Graduate Admission
Enrich the lives of children, adolescents, and adults with a degree in Literacy Studies from Hofstra University. Learn from expert faculty members who model best practices, and gain hands-on experience through on-campus practicums. Receive one-on-one support for mastering education technology and the integration of new media into your teaching. Deepen your education by engaging in author and scholar events and through Alpha Upsilon Alpha, the honor society of the International Literacy Association. Graduates of certification-based programs are eligible for New York State Literacy Specialist certification. Learn more about our master’s degrees, certificates, and doctoral programs below.
Learn from faculty who are nationally and internationally recognized for their research and scholarship in areas such as literacy development, reading and writing assessment and evaluation strategies, and bilingual/dual language education.
Develop exemplary teaching practices and conduct state-of-the-art literacy research through a 30-hour practicum at the Reading/Writing Learning Clinic on the Hofstra campus.
Visit the Hofstra campus or connect with the graduate admission team. We will answer your questions and put you in touch with program faculty or degree candidates to learn more. Contact us at graduateadmission@hofstra.edu, or call 516-463-4723.
To be considered for graduate study in Literacy Studies, you must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Programs that lead to New York State Teacher Certification require initial certification in another subject area. Advanced degree programs may require additional experience and education. See links below.
Start your application online where you can upload the following documents:
An interview with program faculty may be required.
If you are a current Hofstra student interested in pursuing the undergraduate/graduate dual-degree program, please contact your academic advisor. Direct any additional questions to graduateadmission@hofstra.edu.
International students: Please review additional admission requirements.
The Literacy Studies programs are between 27 - 60 credits.
Visit the program pages to learn more.
Dr. Theresa McGinnis, Associate Professor and program director, taught middle school students in urban Los Angeles and Philadelphia prior to teaching at the university level. Her teaching and research interests include sociocultural theories of literacy, transnational literacies, the ways youth integrate reading and writing with other semiotic modes, and culturally and socially significant meanings youth convey through their multilingual literacy and expressive practices.
Dr. Jeanne Henry, Associate Professor and program director, earned an Ed.D. from the University of Cincinnati. Her research interests are in transmedia storytelling and response to literature gaming and narrative. Her teaching interests include new media literacy/media literacy, adolescent and children's literature, and sociolinguistics literacy.