M.Ed. - Literacy and Learning Sciences
This program is offered through UTEP Online.
M.Ed. in Literacy and Learning Sciences
UTEP’s M.Ed. in Literacy and Learning Sciences program is a fully online, 30-credit hour degree designed for individuals who wish to pursue graduate studies focused on the teaching and learning of literacy in PK-12 schools, industry, and community settings. Graduates of this degree use their knowledge of the learning sciences to implement research-based literacy practices in classrooms and across learning contexts, to develop and lead educational programs, and to engage learners effectively across multiple modalities, including the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The M.Ed. Literacy and Learning Sciences program has two defined degree concentrations, allowing students to focus on either: 1) pedagogical leadership focused on the connection between language, technology, and AI, particularly in multilingual contexts; or 2) advanced literacy training for teachers seeking all-levels Reading Specialist certification in the state of Texas. Intended for busy educators (licensed or un-licensed) seeking to take on instructional leadership roles in diverse Literacy Education settings, this degree program can be completed in as little as 20 months.
Concentration 1: M.Ed. in Literacy and Learning Sciences – Literacy, Learning, and AI
The M.Ed. in Literacy and Learning Sciences with a concentration in Literacy, Learning, and AI is a fully online, 30-credit hour master’s program designed for individuals who wish to pursue advanced preparation for pedagogical leadership in industry, community, and schools focused on the connections between language, technology, and AI, particularly in multilingual contexts. This concentration provides specialized content in learning sciences, bilingualism, and pedagogical uses of generative AI, with a culminating capstone focused on the integration of research-based theory and practice uses for this knowledge in applied contexts.
Concentration 2: M.Ed. in Literacy and Learning Sciences - Reading Specialist
The M.Ed. in Literacy and Learning Sciences with a concentration in Reading Specialist is a fully online, 30-credit hour master’s program designed to provide advanced literacy training for teachers seeking all-levels Reading Specialist certification in the state of Texas. This concentration provides specialized content in the science of reading, early literacy development, and reading assessment, with a culminating capstone that includes a 160-hour specialized internship in a school setting as part of state-level certification requirements. This concentration provides the coursework that follows the State Board of Educator Certification guidelines for additional professional certification in Reading Specialist in the state of Texas. Professional certification requirements for Texas Reading Specialist include the following:
- Texas teacher certification
- Minimum of three years of teaching experience
- 160-hour internship (completed as part of the practicum)
- Three formal observation cycles completed by Field Supervisor (completed as part of the practicum)
- Successful completion of TExES Reading Specialist (#151) exam after all other requirements have been met and the candidate has been recommended for testing.
Admissions Requirements
To apply for the M.Ed. in Literacy and Learning Sciences (Online), either concentration, individuals must complete the application process through UTEP's Graduate School. Prospective students submit the following:
- Current Resume
- Transcripts from all previous colleges and universities attended
- A written statement of purpose describing the applicant's personal and professional goals related to the focus of the master program (minimum 500 words).
- Applicants whose degrees are from non-English speaking institutions are required to demonstrate English proficiency. Please consult the Graduate School website for required scores.
These admission factors will be reviewed holistically to assess the potential of the applicant. The successful applicant would typically have an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, a current resume that shows basic knowledge and/or experience in education, and a well-written statement that demonstrates commitment to education and to the content area of study.
Degree Plan
Courses in the degree plan consist of the following:
MED in Literacy and Learning Sciences (online) Required Credits: 30
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All content courses require a grade of C or better. The practicum course requires a grade of "Pass" | ||
| Literacy and Learning Sciences Core | ||
| Required Courses (15 Credits): | ||
| RED 5300 | Foundation of Lit Ed in Div Co | 3 |
| RED 5342 | Content Literacy | 3 |
| RED 5353 | Lang Study for Literacy Educ | 3 |
| TED 5304 | Scholarly Writing for Educ | 3 |
| TED 5312 | Learning Sciences | 3 |
| Concentration | 15 | |
| Complete one of the cocentrations listed below | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Literacy, Learning and AI
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses (15 credits): | ||
| RED 5351 | Literacy/Biliteracy Developmnt | 3 |
| RED 5355 | Youth Literacies and Multimoda | 3 |
| STEM 5304 | Instr Design Using Gen AI | 3 |
| STEM 5332 | Collab Learn with Gen AI | 3 |
| RED 5370 | Lit, Learn & AI Practicum | 3 |
Reading Specialist
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses (15 credits): | ||
| RED 5330 | Research of Sci Teach Read | 3 |
| RED 5341 | Assessment/Teaching of Reading | 3 |
| RED 5350 | Mentoring/Coaching Lit Educ | 3 |
| ECED 5353 | Early Lit/Multi-Lit Dev & Curr | 3 |
| RED 5360 | Reading Specialist Program | 3 |