SPLS
Literacy Studies
Literacy Studies
Master of Arts in Literacy Studies
The Master of Arts in Literacy Studies provides a comprehensive professional development program to meet the need in today’s classrooms for continuous literacy instruction K-12 based on current theory, research, and best practices. The program is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of reflective practitioners, as they become leaders such as Reading Specialists, Literacy Coaches, innovative classroom teachers, researchers, and advocates. Reflective practitioners are passionate learners who embrace diversity, actively inquire and reflect upon their own practice, and nurture the development of new knowledge and skills. This is accomplished through a process of continuous professional, intellectual, and social growth. Students will make connections between and among research, theory, policy, and practice to evaluate the teaching-learning process, inquire into how teaching can be improved, and develop efficacy based on best practices.
Why should you earn your master’s degree in Literacy Studies through WMU?
The master's program will prepare teachers to:
- Be a Reading Specialist;
- Be a Literacy Coach;
- Engage in collegial dialogue and networking with other teachers in the greater West Michigan area;
- Evaluate literay initiatives and programs;
- Be more effective within the classroom;
- Experience personal and professional growth;
- Meet state or district mandates;
- Meet the requirements for state teacher certification.
Topics Covered by Literacy Studies
The Literacy Studies program spans a variety of course topics relating to literacy, including:
- Reading:
- Comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Fluency
- Phonological awareness
- Writing:
- Voice
- Genre
- Vocabulary
- Spelling
- Related processes:
- Speaking
- Listening
- Visual imaging
- Viewing
- Thinking
- Reading research, theory, and practice
- Relationship of assessment and instruction
- Diversity and inclusion:
- English language learners
- Professional development and organizations for teachers
Resource guide
Literacy Studies resources for career guidance and exploration
Tuition
Every student enrolled in courses at the Southwest Campus is considered a resident when it comes to paying tuition. Out-of-state students, including international students, can take advantage of the same EUP tuition rates as in-state students. Please note that EUP tuition does not apply to the WMU Flat Rate Fee Structure. Therefore, undergraduate online courses, as well as courses offered through EUP on the main campus or at branch campus locations, will not count towards the Flat Rate Fee.
WMU-Southwest Campus
Located one mile from I-94, the WMU-Southwest Campus building offers scenic grounds with free parking. It houses 12 classrooms, a computer lab, two science labs, two conference rooms, study areas, student commons, and a reading clinic, as well as faculty, advising and administrative offices. Technology is incorporated into all aspects of the wireless building, and all classrooms are equipped with multimedia instruction equipment.
