Graduate Program

Student Information Contact
Debra Schaffer
Hokona Hall 140
(505) 277-0437
schaffer@unm.edu 


Degrees and Certificate Offered

  • Master of Arts in Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies (M.A.)
    Concentrations: American Indian Education; Bilingual Education; Educational Thought and Sociocultural Studies; Literacy and Language Arts; Social Studies; Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies (Ph.D.)
  • Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (GCERT)

Dual Degree Program

Master of Arts in Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies and Master of Arts in Latin American StudiesThe Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies department and the Latin American Studies program in the College of Arts and Sciences offer a Dual Degree Program leading to the M.A. in Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies and the M.A. in Latin American Studies. See the Graduate and Professional Dual Degree Programs section of this Catalog.


Admission Information

Master of Arts: The deadlines for the M.A. are September 15 for admittance the following Spring semester, and February 1 for admittance the following Summer and Fall semesters. M.A. applications are reviewed shortly after these deadlines. 

Doctor of Philosophy: The deadline for Ph.D. candidates is December 1, for admittance the following Fall semester. Applications to the doctoral program are reviewed shortly after December 1.

Documents describing the programs and guidelines for application are available from the Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies program Web site, or from the appropriate Student Information Contact email above. Applicants should review these documents before applying for admission to the programs.

Application Deadlines
M.A. Spring semester: September 15
  Summer and Fall semester: February 1
Ph.D. Fall semester: December 1

Master of Arts in Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies

All Master of Arts (M.A.) students must fulfill the general admission requirements and the Plan I (with thesis) or Plan II (without thesis) requirements set forth in the Graduate Program and College of Education sections of this Catalog. The M.A. in Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies may be pursued in one of the following concentrations:

  • American Indian Education
  • Bilingual Education
  • Educational Thought and Sociocultural Studies
  • Literacy and Language Arts
  • Social Studies
  • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Rigorous coursework culminates in either a comprehensive examination or a thesis. Some M.A. programs with embedded New Mexico State endorsements may only permit the comprehensive examination.

A core seminar (taken in the first year of the program) provides a set of foundational perspectives on practice. The purpose of the Master of Arts program is to contribute to the development of professionals in education and related fields.


Concentration in American Indian Education

Credit 
Hours
Program Core Requirements
LLSS 500 Issues in Language/Literacy/Sociocultural Studies 3
LLSS 590 Seminar 3
  Research 6
Choose two from: 
EDPY 502 Survey of Statistics in Education
EDUC 500 Research Applications to Education  
LLSS 501 Practitioner Research  
LLSS 502 Introduction to Qualitative Research  
  Concentration in American Indian Education
  Choose three from:
LLSS 551 History of American Indian Education  
LLSS 554 Teaching the Native American Child  
LLSS 564 Issues in American Indian Education  
LLSS 583 Education Across Cultures in the Southwest  
  Curriculum 9
Choose three from: 
LLSS 560 Language and Education in Southwest Native American Communities  
LLSS 570 Science and Native American Education  
LING 515 Native American Languages  
  Finally, in consultation with an advisor in the program, students also select an additional 6 credit hours related to the program concentration. 6
Plan I Total
(30 + 6 thesis hrs.)
30
  Plan II Total 36

Concentration in Bilingual Education (Spanish and Indigenous Languages)

Admission requirement: 9 credit hours of college coursework in a second language or fluency in a second language.

NOTE: This concentration includes Plan II only in order to meet very specific requirements of state endorsement.

  Credit
Hours
Program Core Requirements 6
LLSS 500 Issues in Language/Literacy/Sociocultural Studies  
LLSS 590 Seminar  
  Research (two courses) 6
LLSS 503 Research in Bilingual Classrooms and Communities  
  Choose remaining course from:  
EDPY 502 Survey of Statistics in Education
EDUC 500 Research Applications to Education  
LLSS 501 Practitioner Research  
LLSS 502 Introduction to Qualitative Research  
  Concentration in Bilingual Education 24
  Students must take a minimum of 24 credit hours from courses in the following areas. Courses which are required of all students are indicated. Electives must be selected in conjunction with their faculty advisor. A maximum of 6 credit hours of coursework outside of the Department may be taken after consultation with the student's faculty advisor.  
  I. Language and Literacy  
LLSS 556 First and Second Language Development within Cultural Contexts (Required)  
Suggested electives:  
LLSS *449 Teaching the Native Language to the Native Speaker  
LLSS 558 Literacy Across Cultures  
LLSS 560 Language and Education in Southwest Native American Communities  
LLSS 567 Home Literacy and Schooling Research  
LLSS 579 The Teaching of Reading in the Bilingual Classroom (La Ensenanza de la Lectura)  
SPAN 547 Seminar in Southwest Spanish
II. Culture
LLSS 583 Education across Cultures in the Southwest  
  Suggested electives:  
LLSS 560 Language and Education in Southwest Native American Communities  
LLSS 566 Issues in Hispanic Education  
  III. Educational Thought  
LLSS 580 Seminar in the Education of the Bilingual Student (Required)  
  Suggested Electives:  
LLSS *453 Theoretical and Cultural Foundations of Bilingual Education  
LLSS 551 History of American Indian Education  
LLSS 566 Issues in Hispanic Education  
  IV. Curriculum Development and Pedagogy  
  Suggested electives:  
LLSS 557 Language, Culture, and Mathematics  
LLSS 558 Literacy Across Cultures  
LLSS 559 Second Language Literacy  
LLSS 568 Alternative Assessment Practices for English Language Learners  
LLSS 579 The Teaching of Reading in the Bilingual Classroom (La Ensenanza de la Lectura)  
LLSS 581 Teaching English as a Second Language
LLSS 582 Curriculum Development in Multicultural Education  
  Total 36


* Indicates course is available for graduate credit.


Concentration in Educational Thought and Sociocultural Studies (ETSS)

  Credit
Hours
I. Core Requirement (take during first semester): 3
LLSS 500 Issues in Language/Literacy/Sociocultural Studies
II. Research Courses (choose two from): 6
EDUC 500 Research Applications to Education  
EDPY 502 Survey of Statistics in Education  
LLSS 501 Practitioner Research  
LLSS 502 Introduction to Qualitative Research  
III. ETSS Concentration Courses (choose four from) 12
LLSS 510 Paulo Freire
LLSS 511 History of U.S. Education  
LLSS 513 Globalization and Education
LLSS 515 Philosophy of Education  
LLSS 521 Proseminar: Sociology of Education  
LLSS 523 Education and Anthropology  
LLSS 530 Whiteness Studies  
LLSS 553 Education and African American Children
LLSS 587 Education and Gender Equity  
IV. Support Area Electives (choose three from): 9
  Graduate-level courses offered by LLSS or any other UNM department. Consult advisor.  
V. Degree Completion Activity (choose one from): 3-6
  Consult with Advisor  
Plan I Thesis  
  Completion of a Master's Thesis
LLSS 599 Master's Thesis 6
Plan II Non-Thesis (Choose one from):  
A. Professional Paper
LLSS 590 Seminar 3
  Completion of a literature review or licensure dossier  
B. Master's Exam  
LLSS 598 Directed Readings (3-6)
  Completion of a comprehensive exam  
  Total credit hours (I-V):  
  Plan I - Thesis 36
  Plan II (A) - Professional Paper 33
  Plan II (B) - Master's Exam 33-36 

Concentration in Literacy and Language Arts

Credit
Hours
  Program Core Requirements  
LLSS 500 Issues in Language/Literacy/Sociocultural Studies 3
LLSS 590 Seminar 3
  Research 6
  Choose two from:
EDUC 500 Research Applications to Education  
LLSS 501 Practitioner Research  
LLSS 502 Introduction to Qualitative Research  
EDPY 502 Survey of Statistics in Education  
  Concentration  
LLSS 532 The Reading Process
LLSS 595 Advanced Field Experiences 3
Two additional courses focusing on second language learning and/or cultural diversity in education, selected with advisement. 6
  Support area elective(s)  
  Plan I 3
  Plan II 12
Plan I Total
(27 + 6 thesis hrs.)
33
  Plan II Total 36

Concentration in Social Studies

Credit 
Hours
  Program Core Requirements
LLSS 500 Issues in Language/Literacy/Sociocultural Studies 3
LLSS 590 Seminar 3
  Research 6
  Choose two from:  
EDPY 511 Introductory Educational Statistics
EDUC 500 Research Applications to Education  
LLSS 501 Practitioner Research  
LLSS 502 Introduction to Qualitative Research  
  Sociocultural Studies 6
  Choose two from:
LLSS 511 History of U.S. Education  
LLSS 515 Philosophy of Education  
LLSS 521 Proseminar: Sociology of Education  
LLSS 523 Education and Anthropology  
LLSS 582 Curriculum Development in Multicultural Education  
LLSS 583 Education Across Cultures in the Southwest  
LLSS 587 Education and Gender Equity  
  Social Studies Education 3
  Choose one from:  
LLSS 520 Seminar in Social Studies  
LLSS 540 Instructional Trends in the Social Studies  
LLSS 549 History Education  
  Supporting Curriculum/Instruction 3
  Choose one from:  
EDUC 516 Integrating Curriculum and Inquiry in the Classroom  
EDUC 542 Principles of Curriculum Development
LLSS 538 Teaching Reading Through the Content Field  
LLSS 550 Books and Related Materials for Young Adults
  Supporting Area Electives  
  Plan I 9
  Plan II 12
  The support area should focus on some aspect(s) of social studies including content from the various disciplines. In consultation with a faculty advisor, students may select from the previous list of courses as well as courses from other departments in the College of Education and/or other Colleges within the University.
Plan I Total
(30 + 6 thesis hrs.)
30
  Plan II Total 36

Concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Admission requirement: 9 credit hours of college coursework in a second language or fluency in a second language.
NOTE: This concentration includes Plan II only in order to meet very specific requirements of state endorsement.

  Credit
Hours
Program Core Requirements 6
LLSS 500 Issues in Language/Literacy/Sociocultural Studies  
LLSS 590 Seminar  
Research 6
LLSS 503 Research in Bilingual Classrooms and Communities
  Choose remaining course from:
EDUC 500 Research Applications to Education
LLSS 501 Practitioner Research
LLSS 502 Introduction to Qualitative Research
EDPY 502 Survey of Statistics in Education
  Concentration 24
  Students must take a minimum of 24 credit hours from courses in the following areas. Courses which are required of all students are indicated. Electives must be selected in conjunction with their faculty advisor. A maximum of 6 credit hours of coursework outside of the Department may be taken after consultation with the student's faculty advisor.  
  I. Language and Literacy  
LLSS 556 First and Second Language Development within Cultural Contexts (Required)  
  Suggested electives:  
LLSS *449 Teaching the Native Language to the Native Speaker  
LLSS 558 Literacy Across Cultures
LLSS 559 Second Language Literacy
LLSS 560 Language and Education in Southwest Native American Communities  
LLSS 567 Home Literacy and Schooling Research  
  II. Culture  
LLSS 583 Education across Cultures in the Southwest (Required)  
  Suggested Electives:  
LLSS 560 Language and Education in Southwest Native American Communities  
LLSS 566 Issues in Hispanic Education  
  III. Educational Thought  
LLSS 580 Seminar in the Education of the Bilingual Student (Required)  
  Suggested Electives:  
LLSS *453 Theoretical and Cultural Foundations of Bilingual Education  
LLSS 551 History of American Indian Education  
LLSS 566 Issues in Hispanic Education  
  IV. Curriculum Development and Pedagogy  
Suggested Electives:  
LLSS 557 Language, Culture, and Mathematics  
LLSS 558 Literacy Across Cultures  
LLSS 559 Second Language Literacy  
LLSS 568 Alternative Assessment Practices for English Language Learners  
LLSS 569 ESL Across the Content Areas
LLSS 581 Teaching English as a Second Language
LLSS 582 Curriculum Development in Multicultural Education  
  Total 36


* Indicates course is available for graduate credit. 


Doctor of Philosophy in Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree program in Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies is a rigorous but flexible course of studies that can be tailored to meet a wide range of interests and needs, including: language and literacy education; educational diversities such as American Indian education, bilingual education, second language development, and global education; qualitative research methodologies; critical theory and education for social justice; and the social and cultural study of educational theories, institutions and practices. All students are expected to develop a program of studies combining coursework in the LLSS Department with coursework in related disciplines in the College of Education and other colleges. The program places special emphasis on helping students develop qualitative and/or mixed methods research and inquiry skills needed for the advanced study and analysis of education in its many social, cultural, economic and political contexts.

All Ph.D. students must fulfill the general admission requirements for both the University and the College of Education, as described in the Graduate Program and the College of Education sections of this Catalog.

The doctoral program consists of a set of core courses focusing on Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies; a set of research courses and a research internship/field experience focusing on research methodology; an area of focus constructed by the student in consultation with an advisor and a program of studies committee; and a 24 credit hour minor or supporting area.

Multidisciplinary study is fundamental to the mission of LLSS. The specific elements of students’ areas of focus are individualized to meet students’ needs and can be drawn from, but are not limited to, the following areas: educational thought, critical theory, bilingual education, teaching English as a second language (both K-12 and Adult), American Indian education, and literacy/language arts. 

LLSS also administers the transdisciplinary Ph.D. in Educational Linguistics.

Doctoral Program

(72–75 credit hours, plus dissertation)

Credit
Hours
Core (24-27 credit hours, plus dissertation) 
  Seminars 6
LLSS 640 Seminar in Language/Literacy
LLSS 645 Seminar in Educational Studies  
Research Choose from: 12
LLSS 501 Practitioner Research  
LLSS 502 Introduction to Qualitative Research  
LLSS 605 Advanced Qualitative Research Methods  
LLSS 623 Ethnographic Research  
EDPY 502 Survey of Statistics in Education  
EDPY 505 Conducting Quantitative Educational Research  
EDPY 511 Introductory Educational Statistics  
  (Must include at least one quantitative and one qualitative course. Appropriate research methods courses from outside COE may be substituted.)  
  Research Internship / Field Experience 3-6
LLSS 595
-and/or-
LLSS 696
Advanced Field Experiences

Internship
 
  Dissertation Seminar 3
LLSS 650 Dissertation Seminar  
  Area of Focus (24 credit hours) 24
  Selected from the Catalog by candidates in consultation with their committee.  
  Support Area (24 credit hours) 24
  The support area may consist of credit hours in a single field, usually within the COE, or may be an interdisciplinary support area, selected in consultation with their committee. At least 12 credit hours must come from outside LLSS. The support area is to be supportive of the focus.  
  Total 72-75
  Dissertation 18
  (Maximum transfer/applied credit: 36)

Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

The TESOL Graduate Certificate is designed to help teachers add a TESOL endorsement to their teaching license, and to prepare other graduate and non-degree graduate students to teach English as a second or foreign language to adults in this country or abroad. For information on the TESOL endorsement and application procedures, visit the New Mexico Public Education Department Web site.

In the TESOL certificate program students gain an understanding of the theoretical and cultural foundations for the teaching and learning of English language and literacy across the curriculum, and across K-16 teaching contexts. They learn methods to appropriately apply this understanding in different cultural contexts.

Application Process

Send to:
Graduate Admissions
University of New Mexico
P.O. Box 4849
Albuquerque, NM 87196-4849

  • Online Graduate Application
  • $50 non-refundable application fee (credit card payment as part of online Graduate Application)
  • One official transcript from each college previously attended (exception: UNM transcript)

Send to:
College of Education - LLSS
MSC05 3040
Hokona Hall Zuni 140
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001

  • Department Application available on the departmental Web site
  • One official transcript from each college previously attended (exception: UNM transcript)

Program Requirements - 15 credit hours

Credit
Hours
LLSS 556 First and Second Language Development within Cultural Contexts 3
LLSS 558 Literacy Across Cultures 3
LLSS 559 Second Language Literacy 3
LLSS 580 Seminar in the Education of the Bilingual Student 3
LLSS 581 Teaching English as a Second Language 3
Total 15

Graduate Minor in Literacy

LLSS offers a 12-credit graduate minor in Literacy with a focus on either elementary language arts or on middle school/secondary language arts. Courses are designed to help practicing teachers improve their language arts instruction.

  Elementary Language Arts focus
Required courses:
LLSS 532 The Reading Process
LLSS 537L Assessment of Reading and Language Arts
LLSS 567 Home Literacy and Schooling Research
Choose one from the following:
LLSS 534 Seminar in Teaching Reading
LLSS 541 Seminar in Children’s Literature
Middle School/Secondary Language Arts focus
Required courses:
LLSS 522 Seminar in English Curriculum and Instruction
LLSS 527 Studies in Rhetoric for Teachers
LLSS 528 Studies in Reading and Literature for Teachers
  Choose one from the following:
LLSS 538 Teaching Reading Through the Content Field
LLSS 550 Books and Related Materials for Young Adults
LLSS 558 Literacy Across Cultures
LLSS 559 Second Language Literacy

Courses

LLSS 175. Foundations of American Indian Education. (3)



LLSS 300. Bilingual Teaching Methods, Materials and Techniques. (3)



LLSS 315. Educating Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Students. (3)



LLSS 321. School and Society. (3)



LLSS 391 / 591. Problems. (1-3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



LLSS 393 / 493 / 593. Topics. (1-6, no limit Δ)



LLSS 430. Teaching of Writing. (3)



LLSS 432. Teaching of Social Studies. (3)



LLSS 436. Teaching of English. (3)



LLSS 443. Children's Literature (Literatura Infantil). (3)



LLSS *449. Teaching the Native Language to the Native Speaker. (3)



LLSS 450 / 550. Books and Related Materials for Young Adults. (3)



LLSS *453. Theoretical and Cultural Foundations of Bilingual Education. (3)



LLSS *455. Teaching Spanish for Bilingual Classroom. (3)



LLSS 456 / 556. First and Second Language Development within Cultural Contexts. (3)



LLSS 457 / 557. Language, Culture, and Mathematics. (3)



LLSS 458 / 558. Literacy Across Cultures. (3)



LLSS 459 / 559. Second Language Literacy. (3)



LLSS 460 / 560. Language and Education in Southwest Native American Communities. (3)



LLSS 469 / 569. ESL Across the Content Areas. (3)



LLSS 479 / 579. The Teaching of Reading in the Bilingual Classroom (La Ensenanza de la Lectura). (3)



LLSS *480. Second Language Pedagogy. (3)



LLSS 482 / 581. Teaching English as a Second Language. (3)



LLSS 493 / 393 / 593. Topics. (1-3, no limit Δ)



LLSS 495. Field Experience. (3-6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



LLSS 500. Issues in Language/Literacy/Sociocultural Studies. (3)



LLSS 501. Practitioner Research. (3)



LLSS 502. Introduction to Qualitative Research. (3)



LLSS 503. Research in Bilingual Classrooms and Communities. (3)



LLSS 510. Paulo Freire. (3)



LLSS 511. History of U.S. Education. (3)



LLSS 513. Globalization and Education. (3)



LLSS 515. Philosophy of Education. (3)



LLSS 521. Proseminar: Sociology of Education. (3)



LLSS 523. Education and Anthropology. (3)



LLSS 524. Critical Race Theory. (3)



LLSS 527. Studies in Rhetoric for Teachers. (3, no limit Δ)



LLSS 528. Studies in Reading and Literature for Teachers. (3)



LLSS 529. Race, Ethnicity, and Education. (3)



LLSS 530. Whiteness Studies. (3)



LLSS 532. The Reading Process. (3)



LLSS 534. Seminar in Teaching Reading. (3)



LLSS 535. Critical Literacy. (3)



LLSS 536. Reading and Writing Digital Texts. (3)



LLSS 537. International Literature for Young People. (3)



LLSS 537L. Assessment of Reading and Language Arts. (3)



LLSS 538. Teaching Reading Through the Content Field. (3)



LLSS 539. Cross Cultural Literature for Young People. (3)



LLSS 541. Seminar in Children's Literature. (3-12 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



LLSS 542. Seminar: Global English Issues. (3)



LLSS 548. Literacy Leadership. (3)



LLSS 550 / 450. Books and Related Materials for Young Adults. (3)



LLSS 551. History of American Indian Education. (3)



LLSS 553. Education and African American Children. (3)



LLSS 554. Teaching the Native American Child. (3)



LLSS 555. Language Study for Educators. (3)



LLSS 556 / 456. First and Second Language Development within Cultural Contexts. (3)



LLSS 557 / 457. Language, Culture, and Mathematics. (3)



LLSS 558 / 458. Literacy Across Cultures. (3)



LLSS 559 / 459. Second Language Literacy. (3)



LLSS 560 / 460. Language and Education in Southwest Native American Communities. (3)



LLSS 561. Reading, Writing, and Diversities. (3)



LLSS 564. Issues in American Indian Education. (3)



LLSS 566. Issues in Hispanic Education. (3)



LLSS 567. Home Literacy and Schooling Research. (3)



LLSS 568. Alternative Assessment Practices for English Language Learners. (3)



LLSS 569 / 469. ESL Across the Content Areas. (3)



LLSS 570. Science and Native American Education. (3)



LLSS 579 / 479. The Teaching of Reading in the Bilingual Classroom (La Ensenanza de la Lectura). (3)



LLSS 580. Seminar in the Education of the Bilingual Student. (3)



LLSS 581 / 482. Teaching English as a Second Language. (3)



LLSS 582. Curriculum Development in Multicultural Education. (3)



LLSS 583. Education Across Cultures in the Southwest. (3)



LLSS 587. Education and Gender Equity. (3)



LLSS 588. Feminist Epistemologies and Pedagogies. (3)



LLSS 590. Seminar. (3)



LLSS 591 / 391. Problems. (1-3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



LLSS 593 / 393 / 493. Topics. (1-3, no limit Δ)



LLSS 595. Advanced Field Experiences. (3-6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



LLSS 596. Internship. (3-6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



LLSS 598. Directed Readings. (3-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



LLSS 599. Master's Thesis. (1-6, no limit Δ)



LLSS 605. Advanced Qualitative Research Methods. (3)



LLSS 606. Case Study Research Methods. (3)



LLSS 610. Seminar in Academic Writing in Education and Related Fields. (3)



LLSS 614. Vygotsky Seminar. (3)



LLSS 623. Ethnographic Research. (3)



LLSS 640. Seminar in Language/Literacy. (3)



LLSS 645. Seminar in Educational Studies. (3)



LLSS 650. Dissertation Seminar. (1-3)



LLSS 696. Internship. (3-6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



LLSS 698. Directed Readings. (3-6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



LLSS 699. Dissertation. (3-12, no limit Δ)



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Office of the Registrar

MSC11 6325
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131

Phone: (505) 277-8900
Fax: (505) 277-6809