MA Literacy Methodology
This program is designed around a new method that seeks to take on the following problem areas and focus on a Biblical-based program that has it’s foundation in scripture.
There are many programs today that focus upon literacy instruction. There have been many programs through the past four or five decades. The world is still struggling for an answer to the problem of literacy. The world continues to spend billions of dollars each year on trying to reduce illiteracy. Yet, over the last sixty years, with all of the trillions that have been spent over that time, illiteracy has only dropped four percent globally. Today, many nations still have illiteracy rates of over thirty percent. The problems with these programs, dollars and non-improvement are due to costs, timeline, lack of resources and lack of good/transferable methodology for the places that need it most.
What will I learn?
The Master of Arts in Literacy Methodology (MALM) seeks individuals who are immediately missional minded within their academic endeavors. Those who understand the need for this degree best are those who are closest to the communities that do not have scripture in the spoken languages of their people. It is these individuals that are most in need to make an impact on the hundreds of millions of people still in need of literacy, ultimately to have access to the life-changing wisdom of scripture.
The MALM, created in partnership with Our Daily Bread Ministries, is designed to train people in a methodology enabling the church, schools, prisons, seminaries or otherwise to quickly learn methodology, a system to implement, and own reading process. The method allows facilitators and learners to participate in an accelerated path of literacy achievement that is faster than the current research is demonstrating.
Through the academic endeavors of this program, the student will have the opportunity to comprehend the history of literacy in both the Biblical and seculars sense. Students will have the opportunity to conduct real field research of real issues that are in need of impacting the field of literacy as well as the opportunity to initiate literacy projects and/or supportive projects related to literacy. This dynamic degree offers opportunities for cross cultural collaboration within the classroom and beyond.
The MALM concentration will enable students to not only utilize the ODBM Literacy method in practical applications, but also teach and train the methodology to others. One goal of the strategic partnership between Our Daily Bread Ministries and the School of Graduate Studies is to utilize some graduates of the MALM to teach biblical translation at international seminaries and schools worldwide.
In addition to the concentration courses, the MALM also includes a practicum that involves the practical application and experience of literacy methodology and program implementation by the student.
Further, as a sister concentration area to the MABT, students have the ability to couple their engagement in Biblical Translation with the still much needed areas of literacy development. As concentrations, these two compliment one another in a much needed area of missional endeavor still in demand.
Course Requirements
Literacy Methodology Course Requirements
MALM 511: The History and Approaches to Literacy
In exploration of the wide variety of approaches to literacy instruction, this course will collectively examine the historical path of literacy development including the more modern approaches to literacy instruction. Student interaction and experiences will play a large role in the formation of thought building on the successes and failures of literacy today.
MALM 521: Authentic Assessment in Literacy
The student will engage in past practices of assessment models for literacy instruction while alternatively exploring the model of authentic assessment. The acquired knowledge of this methodology will engage the student toward their own development of authentic assessment tools with specific application toward initial assessment and ongoing measured growth of learners.
MALM 531: Literacy Theory and Methods
This course will explore well over a dozen of the major theories and concepts that build a foundation of language and literacy instruction. Rather than read of the theories in text only, the student will explore a combination of theories, approaches, methods and influencing people in the field of literacy so that they may gain both a perspective of the concept and the current applications of it in educating others.
MALM 541: Literacy Practicum
This course is designed to fully engage the student in new literacy methodology through learning, discussion and culminating into trial usage of the methodology with a learner. Beyond the learner, the student will be engaged in setting up the potential for establishing a literacy program in a particular setting that they decide will be impactful in ministry.
Master's Course Requirements
MAO501: Orientation (0) – This is a one-week course designed to introduce students to the graduate program at Barclay College, including: classmates, course instructors, the mechanics of the online portal and discussion forum, and the academic rigors of graduate studies.
Theology Core (15 credit hours)
MABI511: Old Testament Hermeneutics (3) – God’s revelation through the Old Testament illuminates His timely message and timeless story for His people, while also providing the context and foundation for the New Testament. In this class, students will investigate the richness of the Old Testament and its relevance for today, including the principles and procedures for its interpretation, application, and exposition.
MABI521: New Testament Hermeneutics (3) – The narrative of Christ and His Church, foreshadowed in the Old Testament and revealed in the New Testament, provides the framework for Christian faith and practice. This class in biblical interpretation and exegesis focuses on the life and teachings of Christ, the experience of believers, and the eternal hope of the Church as recorded in the gospels, epistles, and apocalyptic literature.
MATH531: Christian Theology (3) – This class investigates the essential teachings of the evangelical Christian faith, with special attention given to the person and work of Christ, sin and salvation, the role of the Holy Spirit, the life of the Church, and contemporary theological issues. Students will become better equipped to apply and articulate theological convictions in ministry settings.
MATH541: The History of Christianity (3) – This course addresses the major events, issues, personalities, and movements that shape and define the story of the Christian Church. Topics such as the birth and growth of the Early Church, the threat of persecution, the rise of monasticism, the Councils of Nicea and Chalcedon, the Reformation, the Great Awakenings, ecumenical efforts, and the globalization of the gospel provide a deeper understanding of the Church and a relevant perspective for ministry today.
MAMM513: The Missional Church (3) – We may not all be called to serve Christ as missionaries in a foreign land, but we are all called to be “on mission with God” wherever He may lead us. In this course, students are challenged to examine their purpose and calling in life, maximize their capacity to build bridges, and bear faithful witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ both at home and around the world.
Research and Application (9 credit hours)
MARA523: Research Methods (3) – This course is an introduction to the research methods that are applicable in a variety of academic and organizational settings, including both quantitative and qualitative strategies that are commonly used in a graduate Capstone project.
MARA533: Applied Research I (3) – In this research and application course, students will identify and begin to investigate a potential Capstone project that relates to their chosen concentration of graduate studies. Through practical examination, each student will focus on their field of study using a variety of potential methods, some of which may include: field experience, literature review, and other forms of data collection.
MARA543: Applied Research II – Capstone Project (3) – This course involves the completion of a written Capstone project that serves as the culmination of a student’s research and their graduate school experience. Students will integrate their research findings with their chosen area of concentration, making application to life, service, and leadership today. In addition, each student will demonstrate their acquisition of scholarship, critical thinking, creativity, and written communication skills.
Dan Kramer, MEd
Associate Vice President for Global Programs and Partnerships
- BS Education, Central Michigan University
- BAA Journalism, Central Michigan University
- MEd, Wayne State University, Detroit MI
- PhD Candidate, Curriculum and Instruction, Wayne State University, Detroit MI
Dan Kramer worked for 13 years in the field of education as faculty at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, as well as in a public education job implementing a program for teaching English to newly immigrated refugee students from war-torn nations. In the fall of 2009, he accepted a call to serve in Wycliffe Associates to create an English program to serve the needs of Bible translation. Within three years, this program spanned across 25 countries with a developed staff of over 30 people. In 2014, the creation of MAST (Mobilized Assistance Supporting Translation) was piloted in Nepal changing the landscape of the mission of Bible translation.
Dan spent 11 years at Wycliffe Associates as the Director of Education Services and then Executive Director of Strategic Programs where he has managed hundreds of teams and partnerships engaging in Bible translation.
Currently, he serves as the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Our Daily Bread. As a father of six children, he manages a balance of global travel and a love to be home, realizing the important balance of a strong family foundation to ministry. It is Dan’s desire to see the end of Bible poverty, but ultimately to follow God in his path for His desire on impacting people through relevant programs.
Interested in Literacy Methodology?
We’d love to share more information, including academic majors and graduate program financial opportunities.
Benefits of graduate studies at Barclay College
Complete program in only 2 years (4 semesters), a total of 36 credit hours
100% online — so students
can further their education
wherever they go
Affordably priced — with
Graduate Leadership
Scholarships available
Accredited — by the Higher
Learning Commission and
the Association for Biblical
Higher Education
Tuition & Financial Assistance
The costs at Barclay College are much less than similar private Christian colleges. We also offer scholarships and other types of financial aid. Our outstanding quality and reasonable costs add up to a great education value.
$8,520
Estimated cost per year for the 2023-2024 year
How to Apply
Barclay College admits students based on academic record and abilities, Christian commitment, and agreement with the established purposes of the college. See the requirements for the application to the School of Graduate Studies.
View the Application Requirements below. If you have questions, contact graduatestudies@barclaycollege.edu.
Graduate School Calendar
| SPRING 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
| START | END | |
| Application Deadline | December 8 | |
| Orientation | December 11 | January 5 |
| Enrollment Deadline | December 22 | |
| Classes | January 8 | May 12 |
| FALL 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
| START | END | |
| Application Deadline | July 22 | |
| Orientation | July 8 | August 9 |
| Enrollment Deadline | August 2 | |
| Classes | August 12 | December 16 |
| SPRING 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| START | END | |
| Application Deadline | December 16 | |
| Orientation | December 22 | January 3 |
| Enrollment Deadline | December 23 | |
| Classes | January 6 | May 18 |