Course Information

Coursework

Students take a minimum of 33 graduate credits (10 required core courses and one elective course) and pass a comprehensive exam to earn a M.Ed degree in Educational Psychology with an Emphasis in Literacy Education. Students are welcome to take more elective courses as part of their program, or after completing the M.Ed.

Click here for a projected course offering. 

Required Core Courses (30 credits)  

ED PS 6712 Understanding Educational Research in Literacy 

ED PS 6714 Comprehension Theory & Instruction

ED PS 6631 Assessment & Intervention of Reading Difficulties

ED PS 6711 Foundations of Literacy

ED PS 6126 Content Area Literacy

ED PS 6713 Literacy Acquisition Theory & Instruction

ED PS 6124 Children’s and Young Adult Literature in the Schools

ED PS 6130 Writing Theory & Instruction

ED PS 6840 Vocabulary Theory & Instruction

 ED PS 6728 Literacy Education Comprehensive Review and Exam Preparation

Elective Course (3 credits):

Students must take a minimum of 3 credits for graduation. Students will work with the program director to select an elective that fits their interests, schedule, and future goals. Elective choices must be approved by the program director. Please note that some elective classes may not be offered at the core course special tuition rate.

Suggested Electives through the EDPS Department:

ED PS 6950 Special Topics Summer Seminars (3 credits)

These special summer seminars are offered on different topics. Sample seminars include Focus on Dyslexia, Literacy Development in Preschool and the Early Years, Middle School Motivation, and more.

ED PS 6331 International Children’s and Adolescent Literature: Region-Specific Focus (3 credits)

A special topic seminar with a specific course number, this course is offered in the summer as a one-week intensive format in June for practicing teachers and librarians. The focused region changes yearly (Latin American countries, Asian countries, etc.)

ED PS 6718 Language and Literacy Development of Young Children (3 credits)

This graduate-level seminar introduces current topics and issues concerning the development of language and literacy in early childhood, spanning from toddler and preschool years to the transition to formal schooling. 

ED PS 6300 Introduction to Measurement (3 credits)

ED PS 6010 Introduction to Educational Statistics (3 credits)

Suggested Electives through the University of Utah Reading Clinic (UURC):

EDU 6853-040 Tier II Reading Intervention Next Steps Small Group (3 credits)

EDU 6636-040 Intervention for Students with Severe Reading Difficulties:  Wilson Level I Practicum (9 credits total; 4 credits in Fall and 5 credits in spring)

A full year course taken during consecutive Fall and Spring semesters. This course does require an application in the Spring prior, and then an introductory meeting in the summer. Scholarships are available through the UURC for this course.

Suggested Electives through other College of Education Departments:

SPED 6610 Introduction to Research Design (3 credits)

Offered during most Summer semesters.

ELP 6250 Leadership for School Improvement (3 credits)

Offered during most semesters.

ELP 6110 Evidence-Based Decision Making

Offered most Spring semesters.

COMPREHENSIVE EXAM

Students take a comprehensive examination at the end of the Literacy Education master’s study, as they complete all courses in the plan-of-study. The purpose of the exam is to demonstrate written mastery of major topics, theories, and applications in relation to literacy learning and teaching. The comp exam uses a format of take-home question responses and will be administered by the Literacy Education comp committee. Students need to register for ED PS 6728 Literacy Education Comprehensive Review and Exam at the semester of their exam.

Course Sequencing

COURSE SCHEDULE

Students complete the program in two years by taking two courses each semester, including summer. The program uses rolling admissions and students are welcome to start in any semester. Core courses are taught online in the evening hours around 4:35- 7:05 pm MST in all three semesters (Fall, Spring, and Summer); summer courses may be offered in daytime hours during the Summer semester. This is a blended program and courses are taught via distance education delivery (live, same-time delivery using web video technology, such as zoom). Thus, the program welcomes students from the local area as well as those from outside the Salt Lake area and out of state.

The tables below show sample schedules. The first schedule is for someone starting in the fall of the odd year cycle and the second schedule is for someone starting in the spring of the odd year cycle.  Because students are admitted on a rolling basis, you may begin your program in any semester. 

Sample Schedule 1: Starting at Odd Year

 

Sample Schedule 2: Starting at Even Year