Degree Programs

Master of Science in Education Degree

Literacy, Culture, and Language Education

This master's degree program is available at both Bloomington and Indianapolis. It prepares teachers and other professionals working in English/language arts, bilingual education, English as a new language, English as a foreign language, world languages, reading/literacy, and young adult and children's literature. Typically, graduates assume positions as classroom teachers, language education or literacy/reading professionals, or writers and editors of instructional materials.

Literacy, Culture, and Language Education (Online or Residential) - Bloomington

Literacy, Culture, and Language Education courses focus upon the improvement of instruction through an understanding of language and literacy processes in cultural contexts, the integration of formal and informal assessment with instruction, and the application of knowledge to classroom practice.

Program Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 36 hours under the supervision of an assigned advisor.  The advisor will help the student to select courses that fit the program guidelines and that meet the student's academic and professional goals.  The major requirements of the program include the following:

Literacy, Culture, and Language Education (15 cr.)
Please note that your advisor will tailor your schedule to your personal goals and can make additional recommendations

  • L500 Instructional Issues in Language Learning (3 cr.) (required of all students)
  • L605 Capstone in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education (3 cr.) (required of all students)
  • Three Literacy, Culture, and Language Education courses, which can be taken online or residentially
    • L501 Critical Reading in Content Areas (3 cr.)
    • L502 Socio-Psycholinguistic Applications to Reading Instruction (3 cr.)
    • L504 Identifying and Working with Learner Literacy Difficulties (3 cr.)
    • L506 Reading and Academic Support of Postsecondary Learners (1-3 cr.)
    • L507 Issues in Language Learning for Graduate-Level Pre-Service English Teachers (3 cr.)
    • L508 Teaching Young Adult Literatures in a Diverse Society for Graduate-Level Pre-Service English Teachers (3 cr.)
    • L509 Critical Issues for the Reading Professional (3 cr.)
    • L511 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Writing in Elementary Schools (3 cr.)
    • L512 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Writing in Secondary Schools (3 cr.)
    • L513 Literary Aspects of Designing Documents for Training (3 cr.)
    • L516 Advanced Study in the Teaching of English/Language Arts (3 cr.)
    • L517 Advanced Study of Content Reading and Literacy (1-3 cr.)
    • L520 Advanced Study in Foreign Language Teaching (3 cr.)
    • L524 Language Education Issues in Bilingual and Multicultural Education (3 cr.)
    • L525 Practicum in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education (3 cr.)
    • L530 Topical Workshop in Language Education (3 cr.)
    • L535 Teaching Adolescent/Young Adult Literature (3 cr.)
    • L536 Methods and Materials for TESOL Teacher Trainers (3 cr.)
    • L539 Language Foundations for ESL/EFL Teachers (1-3 cr.)
    • L540 ESL/EFL Instruction and Assessment Approaches (3-9 cr.)
    • L541 Writing Instruction for TESL Teacher (1-3 cr.)
    • L543 Teaching English in K-12 Classrooms in Global Contexts (3 cr.)
    • L544 Computer Assisted Language Learning (3 cr.)
    • L546 Mentorship and Literacy Coaching of EFL/ESL Teaching (3 cr.)
    • L547 Language Policy and Planning (3 cr.)
    • L545 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Reading in Elementary Schools (3 cr.)
    • L549 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Language Arts in the Elementary Schools (3 cr.)
    • L559 Trade Books in the Elementary Classroom (3 cr.)
    • L567 Media and Popular Culture in the Teaching of English/Language Arts (3 cr.)
    • L580 Changing Theories, Practices, and Possibilities in Literacy Education (3 cr.)
    • L590 Independent Research in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education (1-3 cr.)
    • L599 Master's Thesis in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education (3 cr.), for those choosing to do a master's thesis, 6 cr. of L599 required
    • L600 Issues in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education (3 cr.)
    • L601 Theoretical Issues in the Study of Language and Literacies (3 cr.)
    • L630 Topics in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education: variable title (3 cr.)
    • L645 Organization and Administration of a School Reading Program (3 cr.)
    • L646 Administration of System Reading Curricula (3 cr.)
    • L647 Practicum: Supervision of Reading (3 cr.)
    • L650 Internship in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education (1-4 cr.)
    • L690 Readings in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education (1-3 cr.)

Foundations (6 cr.)

Inquiry (3 cr.)

  • Y520 Strategies for Educational Inquiry (3 cr.) OR a similar approved course. See advisor for your options.

Substantive Core (3 cr.)
Choose one of the following courses:

  • A600 School Law (3 cr.)
  • A608 Legal Perspectives on Education (3 cr.)
  • E535 Elementary School Curriculum (3 cr.)
  • H504 History of American Education (3 cr.)
  • H520 Education and Social Issues (3 cr.)
  • H525 Anthropology of Education (3 cr.)
  • H530 Philosophy of Education (3 cr.)
  • H540 Educational Sociology (3 cr.)
  • J630 Curriculum Theory and Practice (3 cr.)
  • J636 Curriculum Coordination/Supervision (3 cr.)
  • P510 Psychology in Teaching (3 cr.)
  • P515 Child Development (3 cr.)
  • P516 Adolescent Development (3 cr.)
  • P540 Learning and Cognition in Education (3 cr.)
  • P550 Language and Cognitive Development (3 cr.)
  • S503 Secondary School Curriculum (3 cr.)

Electives (9 - 15 cr.)
Six (6) credit hours of work must be taken outside of the Department of Literacy, Culture and Language Education. Must be approved by the candidate's committee as consistent with the student's total program.

EFL/ESL Peace Corps Masters International (Online or Residential) - Bloomington

Through a unique partnership with the Peace Corps and the IU School of Education, our master’s program enables students to volunteer and earn a master’s degree in EFL or ESL while they serve.

Courses are available online or on campus, as your schedule permits. You may select the EFL/ESL teacher-training track or the teacher-trainer track. Your two-year Peace Corps field experience also counts as six elective credits toward the degree requirements. When you graduate, not only will you have made a real difference in the lives of others, you will be prepared to apply those experiences toward a rewarding teaching career.

To be admitted, you must apply to both the Peace Corps and the M.S. Ed. in Language Education program.

Contact the program directly at lclemi@indiana.edu or the Literacy, Culture, and Language Education Department at lcle@indiana.edu for more information.

Literacy, Culture, and Language Education (15 cr.)

  • L500 Instructional Issues in Language Education (3 cr.)
  • L605 Capstone in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education (3 cr.)
  • Choose three of the following EFL/ESL Teacher Education courses:
    • L502 Socio-Psycholinguistic Applications to Reading Instruction (3 cr.)
    • L520 Advanced Study in Foreign Language Teaching (3 cr.)
    • L524 Bilingual Issues in Second/Foreign Language Teaching (3 cr.)
    • L525 Practicum in Language Instruction (3 cr.)
    • L530 Topical Workshop in Language Education (3 cr.)
    • L539 Language Foundations for TESOL Teachers (1-3 cr.)
    • L540 EFL/ESL Instruction and Assessment Approaches (3 cr.)
    • L541 Writing Instruction for TESOL Teachers (1-3 cr.)
    • L543 Teaching English in Global Contexts (3 cr.)
    • L544 Computer-Assisted Language Learning (3 cr.)
    • L546 Mentoring and Literacy Coaching of ESL/EFL Teachers (3 cr.)
    • L547 Language Policy and Planning (3 cr.)

Foundation & Inquiry (6 cr.)

  • Y520 Strategies for Educational Inquiry (3 cr.)
  • P540 Learning and Cognition (3 cr.)

Electives (9 cr.)
Choose three additional courses from the EFL/ESL Teacher Education courses.

Outside-of-Department Electives (Peace Corps Two-Year Service)

  • A portfolio is required.
Language Education - Indianapolis

Required (9 cr.)

  • L500 Instructional Issues in Language Learning (3 cr.)
  • Choose one of the following Foundation courses (3 cr.)
    • A560 Political Perspectives of Education (3 cr.)
    • H504 History of American Education (3 cr.)
    • H520 Education and Social Issues (3 cr.)
    • H530 Philosophy of Education (3 cr.)
    • T550 Cultural/Community Forces in Schools (3 cr.)
  • Y520 Strategies for Educational Inquiry (3 cr.)

Specialized Studies (15 cr.)

  • Courses should have a unified focus.

Optional Thesis or Master's Project (6 cr.)

  • Six hours of electives may be substituted.

Electives (6 cr.)

  • Negotiated with faculty advisor

Academic Bulletins

PDF Version

Click here for the PDF version.

Contact Us

Contact information for:

Additional program information can be found at the Office of Graduate Studies.