LLS Master of Education Degree Program

Redesigned in 2009, the Masters of Education degree program in Language and Literacy Studies (LLS) stands at the intersection between practice, theory, and leadership for change. In other words, the program is designed to help teachers improve the quality of their practice; to read and think deeply about their work; and to influence their school, their colleagues, their professional network, and district, state, and national policy. The program is based on a commitment to four principles:

  • Literacy is in a constant process of change in form and function.
  • The practicalities of teaching are more interesting, humane, and effective when they are built upon a sound foundation in research and theory that informs inquiry and personal development.
  • Literacy professionals improve their practices best in the context of the study of their own practices (in the company of others  working toward the same goal).
  • Literacy professionals must be conscious and critical of the contexts for teaching and prepared to challenge present circumstances out of concerns for equity and social justice.

The program has been designed to affect instruction in our geographic area, so the LLS faculty is committed to the establishment of close working relationships with local teachers and schools through such initiatives as the Master Reading Teacher Program and the Heart of Texas Writing Project, both of which are integrated into the Language and Literacy Masters Program.

All Masters students choose between two program options: (a) general language and literacy (including secondary English Education), or (b) the reading specialist program for students who plan to apply for the Texas State Reading Specialist Certificate. These degree options are described below. Both programs support the development of an electronic portfolio, which is required for graduation and integrated into coursework.  Students choosing the reading specialist option will be prepared to teach and lead reading programs in Pre-K through 12. With three years of teaching experience, students who have completed the reading specialist program will be eligible to take the Texas State Reading Specialist Exam and apply for the certificate.

Applicant requirements:

Applicants to the LLS MEd program must already be certified to teach. Some teaching experience is preferred (most applicants have at least two years of teaching experience, which can be achieved concurrently with enrollment).  This criteria does not apply to applicants seeking the M.Ed. with secondary English teaching certification.

General Option

Basic Course Requirements (18 hours)

  • EDC 385G  The Teaching of Literacy  (Take during the first fall semester of enrollment)
  • Master Reading Teacher Institute (6 hours) 
    • EDC 390T  Reading and Inquiry
    • EDC 390T  Literacy Practicum
  • EDC 380T  Teaching Composition OR Writing Process & Pedagogy
  • EDC 380R  Educational Research and Design
  • EDC 385G  Literacy and Social Change (Take during your last year of enrollment)

Select 12 hours from the following list

  • EDC 380T Teaching Composition OR Writing Process & Pedagogy
  • EDC 382E  Issues and Trends in Literacy
  • EDC 385G  Classroom Discourse and Teacher Research
  • EDC 385G  History of Reading Instruction
  • EDC 385G  Language and Linguistics in Education
  • EDC 385G  Literacy Acquisition
  • EDC 385G  Literacy and Culture
  • EDC 385G  Orality, Literacy and Technology
  • EDC 385G  Reading Difficulties
  • EDC 385G  Research on Adolescent Literacy In and Out of School
  • EDC 382S  Secondary English & Reading
  • EDC 385G  Sociolinguistics in Research and Teaching
  • EDC 390T  Children’s Literature
  • EDC 390T  The Art of the Picture Book
  • EDC 390T  Young Adult Literature

Plus an additional 6 hours of electives outside the department (not EDC)

Reading Specialist Option

Basic Course Requirements (18 hours)

  • EDC 385G  The Teaching of Literacy (Take during the first fall semester of enrollment)
  • Master Reading Teacher Institute (6 hours) 
    • EDC 390T  Literacy Practicum
    • EDC 390T  Reading and Inquiry
  • EDC 380T  Teaching Composition OR Writing Process & Pedagogy
  • EDC 380R  Educational Research and Design
  • EDC 385G  Literacy and Social Change (Take during the last year of enrollment)

Requirements for Reading Specialist Option (12 hours)

  • EDC 385G  Language and Linguistics in Education
  • EDC 385G  Reading Difficulties

Select one course from the following list:

  • EDC 382S  Secondary English & Reading
  • EDC 385G  Research on Adolescent Literacy In and Out of School
  • EDC 390T  Children’s Literature

+6 hours of electives outside the department (not EDC)

Degree Plans

Dowload the Master of Education degree plan (for students enrolled Fall 2010 and later)

Download the Master of Education degree plan (for students enrolled before Fall 2010)

Last updated on February 20, 2013