Language Arts Concentration, M.Ed. in Literacy

This concentration focuses on the historical and developmental aspects of the English language as they occur in society in general and the elementary school environment in particular. It encompasses all forms of communicative literacy including the use of technology to transmit and receive meaningful discourse in school settings. Course content includes a study of children's literature and its contribution to emotional, social, and educational growth. Students in the program develop an active interest in critical inquiry derived from published informed opinion and conduct classroom research.

Coordinator: Dr. Carrie Hong
honge1@wpunj.edu
Phone: 973-720-2130
Office: Valley Room #4082

Entry Requirements
Each applicant must demonstrate that he or she can fulfill the requirements of the program, including the ability to read and write at a graduate level, the capability to do graduate level academic work, and an interest in educational theory and practice. Toward this end the requirements for admission are:
  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended.
  • A cumulative grade point average from past degrees of at least 2.75 on a 4.00 scale.*
  • A minimum verbal score of 450 (older scale, prior to August 1, 2011) or 150 (current scale) on the Graduate Record Examination or a minimum score of 388 on the Miller Analogies Test.*
  • A 250-500 word essay by the applicant on his or her philosophy of education and reasons for applying to this graduate program.
  • A copy of a teaching certificate and/or a resume of any teaching or educational work the applicant has performed.
  • Two professional letters of reference, at least one from a professor or other person who can attest to the applicant's academic abilities.
  • Each applicant should have a personal interview before being accepted for matriculation.

*Applicants who do not meet the grade point average or standardized test requirements may supplement the application with additional materials in support of their academic potential for successful completion of the graduate degree.

Course Requirements: 33 Credits (effective for matriculated students in fall 2010)

  

Course Number and Title

 Credits
Required Foundations Courses:
ELRL 6010 Theoretical Foundations of Literacy 3
ELRL 6330 Socio-Psycholinguistics and Reading 3
Required Curriculum Courses:
ELRL 6170 Children's Literacy in the 21st Century** 3
ELCL 6030 Language Arts in the Elementary School** (or ELCL 5990 Development & Evaluation of Language Arts Curriculum)
3
ELCL 6040 Writing in the Elementary School (or ELCL 5990 Writing in the Language Arts Classroom) 3
Required Literature Elective (Choose at least one of the following):
ELRL 6040 Recent Trends in Children's Literature 3
ELRL 6260 Literature for Adolescents 3
Thesis Requirement:
ELRL 6230 Practicum in Reading (Thesis I) 3
ELRL 6270 Research in Reading (Thesis II) 3
Other Available Electives:
ELEC 6180 Language Development and Emergent Literacy 3
ELRL 6310 Written Expression with Technology 3
ELRL 6340 Teaching Critical Reading in the Content Areas 3
For Additional Endorsements
Required Electives for Reading Endorsement:
ELRL 6200 Diagnosis of Reading Difficulties 3
ELRL 6210 Remediation of Reading Difficulties 3
ELRL 6250 Adolescent and Adult Literacy in the 21st Century** 3
Reading Specialist Endorsement Requirement:
ELRL 6240 Administration and Supervision of Reading Programs*** 3
Standard Supervisor Endorsement Requirement:
EDLP 6040 Curriculum Design: Theory and Practice*** 3
EDLP 6090 Supervision and Evaluation: People, Programs, and Performance Appraisal*** 3

**Courses taken as part of M.Ed. program for Supervisor Endorsement
***Taken post-masters
Exit Requirements
  • The completion of a minimum of 33 credits of graduate study.
  • Completion of a five-chapter research thesis in the field of literacy/reading.
  • Satisfactory completion on an oral comprehensive examination in the program concentration. Submit comprehensive examination form after completion of 30 credits.

  
Language Arts Concentration (formerly in M.Ed. in Curriculum and Learning)
*The following requirements are still effective for the matriculated students before fall 2010.
Course Requirements: 33 Credits
Course Number and Title Credits

Select one of the following:

  
ELCL 6190 Applied Developmental Psychology 3
TBED 5420: Multiculturalism and Acculturation 3
   
Research (both courses required):  
ELCL 6290 Research in Education I 3
ELCL 6300 Research in Education II 3
 
Concentration Core:  
ELCL 6030 Language Arts in the Elementary School** 3
ELCL 6040 Writing in the Elementary School 3
   
One of the following:  
ELRL 6330 Socio-Psycholinguistics and Reading 3
ELEC 6180/CIEC 6180 Language Development and Emergent Literacy 3
   
One of the following:  
ELRL 6040 Recent Trends in Children's Literature 3
ELRL 6350 Folklore 3
   
One of the following:  
ELRL 6170 Children's Literacy in the 21st Century** 3
ELRL 6310 Written Expression Using Technology 3
   
Elective courses:  
Courses from the above not taken and other related courses by advisement. 9
   
Exit Requirements
  • The completion of 33 credits of prescribed graduate study for all concentrations including one three-credit course in the social sciences selected with advisement and six credits in educational research culminating in the production of a master's thesis.
  • The completion of a five-(5) chapter empirical/action research thesis in the field of specialization to be developed during Research in Education I and Research in Education II courses.
  • Satisfactory completion of a concentration-specific comprehensive performance requirement. This latter requirement carries no course credit. Submit comprehensive examination form after completion of 24 credits.
Supervisor Certification Requirements

**Part of M.Ed. program
***Taken post-masters