Reading and Literacy (MED, Multiple Specializations) - Online Program

CIP Code

13.1315.00

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. The program provides graduates with a deep understanding of: 

1.  The ways that literacy is constructed socially, culturally, and ideologically in an increasingly globalized world.

2.  Language and literacy development across multiple linguistic and cultural contexts.

3.  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. 

4.  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: 

1.   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, GRE general test with minimum scores of 150 Verbal, 141 Quantitative, and 4.0 Analytical are required for conditional admission.

2. One to two page letter of intent indicating reasons for pursuing the degree

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 Hours

RLIT 6305Conducting Literacy Research

3

RLIT 6307Sociocultural Foundations of Literacy

3

RLIT 6309Theoretical Foundations of Reading and Literacy

3

RLIT 6345Transnational and Immigrant Literacies

3

Choose one of the following concentrations:

Biliteracy Concentration:

Biliteracy Courses (12 Credits):
RLIT 6311Crossing Borders with Literature for Young People

3

RLIT 6313Literacy Development and Language Study

3

RLIT 6333Biliiteracy in the Classroom

3

RLIT 6334Contemporary Topics in Biliteracy

3

English/Adolescent Literacy:

English/Adolescent Literacy Courses (12 Credits):
RLIT 6302Adolescent Digital Literacy and Reading

3

RLIT 6310Children's and Adolescent Literature

3

RLIT 6320Writing in the Reading Classroom

3

RLIT 6351Adolescent Literacy and Disciplinary Learning

3

Digital Literacy Concentration:

Digital Literacy Courses (12 Credits)
RLIT 6302Adolescent Digital Literacy and Reading

3

RLIT 6303Digital Literacies and the Diverse Learner

3

RLIT 6306Assessment Practices in Digital Literacies and Readingÿ

3

RLIT 6308Digital Literacies and Leadership

3

Reading Specialist Concentration:

Reading Specialist Courses (12 Credits):
RLIT 6310Children's and Adolescent Literature

3

RLIT 6313Literacy Development and Language Study

3

RLIT 6329Literacy Assessment and Instructional Decision-Making

3

RLIT 6330Teaching Marginalized Readers

3

Electives - 6 Hours

Choose one of the following options:

Thesis Option (6 Credits)
RLIT 7300Thesis I

3

RLIT 7301Thesis II

3

Or
Non Thesis Option (6 Credits)
Six hours of literacy-related electives approved by advisor

RLIT 6301Digital Literacies and Young Children

3

RLIT 6302Adolescent Digital Literacy and Reading

3

RLIT 6303Digital Literacies and the Diverse Learner

3

RLIT 6306Assessment Practices in Digital Literacies and Readingÿ

3

RLIT 6308Digital Literacies and Leadership

3

RLIT 6310Children's and Adolescent Literature

3

RLIT 6311Crossing Borders with Literature for Young People

3

RLIT 6313Literacy Development and Language Study

3

RLIT 6317Special Topics

3

RLIT 6320Writing in the Reading Classroom

3

RLIT 6329Literacy Assessment and Instructional Decision-Making

3

RLIT 6330Teaching Marginalized Readers

3

RLIT 6333Biliiteracy in the Classroom

3

RLIT 6334Contemporary Topics in Biliteracy

3

RLIT 6351Adolescent Literacy and Disciplinary Learning

3

EDBE 5310Bilingual Education and the Adolescent Learner

3

EDBE 5315Technology, Pedagogy and Curriculum for Secondary Bilingual Education

3

EDBE 6322Bilingual/Multilingual Critical Issues

3

EDBE 6324Dual Language Enrichment Education

3

EDBE 6335Bilingual Content Area Across the Curriculum

3

EDBE 6350The Bilingual Reading Process

3

EDBE 6351Research on Language Development in Bilingual Environments

3

EDBE 6363Literatura Infantil

3

EDBE 6364Principles and Practices of Biliteracy Development in Spanish and English

3

EDBE 6365Action Research in Dual Language and ESL Education

3

EDBE 6366Academic Spanish Across the Content Area

3

EDBE 6367Assessing Emergent Bilinguals

3

EDSL 6323Approaches and Current Practices in Second Language Instruction

3

EDSL 6325ESL for Bilingual and Multicultural Settings

3

EDSL 6351Linguistics for ESL

3

ENGL 6355Literature for Secondary School Teachers

3

ENGL 6360Introduction to Descriptive Linguistics for Teachers

3

ENGL 6375Studies in Language and Culture

3

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 Reading Specialist Certification

Students who wish to pursue K-12 Reading Specialist certification in the state of Texas must graduate from the UTRGV Reading and Literacy M.Ed., then complete the Reading Specialist Certification program, which has separate admission criteria.