Literacy, Language and Culturally Responsive Teaching

MA Requirements for the Reading and Writing Option and Secondary English Education Option, plus Reading Teacher Endorsement and Certificate Programs

Office: Lawrence Street Center, 701
Telephone: 303-315-6300
Fax: 303-315-6311
E-mail: education@ucdenver.edu
Web sites: www.ucdenver.edu/education/literacy and www.ucdenver.edu/education/englished

Reading and Writing

Secondary English

Early and Adolescent Literacy Certificates

Faculty

Information about faculty in this program is available online at www.ucdenver.edu/education/literacy.

The faculty of literacy, language and culturally responsive teaching (L2CRT) believe that effective teaching requires an awareness of and the ability to respond to individual differences. L2CRT faculty also emphasize the importance of teachers as scholars and reflective practitioners. In particular, teachers must understand how linguistic and cultural diversity affect their teaching. Two themes run throughout all program offerings. The first concerns the importance of recognizing a variety of literacies—“home” literacies, school literacy, “mainstream” literacy, first and second language literacies—and to develop teaching practices that utilize an understanding of the complexity of literacy development across language contexts. The second theme involves the meaningful use of language and literacy to improve the quality of one’s life. As an approach to teaching, this theme emphasizes the creation of diverse, rich environments in which learners experience oral and written language as part of authentic tasks, and where concern for the cultural and linguistic heritage of the students is evident.

Reading and Writing Option and Reading Teacher Endorsement

This master’s program is designed for K-6 and 7-12 teachers. Those interested in elementary reading and writing should communicate with Professors Espinoza, Nathenson-Mejia or Taylor. Those interested in secondary and adult reading and writing should communicate with Professor Shanklin (see Web site for faculty contact information).

Reading is a credentialed program meeting the Colorado Department of Education requirements for reading teacher endorsement. Therefore, students who obtain a master’s degree emphasizing reading education from UC Denver are certified to hold positions in public and private schools as special developmental and remedial reading teachers in K–6 or 7–12. This program is also valuable for elementary and secondary teachers who wish to enhance reading and writing instruction in their classrooms.

By placing emphasis on the reading, writing and oral and visual language development of culturally, linguistically and academically diverse student populations, this master’s program is at the forefront of the field. Language is approached from a socio-psycholinguistic perspective that emphasizes the learner’s construction of meaning rather than the learning of isolated skills. Importance is placed on using theory, inquiry and personal reflection to inform classroom practice. The program prepares teachers to become decision makers capable of developing learner-centered curricula where each student’s reading and writing abilities are assessed to address developmental or special needs.

Curriculum

Course offerings lead to an MA degree in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in reading and writing, as well as a reading teacher endorsement, at one of two levels: K–6 or 7–12.

Those who have completed UC Denver’s graduate teacher education licensure program must earn an additional 27 semester hours to obtain the MA and endorsement. Those who completed licensure through other means must earn an additional 36 semester hours to obtain the MA and endorsement.

Teachers may add a reading teacher endorsement to an already-earned master’s degree in education by taking those courses listed under the chosen endorsement level. (In the state of Colorado, the reading teacher endorsement cannot simply be added to a bachelor’s degree.) Electives and core courses are not required. Two additional courses must be taken in other areas specified by the Colorado Department of Education. In many cases, previous master’s degree courses will satisfy this requirement.

Requirements for Reading and Writing Program (Degree/Endorsement Options)
	ELEMENTARY (K-6)			SECONDARY (7-12)
Course	MA & CDE Endorsement	MA & CDE Endorsement (when added to UC Denver’s graduate teacher education licensure program)	CDE Endorsement Only	MA & CDE Endorsement	MA & CDE Endorsement (when added to UC Denver’s graduate teacher education licensure program)	CDE Endorsement Only
LALC 5020 - Workshop in Literacy and Language Teaching	Required		Required	Required	Required	Required
LALC 5810 - Workshop in Language Acquisition and Development	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required
LALC 5910 - Foundations of Language, Literacy and Culture	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required
LALC 5710 - Primary Literacy: Pre-3rd Grade	Required	Required	Required
LALC 5720 - Writing: Process, Development, and Teaching Grades 3-12	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required
LALC 5730 - Language and Literacy Across the Curriculum	Required		Required	Required		Required
Children’s literature course, per advisor approval	Select one	Select one	Select one
LALC 5740 - Adolescent Literature				Required	Required (waived if taken as part of English Licensure)	Required
LALC 6910 - Seminar and Practicum in Literacy and Language, K-6	Required	Required	Required
LALC 6911 - Seminar and Practicum in Literacy and Language, 7-12+				Required	Required	Required
LALC 5055 - Linking Assessment and Instruction in Language and Literacy, Part I	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required
LALC 6915 - Seminar and Practicum in Literacy Professional Development	Required	Required		Required	Required	Required
Core course in Research and Evaluation Methodology - see list below	Select one	5080		Select one	5080
Interdisciplinary core course - see list below	Select one			Select one
Graduate-level School of Education and Human Development elective				Select one
Portfolio	Required	Required		Required	Required
PLACE Exam	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required
Total Semester Hours	36	27	27	36	27	27

Secondary English Education Option

The master’s program in secondary English education is designed to enhance the preparation of middle and high school English/language arts teachers. Students complete course work in language development, assessment and field experiences. With the help of their advisor, they also select specific courses from the English Department or within the School of Education and Human Development that provide a well-rounded repertoire of knowledge and skills to fulfill the needs of an English educator. Special consideration is given to working with diverse ethnic populations. Students interested in English education should see Professor Shanklin (see Web site for faculty contact information).

Program Requirements

To earn a master of arts degree in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in secondary English education, students must complete the following:

30 graduate semester hours in English education
6 graduate semester hours of core courses
performance-based assessments that culminate in a portfolio finalized in the last semester of the program as fulfillment of the MA comprehensive exam requirement

Each student’s course plan is developed in conjunction with his/her advisor. Please review www.ucdenver.edu/education/englished for recommended course sequence.

LALC 5055 - Linking Assessment and Instruction in Language and Literacy, Part I Semester Hours: 3
LALC 5740 - Adolescent Literature Semester Hours: 3

LALC 5760 - Theory and Methods of English Education Semester Hours: 3
-OR-
LALC 5835 - Special Topics: Literacy and Language Semester Hours: 3

LALC 5810 - Workshop in Language Acquisition and Development Semester Hours: 3
LALC 5910 - Foundations of Language, Literacy and Culture Semester Hours: 3
LALC 6911 - Seminar and Practicum in Literacy and Language, 7-12+ Semester Hours: 3
Research and Evaluation Methodology core course (see list below).
Interdisciplinary core course (see list below).
Four electives, per advisor approval, from the English department and/or the School of Education & Human Development. The following are recommended:
   LALC 5720 - Writing: Process, Development, and Teaching Grades 3-12 Semester Hours: 3
   -OR-
   ENGL 5110 - Denver Writing Project Semester Hours: 3
   Courses in working with English language learners and in instructional technology may also be helpful. For a technology course, please contact the professor about prerequisite knowledge.
Total: 36 semester hours

Program Requirements–When Added to UC Denver’s Graduate Teacher Education Licensure Program

MA in curriculum and instruction with emphasis in secondary content leadership (English), when added to UC Denver’s graduate teacher education licensure program:

18 graduate semester hours
performance-based assessments that culminate in a portfolio finalized in the last semester of the program as fulfillment of the MA comprehensive exam requirement

Each student’s course plan is developed in conjunction with his/her advisor. Please review www.ucdenver.edu/education/englished for recommended course sequence.

FNDS 5050 - Critical Issues in American Education Semester Hours: 3
-OR-
IPTE 5080 - Principles and Practice of Change Semester Hours: 3
-OR-
SPED 5300 - Collaborating In Schools and Communities Semester Hours: 3
RSEM 5080 - Research for Teachers Semester Hours: 3
Four electives, per advisor approval, from the English Department and/or the School of Education and Human Development. The following are recommended:
   LALC 5720 - Writing: Process, Development, and Teaching Grades 3-12 Semester Hours: 3
   -OR-
   ENGL 5110 - Denver Writing Project Semester Hours: 3
   Courses in working with English language learners and in instructional technology may also be helpful. For a technology course, please contact the professor about prerequisite knowledge.
Total: 18 semester hours

Core Courses

Research and Evaluation Methodology

RSEM 5000 - Orientation to Research and Measurement in Education Semester Hours: 3
RSEM 5050 - Assessment for Teachers Semester Hours: 3
RSEM 5080 - Research for Teachers Semester Hours: 3
RSEM 5100 - Basic Statistics Semester Hours: 3
RSEM 5200 - Introduction to Research Methods Semester Hours: 3
RSEM 5300 - Introduction to Measurement Semester Hours: 3

Interdisciplinary

EPSY 5100 - Advanced Child Growth and Development Semester Hours: 3
EPSY 5140 - Advanced Adolescent Growth and Development Semester Hours: 3
EPSY 5220 - Adult Learning and Education Semester Hours: 3
EPSY 6200 - Human Development Over the Life Span Semester Hours: 3
FNDS 5050 - Critical Issues in American Education Semester Hours: 3
FNDS 5420 - History and Philosophy of Education: Twentieth Century America Semester Hours: 3
LALC 5140 - Multicultural Education Semester Hours: 3
LALC 5150 - Culture of the Classroom Semester Hours: 3
LALC 5160 - Historical and Legal Foundations of Bilingual Education Semester Hours: 3
LALC 5820 - Techniques in Teaching English as a Second Language Semester Hours: 3

Cumulative Portfolio

The MA portfolio counts as the comprehensive exam for the master’s degree. The portfolio is an accumulation of the performance based assessments completed during program courses and reflects on the student’s development over the course of the degree program. Reading and writing students must include confirmation of Reading Teacher PLACE exam registration in their portfolios. Information about the PLACE is online at www.place.nesinc.com.

Course Scheduling

During the fall and spring semesters, most university courses are offered in the late afternoon and evening and meet for three hours once a week over a 16-week semester. Some alternative course schedules are available, such as meeting on five Friday-evening/all-day Saturday combinations. In the summer semester, three- to eight-week sessions are offered, and courses may be in the morning, afternoon or evening. A current schedule of courses is available online at http://courses.cudenver.edu.

Planning

For practicing full-time teachers, we recommend taking one course each fall and spring semester, and up to two courses each summer. Plan carefully because courses are intended to build upon each other, and some courses are only offered once a year.

Active Status in the Graduate School

Students must complete their programs within seven years, maintaining a GPA of 3.0. Students typically take four courses each calendar year. Failure to enroll over three contiguous semesters will result in a requirement to resubmit part I of the application for admission and a letter of intent.

Early and Adolescent Literacy Certificates

The early literacy certificate and adolescent literacy certficate each include three graduate-level courses (for a total of 9 semester hours) and are conveniently offered entirely online. They are specifically designed to help licensed teachers develop the skills necessary to reach student readers. To find out more, please visit www.ucdenver.edu/education or email cpe@ucdenver.edu.

To learn about how these certificate credits may apply toward one of the above programs in reading and writing, contact education@ucdenver.edu.