MASTER OF SCIENCE IN READING
The Master of Science in Education in Reading provides a course of study that enables early childhood, middle level, and secondary teachers to obtain an Arkansas Reading Specialist License. Its mission is to prepare teachers to effectively assume the varied roles of reading specialists. The role of reading specialists in public schools has changed drastically in the past several years. Previously, they were remedial reading teachers who taught small groups of students in "pullout" classes. Now reading specialists are considered the "reading experts" in their schools, and their duties go beyond working with students. Their job descriptions often include co-teaching in classrooms, serving as literacy coaches, developing reading programs, conducting reading assessments, managing the duties of paraprofessionals and volunteers, serving as advocates for students, and providing professional development. The program of study and performance assessments in the MSE in Reading are aligned to the International Reading Association's Standards for Reading Professionals: Revised 2003.
http://www.reading.org/resources/issues/reports/professional_standards.html
Upon completion of the Reading program candidates will
1. be knowledgeable of the foundations of reading and writing processes and instruction.
(IRA Standard 1)
2. effectively use, model, and collaborate with other teachers in using a wide range of instructional practices, approaches, methods, and curriculum materials to support reading and writing instruction that are supported by research.
(IRA Standard 2)
3. effectively use, model, and collaborate with other teachers in using a variety of assessment tools and practices to plan and evaluate effective reading instruction that supported by research.
(IRA Standard 3)
4. create and collaborate with other teachers in creating literate environments that foster reading and writing by integrating foundational knowledge, use of instructional practices, approaches and methods, curriculum materials, and the appropriate use of assessments.
(IRA Standard 4)
5. display appropriate dispositions towards students, reading, and reading instruction.
(IRA Standard 5)
6. view professional development as a career-long effort and responsibility.
(IRA Standard 5)
Requirements
Research is an integral component of this degree and six (6) hours of research courses are required. The Research Problems: Reading course allows the candidates, in consultation with their advisors and department chairs, to select an area of research related to literacy.
The program will consist of 36 credit hours. Six of the hours will come from the C & I graduate core. The other 30 hours will come from reading education courses. Within the 30 hours of reading education, six hours of reading practicum are required.
Curriculum Outline
CORE COURSES
FOUNDATIONAL READING COURSES
RDG 5503 Reading in the Content Areas 3 RDG 6153 Developmental Reading 3 RDG 5403 Psychology of Reading 3 RDG 6133 Advanced Language Arts 3
ADVANCED READING COURSES(Prerequisites: Foundational Reading Courses)
RDG 6443 Diagnosis of Reading Difficulties 3 RDG 6173 Trends and Issues in Reading Education 3 RDG 6163 Leadership in Reading Education 3
CAPSTONE COURSES (Prerequisite: RDG 6443 Diagnosis of Reading Difficulties)
RDG 6183 Reading Practicum: Individual Tutoring 3 RDG 6693 Reading Practicum: Group Instruction 3 RDG 6553 Research Problems: Reading 3
(Prerequisite: Introduction to Research)
Admission Requirements
The Graduate School will receive the admission packet which requires:
1. Completed HSU Graduate School application, including immunization and selective service status forms.
2. Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate work for all colleges or universities attended.
3. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
4. Possession of a standard teacher's license from the State of Arkansas. A candidate whose teaching field is questionable for the degree of specialization will be referred to the appropriate department for evaluation.
5. An overall undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.70. A candidate with less than 2.70 but more than 2.50 may be conditionally admitted with evidence that the candidate is capable of satisfactory performance. A 3.0 GPA or above on the last 60 hours of undergraduate credit may also be considered a conditional admission.
6. For full admission, submission of GRE General Test or Millers Analogies Test MAT scores during the first semester of enrollment. Conditional admission requires appropriate scores prior to admission.
Exit Guidelines:
1. The candidate must meet all exit requirements for master level programs as stated in the current HSU Graduate Catalog.
2. A three (3) hour research course - RDG 6653 Research Problems: Reading - is required for the M.S.E. in Reading. The candidate must successfully complete substantive research in the form of an action research project. The candidate, in consultation with the faculty advisor, program coordinator, and academic department chair, selects an appropriate topic.
3. A portfolio will be required of all candidates for the M.S.E. in Reading degree. Candidates will continually update and maintain their portfolios in order to demonstrate that they have met the five standards and 19 elements of the IRA Standards for reading professionals at both the classroom teacher level and reading specialist/literacy coach level. Artifacts from required coursework, as well as artifacts that represent candidate activity beyond course requirements, will be included. The faculty advisor will provide guidelines for organizing the portfolio to the candidate.
4. An Exit Evaluation Committee composed of the faculty advisor serving as chair of the Committee, the Dean of the Graduate school or a faculty designee, program coordinator, and one faculty member from the academic specialization area will review each candidate's portfolio, thesis/project, and other relevant materials. Each candidate will present his/her materials to the committee in an oral defense process. A scoring rubric will be used to standardize the exit review process. The final copy of the project will be maintained in the department for a minimum of three years.
5. The faculty advisor will notify the candidate in writing with copy to the Graduate School a letter indicating successful or non-successful completion of the program of study.
Reading Specialist Licensure
Candidates completing the Reading Specialty will be required to take the appropriate Praxis II examination prior to graduation. In order to be recommended for licensure, the candidate must submit an official copy of the appropriate score to the Office of Teacher Licensure at HSU. The HSU teacher licensure officer will send completed applications, official transcripts (verifying program of study completion), and appropriate Praxis II test scores to the Arkansas Department of Education Office of Professional Licensure once requirements for additional licensure are verified. ADE will then issue a standard five-year teaching license.
|