Teacher gives English lesson to students

Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership, Master of Arts (M.A.) - Language, Literacy, and Social Inquiry Specialization

The M.A. with Specialization in Language, Literacy, and Social Inquiry (LLSI) at Maryland provides highly qualified students with Bachelor’s degrees who are considering proceeding to the Ph.D. with inter-disciplinary program options grounded in research, theory, and best practices available in the Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership and other departments in the College of Education.  

Relevant course work may be taken in American Studies, Anthropology, Classics, Communication, English, History, Journalism, Linguistics, Political Science, Psychology, Public Policy, Sociology, Theater, Women’s Studies and other departments at Maryland.

  The M.A. in English Literacy Education in LLSI has three areas of emphasis:

a.) Adolescent, Post-Secondary, and Community Literacies;

b.) Language, Education, and Society; and

c.) Literature for Children and Young Adults.

For information on the graduate admissions process please visit https://gradschool.umd.edu/education/edtl.

Please refer to the Guide to Applying  for instructions on how to apply for graduate admission. If you have questions or concerns, we ask you to first review our list of  Frequently Asked Questions.  International applicants should visit the International admissions webpage for additional information.

For questions about the application process, or to check on the completion of your application please contact the TLPL Coordinator of Graduate Studies at tlpl-admissions@umd.edu or (301) 405-3118.

INFORMATION SESSION about our Ph.D. and M.A. programs will be held on October 13, 2023, by zoom. Please email Kay Moon (kmoon@umd.edu) to receive updates.

For questions related to the admissions process, students may contact tlpl-admissions@umd.edu

For academic advising on the MA program in English Literacy Education please contact Dr. Wayne Slater at wslater@umd.edu.   

Financial assistance for graduate study is generally divided into two categories: 

  • Merit-Based Assistance Need-Based Assistance  
    • Fellowships and Scholarships Loans  
    • Graduate Assistantships 

For more details about the various types of financial assistance offered by the campus please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid 

There are also a number of fellowships and scholarships offered through the College of Education, the University, and through external sources which may provide tuition support and/or living allowance. Students must apply for these awards on their own, but the links that follow provide valuable information on searching for fellowships and scholarships. 

For more information concerning fellowships and scholarships, please visit: 

The College of Education Financial Aid & Scholarship webpage

The University's Scholarships webpage, and 

The Graduate School Student Fellowships & Awards webpage

M.A Requirements applicable to all specializations are here. Note the flexibility; even if certain courses are suggested for your specialization, you can make substitutions with your advisor's approval.

Relevant coursework may be taken in American Studies, Anthropology, Classics, Communication, English, History, Journalism, Linguistics, Political Science, Psychology, Public Policy, Sociology, Theater, Women’s Studies and other departments at Maryland. 

English and Literacy Education, MA Thesis Option 

Minimum of 30 Credit Hours of Master’s Study 

Credit Hours 

 

Core 

TLPL 788:  Foundations of Education Inquiry: Core I.  Required of all MA students.  Focus on research methods and critique. (Similar to TLPL 771: Theory and Research on Teaching). 

 

Specialization Credits 

 

 

Recommended: TLPL 636: Trends in Secondary School Curriculum: English 

TLPL 637: Communications and the School Curriculum

TLPL 640: Assessing, Diagnosing, and Teaching Writing

TLPL 730: Theory and Research in English Education

TLPL 731: Theory and Research in Written Communication

TLPL 830: Seminar in English Education (offered every other year)

Other courses may be taken with advisor approval from following departments: English Language and Literature, Comparative Literature, Anthropology, American Studies, Psychology, Women’s Studies, Communication, Linguistics, History, Classics, Theater, Film, Hearing and Speech, Journalism, Human Development, Philosophy or other departments relevant to the student’s concentration.  

15 

Research 

TLPL 691: Research Methods or equivalent course as negotiated with advisor 

Electives  

Electives may be taken with advisor approval from the following departments: Teaching & Learning, Policy & Leadership; English Language and Literature, Comparative Literature, Anthropology, American Studies, Psychology, Women’s Studies, Communication, Linguistics, History, Classics, Theater, Film, Hearing and Speech, Journalism, Human Development, Philosophy or other departments relevant to the student’s concentration. 

3-6 

Thesis Research Credits 

TLPL 799: Master’s Thesis Research 

3- 6  

Minimum Credits 

30 

 

Graduate Education Program Requirements

If you have questions about our admissions process, contact TLPL Graduate Coordinator Kay Moon at kmoon@umd.edu.

If you have questions about the program specifically, contact Dr. Wayne Slater at wslater@umd.edu.

Deadlines vary by degree and program.  Please refer to the Graduate School's application information.

CATALOG AND POLICIES

Graduate students in the College of Education are responsible for meeting University and the Graduate School policy, and for meeting Program requirements.  See the Graduate Catalog and Graduate Policies governing graduate education at the University of Maryland. The schedule adjustment policy is available from the Office of the Registrar and provides information on adding and dropping courses, penalties, and refund schedules.

 FORMS 

Graduate students are required to submit various forms at specific points in the program and as part of the degree clearance process. Please refer to Steps Toward Graduation to determine the steps and forms that are required. To access forms used by graduate students visit the Graduate Studies Forms page in Student Services.