Requirements (30-36 credits)

A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (B) and passing grades in all courses are required.

Prerequisite Courses (9 credits)

• EDR 543 - Foundations of Literacy (3)
• EDR 645 - Literacy Instruction for Students Identified with Special Needs (3) 
• LIN 520 - Linguistics for Teachers (3)  
• EDR 522 - Teaching English Language Learners in the K-12 Classroom (3)

Additional Literacy Courses (18 credits)

• EDR 522 - Teaching English Language Learners in the K-12 Classroom (3)
• EDR 544 - Integrated Language Arts throughout the Curriculum: Theory into Practice (3)
• EDR 646 - Literacy Assessment in Elementary/Middle School (3)
• EDR 670 - Reading and Writing Development/Research and the Construction of Meaning (3)
• EDR 672 - The Literacy Specialist (3)
• EDT 641 - Technology: Focus on Literacy Learning and Instruction (3)

Track of Choice

Certification Track (9 credits)
One from:

• EDR 530 - Children's Literature (3)
• EDR 532 - Multicultural Children's Literature (3)
• EDR 537 - Adolescent Literature (3)

Two from:

• EDE 500 - Contemporary Issues in Learning and Teaching (3)
• EDR 520 - Reading and Writing Development of Young Children (3)
• LIN 521 - First Language Acquisition (3)
• EDR 530 - Children's Literature (3)
• EDR 532 - Multicultural Children's Literature (3)
• EDR 535 - Folklore and Storytelling (3)
• EDR 537 - Adolescent Literature (3)

• EDR 546 - Writing for Middle and Secondary School Teachers (3)

or

• ENG 512 - Writing for Middle and Secondary School Teachers (3)

• EDE 670 - Research Seminar (3)
• EDR 699 - Seminar in Literacy (3)

Non-Certification Track (3 credits)
One from:

• EDR 530 - Children's Literature (3)
• EDR 537 - Adolescent Literature (3)

Note
When a candidate has undergraduate coursework equivalent to core courses, additional electives will be selected in consultation with an Education advisor to complete a total of 30 credits for the non-certification track or 36 credits for the certification track.

Reading Specialist Certificate Endorsement

Upon successful completion of the Master of Arts in Literacy program (Certification Track) and the Reading Specialist (Test Code 92) Michigan Test for Teacher Certification, graduates with teaching certificates from the State of Michigan will be eligible for Reading Specialist certificate endorsement (coded BR in Michigan). This endorsement allows teachers to teach reading and language arts as a special subject in grades K-12.

Additional information on the Master of Arts in Literacy Education (MA) including course descriptions can be found in the catalog.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Minimum overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Elementary or secondary teacher certification

STATE AUTHORIZATION FOR ONLINE STUDENTS

The federal government requires universities and colleges to be in compliance with the distance education laws of each individual state. If you are an out-of-state student intending to enroll in an online program, especially if it leads to professional licensure, please visit umflint.edu/oel/online-state-authorization to verify the status of UM-Flint with your state.

To be considered for admission, submit an online application below. Other materials can be emailed to graduate@umflint.edu or delivered to the Office of Graduate Programs, 251 Thompson Library.

• Application for Graduate Admission
• $55 application fee (non-refundable)
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• Submit a typewritten statement describing your goals for entering the graduate program and how these goals connect to your views on teaching and learning. Statements may be submitted online during the application process or emailed to graduate@umflint.edu. 
• Résumé
• Three letters of recommendation, preferably with at least one from an academic reference and one from an individual familiar with your teaching or professional work
• A copy of your teaching certificate
• International Students: Submit additional documentation. Visit umflint.edu/international for details. This program is an online program. Students admitted to this program are not eligible to obtain a student visa (F visa). Students with all other visa types are eligible.

An interview with program faculty is required prior to admission. A criminal background check that includes fingerprinting at the candidate’s expense will also be required.

Application Deadlines

This program has rolling admissions and reviews completed applications each month. Application deadlines are as follows:     

• Fall (early deadline*) – May 1
• Fall (final deadline) – August 1
• Winter – November 15
• Spring – March 15
• Summer – May 15

*You must apply for admission by the early deadline to be eligible for scholarships, grants, and research assistantships.