Exit Requirements
Master’s Thesis Option
English education master’s students are required to write a master’s thesis. Students who choose to write a thesis will work with their advisor early in their program to ensure that the requirements of this option are met and the 6 elective hours are typically used for conducting research and writing the thesis.
Portfolio Option:
You may choose to complete a portfolio that will allow you to reflect on your learning within the master’s program in Literacy and Language. If you choose this option, you will need to gather artifacts during your studies and write a series of reflective papers about them, demonstrating that your studies have caused you to evaluate your professionalism and to consider effective ways to strengthen your practices as a literacy and language professional. The portfolio requirements are designed to fit the College of Education’s model for professional education. As you create your portfolio, you will provide examples as evidence. The following are the sorts of artifacts to consider including in your portfolio and may be drawn from projects completed in connection with Purdue graduate work:
- Literature review
- Critique of current curriculum practices in relation to historical and philosophical studies
- Observational report on classroom language and literature instruction
- Oral presentation in a class, to school-based colleagues, or at a conference
- Literacy and language case study
The portfolio should be delivered to members of your committee no later than the tenth week of your final semester in the program. Committee members will review and evaluate your portfolio and will give a pass/no-pass grade for your graduate work as reflected in your portfolio.
Portfolio Contents
- Section A: General Information
- Plan of Study
- Current Curriculum Resume
- Statement of professional goals and focus in Literacy and Language studies
- Section B: Synthesize Knowledge, Think Critically and Reflectively
Reflect on the following areas of study and write a two-three page paper that synthesizes how you have become a more competent literacy professional. This paper should hold an integrated reflection of your professional growth. The paper should center on EDCI 500 (Area 1) and two of Areas 2-5 below. Do not create a course-by-course summary of your studies.
- Area 1: Language and Literacy Theory, Research and Practices (3 credits) EDCI 500, Foundations of Literacy and Language
- Area 2: Human Development (3 credits)
- EDPS 53000: Advanced Educational Psychology
- EDPS 53500: Personal-Social Dynamics in the Classroom (or equivalent)
- EDPS 54000: Gifted, Creative, and Talented Children
- EDPS 59100G: Human Growth and Development
- PSY 50200: Survey of Human Development
- Area 3: History and Philosophy of Education (3 credits)
- EDCI 58000: Philosophy of Curriculum;
- EDST 50000: Philosophy of Education;
- EDST 50100: History of American Education;
- EDST 50400: International Education;
- EDST 50600: History of Women’s Education;
- EDST 60000: Seminar in the Foundations of Education
- Area 4: Diversity (3 credits): EDCI 58500: Multicultural Education
- Area 5: Research Methods in Education (3 credits): EDPS 53300: Introduction to Educational Research
- Section C: Create Knowledge
- Provide an artifact that links theory and practice in Literacy and Language and in a one-two page paper explain how the creation of the artifact furthered your professional understanding.
- Section D: Communicate Knowledge
- Using the above artifact or another one, in a one-two page paper explain how participating in this activity furthered your knowledge about Literacy and Language education for a professional Literacy and Language audience.
- Section E: Professional Development and Engagement
- Show evidence of participation in one of the following in a one-page paper, describing how participating in this furthered your knowledge of issues in the field of Literacy and Language.
- School professional development
- Educational conferences, workshops, institutes
- Literacy related committees at the local, state, or national level
