Reading and Language Program

Program Director: Tara Warmerdam, M.A.

Overview

The Master of Arts in Reading and Language equips candidates to put literacy theory into practice, to become confident decision makers and to develop the skills to be change agents. Coursework and related experiences focus on the many factors that influence the development of language and literacy skills with particular emphasis on understanding foundational and theoretical perspectives, improving instruction and understanding relevant research as a means of guiding literacy practice. Candidates graduating from this program come to view literacies as cultural ways of thinking, reasoning and engaging, which support how we make meaning and get work done across multiple domains. The program helps teachers develop balanced and meaning-focused literacy instruction to serve all pupils, including English-language learners.

The reading and language program offers courses leading to a California reading certificate and a Master of Arts in Education with a reading/language arts emphasis. All courses for the certificate may be applied to the master's degree.

Visiting scholar seminars are an integral part of the master's degree program, providing opportunities for an exchange of ideas and information as well as for the pursuit of individual research. Highly qualified instructors who have both practical and theoretical knowledge of issues in reading and language arts instruction teach all courses. Courses follow an interactive rather than a lecture format with an emphasis on practical application of concepts studied.

Admissions Requirements

• Three current reference forms
• Interview with program director
• Writing sample
• Copy of preliminary teaching credential
• Letter of explanation if GPA is under 3.0