SUNY Potsdam

Graduates of the Literacy Educator program will satisfy the academic requirements for Professional certification in their current certification area but will not be eligible for additional certification as a Literacy Specialist.

Requirements for Admission

1. Submission of a copy of current teaching certificate is required for admission.
   Candidates for the Literacy Educator program must present an Initial certificate in one of the following:
   
   
   • Early Childhood Birth-2
   • Childhood 1-6
   • Generalist 5-9
   • English 5-9
   • Mathematics 5-9
   • Social Studies 5-9
   • English 7-12
   • Mathematics 7-12
   • Social Studies 7-12
   • Special Education Birth-2
   • Special Education 1-6
   • Special Education Generalist 5-9
   • Special Education English5-9
   • Special Education Math 5-9
   • Special Education Social Studies 5-9
   • Special Education Englsh7-12
   • Special Education Math 7-12
   • Special Education Social Studies 7-12
2. A minimum grade point average of 2.75 (A = 4.0) in the most recent 60 credit hours of undergraduate study is required for admission.
3. Candidates will submit three letters of recommendation including at least one focusing on teaching performance, using forms available from the Office of Graduate Studies web page.
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 highlight their personal attributes that will help them meet the challenges of graduate study in the program. The letter shall include a statement that the candidate has read and understands the MSED Literacy Procedures for Assessing and Monitoring Professional Dispositions.
   
5. Six (6) credit hours of undergraduate study in literacy education focusing on teaching methods is required.

Additional Degree Information
Candidates are strongly encouraged to review the Policies and Procedures in the Graduate Catalog, focusing on the specific information related to education programs.

Candidates are advised that most, but not all, degree requirements may be completed in the Watertown area.

These programs have been designed so that full-time candidates who begin their study on campus in the Summer or Fall semester may complete their study in one calendar year. Part-time students and those intending to complete the program in Watertown should consult with their advisers about the time needed to complete their degrees.

There is no practicum requirement for the Literacy Educator program, however, candidates may expect field components in some required courses.

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 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 adviser and may be dropped from the program.

Course Requirements
A minimum of 33 credit hours with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher is required for the granting of the Master of Science in Education, Literacy Educator degree. The 33 hours are divided as follows: