This five-year program is an opportunity for undergraduates to remain at St. Joseph’s University to pursue a graduate degree in Literacy and Cognition. The primary goal is to help prepare academically qualified junior and senior undergraduate students to pursue a master’s degree as well as earn an additional teaching certification as a Literacy Specialist, thereby creating increased employment opportunities and enhancing their abilities as they enter the field of education. Students will receive a strong foundation in the teaching of reading and writing that contribute to the effectiveness of a classroom teacher, special education teacher, and literacy specialist. There is an emphasis on the Science of Reading in the curriculum that is aligned with current legislation for reading instruction in New York State.
Students will apply in the last semester of their sophomore year. Qualified students who are accepted to the 5- year program will enroll in one graduate course for each semester of their junior and senior year.
These four courses will count as general electives at the undergraduate level and incur no extra tuition beyond the regular undergraduate tuition. The remaining eight graduate courses will be completed after students have earned their bachelor’s degrees.
Timeline and Required Graduate Courses
Junior Year - Fall: 3 credits
CSL 630
Junior Year - Spring: 3 credits
CSL 550
Senior Year - Fall: 3 credits
CSL 540
Senior Year - Spring: 3 credits
CSL 560 (10 hrs.) or 550 CSL
Summer 1: 6 credits
CSL 500
CSL 510
Grad School Fall: 6 credits
CSL 620 (10 hrs.)
CSL 590
Grad School Spring: 6 credits
CSL 520
CSL 610 (30 hrs.)
Summer 2: 6 credits
CSL 570
CSL 580