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MALEd Master of Arts in Literacy Education
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Online master’s in literacy education
Take your knowledge of literacy education to the next level. Literacy—the center of all learning—is the foundation for your students' success in the classroom and as members of society. Instilling literacy skills in your students is essential for them to meet the challenges of learning, communicating, and problem-solving in today's world.
With Hamline’s Master of Arts in Literacy Education degree, you will:
- Gain a foundation in the theoretical and practical bases of effective literacy instruction, including critical and digital literacy
- Develop the expertise needed to enrich the literacy learning of diverse students across developmental levels, academic disciplines, and social and cultural contexts
- Become an advocate for literacy through a comprehensive understanding of literacy development, process, and instruction
What will it take?
Master of Arts in Literacy Education program details
Start dates and application deadlines
We review applications on a rolling basis, meaning that you can apply and start your master’s in literacy education online at three separate times throughout the year. We recommend applying at least six weeks before the term you want to start to ensure your spot.
MALEd program format
Hamline's Master of Arts in Literacy Education is offered entirely online. Some individual classes may meet synchronously at a set meeting time online in the evenings. You have the option of choosing elective coursework that is offered entirely online, on-campus, or hybrid.
Time to complete your online Master of Arts in Literacy Education
You decide your pace, so—if you want—you can graduate as early as 24 months or take as many or as few classes as your schedule allows.
If you transfer credits for your electives from an already completed Hamline Advanced Literacy Leadership Certificate, you can complete the master’s in literacy education in 18 months.
Master of Arts in Literacy Education courses
You’ll finish your master’s in literacy education online in 10-12 courses.
Core courses (20 credits):
The core of the MALEd degree is made up of seven courses:
- LANG 8300: The Nature of Literacy Learning and Effective Instructional Practices (4 credits)
- LANG 8310: Critical Literacy: Fostering Equity, Access, and Varied Perspectives (2 credits)
- LANG 8340: Critical Issues in Literacy Leadership: Understanding and Advocating at Local, State, and National Levels (2 credits)
- GED 8200: Understanding Learning (2 credits)
- GED 8210: Investigating Contemporary and Critical Issues in Education (2 credits)
- GED 8220: Policy, Leadership, and Advocacy in Education (4 credits)
- GED 8400: Research Design (4 credits)
Elective courses (10 credits):
Elective credits should be literacy-focused. Most elective choices are made to meet students’ professional learning needs. Elective coursework for this degree may be completed by:
- Completing the Advanced Literacy Leadership Certificate (10 credits)
- Completing courses offered through the program
- Completing other relevant School of Education and Leadership graduate-level courses.
Note: Co-sponsored courses offered through the School of Education and Leadership Continuing Studies program may be applied to degree program requirements up to 25% of the total credits.
Capstone (4 credits):
Choose one of the following:
- GED 8490: Capstone Project (4 credits)
- GED 8495: Capstone Thesis I & GED 8496: Capstone Thesis II (2 credits each)
How to apply to the MALEd program
- Online application (no fee for US residents).
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work. If your transcripts are in a language other than English, you must submit both the original transcript and an official course-by-course English translation by a . Official transcript of a bachelor's degree with a GPA of at least 3.0 from a regionally accredited college or university. This should be sent directly from the institution to Graduate Admission or provided in a sealed, signed envelope. Official electronic copies should be emailed to gradprog@hamline.edu. You do not have to provide transcripts for courses taken at ÀÏ·ò×Ó´«Ãº.
- Two-page essay explaining your personal and professional philosophy of education (MAEd), environmental education (MAED:NSEE), or literacy education (MALEd); how this program will support your personal and professional growth in the field; and how you hope to contribute to the field as a result of your graduate studies.
- Non-native speakers of English must also submit evidence of either a bachelor’s degree from an English-language university or a TOEFL iBT of 80, IELTS score of 6.5, or Duolingo of 105.
If you have a GPA of 2.5-2.9, you may still be considered for admission. Please also provide:
- A one- to two-page narrative to help the admissions committee assess your academic history and qualifications, in the context of the high standards for academic performance in our program.
- Two letters of recommendation written by people unrelated to you, who are familiar with your academic and/or professional history and who can accurately assess your potential for successful graduate study.
How we help make your master’s in literacy education affordable
Competitive tuition
When you invest in an MALEd degree from Hamline, you benefit from a prestigious degree from Minnesota's first university. We work hard to ensure our tuition, accompanied by tuition discounts and other financial aid, is a worthwhile investment for all students.
Generous financial aid
In addition to the scholarships and tuition discounts listed below, additional financial aid is also available, and many graduate students use low-interest loans to finance their education.
- Academic merit scholarships - $1,500
- Leadership scholarships - $1,500
- Learning partnership discounts - 10% off tuition
- Service scholarships - 10% off tuition
- Alumni discounts - 10% off tuition