Literacy Studies

Graduate Programs

Welcome to Hofstra’s Literacy Programs!

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 participating in professional development opportunities. Students learn multiple approaches to reading and writing assessment with a strong focus on sociocultural perspectives in literacy. These practices and approaches are supported by New York state's Common Core Learning Standards in Language Arts and Literacy.

Graduates of certification-based programs are eligible for New York State Literacy Specialist certification.

Program Objectives:

Provide comprehensive understanding of assessment driven instructional planning and professional learning within a school .
Explore effective literacy instruction in inclusive environments
Prepare candidates to work in one-to-one and small group instruction in literacy processes

Choose Your Degree

Hofstra University’s School of Education offers the Literacy Studies, MSEd for certified teachers who would be looking to become certified in either Literacy Grades Birth-6 or Grades 5-12. Candidates must have or be pending their NYS Initial certification in another area of teaching such as Birth-2, Childhood 1-6 or Grades 7-12 subject areas.

Learn More about the Literacy Studies, MSEd

Hofstra University’s School of Education offers the Literacy Studies, Advanced Certificates for master’s prepared certified teachers who would be looking to become certified in either Literacy Grades Birth-6 or Grades 5-12. Candidates must have or be pending their NYS Initial certification in another area of teaching such as Birth-2, Childhood 1-6 or Grades 7-12 subject areas. We offer two separate programs at the advanced certificate level, one for those pursuing the Literacy Birth-Grades 6 or the Literacy Grades 5-12.

Learn More about the Literacy Grades 5-12, AC Learn More About the Literacy Studies Birth-Grade 6 AC

Hofstra University’s School of Education offers the Literacy Studies, MA for those who intend to seek advanced training in literacy studies applicable to settings such as private and international schools, nonprofit organizations, and other out of school resources. This program does not lead to NYS Literacy certifications, nor does it require candidates to already be certified in another area of teaching.

Learn More About the Literacy Studies, MA

Hofstra University’s School of Education offers its Dual certification Literacy Studies (Birth-Grade 6) and Special Education (Grades 1-6), MSEd who hold their NYS Initial certification in Childhood Grades 1-6 who are seeking both their NYS Initial certification in Students with Disabilities Grades 1-6 and Literacy Grades B-6. Candidates should have a degree in education along with a current NYS teaching certification in Childhood 1-6 to apply.

Learn More About the Literacy Studies & Special Education, MSEd

Getting Started

Student Resources

Careers in Literacy

Graduates of the MSEd, MA, and Advanced Certificate programs in Literacy Studies are highly sought out for positions on Long Island and the New York metropolitan area as classroom teachers, school level literacy specialists, content area teachers, special education teachers, district level lead teachers for the language arts, school and public librarians, nursery school teachers and directors, administrators of schools and organizations, and community college faculty. They have found jobs as close by as Uniondale and as far away as Alaska!

Check out NYSUT Report on The Teacher Shortage

Enrollment in New York State’s teacher education programs has declined by 53 percent since 2009.
NYS Teacher Retirement System projects that 1/3 of New York teachers could retire in the next five years.
U.S. Department of Education has identified 18 teacher shortage areas throughout New York State. A decade ago there were only two.

Contact Us

Program Director
Theresa McGinnis
Email