Transform your teaching career with GSE's childhood with literacy emphasis
program, tailored to provide you with advanced strategies and tools to enhance
literacy and academic achievement in young learners.
Join a network of dedicated educators committed to changing childhood education through innovative practices and comprehensive literacy instruction. This program leads to childhood education professional certification for grades 1–6.
Experience a wealth of learning opportunities through our innovative centers like the Center for Literacy and Reading Instruction as well as our laboratories and projects, setting our Childhood with Literacy Emphasis program apart from the rest.
You will study developmental readers, reading processes, and reading instruction
across all age groups, from pre-school to secondary grades, while also exploring the
intersection of literacy and technology, adolescent literacy practices, language,
literacy and culture and children's and young adult literature. Additionally, the
program provides comprehensive training in classroom reading assessment, ensuring you are well-equipped to support diverse learning needs.
GSE’s program enhances the traditional EdM childhood education curriculum by providing an additional focus on classroom reading instruction and assessment. This specialized emphasis equips you with advanced skills and knowledge to effectively teach and evaluate literacy in young learners. Gain a competitive edge with targeted expertise in fostering literacy development in the classroom.
Academic credential granted | Master of Education (EdM) |
---|---|
Credits required for completion | 33 to 36 |
Time to completion | 4 to 5 part-time semesters 2 to 3 full-time semesters, if course scheduling allows |
Course delivery | On campus |
Application deadline | Priority Deadlines Fall/Summer: Feb. 1, then rolling Spring: Nov. 1, then rolling |
As we work to integrate curricular program changes, please email the Office of Educator Preparation (ubedprep@buffalo.edu) or contact an advisor (716-645-2461) to confirm requirements.
This emphasis is meant for those who hold a New York State initial teacher certificate in childhood education (grades 1-6) as a prerequisite for admission. This program does not lead to certification as a reading teacher/literacy specialist. The Department of Learning and Instruction offers the Literacy Specialist Education EdM that is designed for teachers who desire to add a literacy certification.
To be eligible for this program, you must have an initial childhood grades 1-6 teaching certificate.
Beginning with the spring 2022 semester, the GRE/MAT is no longer required for application to this program. If you still plan to take the GRE/MAT exam, you can send your scores through the testing agency, and they will automatically be added to your application; however, they are not required for admission consideration to this program.
You must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
Submit your completed online application, which includes:
Former/Maiden Name: Please provide us with your former/maiden name if you have one. When requesting transcripts, please ask the sending institution to indicate your current name and former/maiden name.
Admissions Decision: The admissions decision will be communicated to you as soon as review is complete. The decision is based on a number of factors and is the result of a thorough and deliberate process. All decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) requires that all students applying for certification as of December 31, 2013 have 6 hours of coursework or training on the social patterns of harassment, bullying and discrimination. As mandated by NYSED six clock hours of training in harassment, bullying, and discrimination prevention and intervention. This workshop is available through the University at Buffalo as well as other NYSED-approved providers. If you have already completed a workshop through a NYSED-approved provider, you must submit proof of completion when you apply.
The New York State Education Department requires three semester hours of study in the area of students with disabilities for those who are entering the teacher education programs. If you have not yet fulfilled this requirement, you may take our students with disabilities course (LAI 574).
In order to qualify for the in-state residency tuition rate, you must provide residency documentation indicating you have lived in New York State (NYS) 12 months before your semester start date.
If accepted, you will need to upload three documents to qualify for the in-state tuition rate. See Required Documents for Residency Application for more information.
All financial forms and supporting documentation with required signatures must be uploaded with your application and dated within one year of your intended enrollment date.
Childhood education teacher
New York State prides itself in the high quality of its licensed and certified professionals. For the protection of its citizens, each license and certificate has requirements that individuals must meet in order to be licensed or certified in New York State. SUNY’s academic programs leading to licensure or certification are carefully designed to meet and exceed these State requirements. This is a role SUNY plays in protecting the public. Other states frequently have their own requirements, so if your goal is to practice in another state, this disclosure will help you check to see what that state requires.
Enrolled students and prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact their State’s licensure entity using the links provided in the full disclosure document to review all licensure and certification requirements imposed by their state(s) of choice.