General Graduate Admission Requirements

Additional Admission Requirements

1. Submission of a copy of current teaching certificate is required for admission. In accordance with New York State certification regulations, candidates for the Literacy Specialist program must have preparation in general education at the level they are seeking literacy certification. For example, candidates holding a certificate in Early Childhood or Childhood may only enroll in the Literacy Specialist b-6 program. Candidates holding a certificate in Middle Childhood or Adolescence may only enroll in the Literacy Specialist 5-12 program. Candidates holding certificates in k-12 areas (i.e., Art, Music, Physical Education) should consult with the Director of Graduate Studies.
2.   A minimum grade point average of 2.75 (A = 4.0) in the most recent 60 credit hours of undergraduate study. 
3.   Candidates will submit three letters of recommendation including at least one focusing on teaching performance. 
4. Candidates will submit a thoughtful and well-written letter of intent in which they discuss why they wish to develop their knowledge and skills in the field of literacy education and highlights their personal attributes that will help them meet the challenges of graduate study in the program.
5.   At minimum, 6 credit hours of undergraduate study in literacy education that focuses on teaching methods. 

Additional Degree Information

Candidates are strongly urged to review the section on Policies and Procedures focusing on specific information related to education programs.

These programs have been designed so that candidates may complete their study in one calendar year with campus-based students beginning study in the fall semester and Watertown extension site students beginning in the summer semester.

For candidates in the Literacy Specialist programs, a practicum must be completed in the last semester of study. GRDG 600, GRDG 605 and GRDG 655/656 are prerequisites for the practicum. While New York state certification requirements have set a minimum of 50 clock hours in the field, candidates in our programs can expect to serve additional hours. There is no practicum requirement for the Literacy Educator program.

All degree candidates are required to complete a Culminating Experience in the School of Education and Professional Studies designed to synthesize the academic experience. For candidates in the Literacy Specialist program this requirement is fulfilled by completion of the practicum (GRDG 690/691 or 696/697) or by completing a six credit hour internship (GRDG 699). For candidates in the Literacy Educator program, the Culminating Experience requirement is fulfilled by completing GRDG 681, Literacy Educator Portfolio.

Candidate progress is carefully monitored throughout the program based on demonstration of appropriate knowledge, skills, and dispositions. Candidates are provided with information on program expectations in the first semester (GRDG 600). Candidates not making satisfactory progress will be counseled by their advisor and may be dropped from the program.