Literacy Degree

Masters Degree in Literacy Overview

A Master of Education (MSEd) in Literacy Education is an advanced degree for classroom teachers who want to enhance their teaching of literacy, develop and implement reading and literacy curriculum, or for those who want to develop reading standards on a district or state-wide level. Obtaining a MSEd. in Literacy usually takes from 18-24 months, depending on the number of credit hours. Many online courses are available for teachers looking for work flexibility.

While a MS in Education in Literacy will provide you with the necessary education to teach, it is not all that is required: each state has licensure requirements that vary. Many Master’s programs have state licensing built into their programs, but some do not, and will require you to obtain a teaching license on your own. Be sure to check out your individual program for details.

Education Masters Programs

There are numerous masters degree in education to choose from.  It is imperative as a prospective student that you review each aspect of the degree program you are selecting and make certain that you have chosen the one that is right for your career. Below is a listing of options:

Why You Should Get Your MEd in Literacy

Since most who gain their MSEd in Literacy are teachers or want to be teachers, the benefits to gaining this in-depth knowledge unfold in the classroom.

  • The concentration in Literacy provides a foundation for teaching learning-disabled and special-needs readers.
  • The MSEd provides the Master’s requirements for teachers in most states.
  • Achieving a Master’s in Literacy Education opens the doors to career advancement in the fields of curriculum development, literacy advocacy, and administration.
  • An MSEd in Literacy can help you get a job as an English as a Second Language teacher in this rapidly growing field in the United States, or in any country in the world.
  • Teachers can extend their knowledge of literacy development in order to provide better environments for their students.

Literacy Degree Curriculum & Courses

Individual MSEd. programs vary depending on the institution, so please check with yours for complete course study. Areas of study listed below are samples of courses you may take while completing your education.

  • Education Leadership
  • Assessment and Improvement of Instruction
  • Standards-Based Curriculum and Instruction
  • Strategies for Eliminating the Achievement Gap
  • Research Methodology
  • Developing Fluent Readers
  • The Reading Process
  • Reading Instruction
  • Comprehension Strategies
  • Disabilities and Literacy
  • Literacy in Multicultural Settings
  • Corrective and Remedial Reading
  • Developmentally Appropriate Literacy
  • English as a Second Language

Literacy Degree Career Opportunities

An education degree in the specialty of literacy opens the door to a wide range of education-based careers in reading, language, and learning. Listed below is a range of career possibilities – not a complete list, but merely some suggestions to possible career pathways.

  • PreK-12 Reading Teacher
  • Literacy Specialist
  • Curriculum Developer
  • Literacy Advocate
  • District or State Literacy Leader
  • Reading Coach or Tutor
  • Adult Education Literacy Teacher
  • English as a Second Language Teacher

Literacy Degree Admissions & Educational Requirements

Most Master’s programs require a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and transcripts from that university. Some programs require that you have experience teaching in order to apply, others do not. In addition, many have GPA requirements and require letters of recommendation. Some programs will transfer credits or offer credit for prior coursework, but check with your individual institution for details.

If you are interested in a Master of Science in Education in Literacy, consult the program’s admission requirements online or call a representative for details.

Literacy Degree Accreditation

There are a number of recognized accrediting agencies for teachers, most of them state-related. Please make sure you research accreditation before entering a program.

NCATE – National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
www.ncate.org

Professional Organizations

Included below are a few of the many professional teacher and educational advocacy organizations. Learn more about your future career here.

IRA – International Reading Association
www.reading.org

AFT – American Federation of Teachers
www.aft.org

NCTE – National Council of Teachers of English
www.ncte.org

NEA – National Education Association
www.nea.org

UFT – United Federation of Teachers
www.uft.org

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