University of Michigan-Flint

Literacy is crucial for success in school and in life. As a teacher, you know that without solid reading and writing skills, the teaching and learning of all other subjects becomes considerably more difficult – for teachers and students alike. UM-Flint’s Literacy K-12 (MA) program understands these realities too, and is designed to equip educators who have made literacy their mission with the latest knowledge, skills, and resources needed to achieve real results.

Focus:

• UM-Flint’s Literacy Education program, a concentration of the Master of Arts (MA) in Education, is developed for individuals who hold elementary or secondary teaching certificates, and offers courses that focus on issues and practices related to an integrated language arts curriculum.
• Literacy Education (MA) students engage with materials and ideas in practice to address the needs of learners from diverse backgrounds and school settings.

Flexibility:

• UM-Flint’s Literacy Education program is typically completed part-time over two years but offers the flexibility for you to take courses at your desired pace.
• The Literacy Education concentration offers a thesis and non-thesis track (33 or 36 credits). If you wish to pursue a research career, coordinative/administrative position, and/or doctoral degree in education, you are encouraged to select the thesis option.
• Classes are held on UM-Flint’s campus, primarily in the evening, and online.

Resources:

• Course instructors are student-focused and have doctoral degrees.
• Coursework fulfills Michigan’s PL32 requirement and aligns with the standards of the International Reading Association.
• The program includes clinical work with K-12 students in UM-Flint’s Reading Center.
• UM-Flint Literacy Education students have access to resources of the world-renowned University of Michigan system.

Results:

• The Literacy Education (MA) program is excellent preparation for the role of Literacy Coach or Reading Specialist.
• The program prepares you to take the MTTC to add the Reading Specialist (BR) endorsement to your Michigan teaching certificate.
• Graduates from the Literacy Education (MA) program who pass the MTTC are qualified to teach reading as a special subject and serve as building resource professionals(i.e., reading specialist or literacy coach) in grades K-12.

In addition to the concentration in Literacy Education, UM-Flint’s School of Education and Human Services offers the MA degree with concentrations in:

• Early Childhood Education – with or without endorsement in Early Childhood (ZA)
• Special Education – with endorsements in Learning Disabilities (SM) and Cognitive Impairments (SA)
• Technology in Education – Traditional and Global Programs – with or without endorsement (ND)

It is possible for candidates without a teaching certificate to enroll in the Early Childhood or the Technology in Education concentrations.

Effective July 1, 2009, Michigan teachers who do not hold a Professional Teaching Certificate are required by PA 30 (formerly PA118) to take an approved 3 credit reading course for the renewal of a provisional teaching certificate or the initial issuance of the Professional Education certificate. UM-Flint offers 2 state-approved courses on campus.