Literacy Specialist Education

Our literacy specialist master's program focuses on developmental reading, including the study of developmental readers, reading processes and reading instruction at the preschool and emergent level, elementary grades and secondary grades. Another major focus area of this program is the study of reading difficulties, including classroom and clinical assessment, evaluation and diagnosis of reading. Through our program, you can obtain the Literacy Specialist All Grades certification.

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Why Literacy Specialist Education at UB?

The features of our program include:
  • clinic-based practicum working directly with readers in the University at Buffalo Center for Literacy and Reading Instruction and a classroom-based summer practicum at a school in a local district
  • knowledge of the theories, methods and materials of reading instruction, language instruction, reading assessment and diagnosis
  • study of literacy and technology; adolescent literacy practices; and content area reading instruction, language, literacy and culture
Prerequisite

To be eligible for this program, you must have applied for, or received, initial New York State teacher certification.

Literacy Specialist Education Program

Initial / Professional

Program Overview

Academic credential granted Master of Education (EdM)
Certification option Successful completion of program leads to an institutional recommendation for NYS Initial and Professional Certification in Literacy Education
Grade levels All grades
Credits required for completion 36 to 37
Time to completion 4 to 5 part-time semesters

2 to 3 full-time semesters, if course scheduling allows
Course delivery On campus or online
Career opportunities Literacy specialist
Experiential contact hours
  • 100 hours of field experience
  • Additional clinical experience may be embedded in content coursework 
Application deadline

Priority Deadlines

Spring:
Nov. 1, then rolling until Dec. 1
Summer:
Feb. 1, then rolling until April 15
Fall:
Feb. 1, then rolling until July 15

 

Literacy Programs

Did you know? We offer three master's programs, a doctoral program concentration and an advanced certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have a collection of frequently asked questions that may help you. If your questions are still unanswered, we are glad to help! Contact our admission office.

Questions About the Admission Process?

Graduate School of Education
366 Baldy Hall, North Campus
716-645-2110
gseinfo@buffalo.edu