Linguistics 3 Credits  
• EDLT 8240 - Practicum in the Instruction of ESOL Elementary and Secondary Learners 1-3 Credits  
• EDLT (ED) 8250 - Cultural Diversity in Education 3 Credits  

Outcomes, Learning Objectives, and Graduation Requirements

Graduates with the MEd in Literacy demonstrate

1. an understanding of reading as the process of constructing meaning through the interaction of the reader’s existing knowledge, the information suggested by the written language and the context of the reading situation;
2. knowledge of the influence of cultural, ethnic and linguistic backgrounds on the reading process and how to use what the reader brings to the reading experience;
3. an understanding of relationships among the language processes of reading, writing, listening and speaking;
4. support for students in acquiring the ability to monitor comprehension and reading processes and apply appropriate strategies for a variety of purposes; knowledge of assessments that involve multiple indicators of learner progress;
5. development of an environment that motivates students to pursue and respond to reading and writing for personal growth and development;
6. understanding of English language learners’ literacy and language development and expertise in supporting their literacy learning through strategic teaching;
7. classroom-based research in reading; and
8. expertise in sharing knowledge of reading research and instructional practices with peers.