Reading and Literacy (MED)
The purpose of the Master of Education in Reading and Literacy is to increase professional and scholarly knowledge about literacy development, learning and teaching in monolingual, bilingual and multilingual contexts. Students in the program choose a concentration to follow: literacy, biliteracy, adolescent literacy, or K-12 reading specialist certification. The program provides graduates with a deep understanding of:
- The ways that literacy is constructed socially, culturally, and ideologically in an increasingly globalized world.
- Language and literacy development across multiple linguistic and cultural contexts.
- Instructional design, delivery, and assessment in literacy education for students with diverse backgrounds including students from culturally diverse backgrounds, emergent bilinguals and multilinguals, transnational students, and those with reading difficulties or challenges.
- Effective oral and written communication for scholarly and professional purposes; collaboration with administrators, literacy colleagues, parents/families, and community members; and leadership skills and techniques.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the graduate program in reading and literacy, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours. If applicant does not meet the minimum undergraduate GPA criterion of 3.0, the GRE general test with minimum scores of 150 Verbal, 141 Quantitative, and 4.0 Analytical is required for conditional admission
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals knowing the applicant in a professional or academic capacity
- One to two page letter of intent indicating reasons for pursuing the degree
- Resume
- Minimum of 15 hours undergraduate hours in reading or a related field
Students who are applying for the Reading Specialist concentration will also need the following requirements:
- Valid teaching certificate and teacher service record showing a minimum of two years of teaching experience
- Personal interview
Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.
Program Requirements
Required Courses (12 Credits)
| RLIT 6305 | Conducting Literacy Research | 3 |
| RLIT 6307 | Sociocultural Foundations of Literacy | 3 |
| RLIT 6309 | Theoretical Foundations of Reading and Literacy | 3 |
| RLIT 6345 | Transnational and Immigrant Literacies | 3 |
Choose one of the following concentrations:
Biliteracy Concentration:
Biliteracy Courses (12 Credits):
| RLIT 6311 | Crossing Borders with Literature for Young People | 3 |
| RLIT 6313 | Literacy Development and Language Study | 3 |
| RLIT 6333 | Biliiteracy in the Classroom | 3 |
| RLIT 6334 | Contemporary Topics in Biliteracy | 3 |
English/Adolescent Literacy:
English/Adolescent Literacy Courses (12 Credits):
| RLIT 6302 | Adolescent Digital Literacy and Reading | 3 |
| RLIT 6310 | Children's and Adolescent Literature | 3 |
| RLIT 6320 | Writing in the Reading Classroom | 3 |
| RLIT 6351 | Adolescent Literacy and Disciplinary Learning | 3 |
Digital Literacy Concentration:
Digital Literacy Courses (12 Credits)
| RLIT 6302 | Adolescent Digital Literacy and Reading | 3 |
| RLIT 6303 | Digital Literacies and the Diverse Learner | 3 |
| RLIT 6306 | Assessment Practices in Digital Literacies and Readingÿ | 3 |
| RLIT 6308 | Digital Literacies and Leadership | 3 |
Reading Specialist Concentration:
Reading Specialist Courses (12 Credits):
| RLIT 6310 | Children's and Adolescent Literature | 3 |
| RLIT 6313 | Literacy Development and Language Study | 3 |
| RLIT 6329 | Literacy Assessment and Instructional Decision-Making | 3 |
| RLIT 6330 | Teaching Marginalized Readers | 3 |
Electives (6 Credits)
Choose one of the following options:
Thesis Option (6 Credits)
Or
Non Thesis Option (6 Credits)
| | Six hours of literacy-related electives approved by advisor | |
Total Credit Hours: 30
Exit Option
In addition to coursework, students in all concentrations must successfully complete either a thesis or a cumulative graduate portfolio in order to graduate.
Additional Information about the Reading Specialist Certification Concentration
This concentration allows students to prepare for K-12 Reading Specialist certification. Students who wish to pursue Reading Specialist certification must meet additional admission requirements (see above).Students are not allowed to enter the program in another concentration and then switch to the Reading Specialist concentration. Once students complete all program requirements and pass the Reading Specialist TExES exam, they will be eligible to apply for Reading Specialist certification. Applying for certification is the student’s responsibility. Students should apply for certification as soon as they are eligible.
This concentration is designed to academically prepare individuals for the role of reading specialist. However, satisfying the curriculum and testing requirements alone does not mean UTRGV will recommend a candidate to the State of Texas for Reading Specialist certification. As part of meeting the program objectives for Reading Specialists, students are expected to conduct themselves in an ethical, responsible, and professional manner. This conduct is evaluated through the Fitness to Practice (FTP) policy as an element of student’s performance in the program. The purpose of the FTP review process is to regularly monitor students’ professional and personal development to ensure students demonstrate appropriate progress towards developing the necessary behaviors, attitudes, and professional competencies to practice as reading specialists. Students who do not comply with the FTP policy may be exited from the program. Please visit the program website for the full text of the policy.