Master of Arts in Literacy Education (MALEd)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

The courses in the Master of Arts in Literacy Education (MALED) will provide a comprehensive, rigorous focus on literacy instruction and leadership.

Acquired skills and knowledge

Teachers who graduate from the MALED program will:

Develop the expertise, confidence and skills needed to become teacher leaders in their classrooms, schools and communities.
Gain experience staying abreast of literacy theory, research and classroom application.
Become supporters, promoters and advocates of literacy in schools and communities.

Conceptual framework and guiding questions

The Professional Education Program at Hamline University is committed to developing teacher-leaders who promote equity in schools and society, build communities of teachers and learners, construct knowledge, and practice thoughtful inquiry and reflection. This conceptual framework is reflected in a series of guiding questions woven throughout the MALED curriculum.

Each required course has a set of guiding questions. The following is a sampling from one of the required courses, GED 8030: Essentials in Literacy & Learning:

What is literacy and how does the expanding definition of literacy affect teaching and learning?
What is the relationship between literacy theories and beliefs, values and practices?
How does a theoretical context for understanding research support study in diverse educational contexts?
How can seminal literacy research in language, literacy and culture inform practice?
What are the foundations of building and sustaining a learning community of literacy professionals?
How do the essentials in literacy and learning contribute to the research base for the capstone?

MALED Degree Requirements (Total of 34 credits):

The MALED includes 34 total credits, 24 required and 10 elective.

At least five of the ten elective credits should be literacy-focused. Most elective choices are made to meet students’ professional learning needs. Credits may be earned through 6000, 7000, or 8000-level Hamline University Graduate Continuing Studies/Professional Development courses or at other accredited institutions.

The MALED provides a broad array of literacy-rich elective credit options and draws upon established certificates, licensures and institutes to provide you with wide-ranging choice in elective credit. The variety of these options will enable you to tailor your learning experiences to specific areas of literacy education (e.g., reading, writing, children’s literature or book arts).

24 Required Core Credits

10 Elective Credits (selected by the student)

Elective coursework in this degree may be acquired through graduate language arts courses:

K-12 Reading License
Literacy Certificate
Writing Certificate
Children’s Literature Certificate
A combination of courses from the above certificates and license
Other elective credit options

MALED Application Requirements

Completed application (online at www.hamline.edu/education/admission/apply_online_instructions.html)
Written essay: The Admission Committee uses this essay to learn about your plans for the Master of Arts in Literacy Education program and your ability to think and write. Please answer the following questions:
1. Why do you want to pursue the Master of Arts in Literacy Education?
2. How will the MALED meet your personal and/or professional goals?
3. What outcomes do you expect will result from participation in the MALED at Hamline University?
Official undergraduate degree transcript sent directly from the institution to Graduate Admission or in a sealed, signed envelope. You do not need to supply transcripts for courses taken at Hamline University.
Two letters of recommendation.

Transfer of credit guidelines

At least half of the elective credits (five semester credits) must be completed through Hamline University. Up to five semester credits of graduate work from another accredited institution completed prior to admission into the MA program may be used towards elective credits, provided the following transfer criteria are met:

Official transcript clearly states course is at graduate level.
Course was completed within 7 years prior to admission.
Applicant received a letter grade of B- or above.

Up to 10 semester credits completed at Hamline prior to admission can be transferred into the MALED program as elective credits. If you have already earned a Hamline certificate or license, you may bring in 10 semester credits to fulfill the elective requirement.

Transfer of credit for course work completed prior to degree program admission occurs after successful completion of GED 8030: Essentials in Literacy and Learning.