Teaching writing and critical literacy
Certificate program
Program
The certificate in teaching writing and critical literacy prepares preK-college educators to strengthen their skills and knowledge of current practice and research in the teaching of critical reading and writing.
The certificate is a 15-credit program for degree-seeking and non-degree seeking students.
Writing and reading complement one another, and their interconnectedness is critical to literacy instruction. This certificate will offer advanced knowledge of the teaching of literacy through a focused, rigorous program while developing practicing educators’ skills as teachers and writers in a supportive learning community.
Changing literacy needs of students from all socioeconomic and educational backgrounds demand highly qualified teachers of reading and writing at the K-12 and postsecondary levels. Educators must prepare K-12 students to meet testing requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) standards. Teachers also need skills to meet the increasing literacy needs that accompany Minnesota’s changing demographics of growing immigrant and English language learner (ELL) populations.
The certificate program seeks to accomplish the following goals:
- Develop educators’ skills in the best practices for literacy instruction, which also includes effective strategies for teaching the writing process to English-language learners and diverse populations, as well as reading and writing across the curriculum
- Engage educators in current research about composition, reading, and learning theory
- Create learning communities where educators reflect on their own teaching, reading, and writing
- Give educators opportunities to learn from other practicing educators
This program begins with a three-week, three-credit Minnesota Writing Project (MWP) Invitational Institute and then extends to allow educators to choose from a wider range of courses from multiple University departments throughout the academic year.
Educators will have seven years to complete the certificate, beginning with the first coursework completed for the program, and must maintain a 2.80 overall grade point average (GPA).
The certificate will be offered jointly by the University of Minnesota’s departments of Curriculum and Instruction (C&I); English; Rhetoric; Institute of Linguistics, English as a Second Language, and Slavic Languages and Literatures (ILES); and the Center for Writing.
Admission
Applicants must be licensed teachers or administrators. Non-licensed teachers may be admitted with faculty letters of recommendation if program space is available.
All applications should be submitted to CEHD Student Services, 110 Wulling Hall, 86 Pleasant Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455.
Submit the following application materials:
- A completed application form [.pdf; download and complete]
- Copies of all postsecondary transcripts. Unofficial copies of transcripts are acceptable.
- A résumé
- A statement of purpose that explains the relationship of courses and research to your professional goals (suggested length: two pages)
- Two letters of recommendation addressing your teaching accomplishments and potential for further study
Curriculum
Core courses (9 credits)
- CI 5410—Special Topics in the Teaching of Literacy
[Topic: Minnesota Writing Project Invitational Institute] (3 cr)
(This course on the teaching of reading and writing is offered in June and July, and must be completed first in the program sequence.) - CI 5186—School-Related Projects (3 cr)
(This capstone course covers professional research and writing for teachers.)
Students also complete one of the following courses in the teaching of reading and/or writing:
- CI 5422—Teaching Writing in Schools (3 cr)
- CI 5451—Teaching Reading in Middle and Secondary Grades (3 cr)
- CI 5462—Evaluating and Assessing Writing (3 cr)
Additional courses (6 credits)
Two additional courses appropriate for educators in the certificate are required and will come from a wide range of course designators listed below. Available regular offerings, and topics courses and program seminars will vary from year to year, and will change as the relevant fields create new areas of inquiry.
Curriculum and Instruction
- CI 5145—Critical Pedagogy (3 cr)
- CI 5147—Language, Culture, and Education (3 cr)
- CI 5177—Practical Research (3 cr)
- CI 5410—Special Topics in the Teaching of Literacy
(Topic: Literacy Instruction for the ESL Student) (1-3 cr) - CI 5411—Teaching Reading in the Elementary School (3 cr)
- CI 5442—Literature for Adolescents (3 cr)
- CI 5462—Evaluating and Assessing Writing (3 cr)
- CI 5647—Teaching Middle and Secondary Immigrant and Refugee Students with Limited Formal Schooling (3 cr)
- CI 5656—Reading and Writing in a Second Language (3 cr)
- CI 5660—Special Topics in the Teaching of Second Languages and Cultures (Topic: Literacy Instruction for the ESL Student) (1-4 cr)
Educational Psychology
- EPSY 5118—Language: Psycholinguistic Research and Educational Application (3 cr)
- EPSY 5612—Understanding of Academic Disabilities (3 cr)
- EPSY 5615—Advanced Academic Interventions (3 cr)
- EPSY 5644—Language Development and Programming for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Children (3 cr)
- EPSY 5646—Reading and Writing Practices with Deaf/Hard of Hearing Children (3 cr)
- EPSY 5720—Special Topics: Special Education
(Topic: Literacy Interventions for Children with Language Disabilities) (1-4 cr) - EPSY 8116—Reading for Meaning: Cognitive Processes in the Comprehension of Texts (3 cr)
- EPSY 8117—Writing Empirical Paper and Research/Grant Proposals in Education and Psychology (3 cr)
English: Literature
- ENGL 5630—Theories of Writing and Writing Instruction (3 cr)
- ENGL 5790—Topics in Rhetoric, Composition, and Language (3 cr)
English: Creative Writing
- ENGW 5570—Minnesota Writing Project Directed Studies (1-3 cr)
Language Teaching and Technology
- LGTT 5101—Applications of Technology in Language Teaching (3 cr)
Linguistics
- LING 4002—Linguistic Analysis (3 cr)
- LING 5001—Introduction to Linguistics (4 cr)
- LING 5005—Applications of Linguistics (3 cr)
- LING 5461—Conversation Analysis (3 cr)
- LING 5900—Topics in Linguistics (1-4 cr)
Rhetoric
- RHET 5531—Scientific and Technical Communication Course Development and Pedagogy I (3 cr)
- RHET 5664—Science Writing for Popular Audiences (3 cr)
Teaching English as a Second Language
- TESL 5101—Academic Writing in TESOL (1 cr)
- TESL 5401—Language Analysis for Teachers of English as a Second Language (4 cr)
- TESL 5721—Methods in Teaching English as a Second Language (3 cr)
Work and Human Resource Education
- WHRE 5803—Developmental Writing and the College Student: Theory and Practice (3 cr)
Note: For course descriptions and schedules, refer to the University of Minnesota Class Schedule at the University’s One Stop student services Web site.
Registration
Currently admitted degree-seeking, certificate-seeking, or non-degree seeking students may register online for coursework.
Students who want to begin certificate coursework before admission to a University of Minnesota degree or certificate program should complete a CEHD First-Time Registration for non-degree seeking Students packet. Packets are also available at the College’s office of Student Services, 110 Wulling Hall, 86 Pleasant Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455; 612-625-6501; e-mail: cehdgrad@umn.edu.
For questions about registration, contact Student Services at 612-625-5815.
Note: Certificate coursework completed with undergraduate student status cannot be applied to graduate-level degree programs.
Tuition/Financial aid
Certificate tuition varies, depending on a student’s enrollment status and residency. Tuition fees are charged according to the following criteria:
- Students seeking the certificate only pay the CEHD departmental master’s (M.Ed.) tuition rate.
- Students enrolled in certificate and master of education (M.Ed.) programs pay the CEHD departmental master’s tuition rate.
- Students enrolled in Graduate School programs (e.g., M.A., Ph.D., Ed.D.) pay Graduate School tuition rates.
Tuition rates are determined annually by the University of Minnesota Board of Regents before fall semester. Students may be billed for additional fees at the time of registration.
Residents of Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Manitoba may be eligible for special tuition reciprocity rates comparable to Minnesota resident rates.
General financial aid advising and information are available from the University’s Office of Student Finance (OSF), 200 Fraser Hall, 106 Pleasant Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455; 612-624-1111.
For graduate assistantship/scholarship information (for students enrolled in graduate degree programs), contact the Graduate Assistant Office, 200 Donhowe (for mail) or 100 Donhowe (for walk in), Minneapolis, MN 55455; 612-624-7070; fax: 612-625-9801.
Program staff
Program contact
Muriel Thompson, Center for Writing
612-625-6323, MurielT@umn.edu
Kirsten Jamsen, Center for Writing
612-625-5355,
kjamsen@umn.edu
Cynthia Lewis, Curriculum and Instruction (C&I)
612-625-6313, lewis@umn.edu
Revised May 2007