Literacy Studies, M.Ed.

I. Contact Information

Dr. Dianna Townsend
Foundation Professor of Literacy Studies
College of Education/299
dtownsend@unr.edu.

II. Brief Introduction

The online master’s program at the University of Nevada, Reno offers licensed teachers the opportunity to develop advanced knowledge in the area of Literacy Studies The online Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree is a rigorous academic curriculum intended for the practicing educator. This degree is 32 units for a non-thesis option with a comprehensive exam or 33 units for a thesis option degree. The degree focuses on research-based literacy instruction from the perspective of Multiple Literacies. Literacy in contemporary society is undergoing change as a result of social, cultural, economic, and technological practices and advances. As a result of these changes, literacy encompasses many new ways of reading and writing; literate practices are not limited to print decoding or cognitive strategies used for comprehensive or composition. Educators in modern society must attend to the myriad and complex ways that social groups construct and disseminate meanings through new and evolving literate practices. The online master’s program places special emphasis on the many literacies used in modern society and assumes a critical perspective about relationships between literacies and empowerment in a multicultural and pluralistic world.

III. Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

The program objectives for the online master’s program are aligned with International Reading Association’s Standards for Reading Professionals. Graduates of the Online Multiple Literacies Master’s program will be able to:

1. demonstrate foundational knowledge of literacy and literacy development,
2. use curricular and instructional knowledge to meet the literacy needs of diverse students,
3. use a variety of assessment tools to determine learning needs and objectives,
4. engage students in literacy practices that develop awareness and respect for differences in our society,
5. apply a multiple literacies perspective and employ multiple literacies tools in literacy instruction and assessment,
6. create a literate environment for students, and
7. value the importance of professional learning and leadership in literacy.

Student learning outcomes include summative assessments for each course which demonstrate learning in one or more of the above objectives. Students complete the comprehensive exam or a master’s thesis, based on their enrollment in the thesis or non-thesis option, and this final paper demonstrates learning for all of the program objectives.

IV. Admission Requirements

Priority consideration will be given to M.Ed. graduate program applicants who meet the requirements of the graduate degree admission status listed below:

1. meet the Graduate School admission requirements;
2. have an overall cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better (on a 4-point scale) or 3.0 for the last half of the undergraduate degree;
3. submit TOEFL scores (international applicants only);
4. complete the Graduate School application
5. complete the Literacy Studies Program Application, including:

a.  application form,
b.  a signed disposition statement for the degree sought,
c.  confidential letters of recommendation from two persons who can comment on your professional
     qualifications and/or ability to be successful in graduate work,
d.  a brief (1-2 page) resume, and
e.  a brief (1-3 page) typed essay describing your educational philosophy and purpose for pursuing
     the degree.

V. Program Requirements

Students must enroll in either the thesis option (33 units) or the non-thesis option (32 units) for the M.Ed. degree. For all students, 18 units of core courses are required, and a minimum of 15 units of courses at the 700-level must be taken. In addition to the 18 units of core courses, thesis-option students take an additional 9 units of electives and 6 thesis units (EDS 797  ). Non-thesis option students take the 18 units of core courses, an additional 12 units of electives, and 2 comprehensive exam units (EDS 795  )

VI. Program Total Hours (32 - 33 units)

VII. Undergraduate Requirements

There are no specific undergraduate prerequisites, but this program is designed for practicing teachers. Qualified applicants will have a valid teaching license.