Reading Education, M.A. and M.S.

The Reading Education program has two options. Option 1a and 1b are available to individuals who hold a valid instructional certificate in another area. Option 2a and 2b are available to individuals who do not hold a valid instructional certificate. Students in option 1a may pursue either a Master of Arts degree or a Master of Science degree in addition to the reading specialist. The Master of Arts degree requires 30 credits in course work and a 6 credit thesis. The Master of Science degree required 36 credits in course work. Students in option 1b, which requires 24 credits, may pursue only the reading specialist certificate. Students in option 2a may pursue only the Master of Science degree, which requires 51 credits in course work, in addition to the reading specialist certificate. Students in option 2b, which requires 48 credits, may pursue only the reading specialist certificate.

Below are the programs of study for the two options. All students pursuing a Master’s degree must pass a comprehensive examination.

Option 1a (36 credits)

Research Course Requirement (3 credits)

EFND 506 - Educational Research and Statistics

Computer Course Requirement (3 credits)

ECUI 511 - Computer Literacy for Educators

Foundation Course Requirement (3 credits)

Reading Course Requirement (27 credits)

ERDG 501 - Foundations of Reading/Language Arts
ERDG 506 - Reading: Psycholinguistic Bases
ERDG 511 - Diagnosis of Reading Disabilities
ERDG 516 - Reading/Language Arts in the Content Areas
ERDG 521 - Organizing and Operating Reading Programs
ERDG 526 - Reading Practicum
ERDG 531 - Children’s and Adolescent Literature Worldwide
Thesis for M. A. (6 credits)
Electives for M. S. (6 credits)

Option 1b (24 credits)

Students in option 1b must complete the following 8 courses from those listed above:

ECUI 511 - Computer Literacy for Educators
ERDG 501 - Foundations of Reading/Language Arts
ERDG 506 - Reading: Psycholinguistic Bases
ERDG 511 - Diagnosis of Reading Disabilities
ERDG 516 - Reading/Language Arts in the Content Areas
ERDG 521 - Organizing and Operating Reading Programs
ERDG 526 - Reading Practicum
ERDG 531 - Children’s and Adolescent Literature Worldwide
Note: Students in option 1a and 1b must pass the Praxis Series test, Reading Specialist, which is mandated by PDE, and complete an acceptable electronic portfolio.

Option 2a (51 credits)

Research Course Requirement (3 credits)

EFND 506 - Educational Research and Statistics

Computer Course Requirement (3 credits)

ECUI 511 - Computer Literacy for Educators

Foundation Course Requirement (9 credits)

Field Experience Requirement (3 credits)

Reading Course Requirement (21 credits)

Classroom Management and Student Teaching (12 credits)

Option 2b (48 credits)

Students in option 2b, which leads only to the reading specialist certificate, must complete all the courses listed in option 2a except for EFND 516 , Educational Research and Statistics.

Note: Students in option 2a and 2b must pass all required Praxis tests, which are mandated by PDE, and complete an acceptable electronic portfolio.

Reading Supervisor

The University offers an approved program for becoming certified as a reading supervisor in Pennsylvania. Please see the program description in the Supervision section of this catalog.