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Become an elementary teacher and literacy specialist
General Education teachers teach subjects like reading, writing, science, mathematics, and social studies. They also work with other professionals, like special educators, to provide appropriate, targeted instruction within the regular classroom.
Literacy Specialists have advanced understanding of how to teach reading and writing. They provide targeted instruction for students who struggle in these areas and support for general education teachers.
Tuition & Fees
45 credits
$645 per-credit
$2,935 Graduate Assistantships available per semester
(enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits per semester) *Must be available for in-person Graduate Assistantship work on our Albany or Troy campuses.
Length & Format
2.5 years
to graduate
9 credits a semester,
summer, fall, and spring semesters
In-person
program delivery
About The School of Education
We support future educators from their bachelor’s degree through our doctoral programs because we believe education never stops.
Specialties in our Childhood Education/Literacy Specialist master’s program
This combined Childhood Education/Literacy Specialist master’s degree program stands out due to its focus on best practices and digital literacy. You’ll learn how to teach in a face-to-face format as well as remotely, getting experience teaching general education students and diverse, at-risk urban learners alike. When you graduate, you’ll be eligible to become New York State-certified in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) and Literacy Specialist (All Grades) upon successfully completing the Content Specialty tests and edTPA.
The Power in Positive Ed
Well-being matters, and today’s students and teachers need the tools to manage today’s world.
That’s why Russell Sage College became the first college in the nation to partner with The Center for Positive Education. Each student in the Esteves School of Education graduates with training in Positive Education, and Russell Sage will extend the training to the greater education community with professional development opportunities.
Course Requirements
Our Childhood Education/Literacy Specialist master’s degree is 45 credits and can be completed in two-and-a-half-years by taking nine credits a semester, summer, fall, and spring semesters.
You’ll learn strategies to teach all core subject areas (grades 1-6) and literacy content for all grades, from teaching emergent readers and writers to providing content-area instruction for general education students. You’ll also work in assessment teams to diagnose and develop an instructional plan for a student reading and/or writing significantly below grade level.
You’ll develop, implement and evaluate units of study and lesson plans that are aligned to appropriate standards;
learn to use assessment to inform instructional decisions;
and learn best practices for technology to aid you in the classroom.
Personal Advising, Experienced Faculty
Our master’s program comes with a deep, Russell Sage-level of support from an assigned faculty advisor who works with you to ensure your success.
Peter Stapleton, Ph.D., “Russell Sage College and the Esteves School of Education act as leaders in teacher education, not just in the Capital District but in New York State”
Assistant Professor of Education
Careers with a Master’s in Childhood Education/ Literacy Specialist
When you graduate, you’ll be eligible to become New York State-certified in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) and Literacy Specialist (All Grades) upon successfully completing the Content Specialty tests and edTPA.
Spotlights
Meet some alumni of our graduate Education programs.
Alumni
Tahisha Richards
Tahisha Richards figured the moment had passed her by. For so long she’d thought one day she’d become a teacher. …
Alumni
“The professors were amazing. They were both down-to-earth and full of knowledge. They were always ready to answer my questions. And believe me, I’m a question-asker.”
–
Tahisha Richards
Alumni
Jennie Evans
It almost feels like understatement to say Jennie Evans is well educated. After attaining her bachelor’s degree, she came to …