Reading and Literacy Program

Our Reading and Literacy Program prepares you to work across grade levels, providing a greater range of teaching opportunities. These programs are for educators who seek to deepen their literacy teaching methods, become reading specialists or literacy coaches who develop literacy curriculum that applies culturally responsive pedagogies.

Using multicultural literature as a foundation for teaching literacy, coursework integrates peer-reviewed reading research with practices that are informed by evidence-based teaching methods for early childhood through high school. Students critically examine foundational topics about oral language development, phonemic awareness, decoding and phonics, reading comprehension, writing, and assessments designed to guide differentiated instruction for a range of children including neurodiverse and multilingual learners.

Students study the larger socio-cultural contexts of literacy education that includes an historical review including the most recent iteration of reading methods, known as the Science of Reading. Students critically analyze the literacy programs currently used in schools to integrate culturally responsive methods to center children’s learning.

Supervised fieldwork at partner schools in New York City coordinates with coursework throughout the program, enabling students to make deep connections between theory and practice.

The Reading and Literacy: Inclusive Teaching program leads to New York State professional certification in Literacy–All Grades (Pre-K-12) that can open up opportunities to work as a reading intervention teacher, a school-based leader in literacy, and a classroom teacher with increased expertise in literacy. This master’s degree program is for individuals with a New York State classroom teaching certification (with the exception of career and technical certifications) and leads to an additional K-12 certification as a literacy specialist.

In addition to in-person classes, a portion of our courses meet online for flexibility. This program leads to a Master of Science in Education and students can complete the 33-credit program while they continue teaching in their current positions.

Highlights

• Small class size and faculty/student ratio, which provide opportunities for collaboration, in-depth learning, and individualized coaching
• The flexibility of starting in fall or spring
• Scholarships and financial aid available
• A program plan that you can complete in 18 months while you continue teaching in your current position
• Additional certification that may increase your salary

Certification

When you successfully complete the program, you will receive a master’s degree and be eligible for the New York State professional certification in Literacy–All Grades (Pre-K-12), provided you complete all other State certification requirements. Read more on our Certification page

Careers

After graduation, students pursue a range of career opportunities including:

• Teaching in classrooms with increased depth in literacy across grade levels.
• Teaching as a reading and literacy specialist, or working as a reading intervention teacher in schools, supplemental programs, and in private practice.
• Working as a literacy coach or a school-based leader in literacy to deepen literacy practice for other teachers.
• Earning a higher salary with an additional certification.

Students at Bank Street have full access to our robust Career Services, including the CareerConnect job site, opportunities to attend job fairs and workshops, and connections to our alumni network nationwide.