Reading, Language, and Literacy, M.A.*

Program of Study

The Master of Arts in Reading, Language, and Literacy consists of the Core Coursework and the Culminating project or thesis.  Students may add the Field Experience class (EDRL 614B ) to be eligible for the Reading and Literacy Added Authorization (RLAA), and they may add the EDRL 614B  and the Field Experience for the Reading and Literacy Leadership Specialist Credential (RLLSC) (EDRL 623 ) to be eligible for both the Reading and Literacy Added Authorization and the Reading and Literacy Leadership Specialist Credential.  However, these two courses are NOT required for the Master of Arts in Reading, Language, and Literacy.

Students completing the program qualify for the Reading and Literacy Added Authorization, Reading and Literacy Leadership Specialist Credential, as well as a Masters of Arts.  Graduates of the program are eligible for literacy leadership positions at school and district sites such as reading specialists, literacy coaches, teachers on special assignment and the like.  The program trains current teachers for all three levels of schooling:  elementary, middle, and high schools.

*The Reading, Language, and Literacy, M.A. is offered through Extended Learning.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Candidates in the Master of Arts Reading, Language, and Literacy program will gain the following competencies:

1. Understand historical and contemporary theories and empirical research that describe the cognitive, linguistic, motivational, developmental, and sociocultural foundations shaping literacy development. This includes knowledge of the processes and components integral to foundational skills and disciplinary knowledge.
2. Demonstrate professional judgment in utilizing foundational and historical knowledge to design and implement an integrated, comprehensive, and balanced literacy curriculum.
3. Establish a culturally enriched, accessible, and transformative literate environment by integrating foundational knowledge, instructional practices, authentic literature, and curriculum materials to support effective literacy instruction for all students.
4. Demonstrate advanced skills in literacy instruction to meet students’ diverse learning needs across various mediums. Design literacy curriculum that is aligned with standards and grounded in the use of diverse texts (e.g., narrative, expository, and poetry) from traditional print, digital, and online resources.
5. Apply various assessment methods, including progress monitoring and summative strategies, to plan, deliver, and evaluate literacy instruction and then measure the growth of student learning outcomes.
6. Utilize students’ proficiency in their native language to support the development of competence in English and promote understanding of content and disciplinary literacy knowledge and skills.
7. Integrate technology tools within literacy settings to effectively gather, synthesize, and critically evaluate information, as well as create and communicate knowledge.
8. Design, facilitate, lead, and evaluate effective and differentiated literacy programs for TK-12 students and site-based or systemic professional development initiatives.
9. Demonstrate an understanding of local, state, and national literacy policies, including their local implications and effects.
10. Use action research methodologies to identify and address challenges related to literacy practices in professional settings. Investigate inquiries, question assumptions and beliefs, and systematically collect and analyze data to improve both literacy teaching and student learning.
11. Develop and implement comprehensive strategies to advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), ensuring a commitment to equity, access, excellence, and social justice for the benefit of every student. Concurrently, demonstrate dispositions aligned with DEI principles to cultivate an inclusive and equitable literacy learning environment.

Admission Requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree
2. A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.5
3. Application for the Master of Arts in Reading, Language, and Literacy in the School of Education, and paid fee
4. Teaching credential or equivalent experience*
5. Statement of Purpose — a typed, double-spaced, one to two-page statement that describes you and why you wish to pursue a Master’s Degree in Education. Things you might include are your goals, ideals, experiences, special skills, and community service.
6. Two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your work in the field of education
7. Completion of the Graduate/Post-baccalaureate application to the University

 *Three years of full-time teaching experience are required prior to recommendation for the California Reading and Literacy Added Authorization and the California Reading and Literacy Leadership Specialist Credential.

For a California Advanced Credential (Reading and Literacy Specialist Credential) candidates must hold a basic California Clear Credential, fulfilled Basic Skills requirements, and have satisfied minimum years of regular teaching experience.

All materials will be evaluated to assess an applicant’s qualifications for admission; however, no one indicator shall determine acceptance of an applicant.

Completion Requirements

The following completion activities apply to all Master of Arts in Reading, Language, and Literacy students:

1. Successful completion of the core courses with a minimum 3.0 GPA
2. Advancement to candidacy
3. Completion of a culminating experience under the direction of a faculty committee
4. Continual enrollment in EDRL 698A , EDRL 698B , EDRL 698C  until successful completion of the culminating experience
5. Acceptance of up to nine (9) units of graduate-level coursework from another Reading and Literacy Added Authorization approved program may be transferred into the CSUSM program with faculty approval.

Grading

All coursework will earn a letter grade except field studies which will earn credit/no credit. A grade-point average of 3.0 must be maintained and any grade of less than a B- will be subject to review.

Program Overview

All students in the Master of Arts in Reading, Language, and Literacy, will complete the Core Coursework (each course is 3 semester units) for a total of 24 units.

If students wish to earn the advanced credentials while completing the M.A., they can add two additional courses to earn the RLAA and RLLSC credentials issued by the state of California.(Please note that two additional courses are required by CCTC for the added authorization and specialist credential, but are not required to complete the M.A.)

Core Coursework (24 units)

• EDRL 606 - Foundations of Literacy and Literacy Instruction Units: 3
• EDRL 610 - Creating Conditions for Engagement and Independence in Literacy Classrooms Units: 3
• EDRL 613 - Multilingual Learners, Literacy and Language Units: 3
• EDRL 614A - Reading and Writing Assessment Units: 3
• EDRL 616 - Learning Through Text Units: 3
• EDRL 618 - Advanced Literacy Practices: Contemporary Approaches to Literacy Instruction Units: 3
• EDRL 619 - Teacher Inquiry to Improve Student Learning Units: 3
• EDRL 627 - Designing, Developing and Evaluating Effective Literacy Programs Units: 3

The Culminating Experience (6 units)

All students in the Master of Arts in Reading, Language, and Literacy must complete two additional courses:

• EDUC 622 - Research Methods in Education Units: 3
• EDRL 698A - Culminating Experience Units: 1
• EDRL 698B - Culminating Experience Units: 2
• EDRL 698C - Culminating Experience Units: 3

• The culminating experience may be a thesis or a project.

Total Units for the M.A. (30 units)

Master of Arts in Reading, Language, and Literacy + Reading and Literacy Added Authorization (RLAA)*

• EDRL 606 - Foundations of Literacy and Literacy Instruction Units: 3
• EDRL 610 - Creating Conditions for Engagement and Independence in Literacy Classrooms Units: 3
• EDRL 613 - Multilingual Learners, Literacy and Language Units: 3
• EDRL 614A - Reading and Writing Assessment Units: 3
• EDRL 614B - Reading Certificate Field Experience Units: 3 **
• EDRL 616 - Learning Through Text Units: 3
• EDRL 618 - Advanced Literacy Practices: Contemporary Approaches to Literacy Instruction Units: 3
• EDRL 619 - Teacher Inquiry to Improve Student Learning Units: 3
• EDRL 627 - Designing, Developing and Evaluating Effective Literacy Programs Units: 3
• EDRL 698A - Culminating Experience Units: 1
• EDRL 698B - Culminating Experience Units: 2
• EDRL 698C - Culminating Experience Units: 3

Notes:

*Three years of full-time teaching experience are required prior to recommendation for the California Reading and Literacy Added Authorization and the California Reading and Literacy Leadership Specialist Credential.

**Not a requirement for the M.A. in Reading, Language, and Literacy program. This experience is a requirement only for those individuals who wish to be recommended for the California Reading and Literacy Added Authorization and the California Reading and Literacy Leadership Specialist credentials.

Total (33 units)

Master of Arts in Reading, Language, and Literacy + Reading and Literacy Leadership Specialist Credential*

• EDRL 606 - Foundations of Literacy and Literacy Instruction Units: 3
• EDRL 610 - Creating Conditions for Engagement and Independence in Literacy Classrooms Units: 3
• EDRL 613 - Multilingual Learners, Literacy and Language Units: 3
• EDRL 614A - Reading and Writing Assessment Units: 3
• EDRL 614B - Reading Certificate Field Experience Units: 3 **
• EDRL 616 - Learning Through Text Units: 3
• EDRL 618 - Advanced Literacy Practices: Contemporary Approaches to Literacy Instruction Units: 3
• EDRL 619 - Teacher Inquiry to Improve Student Learning Units: 3
• EDUC 622 - Research Methods in Education Units: 3
• EDRL 623 - Integrating Curriculum Through Fieldwork/Clinical Experiences Units: 1-3 **^
• EDRL 627 - Designing, Developing and Evaluating Effective Literacy Programs Units: 3
• EDRL 698A - Culminating Experience Units: 1
• EDRL 698B - Culminating Experience Units: 2
• EDRL 698C - Culminating Experience Units: 3

Notes:

*Three years of full-time teaching experience are required prior to recommendation for the California Reading and Literacy Added Authorization and the California Reading and Literacy Leadership Specialist Credential.

**Not a requirement for the M.A. in Reading, Language, and Literacy program. This experience is a requirement only for those individuals who wish to be recommended for the California Reading and Literacy Added Authorization and the California Reading and Literacy Leadership Specialist credentials.

^Students must take a total of three (3) units.

Total (36 units)