Program:

The Master of Science Degree in Teaching Literacy is designed for students seeking professional certification in the teaching certificate they presently hold and for those seeking an initial or professional certificate for Teaching Literacy, Birth-Grade 6, or for Teaching Literacy, Grades 5-12.

The program offers teachers a philosophical foundation with hands-on strategies for developing an awareness that speaking, listening, reading, and writing are interrelated and how these skills as a whole impact on a child's literacy development.

Fieldwork experiences pertinent to the grade level of the certificate are required. Three years of teaching experience is also required for the professional certification. Degree seeking students must complete an action research project as a capstone activity.

Download a PDF version of our Program Brochure

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Program Contacts:

	Lawrence Gluck Director, Graduate Education, Bronx lgluck@mercy.edu Telephone: 718-678-8472
	Mary Lou Pagano, EdD Assistant Professor mpagano@mercy.edu Telephone: 914-674-7721
	Mary Ellen Hoffman, MS Director, Graduate Education, Dobbs Ferry mehoffman@mercy.edu Telephone: 914-674-7334
	Ira Goldberg Director, Graduate Education, Manhattan igoldberg@mercy.edu Telephone: 212-615-3324
	Olga DeJesus Director, Graduate Education, Yorktown odejesus@mercy.edu Telephone: 914-245-6100
	Andrew Peiser, PhD Interim Dean, School of Education

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Career Opportunities:

Graduates of the Teaching Literacy program may pursue positions as a classroom teacher, reading teacher or literacy specialist.

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Curriculum:

Reflective literacy teachers are strong in their knowledge of how to teaching reading and writing from pre-school through secondary grades. A rich variety of specialized and practical courses constitute this program.

For the complete course curriculum click here.

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Campuses where program is offered:

Bronx, Dobbs Ferry, Manhattan and Yorktown, and some courses are offered online.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

What kind of position can I obtain?
Literacy positions are found in schools at all levels including early childhood emergent literacy, childhood education and literacy for adolescents. Other positions include reading teacher, literacy coach, and remedial reading/writing specialist

Should I be certified prior to entering the Program?
Certification is not necessary.

Is there a demand for these positions?
There is a strong demand for literacy program graduates as classroom teachers in K-12.

Do I learn different ways to encourage students to read?
The program goes well beyond simply teaching students to read. Background and foundations of literacy, multi-cultural children's literature, specialized courses for teachers at different levels and from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds are available. Rich practicum courses and experiences are required throughout the program.

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