Dec 14, 2024  
2021-2023 Graduate Catalog 
    
2021-2023 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Master of Arts in Teaching in Reading and Language Arts


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Department of Reading and Language Arts
490A Pawley Hall  (map)
(248) 370-3054 • Fax (248) 370-4367
http://www.oakland.edu/rla

Coordinator:
Dr. Tanya Christ
460F Pawley Hall
(248) 370-3091
christ@oakland.edu

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Graduate Catalog Addendum  

Program description

Most Master of Arts in Teaching-Reading and Language Arts students are classroom teachers whose daily work requires them to deal with the literacy needs of young children, adolescents or adults. Instruction in the MAT program prepares classroom teachers to work effectively and efficiently in settings where class sizes may range from 5 to 40 or more learners. The MAT program allows certified teachers to add a Michigan endorsement as a Classroom Reading Teacher (BT), a Language Arts Teacher (BX), or a building level Reading Specialist (BR). The core program is the same for each endorsement but Oakland can only recommend students for one endorsement program based on those courses. Requirements and elective options vary according to the intended endorsement program. Endorsement candidates must complete the coursework and pass the appropriate state of Michigan certification endorsement test before the endorsement can be issued by the State.

Admission terms and application deadlines

Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Oakland University’s Graduate School by the semester deadlines listed below. Incomplete applications will not be sent to departments for admission review.

Application requirements

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all Graduate Application Requirements and additional department requirements by the published application deadlines:

  1.   

Admission review and assessment

Admission to graduate school at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Oakland University’s Graduate School, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses, and any other admission requirements established by the academic department.

The department considers only those applicants who hold baccalaureate degrees from regionally-accredited institutions. While an undergraduate grade-point average of at least 3.0 is the minimum standard for admission, other factors bearing on potential academic success are given due consideration.

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Degree requirements


The Master of Arts in Teaching-Reading and Language Arts degree is awarded upon satisfactory completion of 32 credits in an approved program of study. If the two-course option, in lieu of RDG 6996 (Master’s Project), is selected, the program requires 36 credits.

Course requirements


 

a. Core courses (24-28 credits)


 

b. Electives (8 credits)


  • Elective courses (8 credits)

Endorsement requirements


 

MAT plus Classroom Teacher (BT) endorsement


The MAT plus Classroom Reading Teacher (BT) endorsement provides the most flexibility in choice of electives. The program consists of the core courses plus eight credits of electives in Reading (RDG) or Digital Literacies and Learning (DLL). Any 5000- or 6000-level course with a RDG or DLL designation preceding the course number constitutes an acceptable elective. In addition, RDG or DLL7000-level courses may serve as electives, but only with adviser and course instructor permission. If you choose to substitute two additional electives for RDG 6996 , Master’s Project, this would allow four electives.

MAT plus Reading Specialist (BR) endorsement


The MAT plus Reading Specialist (BR) endorsement consists of the core requirements plus RDG 5558  , Disciplinary Literacies, and RDG 5640  , Leadership in Literacy Instruction. Thirty-two credits are needed to graduate with RDG 6996  ; 36 credits are needed without RDG 6996.

MAT plus Language Arts (BX) endorsement


The MAT plus Language Arts (BX) endorsement consists of the core requirements plus RDG 5634 , Reading-Language Arts Instruction in the Elementary School, and any other necessary courses. These courses must fulfill the English and Linguistics requirements for this endorsement. If these requirements have been met with undergraduate courses not used for a previous endorsement, then RDG or DLL electives can be substituted to fulfill the needed electives. If a student chooses to substitute two additional electives for RDG 6996  , Master’s Practicum, the student would have additional choices. This endorsement should be carefully planned with a reading adviser. 

Satisfactory academic progress


Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the term used to denote a student’s successful completion of coursework toward a certificate or degree. Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to monitor Satisfactory Academic Progress for all financial aid recipients each semester.

Students who fall behind in their coursework, or fail to achieve minimum standards for grade point average and completion of classes, may lose their eligibility for all types of federal, state and university aid. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional details.

Good academic standing


All graduate students are expected to remain in good academic standing throughout the entire course of their graduate program. To be in good academic standing, a graduate student must make satisfactory progress toward fulfilling degree requirements, including the completion of critical degree milestones as set forth by the academic program. The student must also maintain a minimum semester and overall GPA of 3.0.

Good academic standing is a requirement for:

  • Holding a Graduate Assistantship
  • Receiving a fellowship or scholarship
  • Advancing to candidacy for a graduate degree
  • Going on a leave of absence
  • Obtaining a graduate certificate or degree from Oakland University.

Additionally, graduate students must meet all department academic standards which may be more stringent than the minimum set forth by the University.

Graduate students who are not in good academic standing for any reason are subject to probation and/or dismissal from further graduate study.

Related program information


Plan of study

All accepted applicants, in consultation with their assigned faculty program adviser, must develop a plan of study that details specific courses the students will use to satisfy their degree requirements. The plan of study must be approved by the faculty program adviser and submitted by the student to Oakland University Graduate School.

Master’s and graduate certificate students must submit a department-approved plan of study by the end of their first semester of graduate coursework. Doctoral students must submit an approved plan of study prior to completion of the first year of coursework. (See the Graduate Student Responsibility  section of this catalog.)

Note:  Credit granted for successful completion of a course toward an undergraduate degree program may not be repeated for a graduate degree. If a substitution is approved, the minimum number of program-approved graduate credits will be required. A Petition of Exception - OU Course Waiver/ Substitution requesting the substitution must be approved.

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