M.A. in Reading
Apply to the Reading and Literacy Leadership Specialist Credential (RLLSC) or the Reading and Literacy Added Authorization (RLAA) program
Upon successful completion of the RLLSC or RLAA candidates will have the option of adding the MA in Reading to their degree objective.
Application Deadline - Fall 2025
October 1, 2024 - May 1, 2025
How to Apply
Apply at www.calstate.edu/apply.
- Select the term, and click "apply"
- Sign in, or if a new applicant, create an account
- From the dashboard, select "Add Program"
- In the search box, type "Fresno"
- Scroll down and select "Reading & Literacy Leadership Specialist Credential" by clicking on the "+"
- Select "My application" from the dashboard
- Compete all four quadrants "Personal Information, Academic History, Supporting Information,
and Program Materials"
- Cal State Apply Graduate Application Guide
- If you are a current post baccalaureate student at Fresno State, you do not need to apply to the university, please contact the program coordinator to request to add to your current program.
The following describes in detail the program application requirements in the "Program Materials" section of the Cal State Apply application. This section must be completed in order to be eligible for consideration for program admission.
The supplemental program application is located in the "Program Materials" section in Cal State Apply.
In the "Program Materials" section, please upload copies of your unofficial transcripts. This is for the program application only.
Please note: For the university application, Graduate Admissions requires official transcripts from ALL colleges attended after high school, including transcripts with your most recently completed courses, are required for admission.
Fresno State graduates are not required to submit Fresno State transcripts to the Admissions Office.
How do I submit official transcripts?
Electronic- transcripts sent electronically or as a PDF attachment MUST come directly
from the issuing institution. Transcripts emailed by the applicant will not be accepted
for admission review.
Have your institution email transcripts to:
Fresno State Admissions OR Fresno State Division of Graduate Studies
imaging@csufresno.edu*
Hardcopy- transcripts must remain in their original, sealed envelope.
Transcripts should be mailed to:
Graduate Admissions Office
California State University, Fresno
5150 N. Maple Ave M/S JA57
Fresno, CA 93740-8026
*This is a secure email for transcript submission ONLY. Email any questions regarding your application or transcripts to graduateadmissions@csufresno.edu.
Graduate program applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted and a minimum of 2.75 on any Post Baccalaureate work at Fresno State
This is a 1-2 page typed statement of your purpose for applying to the program. Focus on your present situation and your short- and long-term professional goals. The form is included in the program application packet.
The General Program Recommendation with Letter Upload is required to be submitted by your recommender. Request letters of reference from instructors, supervisors, or other individuals who are in a position to evaluate you in terms of your potential for graduate study in the program. Three recommendations are required.
In the "Recommenations" section, you will provide your recommender contact information. Once you have saved an electronic recommendation, an email request will automatically be sent to the recommender on your behalf. Please advise your recommender to look for this email in their inbox, as well as their spam or junk-mail folder, as emails do occasionally get filtered out.
Verification of a basic teaching credential (Multiple Subject, Single Subject, or Education Specialist).
Evidence (letter from Human Resources, letter from principal) verifying at least 2 years of work experience (full-time teaching experience in any grade, preschool through adult, exclusive of student teaching, internship teaching or teaching while holding an emergency permit).
Evidence of having met the California Basic Skills Requirement (BSR).
The BSR can be met with any one of the following options:
- These requirements will be cleared if you have a bachelor's or a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- In-progress bachelor's degrees will be accepted to fulfill these requirements initially; however, your bachelor's degree needs to be conferred before you begin the program.
- If you completed your bachelor's degree at an international institution, you will
need to have your transcript evaluated by a CCTC-approved agency to determine whether
your degree is equivalent to one from a domestic, regionally accredited institution.
If the agency states that your degree is not equivalent, you will need to attach one
option:
- CBEST scores (all 3 subtests)
- BSR Evaluation Form (contact kremenschool@csufresno.edu)
- SAT scores (if taken before March 2016, Reading or Verbal must be 500 and Math must be 550; if taken after March 2016, Reading and Writing must be 560 and Math must be 570)
- ACT English (22) and ACT Mathematics (23)
- CSET: Multiple Subjects and CSET: Writing Skills
- AP English Language and Composition Exam or AP English Literature and Composition Exam and AP Calculus or AP Statistics Exam (3 or higher)
If you are an International Student, the TOEFL is a requirement for admission to Fresno State. Verification of the TOEFL score is provided to the program by the International Admissions Office.
English Language Requirements
All graduate and postbaccalaureate applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose preparatory
education was principally in a language other than English, must demonstrate competence
in English. Those who do not possess a bachelor's degree from a postsecondary institution
where English is the principal language of instruction must receive a minimum score
of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). (Some campuses require
a higher score.) Applicants taking the computer-based TOEFL must present a score of
213 or above. (Some campuses or programs require a higher score.) In the case of graduate
admissions, the CSU minimum for the internet (TOEFL iBT) version of the TOEFL is 80.
For questions, please contact Graduate Admissions at 559/278-4073 or graduateadmissions@csufresno.edu
Questions?
For Reading/Literacy Graduate Program Questions
CONTACT:
Dr. Lisa Bennett, Literacy Program Coordinator
lbennett@csufresno.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions? Visit our FAQ page for additional information.
Student Resources
Fresno State offers many avenues to receive assistance. Visit our Resources page.