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

Click on any of the following to go right to that information:

• Reading and Writing
• Secondary English
• Early and Adolescent Literacy Certificates
• Literacy and Language Development for English Language Learners Certificate

Faculty

Information about faculty in this program is available online at http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/SchoolOfEducation/FacultyandResearch/Pages/Our-Faculty.aspx.

The faculty of literacy, language and culturally responsive teaching (LLCRT) believe that effective teaching requires an awareness of and the ability to respond to individual differences. LLCRT 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.   This program is a credentialed program meeting the Colorado Department of Education requirements for the reading teacher endorsement.  Please note that the Colorado Department of Education also requires 2 years of post-licensing teaching experience and a passing score on the Reading Teacher PLACE exam for the application for the reading teacher endorsement after graduation from the Reading and Writing program.  Therefore, students who obtain a master’s degree emphasizing reading and writing are certified to hold positions in public and private schools as special developmental and 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 University of Colorado Denver’s graduate-level 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 for those seeking the endorsement only. 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. 

Each student’s course plan is developed in conjunction with his/her advisor.  Please review http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/college/SchoolOfEducation/CurrentStudents/Resources/Pages/LLCResources.aspx for the recommended course sequence.

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 CU Denver’s graduate teacher education licensure program)	CDE Endorsement Only	MA & CDE Endorsement	MA & CDE Endorsement (when added to CU Denver’s graduate teacher education licensure program)	CDE Endorsement Only
LCRT 5020 - Workshop in Literacy and Language Teaching	Required		Required	Required	Required	Required
LCRT 5810 - Wksp: Lang Acq & Development	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required
LCRT 5010 - Foundations of Language	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required
LCRT 5710 - Primary Literacy: Pre-3rd Grade	Required	Required	Required
LCRT 5720 - Writing: Process, Development, and Teaching Grades 3-12	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required
LCRT 5730 - Language and Literacy Across the Curriculum	Required		Required	Required		Required
Children’s literature course, per advisor approval	Select one	Select one	Select one
LCRT 5201 - Adolescent Literature				Required	Required (waived if taken as part of English Licensure)	Required
LCRT 6910 - Seminar and Practicum in Literacy and Language, K-6	Required	Required	Required
LCRT 6911 - Seminar and Practicum in Literacy and Language, 7-12+				Required	Required	Required
LCRT 5055 - Linking Assessment and Instruction in Language and Literacy	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required
LCRT 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	RSEM 5080 (preferred)		Select one	RSEM 5080 (preferred)
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.

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 http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/SchoolOfEducation/CurrentStudents/Resources/Pages/LLCResources.aspx for recommended course sequence.

  Semester Hours: 3
  Semester Hours: 3
  Semester Hours: 3
  Semester Hours: 3
  Semester Hours: 3
  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:
     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 CU Denver’s Graduate Teacher Education Licensure Program

MA in curriculum and instruction with emphasis in secondary English education, when added to CU 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 see website http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/SchoolOfEducation/CurrentStudents/Resources/Pages/LLCResources.aspx for recommended course sequence.

FNDS 5050 - Critical Issues in American Education  Semester Hours: 3
-OR-
SPED 5300 - Collaborating in Schools and Communities  Semester Hours: 3 
RSEM 5080 - Research In Schools  Semester Hours: 3
Four electives, per advisor approval, from the English department and/or the School of Education & Human Development. The following are recommended:
  

  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 5050 - Classroom Assessment  Semester Hours: 3 
RSEM 5080 - Research In Schools  Semester Hours: 3 
RSEM 5100 - Basic Statistics  Semester Hours: 3 
RSEM 5120 - Introduction to Research Methods  Semester Hours: 3 
RSEM 5110 - 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 

  Semester Hours: 3 
  Semester Hours: 3 
  Semester Hours: 3 
  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.

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

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 submit readmission materials.

Early and Adolescent Literacy Certificates

The early literacy certificate and adolescent literacy certificate 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/cpe  or email cpe@ucdenver.edu.

Literacy and Language Development for English Language Learners Certificate

This graduate certificate program is for teachers of English Language Learners, and was developed in response to public school districts’ need to improve reading and writing achievement for students whose first language is other than English. The program is designed for teachers of elementary and secondary grades and those teaching special reading classes. More information can be found at http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/SchoolOfEducation/Academics/CPE/Learn/Certificates/Pages/LiteracyandLanguageDevelopmentforELLCertificate.aspx.