Literacy and Language Education
Master of Science (MSEd)
Advance Your Career
Our literacy and language education program is ideal for K-12 teachers and prospective scholars who are interested in teaching, research and scholarship. The program uses a mixture of historical, quantitative and qualitative methodologies.
This residential program has rolling admission. Applications must be fully complete and submitted (including all required materials) and all application fees paid prior to the deadline in order for applications to be considered and reviewed. For a list of all required materials for this program application, please see the “Admissions” tab.
Application Deadlines
December 1 is the deadline for Fall applications.
November 15 is the deadline for Spring applications.
March 15 is the deadline for Summer applications.
Program at a Glance
- Major/Department: Curriculum and Instruction
- Research Area: Literacy and Language Education
- Degree Objective: Master of Science in Education (MSEd)
- Program Delivery: Residential
- Does this program lead to licensure? *No, this is a non-licensure program
- Application Deadlines: December 1 (Fall), November 15 (Spring), March 15 (Summer)
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Courses
The master’s degree in Literacy and Language Education is a 30-hour program consisting of the following:
I. Foundational Coursework
15 credit hours
- EDPS 53000: Advanced Educational Psychology Human development — Teaching & learning
- EDCI 58000: Foundations of Curriculum History & philosophy of education — Teaching & learning
- EDCI 58500: Multicultural Education — Diversity
- EDPS 53300: Introduction to Educational Research — Disciplined Inquiry
- EDCI 50000: Foundations of Literacy & Language — Literacy & Language
II. Literacy & Language Courses
9 credit hours
- (beyond EDCI 50000)
III. Elective Courses
6 credit hours
- Choose from the following courses (consultation with your advisor)
- Students who choose the thesis option normally use their 6 credits of electives for that purpose.
There is an exit requirement for the master’s degree: students are required to write a master’s thesis or prepare a literacy portfolio.
Exit Requirements
Master’s Thesis Option
English education master’s students are required to write a master’s thesis. Students who choose to write a thesis will work with their advisor early in their program to ensure that the requirements of this option are met and the 6 elective hours are typically used for conducting research and writing the thesis.
Portfolio Option
You may choose to complete a portfolio that will allow you to reflect on your learning within the master’s program in Literacy and Language. If you choose this option, you will need to gather artifacts during your studies and write a series of reflective papers about them, demonstrating that your studies have caused you to evaluate your professionalism and to consider effective ways to strengthen your practices as a literacy and language professional. The portfolio requirements are designed to fit the College of Education’s model for professional education. As you create your portfolio, you will provide examples as evidence. The following are the sorts of artifacts to consider including in your portfolio and may be drawn from projects completed in connection with Purdue graduate work:
- Literature review
- Critique of current curriculum practices in relation to historical and philosophical studies
- Observational report on classroom language and literature instruction
- Oral presentation in a class, to school-based colleagues, or at a conference
- Literacy and language case study
The portfolio should be delivered to members of your committee no later than the tenth week of your final semester in the program. Committee members will review and evaluate your portfolio and will give a pass/no-pass grade for your graduate work as reflected in your portfolio.
Portfolio Contents
Section A: General Information
- Plan of Study
- Current Curriculum Resume
- Statement of professional goals and focus in Literacy and Language studies
Section B: Synthesize Knowledge, Think Critically and Reflectively
Reflect on the following areas of study and write a two-three page paper that synthesizes how you have become a more competent literacy professional. This paper should hold an integrated reflection of your professional growth. The paper should center on EDCI 500 (Area 1) and two of Areas 2-5 below. Do not create a course-by-course summary of your studies.
- Area 1: Language and Literacy Theory, Research and Practices (3 credits) EDCI 500, Foundations of Literacy and Language
- Area 2: Human Development (3 credits)
- EDPS 53000: Advanced Educational Psychology
- EDPS 53500: Personal-Social Dynamics in the Classroom (or equivalent)
- EDPS 54000: Gifted, Creative, and Talented Children
- EDPS 59100G: Human Growth and Development
- PSY 50200: Survey of Human Development
- Area 3: History and Philosophy of Education (3 credits)
- EDCI 58000: Philosophy of Curriculum;
- EDST 50000: Philosophy of Education;
- EDST 50100: History of American Education;
- EDST 50400: International Education;
- EDST 50600: History of Women’s Education;
- EDST 60000: Seminar in the Foundations of Education
- Area 4: Diversity (3 credits): EDCI 58500: Multicultural Education
- Area 5: Research Methods in Education (3 credits): EDPS 53300: Introduction to Educational Research
Section C: Create Knowledge
Provide an artifact that links theory and practice in Literacy and Language and in a one-two page paper explain how the creation of the artifact furthered your professional understanding.
Section D: Communicate Knowledge
Using the above artifact or another one, in a one-two page paper explain how participating in this activity furthered your knowledge about Literacy and Language education for a professional Literacy and Language audience.
Section E: Professional Development and Engagement
Show evidence of participation in one of the following in a one-page paper, describing how participating in this furthered your knowledge of issues in the field of Literacy and Language.
- School professional development
- Educational conferences, workshops, institutes
- Literacy related committees at the local, state, or national level
Admissions
In addition to a submitted application (and any applicable application fees paid), the following materials are required for admission consideration, and all completed materials must be submitted by the application deadline in order for an application to be considered complete and forwarded on to faculty and the Purdue Graduate School for review.
Application Requirements
Here are the materials required for this application
- Transcripts (from all universities attended)
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- 3 Recommendations
- Resume/CV
- Academic Statement of Purpose
- Personal History Statement
- International Applicants must meet English Proficiency Requirements set by the Purdue Graduate School
We encourage prospective students to submit an application early, even if not all required materials are uploaded. Applications are not forwarded on for faculty review until all required materials are uploaded.
How to Apply
When submitting your application for this program, please select the following options:
- Campus and Program Tab:
- Select a Campus: Purdue West Lafayette (PWL)
- Select your proposed graduate major: Curriculum and Instruction
- First Choice Program Details Tab:
- Please select an Area of Interest: Literacy and Language Education
- Please select a Degree Objective: Master of Science in Education (MSEd)
- Primary Course Delivery: Residential
This program does not lead to licensure in the state of Indiana or elsewhere. Contact the College of Education Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (OTEL) at licensure@purdue.edu before continuing with program application if you have questions regarding licensure or contact your state Department of Education about how this program may translate to licensure in your state of residence.
