Master of Education (M.Ed.)
Reading and Literacy
Program Highlights & Benefits
Flexible, online format
1.5 year completion time, including holiday breaks
No GRE or admission tests
Two Pathways: Reading Research Pathway and Wilson Reading System® Level I Certification Pathway
For
Professional educators who wish to earn a Master’s in Reading and Literacy and those seeking certification as a Reading Specialist through the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
What You Learn
You will learn enhanced reading skills that will enable you to work one-to-one or in small groups with students that are experiencing difficulty reading at grade level. You will obtain the necessary skills to assess students’ reading abilities, identifying deficiencies and creating intervention plans for grade-level students who have been identified in need of additional reading help. The courses will strengthen your ability to teach reading and enable you to work school wide or district wide coaching other teachers in effective reading practices.
In addition to assessment and intervention of students with reading deficiencies, you will learn about teaching Reading in the Content Areas, the Reading and Writing Connection, and the skills needed to coach other teachers in the classroom.
Receiving your Reading Specialist Certification PK-12 issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Education will also enhance your capacity in the job market by opening other educational avenues. Obtaining the credits for Reading Specialist can also be applied toward gaining permanent certification.
How You Learn
Online Format: This is an online cohort program. No face-to-face class meetings are required, but students will be engaged in an active and engaging online classroom environment that includes assignments, materials, discussion threads, assessments and/or group activities done electronically. One 3-credit practicum course is included in your course schedule, where you will be responsible for completing the mandated number of observation hours required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education prior to certification. These hours will need to be completed in a reading clinic with a practicing reading specialist. You will finish one 3-credit course every 8 weeks. Following this schedule, you will complete the program in approximately 1.5 years.
Choose Your Pathway
All Master’s in Reading and Literacy students take 18 credits of literacy and reading specialist courses. For the final four courses, students can choose one of two pathways:
Reading Research Pathway
The Reading Research Pathway provides educators and related professionals with comprehensive preparation in reading and literacy instruction. This traditional pathway is grounded in structured literacy and emphasizes reading research, assessment, and evidence-based instructional practices. It is designed for individuals who wish to develop broad expertise in literacy instruction and support students with a range of reading abilities and learning needs.
Wilson Reading System® Level I Certification Pathway
This certificate provides educators and related professionals with comprehensive preparation in the Wilson Reading System® (WRS) at Level I. It is designed for individuals who wish to develop expertise in structured literacy instruction, particularly for students with dyslexia or other language-based learning differences.
Please note that there is an additional fee beyond graduate tuition for the WRS certification courses.
Please Note:
Program and course requirements are subject to change to comply with university policy.
Please be aware that it is the student’s responsibility to regularly review the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) website for the most up-to-date testing requirements specific to your certification area, as PDE does make periodic changes to the requirements. For detailed information, please refer to the PDE Testing Requirement Link: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/education/programs-and-services/educators/certification/help/quick-reference-for-applicants.html
Students will need to complete a 3 credit practicum course in a reading clinic with a practicing reading specialist to satisfy Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements pertaining to field experience and observation hours prior to certification.
- A 3-week placement (105 hours) is required for students who already hold a teaching certification
- A 6-week placement (210 hours) is required for students seeking initial certification
Students will be able to complete the placement in ESY classrooms over the summer term or in summer reading programs.
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