Language & Literacy Graduate Program

Master's of Education in Language & Literacy

The M.Ed. in Language and Literacy Education addresses the North Carolina Masters/Advanced Competencies which include standards in Instructional Expertise, Knowledge of Learners, Research Expertise, Connecting Subject Matter and Learners, and Professional Development and Leadership. The graduate program incorporates the Photo of L&L students conceptual framework which is common to all teacher education programs at UNCW: The Watson School of Education develops highly competent professionals to serve in educational leadership roles.

The program leading to the Master of Education degree (M. Ed.) in Language and Literacy (i.e. reading) education provides advanced professional training for individuals holding, or qualified to hold, North Carolina Class “A” teacher licensure in at least one area of education. The 39-semester hour program is compromised of 27 hours in the specialization, 6 hours of practica, and 6 hours of electives. Based on the view of the professional as a decision-maker, the program addresses the needs for conceptual and procedural bases for decision making, for specific practices, and for structured reflection.

Program of Study

Language and Literacy Specialty (27 hours)

EDN 536 Teaching and Learning in the Content Area Using Multiple Literacies (3)
EDN 538 The Teaching of Writing from a Writer's Perspective (3)
EDN 541 The Role of Literature and the Curriculum (3)
EDN 551 Exploring Literacy Processes from a Personal Perspective (3)
EDN 558 Language, Literacy, and Culture (prerequisite (EDN 566) (3)
EDN 566 Research in Literacy Education (3)
EDN 568 Literacies and Technology (3)
EDN 584 Development of Language and Literacy Curriculum (3)
EDN 586 Professional Roles and Systems for Change in Literacy Education (prerequisite EDN 584) (3)

Practica (6 hours)

EDN 588 Assessments in Language and Literacy (prerequisite
EDN 584) (3)
EDN 589 Tutoring and Coaching for Literacy Development (prerequisite EDN 588) (3)

Electives (6 hours)

Recommended Electives: EDN 504, EDN 507, EDN 537, EDN 540, EDN 545, EDN 547, EDN 550, EDN 552, EDN 581, EDN 595 LIC 552, LIC 555 and other courses as approved by the advisor.

Note: Each student is required to complete the comprehensive examination process as defined by the Language and Literacy faculty prior to completion of the program.

Exit Requirements

Competence in appropriate inquiry procedures will be developed in the required course, EDN 523. Students are required to complete an action research project and an educational change project, and to prepare and present a portfolio representative of their learning prior to the completion of the program. A written comprehensive examination will be required. Download the Comprehensive Exam Application >

Students qualify for recommendation for graduate level licensure in reading by completing the Master of Education in Language & Literacy.

Licensure Only

Individuals who hold a master’s degree in education in a related area may qualify to be recommended for graduate level licensure in reading by completing 18 additional hours of approved course work. The individual must complete a minimum of twelve hours of work at UNCW.

Program Strands

The Language and Literacy Program strands are the basis for the design of the program both in terms of required courses and elective choices. Each course in the program of study addresses all strands of the program but focuses on strands that are essential to than particular aspect of literacy education. During the comprehensive examination process the student is called to consider their personal growth in each strand of the program through the selection of artifacts that clearly represent their knowledge for each strand of literacy education.

I. Foundational Knowledge
II. Application of Foundational Knowledge
    a. Curriculum and Instruction
    b. Assessment and Evaluation
    c. Literate Environment
    d. Student Learning
III. Diversity
IV. Professionalism
V. Leadership
VI. Reflection

Program Hallmarks

Significant features designed for learning include:

Action Learning Projects
School and/or school system based Change Projects
Technology-based literacy research presentations
Case Studies
Reader Response Group Participation
Reflective Papers of many kinds
Critique of Different Views of the reading process
Author Study
Textbook evaluation focused to minority authors and themes
School visitation to study different literacy programs
Tutoring
Coaching an undergraduate student who is tutoring a child in the Ed Lab
Creation of an Assessment Resource Notebook
Data base of “Best Books” for diverse learners
“Behind the Glass” or video taping of teaching with review by colleagues
Analysis of assessment results
Literature Response Journals

Special Features

Students are encouraged to use elective hours to take advantage of special courses and study abroad to England and Japan. Visit our International webpage for more information.

The Watson School of Education is a national site for training Teacher Leaders in Reading Recovery. Dr. Barbara Honchell is the Coordinator of Reading Recovery. For more information, please click on the Reading Recovery website.