Master of Arts
Special Education and Literacy Studies
College of Education and Human DevelopmentLiteracy Studies
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Master of Arts in Literacy Studies
The Master of Arts in Literacy Studies:
- provides a comprehensive professional development program to meet the need in today’s classrooms for continuous literacy instruction K-12 based on current theory, research and best practices
- is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of reflective practitioners, as they become leaders such as reading specialists, literacy coaches, innovative classroom teachers, researchers and advocates
Reflective practitioners are passionate learners who embrace diversity, actively inquire and reflect upon their own practice and nurture the development of new knowledge and skills. This is accomplished through a process of continuous professional, intellectual and social growth. Students will make connections between and among research, theory, policy and practice to evaluate the teaching-learning process, inquire into how teaching can be improved and develop efficacy based on best practices.
Why should you earn your master’s degree in Literacy Studies through WMU?
The master's program will prepare teachers to:
- Be a reading specialist;
- Be a literacy coach;
- Engage in collegial dialogue and networking with other teachers in the greater West Michigan area;
- Evaluate literary initiatives and programs;
- Be more effective within the classroom;
- Experience personal and professional growth;
- Meet state or district mandates;
- Meet the requirements for state teacher certification.
Topics Covered by Literacy Studies
The Literacy Studies program spans a variety of course topics relating to literacy, including:
- Reading:
- Comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Fluency
- Phonological awareness
- Writing:
- Voice
- Genre
- Vocabulary
- Spelling
- Related processes:
- Speaking
- Listening
- Visual imaging
- Viewing
- Thinking
- Reading research, theory and practice
- Relationship of assessment and instruction
- Diversity and inclusion:
- English language learners
- Professional development and organizations for teachers
Resource guides
WMU-Southwest Campus and Tuition