Literacy & Second Language Studies

The Literacy and Second Language Studies graduate degree program, at the University of Cincinnati, is an online program that is designed to encourage professional educators to broaden and deepen their understanding of the social, cultural, linguistic, and institutional factors that contribute to a person's ability to communicate in a first or second language. The master's program offers a comprehensive study for students interested in exploring literacy and language processes.

Our area of emphasis includes:

• The effective design and implementation of literacy curricula.
• The assessment and evaluation of literacy difficulties.
• Practice with a variety of instructional methods to foster the literacy learning of diverse student populations.
• Strategies for critically analyzing foundational and current research in the field of literacy and second language studies.

Our literacy graduate program offers two general concentrations:

• PreK-16 Literacy and Learning Instruction
• PreK-12 Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) Focus

Additional courses of study include Postsecondary Literacy Instruction and International/ Adult TESL. Concentration-specific courses, practica experiences, and a culminating activity in the form of either a master's project or a master's thesis are also required to complete the degree.

For our graduate programs, we welcome applications from students who hold a bachelor's degree (or higher) from a college or university accredited by a regional or general accrediting agency, and have at least a B average in undergraduate course work (or otherwise give evidence of promise that is judged satisfactory by the admitting program).

• The PreK-16 Literacy Learning and Instruction concentration meets the International Literacy Association's 2010 Standards for Reading Professionals. Students who hold a valid teaching certificate or license are eligible for the Ohio Reading Endorsement upon completion of the degree requirements. Career possibilities include: PreK-16 Reading Specialist, Reading Curriculum Coordinator, or Literacy Educator.
• The PreK-12 Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) concentration meets the international TESOL standards and is geared toward individuals who are licensed in a single or multiple subject areas and are interested in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). Career possibilities include: ESL educators, curriculum developers, and consultants, or program administrators for public and private schools.

The University of Cincinnati offers nearly 400 graduate programs, from master's and doctoral degrees to graduate certificates and artist diplomas. Whether online or on-campus, as a graduate student at UC, you will join a diverse community of students enrolled at one of the nation's top public universities in an incredibly vibrant city.

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