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Academic Programs

Teaching Literacy: Classroom or Clinical Focus

MSEd

  • Program Overview

    If you have initial certification, the Teaching Literacy Program will prepare you to develop expertise as a classroom teacher or as a literacy specialist.

    We have two pathways for this degree. The first is the Teaching Literacy with a Focus on Classroom Teaching degree, which prepares you to obtain a New York State certification in Literacy, Birth through Grade 6. You are prepared to teach as a classroom teacher with strong preparation in language arts and as a literacy specialist. Select this degree if you have initial certification in early childhood education or elementary education.

    The second pathway is the Teaching Literacy with a Focus on Clinical Teaching degree. In this pathway, you are prepared to obtain the same certification, need to have initial certification as stated above, and the coursework is the same, but the fieldwork is entirely clinical practice. Select this pathway if you have had at least two years of classroom experience and intend to pursue a position as a reading specialist as the next step in your career.

    The Reading and Literacy programs are designed to prepare you to understand that literacy is a set of dynamic, interrelated, and sociocultural processes that include speaking, listening, reading, writing, and viewing. Using the core understanding that children’s literacy learning is shaped by the values, beliefs, and experiences acquired at home, school, and in their communities, you will learn to design curriculum and instruction that is responsive to the children you teach.

    This program culminates in a Master of Science in Education and requires 37-40 credits.

    Important News about New York State Literacy Certification 

    In the fall of 2022, New York State (NYS) announced a change in the Literacy Certification, currently from birth-6th grade, to PreK-12th grade. After the summer of 2027 NYS will no longer confer literacy degrees in existing programs. As a result, Bank Street Graduate School of Education is changing our literacy degree programs in order to comply with NYS’s guidelines.

    Your literacy certification will remain active if you graduate and attain certification within the timeframe shared below, and take the steps to maintain your certification.

    When applying to any of our literacy programs, and in order to receive NYS literacy certification under the new guidelines, you will need to:

    • complete all of your degree requirements to graduate by Summer 2026 (Typically, our students can complete their coursework (52-55 credits) in 2.5 years, taking courses in our spring, summer, and fall terms).
    • complete all certification exams before Summer 2027.
    • We will support you through the certification process.

    You can review NYS guidelines for more information about these NYS certification changes in literacy.

    We are happy to connect with you to answer any questions—you can reach out to our Director of Graduate Admissions, Kevin B. Taylor.

    Graduate student reading with two children

  • Admissions Requirements

    In addition to the main admissions criteria, there are additional requirements needed to apply for this program:

    • Applicants must already hold a valid New York State certification in General Education at the Early Childhood or Childhood level.

    Important News about New York State Literacy Certification 

    In the fall of 2022, New York State (NYS) announced a change in the Literacy Certification, currently from birth-6th grade, to PreK-12th grade. After the summer of 2027 NYS will no longer confer literacy degrees in existing programs. As a result, Bank Street Graduate School of Education is changing our literacy degree programs in order to comply with NYS’s guidelines.

    Your literacy certification will remain active if you graduate and attain certification within the timeframe shared below, and take the steps to maintain your certification.

    When applying to any of our literacy programs, and in order to receive NYS literacy certification under the new guidelines, you will need to:

    • complete all of your degree requirements to graduate by Summer 2026 (Typically, our students can complete their coursework (52-55 credits) in 2.5 years, taking courses in our spring, summer, and fall terms).
    • complete all certification exams before Summer 2027.
    • We will support you through the certification process.

    You can review NYS guidelines for more information about these NYS certification changes in literacy.

    We are happy to connect with you to answer any questions—you can reach out to our Director of Graduate Admissions, Kevin B. Taylor.

  • Coursework

    View the coursework for the Clinical Teaching focus.

    View the coursework for the Classroom Teaching focus.

  • Supervised Fieldwork/Advisement

    Supervised fieldwork/advisement lies at the heart of a Bank Street education. Through sustained experiences in the field, supervision from core faculty, and close collaboration with peers, our graduate students develop the ability to connect theory to practice and to reflect deeply on their own growth as educators.

    • For the Teaching Literacy with a Focus on Classroom Teaching pathway, you can work as a full-time assistant or head teacher in a classroom (grades 1-6) with an additional summer clinical placement [40 credit option] OR as a student teacher in three consecutive placements in classroom and clinical settings three days per week [37 credit option].
    • For the Teaching Literacy with a Focus on Clinical Teaching pathway, you can work as a part-time or full-time reading specialist in a school OR as a student teacher in two clinical placements three days per week.
    • You will learn from an experienced educator—your advisor—who individualizes your fieldwork throughout the school year.
    • You will participate in a weekly conference group with your advisor and 5-7 other students in which you will collaboratively deepen your learning about teaching and learning.

  • Career Opportunities

    Your degree will provide you with a range of career opportunities:

    • You can teach in elementary school classrooms in grades 1-6 in public, charter, or independent schools.
    • You can teach as a reading specialist in public, charter, or independent schools.
    • Graduates who choose to teach outside of New York State can usually arrange for reciprocity for teaching certification in their new location.

    Graduate student and child reading a book

  • Faculty

I was drawn to Bank Street during my graduate school search process for numerous reasons. First, I loved the Bank Street philosophy of education. Additionally, I was drawn to the supportive community within Bank Street, [including the] small class sizes and the personal advising program. [The program] allows for teacher growth and support and that, I thought, would give me the confidence I needed to one day run my own classroom.
Katie Hayden, GSE '18
Graduate student and child reading a book

Meet Our Alumni

  • Xiania Foster, an alumnus of Reading & Literacy, is a literacy staff developer for the organization, Teaching Matters. This article features her work with teachers to help them improve reading instruction. Read more >>
  • Clio Stearn, an alumnus of Reading & Literacy, has published a critical analysis of current approaches to socio-emotional learning in American schools. Read more >>

Alumni Spotlight: Alvin Irby

Bank Street alum Alvin Irby, ’09, founder of Barbershop Books, has reached millions of viewers through his TED Talk in which he shares more about his mission to inspire children, especially Black boys, to become lifelong readers.

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