Graduate Programs

Degrees Offered

Master of Arts in Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies
Doctor of Philosophy in Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies


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 preceding part of the College section of this catalog and in the sections on graduate studies at the University of New Mexico. 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)

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


Concentration in American Indian Education

Program Core Requirements Hours
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 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 Culture 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  
ARTE 570 Art in Multicultural Education  
  Finally, in consultation with an advisor in the program, students will also select an additional 6 semester hours related to the program concentration. 6
Plan I Total 30 (30 + 6 thesis hrs.)
  Plan II Total 36

Concentration in Bilingual Education (Spanish and Indigenous Languages)

Admission requirement: 9 hours of college course work 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.

  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: Prerequisites LLSS 556 and 580  
  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 in Bilingual Education 24
  Students must take a minimum of 24 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 hours of course work 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) Prerequisite: Introductory Linguistics course.  
Suggested electives:  
LLSS *449 Teaching the Native Language to the Native Speaker  
SPAN 547 Seminar in Southwest Spanish  
LLSS 558 Literacy across Cultures  
LLSS 560 Language and Education in Southwest Native American Communities  
LLSS 567 Home Literacy and Schooling  
LLSS 579 The Teaching of Reading in the Bilingual Classroom (La Ensenanza de la Lectura)  
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 Bilingual Students (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* 482 Teaching English as a Second Language  
LLSS 552 Curriculum Development in Mexican History and Culture  
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 582 Curriculum Development in Multicultural Education  
  Total 36

* Indicates course is available for graduate credit.


Concentration in Educational Thought and Sociocultural Studies (ETSS)

I.   Core Requirement (take during first semester): 3
  LLSS 500 Issues in Language, Literacy and 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 of 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

  Program Core Requirements  
LLSS 500 Issues in Language, Literacy and 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 595 Advanced Field Experiences 3
LLSS 532 The Reading Process 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 33 (27 + 6 thesis hrs.)
  Plan II Total 36

Concentration in Social Studies

  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  
EDPY 511 Introductory Educational Statistics  
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 516 Educational Classics  
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  
LLSS 550 Seminar in History Education  
  Supporting Curriculum/Instruction 3
  Choose one from:  
CMTE 516 Integrating Curriculum in the Classroom  
LLSS 517 Reading Informational Books, an Instructional Strategy  
LLSS 538 Teaching Reading through the Content Field  
CMTE 542 Principles of Curriculum Development  
LLSS 544 Children’s Literature  
EMLS 551 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 (30 + 6 thesis hrs.)
  Plan II Total 36

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

Admission requirement: 9 hours of college course work 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.

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. Prerequisite: LLSS 556 and LLSS 580
  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 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 hours of course work 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) Prerequisite: Introductory Linguistics course  
  Suggested electives:  
LLSS* 449 Teaching the Native Language to the Native Speaker  
LLSS 560 Language and Education in Southwest Native American Communities  
LLSS 563 Seminar in Language Acquisition  
LLSS 567 Home Literacy and Schooling  
LLSS 585 The Acquisition and Teaching of Grammar in ESL  
LLSS 558 Literacy Across Cultures  
LLSS 559 Second Language Literacy  
  II. Culture  
LLSS 583 Education across Cultures in the Southwest (Required)  
  Suggested Electives:  
LLSS 560 Language and Education in SW Native American Communities  
LLSS 566 Issues in Hispanic Education  
  III. Educational Thought  
LLSS 580 Seminar in the Education of Bilingual Students (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* 482 Teaching English as a Second Language  
LLSS 557 Language, Culture and Mathematics  
LLSS 569 ESL Across the Content Areas  
LLSS 558 Literacy Across Cultures  
LLSS 559 Second Language Literacy  
LLSS 568 Alternative Assessment Practices for English Language Learners  
LLSS 582 Curriculum Development in Multicultural Education  
LLSS 585 The Acquisition and Teaching of Grammar in ESL  
  Total 36

* Indicates course is available for graduate credit. 


M.A.L.L.S.S./M.A.L.A.S.

The College of Education and the Latin American Studies Program offer a dual degree program leading to master’s degrees in Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies and Latin American Studies. This program is intended to allow education professionals to enhance their secondary school teaching with Latin American topics in the humanities and social sciences. The program combines advanced professional development in education with advanced interdisciplinary study of Latin America and is designed to help students integrate the two fields through coordinated advisement and bridge courses.

The program requires 51 credits of course work for students who hold teaching certificates. It includes three components: 1) 21 hours of Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies courses with a concentration on social studies education; 2) 21 hours of Latin American Studies course work divided between two of the following concentrations: Anthropology, Art History, Brazilian Literature, Economics, Gender Studies, History, Human Rights, Philosophy and Religion, Political Science, Sociology, Spanish American Literature, and Spanish Linguistics; and 3) 9 hours of bridge courses: two core courses and one elective.

Completed separately, the two degrees would require 69–72 credit hours. Under the dual degree program, full time students would be able to finish in approximately three years.

Students pursuing this program must meet admissions requirements of both the College of Education and Latin American Studies. Separate applications should be made simultaneously to the Departments of Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies and Latin American Studies. It is expected that applicants to this program will already have completed the licensure requirements for secondary teaching.

Students who are not licensed upon admission may pursue licensure through the Master’s in Secondary Education with Licensure (concentration in social studies). This licensure requires 36 hours of course work (at the undergraduate and/or graduate level) in the social studies plus 24 hours of professional education course work. Students should contact the College of Education Advisement Center (505/277-3190) for individual advisement. Latin American Studies students should be prepared for additional course work for licensure. (See additional information under Latin American Studies in this catalog).


Doctor of Philosophy in Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program in Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies is intended primarily for students interested in college teaching and research in education (including teacher education, education policy, international education and diversity studies) and/or leadership positions in education, social services and allied professions.

All Ph.D. students must fulfill the general admission requirements for both the University and the College of Education, as described on The Graduate Program and the College of Education (Graduate Study) pages 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-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 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.  

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

Doctoral Program

(72–75 credit hours, plus dissertation)

Core (24-27 credit hours, plus dissertation)   
  Seminars 6
LLSS 645 Seminar in Educational Studies  
LLSS 640 Seminar in Language/Literacy  
   Research. Choose from: 12
LLSS 501 Practitioner Research  
LLSS 502 Introduction to Qualitative Research  
LLSS 605 Advanced Qualitative Research  
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 Advanced Field Experiences  
and/or    
LLSS 696 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 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 hours must come from outside LLSS. The support area is to be supportive of the focus.  
  Total 72-75    
  Dissertation (18 credit hours) 18
  (Maximum transfer/applied credit: 36)  

Graduate Minor in Literacy

LLSS offers a 12-credit graduate minor in Literacy with a focus on either elementary or 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 in Reading and Language Arts
LLSS 567 Home Literacy and Schooling
Choose one from the following:
LLSS 514 Young Children Moving Into Literacy
LLSS 541 Seminar in Children’s Literature
LLSS 534 Seminar in Teaching Reading
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:
EMLS 551 Books and Related Materials for Adolescents
LLSS 538 Teaching Reading Through the Content Field
LLSS 559 Second Language Literacy
LLSS 558 Literacy Across Cultures

Courses

LLSS 183. Introduction to Education in New Mexico. (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 *435. Teaching Students with Reading Problems. (3)



LLSS 436. Teaching of English. (3)



LLSS 443 / 544. Children’s Literature (Literatura Infantil) . (3)



LLSS *449. Teaching the Native Language to the Native Speaker. (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. 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 522. Seminar in English Curriculum and Instruction. (3)



LLSS 523. Education and Anthropology. (3)



LLSS 524. Critical Race Theory. (3)



LLSS 525. Reading Recovery Training Part I. (4)



LLSS 526. Reading Recovery Training Part II. (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 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 544 / 443. Children’s Literature. (3)



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



LLSS 552 / 452. Curriculum Development in Mexican History and Culture. (3)



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



LLSS 554. Teaching the Native American Child. (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 565. Latino/a Identities and Schooling. (3)



LLSS 566. Issues in Hispanic Education. (3)



LLSS 567. Home Literacy and Schooling Research. (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 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 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

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1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131

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