MA, Literacy Across the Curriculum for an Equitable Society (LACES)

LACES MA

We are excited to share that we are revising the Reading and Literacy Leadership Credential and MA Program to include more critical pedagogy and culturally and linguistically sustaining teaching practices. The program is on hold until the new and improved version can be provided. This site will have occasional updates. Please email Dr. Allison Briceno at allison.briceno@sjsu.edu with any questions in the meantime.

Our MA in Education with a Literacy Across the Curriculum for an Equitable Society (LACES) concentration offers a dynamic experience for K-8 teachers who are interested in advocacy for social justice and equitable literacy learning and teaching in urban schools. If you are dismayed by gaps in the academic performance of high- and low-income students, concerned about the academic underachievement of English language learners, or are unsure about how to best teach literacy to all students, then this program is for you.

The LACES program addresses the California Common Core ELA Standards and California ELD Standards and the program is aligned with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing program standards for the Reading and Literacy Leadership Specialist Credential. Listen to some of the voices of our LACES graduates.

Program Overview

  • Official Title: Master of Arts in Education, Curriculum and Instruction (LACES) Concentration
  • Format: Full-time, evening, cohort, year-round
  • Units: 30
  • Start date: Fall 
  • Program length: 2 years / 5 semesters
  • Application window: To be determined

Initial Eligibility and Requirements

  • A minimum 3.0 overall grade point average
  • Eligible for graduate admission at San Jose State University
  • A valid teaching credential
  • Regular access to children in a classroom
  • Prerequisite coursework is required in the following three areas:
    • Second Language Acquisition (e.g., EDSC 162 or EDTE 262)
    • Socio-Cultural Foundations of Education (e.g., EDEL 103, EDTE 208)
    • Introduction to Literacy Instruction (e.g., EDEL 108A)
  • GRE is not required
  • International student applicants must complete additional steps through the SJSU Admissions Office.

Curriculum and Roadmaps

Given the philosophy and learning outcomes described above, the following four themes are integrated into all courses in the Master's Degree program:

  1. Classroom research/teacher inquiry with an emphasis on qualitative research design and methods;
  2. Reading and writing across culture and curricula;
  3. Learners from diverse linguistic, racial, ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds; and
  4. Leadership and the politics of literacy.

The SJSU Catalog website provides details about the 9 core courses and culminating experience for this program.

Upcoming Information Sessions

Steps to Apply

Step 1 | Begin your Cal State Apply application

Visit calstate.edu/apply to create your SJSU application profile and pay the $70 application fee.

Step 2 | Submit your transcripts

Request one official transcript from each college/university where you studied and have them mailed directly from each college/university to the SJSU Graduate Admissions office at: 

Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations
San Jose State University 
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192-0017

If the college/university provides official electronic transcripts, the institution can email the transcripts to etranscript@sjsu.edu or graduate@sjsu.edu. Questions pertaining to transcripts, GPA calculations, and application fees should be directed to admissions@sjsu.edu.

Step 3 | Apply to our Teacher Education Department

Complete our LACES Application Instructions and Form [pdf]. and email it to Teacher Education faculty and MA Program Coordinator, Dr. Allison Briceño, at allison.briceno@sjsu.edu. The department application also requires a copy of your transripts, three letters of recommendation, an essay, and a copy of your teaching credential.

Step 4 | Applicant Interview

Applicants should plan to attend an Interview/Orientation shortly after the application deadline. Students will be notified by email.

LACES Faculty

Allison Briceño, Ph.D.

MA Program Coordinator / Professor
Sweeney Hall 339 
allison.briceno@sjsu.edu

Jolynn Asato, Ph.D.

Professor
Sweeney Hall 341 
408 924-3638 
jolynn.asato@sjsu.edu

David Whitenack, Ph.D.

Professor
Sweeney Hall 415 
408 924-3736 
david.whitenack@sjsu.edu

Additional Student Resources

For information about financial aid opportunities, internship and job opportunities, research opportunities, and more, visit our Student Resources web page.