Master of Education (M.Ed.)
Language & Literacy Special Reading
Program Highlights & Benefits
100% Online Program
2 year or less completion time, including holiday breaks
No GRE or admission tests
No weekend classes
What You Learn
The M.Ed. in Language and Literacy with emphasis on special reading is designed with the following:
Area of Emphasis: Reading/Literacy Specialist preparation. This area of emphasis is for educators desiring to work as literacy professionals, including, but not limited to, reading/literacy specialists in various public and private settings. The degree meets the seven standards and their aligned components for reading/literacy specialists as determined by the International Literacy Association’s (ILA) Standards for the Preparation of Literacy Professionals (2017). This program leads to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) Special Reading certification. * This certificate is not available as an initial certificate; candidates must already be certified teachers.
How You Learn
Online: This is an online cohort program. There are no weekly class meetings required; instead, you will log in to the online courseroom to complete assignments, participate in discussion topics, and other online activities designed by your professor. You will finish one 3 credit course every 8 weeks. Following this schedule, you will complete the program in approximately 2 years with built in breaks.
Career Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, students will earn a Master of Education with an emphasis in Language and Literacy and be eligible for Missouri special reading certification.*
Degree Requirements
Reading Specialist Area of Emphasis
| Course | Title | Hours |
| ED 528 | Theory/Practice in Literacy | 3 |
| ED 545 | Teaching Reading to Linguistically Diverse Readers | 3 |
| ED 546 | Advanced Diagnosis & Remediation of Reading Difficulties | 3 |
| ED 547 | Counseling Techniques with Exceptional Children/Families | 3 |
| ED 548 | Evaluation of Abilities & Achievement | 3 |
| ED 557 | Language Development for the Exceptional Child | 3 |
| ED 561 | Miscue Analysis | 3 |
| ED 641 | Literacy Practicum I | 3 |
| ED 651 | Literacy Practicum II | 3 |
| ED 526 | Classroom Management Seminar | 3 |
| Total Hours: | 30 |
Please Note:
*Students must demonstrate completion of coursework (or the equivalent) in Psychology/Education of the Exceptional Child and Child and Adolescent Psychology as part of their bachelor’s degree program in order to meet Missouri special reading certification requirements. Students who do not meet these requirements as part of their undergraduate coursework will be required to take ED520 Special Needs in the Classroom and ED527 Growth and Development of Children and Adolescents (or the equivalent coursework from another institution) in order to be eligible for special reading certification. The above course outline is tentative and subject to change.
