Master’s Program Options in Literacy

Michigan State has a long history of educating reading specialists, literacy coaches, master classroom teachers, and other literacy leaders. Our outstanding faculty and masters students view masters-level education as a crucial piece of our efforts to understand and improve language and literacy education at all levels throughout the world.

A number of masters programs within the College can or do include coursework in literacy and language instruction, including the Masters Program in School Psychology, the Masters Program in Special Education, the Master of Arts in Education (MAED), and the Masters in Teaching and Curriculum (MATC). Within the Masters in Teaching and Curriculum (MATC) program, there are three ways to emphasize language and literacy instruction:

A concentration: This is comprised of three courses with a focus on literacy and/or language instruction, and qualifies for the MATC Concentration in Literacy and Language Instruction. Qualifying courses include TE 835, TE 836, TE 838, TE 842, TE 843, TE 845, TE 846, TE 848, TE 849, TE 850, TE 851, TE 853, TE 854, TE 877.

A specialization: This is comprised of six courses with a focus on literacy and/or language instruction. It not only qualifies for the MATC Concentration but also the State Classroom Reading Teacher Endorsement (“BT”)*, the MSU “Graduate Specialization in Literacy and Language Instruction.” Qualifying courses are TE 807, TE 842 or TE 843, TE 845, TE 848, TE 849, TE 853, and TE 873.

A Reading Specialist Certification**: This is comprised of eight courses with a focus on literacy and/or language instruction. It not only qualifies for the MATC Concentration, the State Classroom Reading Teacher Endorsement (“BT”)*, and the MSU “Graduate Specialization in Literacy and Language Instruction,” but also the State Reading Specialist Endorsement (“BR”)**. Qualifying courses are TE 807, TE 842, TE 843, TE 845, TE 848, TE 849, TE 853, TE 854, and TE 873.

* Final determination of endorsement is made at the state level.
** Final determination of certification is made at the state level and involves a BR test.

Click here for an outline of these three MATC degree options.

MATC students seeking a Graduate Specialization in Literacy and Language Instruction will learn to:

  1. Be a critical consumer of literacy research, instructional materials, policy and practice.
  2. Be able to provide high quality literacy curriculum and instruction based on standards, research, best practices, and responsiveness to individual students.
  3. Be able to provide instruction to bring all students, including those of multiple linguistic, cultural, and individual backgrounds, to high levels of competence in literacy.
  4. Be able to assume professional leadership roles in literacy education.
  5. Have the tools and disposition to continue to develop as a literacy teacher and leader throughout one’s career.
  6. Be able to respond to the ever-evolving nature of literacy.

How to confer the Master’s Specialization in Language and Literacy Education

Specializations are conferred at the time the student’s primary Master’s program is conferred. During the ‘application to graduate’ process, you will be asked to select which awards you as a student wish to have conferred. Please select your major and the Specialization.

Note: If the Master’s Specialization for Language and Literacy Education is not displaying as an option, please exit the page, without submitting. Contact Linda Brandau and ask to have the award added to your record.

Masters Program Options Contacts


Masters Program in School Psychology
(Note: you must be enrolled in either the Ed.S. or Ph.D. Program in School Psychology in order to earn a masters degree.)		Program Director (Ed.S.), Sara (Bolt) Witmer (sbolt@msu.edu)
Masters Program in Special EducationMasters Program Coordinator: Cindy Okolo (okolo@msu.edu)
Master of Arts in Education (MAED)MAED Program Coordinator: John Dirkx (dirkx@msu.edu)
MAED Program Advisor: John Olle (ollejohn@msu.edu)
Master of Arts in Teaching and CurriculumMATC Program Advisor: Paul Kurf (kurf@msu.edu)