Master of Arts Program
M.A. Interdisciplinary Education-Reading Emphasis with Reading Certification or Reading Language Arts Specialist Credentials
Not admitting new students.
Advisor: M. Priscilla Myers, Ph.D.
Reading and Language Arts Specialist Credential Handbook (pdf)
Our Mission is Literacy
". . . of all school learning, nothing compares in importance with reading; it is of unparalleled significance. This is why how it is taught is so important: The way in which learning to read is experienced by the child will determine how he will view learning in general, how he will conceive of himself as a learner and even as a person" (p. 5).
Bettelheim, B. & Zelan, K. (1981). On learning to read: The child's fascination with meaning. NY: Knopf Publishing.
The M.A. Interdisciplinary Education-Reading Emphasis program provides certified teachers preparation in advanced reading instruction and qualifies them for additional certification as a K-12 Reading Specialist in the classroom (Reading Certification), or as a K-12 Reading Language Arts Specialist in a school or district (Reading Language Arts Specialist Credential):
- The K-12 Reading Specialist in the Classroom (Reading Certification): Classroom specialization including early childhood, elementary school, middle and secondary school, special education, and adult education;
- The K-12 School or District Reading Specialist (Reading Language Arts Specialist Credential): Literacy Diagnostician, Reading Intervention Specialist, Professional Development Provider, Reading Program Coordinator, Evaluator of school and district literacy programs (in addition to classroom specialization including early childhood, elementary school, middle and secondary school, special education, and adult education).
Individuals applying for the M.A. Reading Emphasis Program must hold a valid California teaching credential. Certified teachers may elect to work toward the M.A. degree with Reading Certification, or the M.A. degree with a Reading and Language Arts Specialist Credential. Certified teachers who have already earned an M.A. degree in education may pursue reading specialist credentials without the advanced degree coursework. Thus, teachers may select one of four approaches:
- the M.A. with Reading Certification, or
- the M.A. with a Reading Language Arts Specialist Credential
For certified teachers who already possess an M.A. degree in an educational field:
- Reading Certification, or
- Reading Language Arts Specialist Credential
Reading Certification
The Reading Certification Program includes 21 units of coursework (in addition to a core curriculum) in advanced instruction in reading including assessment and diagnosis that informs teaching, phonological awareness, systematic phonics instruction, word study, comprehension, and writing; children's and young adult literature; cross-cultural language development; technology; and advanced, supervised clinical experiences that include one-on-one tutorials with children. In addition, for the M.A. with Reading Certification, students complete 12 units of electives in advanced reading and related topics, and choose a 3-unit thesis, research project, or comprehensive exam as a culmination of the Master's Degree program.
M.A. Interdisciplinary Education - READING CERTIFICATION
Prerequisite Courses
- Valid California Teaching Credential
- EDUC 260 Language Arts (3 units)
- EDUC 284 Introduction to the Teaching of Reading (3 units)
Required Courses
- EDUC 392 Study of Teaching (3 units)
- EDUC 393 Curriculum Theory (3 units)
- EDUC 490 Research Methods (3 units)
Required Reading Courses (21 units)
- EDUC328 Language Development and Literacy (3 units)
- EDUC 350B Lang. Dev., Reading, Lang. Arts (3 units)
- EDUC 283 Literacy Development in the Secondary Schools (3 units)
- EDUC 285 Literature Across the Curriculum (3 units)
- EDUC 480 Advanced Instruction in Reading (3 units)
- EDUC 483 Clinical Diagnosis in Reading Difficulties (3 units)
- EDUC 484 Clinical Instruction in Reading (3 units)
Elective Courses (12 units for Reading Certification) (with approval from Advisor)
Master's Thesis/Research Project/Exam
• EDUC 499 Thesis, Research Project, or Comprehensive Exam (3 units)
READING CERTIFICATION (Without the M.A. Degree)
Prerequisite Courses
- Valid California Teaching Credential
- EDUC 260 Language Arts (3 units)
- EDUC 284 Introduction to the Teaching of Reading (3 units)
Required Reading Courses (21 units)
- EDUC328 Language Development and Literacy (3 units)
- EDUC 350B Lang. Dev., Reading, Lang. Arts (3 units)
- EDUC 283 Literacy Development in the Secondary Schools (3 units)
- EDUC 285 Literature Across the Curriculum (3 units)
- EDUC 480 Advanced Instruction in Reading (3 units)
- EDUC 483 Clinical Diagnosis in Reading Difficulties (3 units)
- EDUC 484 Clinical Instruction in Reading (3 units)
READING LANGUAGE ARTS SPECIALIST CREDENTIAL
The Reading and Language Arts Specialist Credential is a 30-unit program (in addition to a core curriculum) that provides advanced preparation in reading/language arts assessment and instruction, clinical and field experience, theory and research in teaching reading and language arts K-12, psycholinguistics, and the design and implementation of reading programs. This credential is intended for teachers who have completed all necessary coursework for the Reading Certificate and 9 units of coursework leading to literacy leadership positions at the school or district level. In addition to coursework described above, to complete the M.A. with a Reading Language Arts Specialist Credential, students choose one 3-unit elective, and a 3-unit thesis, research project, or comprehensive exam as a culmination of the Master's Degree program.
M.A. Interdisciplinary Education – READING LANGUAGE ARTS SPECIALIST CREDENTIAL
Prerequisite Courses
- Valid California Teaching Credential
- EDUC 260 Language Arts (3 units)
- EDUC 284 Introduction to the Teaching of Reading (3 units)
Required Courses
- EDUC 392 Study of Teaching (3 units)
- EDUC 393 Curriculum Theory (3 units)
- EDUC 490 Research Methods (3 units)
Required Reading Courses (30 units)
- EDUC328 Language Development and Literacy (3 units)
- EDUC 350B Lang. Dev., Reading, Lang. Arts (3 units)
- EDUC 283 Literacy Development in the Secondary Schools (3 units)
- EDUC 285 Literature Across the Curriculum (3 units)
- EDUC 480 Advanced Instruction in Reading (3 units)
- EDUC 481 Design and Implementation of Reading Programs (3 units)
- EDUC 482 Theoretical Models and Processes of Reading (3 units)
- EDUC 483 Clinical Diagnosis in Reading Difficulties (3 units)
- EDUC 484 Clinical Instruction in Reading (3 units)
- EDUC 487 Psycholinguistics (3 units)
Elective Courses (3 units for Reading Language Arts Specialist Credential; 12 units for Reading Certification) (with approval from Advisor)
Master's Thesis/Research Project/Exam
- EDUC 499 Thesis, Research Project, or Comprehensive Exam (3 units)
READING LANGUAGE ARTS SPECIALIST CREDENTIAL (Without the M.A. Degree)
Prerequisite
- Valid California Teaching Credential
- EDUC 260 Language Arts (3 units)
- EDUC 284 Introduction to the Teaching of Reading (3 units)
Required Reading Courses (30 units)
- EDUC328 Language Development and Literacy (3 units)
- EDUC 350B Lang. Dev., Reading, Lang. Arts (3 units)
- EDUC 283 Literacy Development in the Secondary Schools (3 units)
- EDUC 285 Literature Across the Curriculum (3 units)
- EDUC 480 Advanced Instruction in Reading (3 units)
- EDUC 481 Design and Implementation of Reading Programs (3 units)
- EDUC 482 Theoretical Models and Processes of Reading (3 units)
- EDUC 483 Clinical Diagnosis in Reading Difficulties (3 units)
- EDUC 484 Clinical Instruction in Reading (3 units)
- EDUC 487 Psycholinguistics (3 units)
