MA in Education (Language and Literacy)

Total units required for MA: 30

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Education with a Concentration in Language and Literacy is designed for the administrator, the classroom teacher, and the specialist teacher of language and literacy for all types of children, youth, and adults. The program includes required courses in Professional Education and selected courses in language and literacy.

Admission Requirements

Admission as a classified graduate student requires:

  • a baccalaureate degree;
  • two years of teaching experience or its functional equivalent;
  • a minimum 2.5 GPA in the last 60 units;
  • proficiency in written English composition as demonstrated by either passing the Sacramento State Writing Placement for Juniors exam or equivalent, or enrolling in ENGL 109W passing with a grade of C or better; and
  • an interview with a student/practicing administrator/faculty team; interviews will be scheduled at the close of the application period, (the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test scores are NOT required; however, these test scores may be included with the admission application).

Applicants who have deficiencies in admission requirements that can be removed by specified additional preparation may be admitted with conditionally classified graduate status. Any deficiencies will be noted on a written response to the student's admission application.

Admission Procedures

Prospective graduate students, including Sacramento State graduates, must file the following with the Office of Graduate Studies, Riverfront Center 215, (916) 278-6470:

  • an online application for admission; and
  • one set of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, other than Sacramento State.

For more admissions information and application deadlines, please visit the Office of Graduate Studies website.

The graduate degree program is subject to general University and Departmental requirements. These requirements are explained in the Graduate Degree Requirements section of the University Catalog.

Specific Additional Admission Requirements

Admission as a classified graduate student in Education, Language and Literacy, requires:

  • a valid Teaching Credential or advisor or Department approval for waiving this requirement;
  • a minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 units attempted; and
  • successful completion of a basic course in the Teaching of Reading from an accredited university; if reading methods course is older than seven years, the applicant must show evidence of either a) current staff development in Language and Literacy by participation in workshops, institutes, etc., (candidates must show documentation); or b) passing the RICA test within the past seven years.

Applicants who have deficiencies in admission requirements that can be removed by specified additional preparation may be admitted with conditionally classified graduate status. Any deficiencies will be noted on a written response to the student's admission application.

The Department of Teacher Education requires each student download the Department of Teacher Education Graduate Student Handbook, available on the Department website.

Minimum Units and Grade Requirement for the Degree

Units required for the MA:  30

Minimum cumulative GPA: 3.0; no units with a grade lower than "C" may apply toward the degree.

General Advancement to Candidacy Procedures

Each student must file an application for Advancement to Candidacy indicating a proposed program of graduate study. This procedure should begin as soon as the classified graduate student has:

  • removed any deficiencies in admission;
  • completed at least 12 units of courses in the graduate program (see Degree Requirements) with a minimum 3.0 GPA; and
  • taken the Writing Placement for Graduate Students (WPG) or taken a Graduate Writing Intensive (GWI) course in their discipline within the first two semesters of coursework at California State University, Sacramento or secured approval for a WPG waiver.

Advancement to Candidacy forms are available online through the Office of Graduate Studies website. The student fills out the form after planning a degree program in consultation with the appropriate M.A. Program Coordinator. The form must be submitted to the Teacher Education Department Office and the Office of Graduate Studies for approval.

Approved Master's Thesis/Project Format: American Psychological Association (APA) - Latest edition. Before beginning a 500-level course to complete a Project, Action Research, or Thesis, students are required to have an approved Culminating Experience Proposal on file in the Department office. The reservation form for a Culminating Experience Chair for fall semester is due March 10; for spring the form is due October 15. Note: A completed Proposal requires the approval of the Culminating Experience Chair as well as Human Subjects approval. The proposal and accompanying Protection of Human Subject forms must be reviewed by the EDTE Graduate Coordinator and the Department or University Human Subjects Review Committee.

Enrollment in the 500 series Culminating Experience is for one semester. The expectation is that students will complete the thesis/project during the 500-level course.  One semester of continuous enrollment is allowed if the Culminating Experience Chair deems a reasonable amount of progress has been made as per the timeline in the Proposal and assigns a grade of "RP" for the 500 series. If students fail to make adequate progress according to their Proposal timeline and there are no mitigating circumstances (e.g., illness), a grade of "no credit" is given, and the student must re-enroll in the appropriate 500 series Culminating Experience.

Note: The Department of Teacher Education requires each student download the Department of Teacher Education Graduate Student Handbook, available on the Department website.

Program Requirements

Reading/Language Arts Specialist Credential Emphasis

Required Courses (24 Units)
Tier I (Take these courses first)
EDTE 2003
EDTE 2013
EDTE 2033
EDTE 2053
Tier II (Take these courses ONLY after you have completed Tier I)
EDTE 2023
EDTE 2063
EDTE 2073
EDTE 2093
Other Required Course (3 Units)
EDTE 250Educational Research 3
Culminating Requirement (3 Units)
EDTE 5033
Total Units30

Adult Reading Certificate Emphasis

Required Courses (24 Units)
Tier I (Take these courses first)
ENGL 215AReading/Vocabulary Acquisition3
EDTE 2013
EDTE 2033
EDTE 2053
Tier II (Take these courses ONLY after you have completed Tier I)
EDTE 2023
EDTE 2073
EDTE 225CTheoretical Issues in Adult Literacies3
ENGL 410LInternship in Teaching Adult Reading3
Other Required Course (3 Units)
EDTE 250Educational Research 3
Culminating Requirement (3 Units)
EDTE 503 13
Total Units30