Master of Arts in Education: Concentration in Language and Literacy Education

Admission to Program

Application to the program is a two-part process that should be completed simultaneously:

1. Apply to the University: Complete the on-line CSU Mentor application. Follow all other requirements for admission by visiting http://www.grad.sfsu.edu.
2. Meet the following program requirements:
   1. Possession of a baccalaureate degree with a 3.0 minimum GPA for the last 60 units.
   2. Possession of an elementary or secondary education credential or 24 units of professional course work directly related to education.
   3. Applicants must have two years of teaching experience or equivalent professional experience that is directly related to literacy education.
   4. Applicants who do not meet the professional education requirements above may meet with the coordinator for an evaluation of his/her academic background and experience.
   5. Applicants must submit a written statement of purpose to the graduate coordinator of language and literacy. The statement of purpose should describe the applicant’s goals for seeking the M.A., concentration in language and literacy education, and describe the applicant’s level of academic and professional preparation for the degree. The content and writing skill demonstrated will be evaluated as part of the admissions decision and to determine if the candidate has met Level One Written Language Proficiency at admission (see below).
   6. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation addressing the following:
      • Academic ability to pursue graduate work (from a professor).
      • Professional experience teaching children, youth, or adults (from an administrator, or another educator who has collaborated with the applicant)

Written English Proficiency Requirements

Level One

Applicants to the program are assessed on the application essay based upon the language and literacy education program’s criteria. The evaluation rubric considers:

1. mechanics and style,
2. coherence and argumentation, and
3. content, that is, the relevancy of applicants’ experience and goals for the program.

Depending on their essay scores, applicants are either admitted, admitted conditionally, or not admitted. Applicants admitted conditionally are required to earn a minimum grade of B in one of the program approved writing intensive course: E ED 720, E ED 723 or E ED 869.

Level Two

Students are assessed on the quality of their culminating experience, E ED 895 or E ED 898.

The Master of Arts in Education: concentration in Language and Literacy Education provides elementary to high school teachers with in-depth knowledge of research, theory, and practice in teaching and observing the learning development of students who are native English speakers, bilingual speakers, and/or students who speak variations of English. This degree provides advanced preparation and professional development for teaching in schools as well as for assuming such leadership roles as mentor teachers, literacy curriculum leaders, and staff developers. In addition, graduate students may combine this Concentration with a Reading and Literacy Specialist Credential or the Reading and Literacy Added Authorization (see Credentials).

Education (M.A.): Concentration in Language and Literacy Education — 33 units

Background and Theory (12 units)

Classroom Applications (15 units)

Research and Culminating Experience (6 units)