In addition, a required component of the program is a practicum experience in which the graduate student provides individualized instruction for a student who experiences special problems in reading. Emphasis is placed upon instructional decision-making. Graduate students are expected to be reflective about their teaching, their students' learning, and about the literacy processes in which they are involving their students. The sequence of the courses RED 501, RED 525, RED 505, RED 506, is designed to provide students with opportunities to develop a broad theoretical base, to have personal experiences with the literacy process, and to develop insights into appropriate ways to facilitate the development of literacy in their students. The Reading Practicum , RED 510, further expands the graduate student's competency in providing appropriate instruction to those students for whom literacy learning is a problem.
Options exist for the completion of the program.
Electives offer alternatives to students who may choose from courses offered in the Reading program or other departments in either the School of Education or College of Arts and Sciences. Selection of electives must be made in consultation with the student's program advisor. Since the program is based upon research in language learning, the graduate student is expected to have an understanding of this research, in general, and is also expected to become more knowledgeable about one area that is self-selected. Those students writing a thesis or project must register for RED 598, Thesis or RED 597, Project respectively. Students must maintain a 3.0 overall GPA throughout the program.