Teaching writing and critical literacy
Certificate program
Note: This certificate requires participation in the Minnesota Writing Project Invitational Summer Institute, which is determined by a selection process. For additional information, contact MWP at 612-625-6323 or mwp@umn.edu
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 at the state and national levels. In addition, teachers must meet the increasing literacy needs that accompany Minnesota’s changing demographics of growing immigrant and English language learner (ELL) populations. Educators also must prepare students to communicate effectively by using new technologies.
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).
This interdisciplinary certificate includes coursework from the departments of Curriculum and Instruction (C&I); English; Writing Studies; 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.
How to apply
Application materials:
- All applicants must submit the following items online:
- Unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended or are currently attending, except the University of Minnesota. Transcripts can be uploaded directly into the Apply Yourself online application system. For instructions on how to upload your transcripts into the application system, click here.
- If you completed coursework at a university outside of the United States, your transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation center. Request a “course-by-course” evaluation. This process can take 4-6 weeks, so please plan in advance. You can use any provider that is an accredited member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). A suggested provider of this service is Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), P.O. Box 514070, Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470 (414-289-3400, fax: 414-289-3411).
- 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
Application instructions:
- LOG IN TO THE ON-LINE APPLICATION SYSTEM TO APPLY TO THE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM. Be sure to save your PIN and password so you can access the application system to view your admission status.
- When completing “Application Information” you will be asked what type of program you are applying to—choose “Certificate” from the pull down menu. Next you will be asked for your primary program objective—choose “Teaching Writing and Critical Literacy” from the pull down menu. You do not need to select a second or third emphasis. You can skip those boxes and continue to complete the rest of the page.
- Continue through the application pages. On the SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL page you will have the opportunity to upload your transcripts and goal statement.
- Follow the instructions in the online application system for uploading your references.
- Be sure to hit SUBMIT after you have completed the application. You will receive a decision notification by email within three weeks of submission of your application.
- CLICK HERE TO BEGIN THE ON-LINE APPLICATION PROCESS.
Nonnative English speakers and/or international students
All nonnative English speakers must submit an official score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
Note: For nonnative speakers of English, a passing score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required. The following minimum TOEFL scores are required: 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 79-80 (internet-based). If TOEFL scores are not available, other evidence must be submitted.
Curriculum
Core courses (9 credits)
- CI 5463—Minnesota Writing Project Invitational Institute (3
cr)
(This course on the teaching of reading and writing is offered in June and July, and should be completed first in the program sequence.) - CI 5469—Minnesota Writing Project Directed Studies (1-3 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 5404—Culturally Diverse Literature for Children and Adolescents (3 cr.)
- CI 5410—Special Topics in the Teaching of Literacy (1-3 cr, 12 cr max.)
- CI 5411—Teaching Reading in the Elementary School (3 cr)
- CI 5417—Elementary Literacy Instruction for ESL Students (3 cr) [first offering fall 2009]
- CI 5442—Literature for Adolescents (3 cr)
- CI 5462—Evaluating and Assessing Writing (3 cr)
- CI 5475—Teaching Digital Writing: Blogs, Wikis, Online Talk, Podcasting, and E-Portfolios to Teach 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 5618—Specialized Interventions for Students With Disabilities
in Reading and Written Language (3 cr)
(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)
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)
Writing Studies
- WRIT 5531—Introduction to Writing Instruction: Composition Pedagogy (3 cr)
- WRIT 5664—Science Writing for Popular Audiences (3 cr)
Teaching English as a Second Language
- SLS 5101—Academic Writing in TESOL (1 cr)
- SLS 5401—Language Analysis for Teachers of English as a Second Language (4 cr)
- SLS 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
After admission to the program, students register for courses online.
Students who want to begin coursework before they have been admitted to their program must use the One Stop non-degree registration option. Authorized signers in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction are:
- Jessie Eastman (eastm004@umn.edu; 612-625-2545) (primary signer)
- Kathryn Louis (loui0032@umn.edu; 612-625-9809) (backup)
For questions, see FAQ for non-degree graduate registration.
Note: Certificate coursework completed with undergraduate student status cannot be applied to graduate-level degree programs.
Tuition
Tuition varies depending on a student's degree program, student status, and residency. Students seeking the certificate only pay the CEHD departmental master's tuition rate. Students enrolled in Graduate School programs pay Graduate School tuition rates; students enrolled in undergraduate programs pay undergraduate tuition rates.
The University of Minnesota Board of Regents determines tuition rates annually before fall semester. For current tuition rates and reciprocity policies, check the college’s tuition and fees page.
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 One Stop Student Services, 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 Completion
Final certificate clearance depends on completion of all course requirements, including the posting of final grades to the student’s transcript.
In addition to completing all program requirements, students must complete the Graduate Application for Degree/Certificate Form.
The College of Education and Human Development Graduate Student Services clears certificates on a monthly basis. This form must be submitted to One Stop Student Services on or before the first day of the month that the student intends to graduate. Students who submit the form to One Stop Student Services after the first day of the month will be cleared to graduate at the end of the following month.
Successful completion of the certificate will be noted on the student's official University of Minnesota transcript and an official certificate will be issued.
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 January 2012
