Program Overview
The Teaching Literacy, Birth to Grade 6 Advanced Certificate program at Mercy University equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to become effective reading teachers, literacy coaches, and remedial reading and writing specialists. The program consists of five courses and 50 hours of practical experience, preparing students for initial or professional certification. Graduates are prepared for careers in literacy education, including reading teachers, literacy coaches, and remedial reading and writing specialists.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Overview:
The Teaching Literacy, Birth to Grade 6 Advanced Certificate program at Mercy University equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to become effective reading teachers, literacy coaches, and remedial reading and writing specialists. The program consists of five total courses and 50 hours of practical experience, preparing students for initial or professional certification.
Objectives:
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Understand the foundations and background of literacy
- Implement practices for emergent literacy
- Provide instruction for students with learning disabilities and English Language Learners
- Teach students with diverse needs
- Select and use appropriate instructional materials
- Assess student literacy development
- Use research to improve literacy instruction
Program Structure:
Students in the program will complete five courses totaling 15 credits. The courses are:
- Reading and Writing Development: Birth to Grade 6
- Teaching Strategies and Resources for Literacy Development
- Literacy Assessment and Intervention
- Reading and Writing Workshop in the Classroom
- Supervised Field Experience in Literacy
- Students will also complete 50 hours of supervised field experience in a classroom setting.
Outline:
Course 1: Reading and Writing Development: Birth to Grade 6
This course introduces students to the foundations of literacy development. Students will learn about the cognitive, linguistic, and social-emotional processes involved in reading and writing. They will also study the major theories of literacy development and learn how to apply these theories to their teaching practice.
Course 2: Teaching Strategies and Resources for Literacy Development
This course provides students with an overview of the various teaching strategies that can be used to promote literacy development. Students will learn about the different types of instructional materials that are available, and they will develop lesson plans that incorporate these materials.
Course 3: Literacy Assessment and Intervention
This course teaches students how to assess student literacy development and provide appropriate interventions. Students will learn about the different types of assessments that can be used, and they will develop assessment plans that are tailored to the needs of individual students.
Course 4: Reading and Writing Workshop in the Classroom
This course provides students with the opportunity to implement the teaching strategies they have learned in the previous courses. Students will teach a series of reading and writing workshops in a classroom setting, and they will receive feedback from their peers and instructors.
Course 5: Supervised Field Experience in Literacy
This course provides students with the opportunity to gain practical experience in a classroom setting. Students will work with a cooperating teacher to plan and implement literacy instruction. They will also receive regular feedback from their cooperating teacher and university supervisor.
Assessment:
Students are evaluated on their knowledge and skills through a variety of assessment methods, including:
- Written assignments
- Quizzes
- Exams
- Classroom presentations
- Field experience evaluations
- Research projects
Teaching:
The Teaching Literacy, Birth to Grade 6 Advanced Certificate program is taught by experienced faculty who are experts in the field of literacy. The faculty use a variety of teaching methods to provide students with a well-rounded learning experience, including:
- Lectures
- Discussions
- Presentations
- Hands-on activities
- Field experiences
- Online learning
- The program also offers a cohort model, which provides students with the opportunity to learn and grow with a group of peers.
Careers:
The Teaching Literacy, Birth to Grade 6 Advanced Certificate program prepares students for careers as:
- Reading teachers
- Literacy coaches
- Remedial reading and writing specialists
- Classroom teachers with strong competence in classroom literacy instruction and assessment
- Many graduates also pursue advanced degrees in education or related fields.