Program Overview

Introduction to the Responsive Literacy Education Program

The Responsive Literacy Education program is designed to provide educators with advanced knowledge and training to work with diverse student populations as they develop reading, writing, and oral language skills. The program focuses on language and literacy acquisition, culturally relevant teaching practices, literature, literacy assessment, and hands-on practica.

Program Overview

The MA degree options in Literacy Education will enhance literacy instruction skills and credentials while providing advanced knowledge and training to work with diverse student populations. The program requires access to students to complete the methods courses. The program emphasizes recognizing a variety of literacies, including home, school, community, and mainstream, in both first and second languages, and the meaningful use of literacy and language to improve students' quality of life.

Program Options

• Literacy Education, MA
• Literacy Education in English Education, MA
• Literacy Education with Reading Specialist K-12 Endorsement, MA
• Digital Teacher Librarian Certificate
• Early Literacy Certificate
• Literacy and Language Development for Diverse Learners Certificate
• Teacher Librarian Endorsement

Faculty

• Lori Elliott | Clinical Associate Professor
• Erica Holyoke | Assistant Professor
• Lucinda Soltero-Gonzalez | Associate Professor
• Sarah Woodard | Senior Instructor

Course Offerings

Literacy, Language, & Culturally Responsive Teaching (LCRT)

• LCRT 5000 - Elementary Literacy Instruction and Assessment in Diverse Classrooms (3 Credits)
• LCRT 5001 - Elementary Literacy Instruction and Assessment (3 Credits)
• LCRT 5020 - Equity and Joy in Reading Instruction (3 Credits)
• LCRT 5028 - Developing Strategic Readers, Grades 4-12 (3 Credits)
• LCRT 5029 - Developing 21st Century Literacy Curriculum, Gr 4-12 (3 Credits)
• LCRT 5055 - Literacy Assessment & Informed Instruction (3 Credits)
• LCRT 5100 - Secondary Literacy Instruction and Assessment (3 Credits)
• LCRT 5150 - Culturally Relevant & Responsive Pedagogies (3 Credits)
• LCRT 5200 - Theory and Methods of English Education (3 Credits)
• LCRT 5201 - Teaching and Learning with Diverse Adolescent Literature (3 Credits)
• LCRT 5210 - Literacy Development Pre K-3rd Grade (3 Credits)
• LCRT 5220 - Literacy Routines and Assessment, Pre K-3rd Grade (3 Credits)
• LCRT 5230 - Early Literacy Instruction (3 Credits)
• LCRT 5310 - Literacy Assessment & Processing: Guided Reading (3 Credits)
• LCRT 5320 - Teaching Students with Reading Difficulties (3 Credits)
• LCRT 5330 - Deepening Literacy Understandings (3 Credits)
• LCRT 5710 - Inclusive Early Literacy Development and Instruction (3 Credits)
• LCRT 5720 - Responsive Writing Instruction (3 Credits)
• LCRT 5724 - Colorado Writing Project I (4 Credits)
• LCRT 5726 - Colorado Writing Project II (4 Credits)
• LCRT 5728 - Colorado Writing Project III (4 Credits)
• LCRT 5730 - Disciplinary Language and Literacy (3 Credits)
• LCRT 5750 - Children's Literature in Spanish (3 Credits)
• LCRT 5770 - Effective Literacy Instruction for Diverse Learners (3 Credits)
• LCRT 5780 - Connecting Cultures Through Literature (3 Credits)
• LCRT 5790 - Children's Literature: Grimm through Graphic Novels (3 Credits)
• LCRT 5795 - Teaching and Learning with Diverse Children's Literature (3 Credits)
• LCRT 5810 - Language and Literacy Use in Schools, Homes, and Communities (3 Credits)
• LCRT 5815 - Family Literacies in Diverse Communities (3 Credits)
• LCRT 5831 - Assessment for Early Literacy Interventions (2 Credits)
• LCRT 5835 - Special Topics: Literacy and Language (0.5-3 Credits)
• LCRT 5840 - Independent Study: LCRT (1-4 Credits)
• LCRT 5911 - Early Literacy Intervention Practicum (3 Credits)
• LCRT 6840 - Independent Study: LCRT (1-4 Credits)
• LCRT 6910 - Practicum in Literacy Leadership (3 Credits)
• LCRT 6911 - Seminar and Practicum in Literacy and Language, 7-12+ (3 Credits)
• LCRT 6913 - Reading Recovery: Practicum (4 Credits)
• LCRT 6915 - Inquiry, Advocacy, and Teacher Research (3 Credits)
• LCRT 6950 - Master's Thesis (4 Credits)

Program Focus

The program prepares teachers to become decision-makers capable of developing scientifically-based and learner-centered curricula where each student's reading and writing abilities are assessed to address developmental or special needs. The program emphasizes using theory, inquiry, and personal reflection to inform classroom practice.