Literacy Specialist Education
Unravel the intricacies of learning to read and write with persistence, patience and unyielding curiosity. Join GSE’s experts in reshaping literacy education.
Inspire Young Readers to Find Their Fairytale Worlds
GSE’s literacy specialist program emphasizes developmental reading across all age groups, from preschool to secondary grades. You'll explore reading processes, instruction and difficulties, including classroom and clinical assessment, evaluation and diagnosis.
Points of Distinction
Experience a hands-on curriculum with a clinic-based practicum at the University at Buffalo Center for Literacy and Reading Instruction. Additionally, you'll engage in a classroom-based summer practicum in a local district, providing a direct and impactful experience with young readers.
A program built for professionals. Enjoy the flexibility you need with on-campus and online courses. Whether you prefer virtual learning or an in-person experience, we accommodate your schedule, ensuring you can balance your studies with your personal and professional commitments.
Gain expertise in reading assessment and diagnosis, preparing you to support and enhance your students' literacy development. GSE’s literacy specialist program equips you with an in-depth knowledge of the theories, methods and materials of reading and language instruction.
Prerequisite
To be eligible for this program, you must have applied for, or received, initial New York State teacher certification.
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 |
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| Application deadline | Priority Deadlines
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Program Requirements
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.
Prerequisite
To be eligible for this program, you must have applied for, or received, initial New York State teacher certification.
Standardized Testing No Longer Required
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:
- Application fee: A $50 non-refundable application fee, submitted electronically through UB's ePayment system.
- Contact information for two individuals who will each be asked to provide an electronic recommendation letter. The individuals must be academic or teaching/professional references, not personal references.
- Unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended. (UB transcripts are automatically submitted for current UB students and alumni.)
- Statement of education and career goals: A clearly written and thoughtful statement of your career goals.
- Statement of values: In “Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy,” Gholdy Muhammad (2020) wrote: “In contemporary classrooms across the nation, teachers, school leaders and teacher educators are still wrestling with ways to improve and elevate the literacy achievement of youth, especially Black children and other culturally and linguistically diverse populations of students who are in dire need of excellence, brilliance and teachers who make it impossible for them to fail” (p. 10). In 400 to 500 words:
- Discuss how the ideas in this excerpt resonate with you and your thinking about high-quality literacy education.
- Explain how they align with your personal and professional values.
- Applicants to the master's degree program (professional certification) must have applied for, or received, New York State initial teacher certification in the matching certification area. If application for teacher certification is in process, proof of such application must be submitted. If already certified, a copy of proof of teacher certification is required.
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.
Dignity for All Students Act Requirement
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.
Students with Disabilities Requirement
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-State Residency Tuition
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.
International Applicant Additional Requirements
- Official original proof of your degree
- A course-by-course transcript evaluation by a NACES member organization
- A copy of your passport biographical page
- Official test scores—dated within two years of submitting your application—for either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic.
- TOEFL minimum score is 250 for computer-based test, 600 for paper-based test and 96 for internet-based test
- IELTS minimum score is 7.0 overall
- PTE minimum score is 55 overall
- Financial documentation: International graduate applicants must document their ability to pay for all costs incurred while studying in the U.S.
- An official bank statement
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.
Literacy specialist
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.