Campuses:
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
Twin Cities Campus
Teaching Writing and Critical Literacy Postbaccalaureate CertificateCurriculum & Instruction
College of Education and Human Development
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Department of Curriculum and Instruction, University of Minnesota, 125 Peik Hall, 159 Pillsbury Drive S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-625-4006)
Email:
ciinfo@umn.edu
Website: http://www.cehd.umn.edu/ci
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
The certificate in teaching writing and critical literacy prepares preK-college educators to strengthen their skills and knowledge of current practice and research in the teaching of critical reading and writing. The certificate is a 15-credit program for degree-seeking and non-degree seeking students.
Writing and reading complement one another, and their interconnectedness is critical to literacy instruction. This certificate will offer advanced knowledge of the teaching of literacy through a focused, rigorous program while developing practicing educators' skills as teachers and writers in a supportive learning community.
Changing literacy needs of students from all socioeconomic and educational backgrounds demand highly qualified teachers of reading and writing at the K-12 and postsecondary levels. Educators must prepare K-12 students to meet testing requirements at the state and national levels. In addition, teachers must meet the increasing literacy needs that accompany Minnesota's changing demographics of growing immigrant and English language learner (ELL) populations. Educators also must prepare students to communicate effectively by using new technologies.
The certificate program seeks to accomplish the following goals:
- Develop effective strategies for teaching the writing process to English-language learners and diverse populations, as well as reading and writing across the curriculum
- Engage educators in current research about composition, reading, and learning theory
- Create learning communities where educators reflect on their own teaching, reading, and writing
- Give educators opportunities to learn from other practicing educators
This program begins with a three-week, three-credit Minnesota Writing Project (MWP) Invitational Institute and then extends to allow educators to choose from a wider range of courses from multiple University departments throughout the academic year.
Educators will have seven years to complete the certificate, beginning with the first coursework completed for the program, and must maintain a 2.80 overall grade point average (GPA).
This interdisciplinary certificate includes coursework from the departments of Curriculum and Instruction (C&I); English; Writing Studies; Institute of Linguistics, English as a Second Language, and Slavic Languages and Literatures (ILES); and the Center for Writing.
Program Delivery
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program
is 3.00.
Applicants must be licensed teachers or administrators. Non-licensed teachers may be admitted with faculty letters of recommendation if program space is available.
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
Submit the following application materials:
- A completed application form [.pdf; download and complete]
- Copies of all postsecondary transcripts. Unofficial copies of transcripts are acceptable.
- A résumé
- A statement of purpose that explains the relationship of courses and research completed to professional goals (suggested length: two pages)
- Two letters of recommendation addressing teaching accomplishments and potential for further study
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
The preferred English language test is Test of English as Foreign Language.
Key to test
abbreviations
(TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.
Program Requirements
Use of 4xxx courses towards program requirements is not permitted.
A minimum GPA of 2.80
is required for students to remain in good standing.
Required Coursework
CI 5463 - Minnesota Writing Project Annual Invitational Summer Institute
(3.0 cr)
CI 5469 {Inactive}
(1.0-3.0 cr)
Students also complete one of the following courses in the teaching of reading and/or writing courses.
CI 5442 - Adolescent Literature, Youth Activism and Climate Change Literacy
(3.0 cr)
or
CI 5451 - Teaching Reading in Middle and Secondary Grades
(3.0 cr)
or
CI 5462 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
Two additional courses appropriate for educators in the certificate are required and will come from a wide range of course designators listed below. Available regular offerings, and topics courses and program seminars will vary from year to year, and will change as the relevant fields create new areas of inquiry.
CI 5145 - Critical Pedagogy
(3.0 cr)
or
CI 5177 - Practical Research
(1.0-3.0 cr)
or
CI 5404 - Multicultural Literature for Children and Adolescents
(3.0 cr)
or
CI 5410 {Inactive}
(1.0-3.0 cr)
or
CI 5411 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
CI 5417 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
CI 5442 - Adolescent Literature, Youth Activism and Climate Change Literacy
(3.0 cr)
or
CI 5462 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
CI 5475 - Teaching Digital Writing
(3.0 cr)
or
CI 5647 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
CI 5656 - Teaching Literacy in Second Language Classrooms
(3.0 cr)
or
CI 5660 - Special Topics in the Teaching of Second Languages and Cultures
(1.0-4.0 cr)
or
EPSY 5612 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
EPSY 5615 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
EPSY 5644 - Early Childhood Language and Literacy Development and Best Practices: Deaf and Hard of Hearing
(3.0 cr)
or
EPSY 5646 - Best Practices Teaching Reading and Writing for School Age: Deaf and Hard of Hearing
(3.0 cr)
or
EPSY 5618 - Specialized Interventions for Students With Mild/Moderate Disabilities in Reading & Written Language
(3.0 cr)
or
EPSY 8117 - Writing Empirical Paper and Research/Grant Proposals in Education and Psychology
(3.0 cr)
or
ENGL 5630 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
ENGL 5790 - Topics in Rhetoric, Composition, and Language
(3.0 cr)
or
LGTT 5101 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
LING 4002 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
LING 5001 - Introduction to Linguistics
(4.0 cr)
or
LING 5005 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
LING 5461 - Conversation Analysis
(3.0 cr)
or
LING 5900 - Topics in Linguistics
(3.0 cr)
or
WRIT 5531 - Introduction to Writing Theory and Pedagogies
(3.0 cr)
or
WRIT 5664 - Science, Medical, and Health Writing
(3.0 cr)
or
SLS 5101 {Inactive}
(1.0 cr)
or
SLS 5401 {Inactive}
(4.0 cr)
or
SLS 5721 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
OLPD 5814 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
CI 5147 - Language, Culture, and Education.
or
EPSY 8116 - Reading for Meaning: Cognitive Processes in the Comprehension of Texts.
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Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CI 5347/CI 5475 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EPsy 4618/EPsy 5618 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 3001/3001H/5001 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Comm 5461/Ling 5461 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |