Information for Current Literacy Education Students

If you were accepted with conditions, the department will allow you to take courses in your first semester. Then, a hold will be placed on your account preventing you from being registered for any future courses. After you submit your outstanding application materials to the Graduate Admissions Office, the hold will be lifted and you can continue to follow your plan of study. Materials can be submitted through the applicant status page.

The program leads to initial literacy certification. Besides completing the coursework for the program, students must also pass the NYS CST in Literacy.

The program may also lead to a professional certificate. Contact your local BOCES/State Education/DOE certification officer with your transcripts and questions. The department cannot advise on certification requirements.

It has been our experience that if you have a Master's in Education all you need for literacy certification is to take a few additional courses and pass the NYS Literacy CST.

Contact your local BOCES/State Education/DOE certification officer with your transcripts and questions. The department cannot advise on certification requirements.

Typically, students take EDUC 5450/5460 Content Literacy, and our two practicum courses (EDUC 6360 and 6410/6450), in the order listed. Additional questions about the practicums can be emailed to Dr. Barbara Vokatis, the Clinic Coordinator.

Registration depends on availability. Sometimes, these courses will fill up. After talking with a certification officer for confirmation, go online to SUNY Oneonta’s Extended and Community Learning Center and complete the online non-matriculated student application. Department permission will also be required.

After submitting the required paperwork and obtaining permission from the department, students will be added to a waitlist. If there is space after all degree seeking students have registered, students will be enrolled with permission for the approved course(s).

Course offerings and certification tips can be found online.

Non-matriculated students are not permitted to matriculate into our Literacy B-6 or 5-12 programs.

Additional questions about taking non-matriculated courses can be emailed to Dr. Sasha R. Ramlal.

SUNY Oneonta created the first online literacy program in the state. We continue to implement innovative practices to bring quality education to you in an online, asynchronous format.

Collaboration

The literacy program uses Brightspace for the day-to-day coursework. This allows students to asynchronously complete required coursework in a way that promotes quality peer and instructor interaction. In addition to the asynchronous work, students have the option of collaborating with instructors in the following ways:

• Email
• Telephone conferences
• Chatrooms
• Video conference calls

Technology Requirements

• PC-based Computer or Intel-Based Apple Computer (required)
• Screen/Video Capture Software/Tool (required)
• Scanner (recommended)
• Printer (recommended)

Full-Time Student (Start in Summer)

Part-Time Student, Option 1 (Start in Summer)

Part-Time Student, Option 2 (Start in Summer)

Important notes:

• Students that start in the summer have the option of enrolling full-time and completing the program in three semesters
• There are two part-time options for students that start the program in the summer.
• Taking only one class per semester may have an impact on your financial aid.

Part-Time Student, Option 1 (Start in Fall)

Part-Time Student, Option 2 (Start in Fall)

Important notes:

• There is no full-time option for students that start the program in the fall.
• There are two part-time options for students that start the program in the fall.
• Taking only one class per semester may have an impact on your financial aid.

Part-Time Student, Option 1 (Start in Spring)

Part-Time Student, Option 2 (Start in Spring)

Important notes:

• There is no full-time option for students that start the program in the spring.
• There are two part-time options for students that start the program in the spring.
• Taking only one class per semester may have an impact on your financial aid.

INTRODUCTION

Welcome! Thank you for choosing SUNY Oneonta for your graduate studies!

ABOUT THE HANDBOOK AND STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY

This handbook contains information about procedures and requirements to assist new literacy graduate students in the School of Elementary Education and Reading. It should be used as a supplement to the Graduate Catalog, the Schedule of Classes, the Graduate Studies webpage, the Department webpage, and other official publications/webpages of SUNY Oneonta.

It must be remembered, however, that programs, courses, and requirements do not remain static. They are frequently modified, hence official publications and this Handbook may lag slightly behind recent course revisions. It is essential that students maintain frequent and close contact with their advisors to ensure that all requirements are met.

The final responsibility for pursuing a successful graduate program, organizing and concluding its many parts, remains with each student. Each student has the primary responsibility for being aware of, and satisfying, the requirements and policies of his/her program. Students are encouraged to seek advice from their advisors, program coordinator, department chair and professors. Ultimately, the student is responsible for navigating a successful program schedule to the award of his/her degree.

NEXT STEPS AFTER ACCEPTANCE

SETTING UP AN ACCOUNT

• After you have been accepted, please pay your deposit. Check with the Graduate Office if you need help with paying the deposit.
• Then, set up your Oneonta email account. Check with IT if you need help setting it up.
• Reach out to the Graduate Program Coordinator to determine your plan of study before registering for your courses: jennifer.brislin@oneonta.edu.

USING BRIGHTSPACE

Sign up to attend Brightspace Training. This is recommended for students that are new to Brightspace or need to review the components of Brightspace. Here are the steps to follow:

• Log into your Oneonta account.
• Click on the ‘D2L Brightspace’ link (under the link to your email).
• Look for the ‘Student Introduction to Brightspace @ SUNY Oneonta’ link under ‘My Courses.’

Contact IT too if you need help.

READ THE GRADUATE CATALOG

Read the current Graduate Catalog. It is your responsibility to understand all the policies and procedures detailed the catalog before your first day of class.

READ THE PRACTICUM REQUIREMENTS

Read what will be required of you when you take the Practicum Courses (e.g., 636, 641/645). Reach out to Dr. Barb Vokatis, Clinic Coordinator, with questions: barbara.vokatis@oneonta.edu

ADVISOR CONTACT INFORMATION

You will go through initial advising with the Program Coordinator, Dr. Sasha R. Ramlal. Then, you will be directed to your advisor for any questions that arise. Here are the advisors for the program:

• • Dr. Sasha R. Ramlal: sasha.ramlal@oneonta.edu
• • Dr. Barb Vokatis: barbara.vokatis@oneonta.edu

DASA TRAINING

After the start of your first semester, check your Degreeworks page. If the ‘DASA Training Completed’ component is not checked off and you have already completed your DASA training, contact the Registrar’s Office to inquire how you submit proof of completion.

If the ‘DASA Training Completed’ component is not checked of and you have not already completed your DASA training, you need to locate a site to complete your training. Then, submit proof of completion of the training to the Registrar’s Office.

You must ensure that the ‘DASA Training Completed’ component is checked off on your Degreeworks page prior to applying for graduation.

TRANSFER OF GRADUATE CREDITS EARNED ELSEWHERE

Reach out to your academic advisor if you have courses that need to be transferred into the program and they were not discussed during your initial advisement with the Program Coordinator.

See the policy in the ‘Graduate Admission’ section of the current Graduate Catalog.

COURSE REGISTRATION

You will receive a time ticket with it is time to register for courses.

Watch this video to help with registering for courses: SUNY Oneonta Course Registration

Use this link to search for courses and locate the CRN number: Web Services

APPLYING FOR GRADUATION

Read the section under ‘Graduation’ in the current Graduate Catalog. Check to see that all the boxes are checked off on your Degreeworks page prior to applying for graduation.

File a diploma application with the Registrar’s Office. Diploma applications can be emailed (from your oneonta.edu email account) to graduation@oneonta.edu, mailed, or faxed. A diploma application fee of $5.00 will be charged to your student bill, when you submit your diploma
application.

If you will be applying for your Professional or Initial Teaching Certification, and you would like SUNY Oneonta to send your academic credentials to the State Education Department for a certification recommendation, please complete the Information Release Form and return it, along with your diploma application, to the Registrar’s Office. The form can be emailed (from your oneonta.edu email account) to graduation@oneonta.edu, mailed, or faxed.

If you have questions regarding the application process, please contact the Registrar’s Office.

CONTACT INFO FOR RELATED SERVICES

Financial Aid
Check with Financial Aid about applying for aid and for questions about cost per credit.

Office of Student Accounts
Check with Student Accounts for questions about your bill, such as receiving/paying your bill.

Registrar’s Office
Check with the Registrar’s Office for questions about registering for classes.

Information Technology Services
Check with IT to obtain your login information or for technology support.

Graduate Admissions Office
Check with Graduate Admissions for questions about the application or submitting outstanding materials. Check application status and/or submit materials